Mrs. Warner's KinderKids Home Page

Warner Weekly
St. John Vianney Kindergarten
18 November 2012
 

Dear Parents –
 
November 19 was a RED LETTER DAY!  It snowed, and we ran out on the porch to try to catch some snowflakes on our tongues!  Excitement abounded, and the KinderKids are so pumped up for winter activities now!
 
Thanks to those of you who can be here for the Pow Wow on Monday, and to the families who sent in supplies! Many of you asked yesterday and today what we still need, and I think after those supplies come in, we are covered.  I can do more for your children because you are so generous to us!
 
We will set up stations for our Pow Wow in our classroom on Monday morning.  We will begin the day’s experience as soon as the KinderKids have finished their tasks.  About 10:45, we will move to the Social Hall for our gathering with the Pre-K students.
 
We have been reading books about Thanksgiving.  We talked about why the Pilgrims came to American, and that the Native Americans were very helpful to them.  We discussed why the first Thanksgiving was celebrated, and what the Pilgrims and Native Americans were thankful for.  Each of the KinderKids will tell me what s/he is thankful for, and I will record their words.  I will share them with you next week.
 
We have also been reading stories about Native Americans, including The Legend of the Bluebonnet,  The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush.  In those stories especially, the Native American children are named for events that shaped their lives. I asked each of the children to think of a name that would describe them, and will record those names.  I am going to create a page of a book for each of them, and they will illustrate themselves as their Native American name.
 
Please return Read and Grow shirts next week.   Remember to write on the back of the shirt the names of the books you and your child have shared.  
 
Mr. Beautiful Buttons came to our classroom, and we listened to his song.  We then made a list of students first, middle or last names that begin with ‘B’   We also cut and glued a “Bb” puzzle page – the KinderKids had to give me a thumbs up or down to let me know they recognized the beginning sound.  Tho we colored a picture of Miss A that I had printed, the children had to draw Mr. B themselves and color him.  It is yet another way that I help the students differentiate between the vowels and the consonants. You will be hearing lots about the Letter People!
 
In last week’s folder, I sent “Aa” penmanship papers.  I had gone over them carefully with the children, and told them that they would have to explain the papers to you themselves.  Many of them have come back, but some children still have to return theirs.  I told them that they will get a sticker on each of the penmanship papers the complete, and will also get a sticker on the chart we will keep in our classroom.    I asked them to do the papers using ONLY pencil, and to return the completed papers to school no later than Wednesday.
 
This week, you will also find ‘Home Activities’ papers in the folders.  Several parents have asked for suggestions of things to do at home to support what is being presented in the classroom.  The Home Activities will do just that!  They should choose at least two of the activities to do, and return the paper to me by the next Wednesday.  There will be Home Activity papers for each letter of the alphabet. 
 
We have completed our cornucopias -- isn’t that a great word for KinderKids to know!  We used watercolors to paint the fruits and vegetables.  They are beautiful!  This weekend, their cornucopias will decorate the Social Hall for the parish Thanksgiving dinner.   I will send them home next week so they can also decorate your home for the holidays.
 
We are learning about pictograms (or hieroglyphics), the picture writing that many Native Americans used.  We will use some pictograms to decorate our vests on Monday.  Also, the Native American ‘Braves’ and ‘Maidens’ have been telling me about the kind deeds they are doing to earn feathers for their headbands – please remember to send in their lists on Monday.  Thanks!
 
We made a pattern block scarecrow this week by gluing paper pattern blocks an outline that I created. The students then counted and recorded how many of each color block they used in the scarecrow -- they loved the challenge!
 
We were invited to the “Healthy Eating” presentation this week.  The play emphasized the importance of eating fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods, while avoiding those with too much sugar, grease, or other unhealthy things.  The slogan “5-2-1-0” was repeated many, many times – 5 fruits and vegetables a day; no more than 2 hours of tv, video games, or computer a day; 1 hour of exercise a day; and 0 sugary drinks and snacks.  Ask your children to tell you about the slogan!
 
 And then the next day, we were entertained by the Troubadours from Flint Institute of Music!  Some of the students were chosen to be a part of the presentation by play a violin or dancing with the troupe.  They taught us about choices, and encouraged the children to talk through, or walk away from, conflict.  A good lesson for all of us……
 
I am so grateful to those who come to help with lunch recess and lunch!  As a couple of new parents have volunteered to help, please let me remind all of you what is most helpful for you to do while you are here. 
 
On the playground, please circulate around the whole playground, being mindful of all of the children who are out there.  It might mean tying a shoe here or there, giving them a push on the swings, reminding them that we walk up the steps and slide down the slides (not climb up the slides!), intervening if two children are having a disagreement, or  checking with Mrs. Allen for direction if you need to do so.
 
In the cafeteria, again, please circulate around the KinderKid tables.  There are always packages/cartons/bags to help open, children to be encouraged to eat their lunches, children who need to be reminded of proper manners, monitoring to be done of how many KinderKids have left the room to use the bathroom, and again, children who need assistance for myriad reasons.  Once I come to the cafeteria, our procedure is this:  the children are to remain seated to finish whatever they have before them.   I will tell them when it is time to clean up;  until then, they keep their trays and lunchboxes with them at their places.  I prefer that they wait until we return to our classrooms to use the bathroom or get a drink of water.  Of course, if it is an emergency, that is judged on its own merits.
 
Following the above guidelines makes recess and lunch more pleasant for your children.  They know what to expect, and know that there are parents around that they can count on.  THANK YOU!
 
Be sure to send warm jackets, gloves, and hats – it was super cold outside today!
 
One of the highlights of our Annual Dinner Auction evening is the classroom baskets that are auctioned.  Each classroom chooses a theme, the parents send in items that support that theme, and baskets of those items are created and auctioned in the silent auction.  Our classroom theme this year is Lego’s, and each KinderKid is asked to bring in a new box of Lego’s valued at $20.  I know the auction is 3 months away, but there are always bargains on Lego’s at this time of year, so I wanted you to know in case you come across any deals!    Mark the date on your calendar -- February 11, 2012 – plan to be there!   Another huge thank you…
 
Feel like I am forgetting something important……
 
Thanksgiving Blessings to you and those you love from Mrs. Lince and I.  We are so thankful that you are a part of our school family, and we hope your holiday is filled with wonderful moments…
 
Mrs. Warner