1. What’s Up in Kindergarten - September Our first few weeks have been spent establishing routines, learning names, and becoming comfortable as a group of learners. -For reading we have focused on enjoying literature, memorizing some chants of popular stories (Gingerbread Man and Jelly on a Cracker), and building stamina for enjoying books with independence.

2. What’s Up in Kindergarten - September During math we have been doing activities around shape identification and properties, sorting by various attributes, counting, and creating patterns. In the next week or two I will be doing a variety of assessments with each student to give me a better understanding of their skills with basic mathematics, letter identification and sound relationships, and reading skills. (No, you should not try to do anything to prepare your child for this!)

3. What’s Up in Kindergarten - September - Writing Workshop has quickly become a favorite part of our day. I spent a week at Columbia University this summer taking a course on writing instruction at the Kindergarten level and I came back very excited for our writing program this year. It seems this energy is rubbing off on the students. Our primary focus thus far has been to get kids to first get an idea (preferably a simple incident from their own life), picture it in their minds, and then convey that same meaning on paper.

4. What’s Up in Kindergarten - September - Reminders: Parents/Drivers/Others picking up students in the lobby – please say goodbye or catch my eye and wave to me across the lobby so that I know you have connected with your child. Sometimes I walk down with 8 kids and suddenly they are all gone, but I ’ m not sure that each child has found their way to the appropriate adult yet. – Thanks! All important information provided in this online newsletter will also reach you by email, hard copy, or both. You will also receive all pictures from the ebooks, photo galleries, and newsletters on a CD at the end of the year. While the links and ebooks accessible on the Kindergarten website are educational, please remember that most young children already get more screen time (television/computer/games) than is healthy for them! I would venture that a good conversation with you might better suit their growth. :)