Kindergarten News
Jan. 24-28

Weekly Theme:
Ocean Life/Whales

Help your child develop comprehension skills:
• Talk with your child about the story and pictures
• Have your child predict what a story will be about
• Have your child retell the important parts of the story

JANUARY

We have enjoyed learning about Antarctica, winter and penguins. We will now begin studying whales and other sea mammals. Look for a stuffed whale to come home with your child this week. Ask him/her questions about the whale. You will be impressed with their knowledge!
The students are working hard in all areas of the curriculum. We are emphasizing the importance of always doing nice, neat work and taking their time to complete a task instead of rushing through it. This year is going by so quickly!

Thank you for making it so enjoyable and for helping your child have a successful year. Please continue reading with your child each night. Thank you for being diligent on helping with homework as well!

Have a wonderful week and thank you for all you do!

linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
Jan. 24-28

Weekly Theme:
Ocean Life/Whales

Help your child develop comprehension skills:

• Talk with your child about the story and pictures
• Have your child predict what a story will be about
• Have your child retell the important parts of the story

JANUARY

We have enjoyed learning about Antarctica, winter and penguins. We will now begin studying whales and other sea mammals. Look for a stuffed whale to come home with your child this week. Ask him/her questions about the whale. You will be impressed with their knowledge!

The students are working hard in all areas of the curriculum. We are emphasizing the importance of always doing nice, neat work and taking their time to complete a task instead of rushing through it. This year is going by so quickly!

Thank you for making it so enjoyable and for helping your child have a successful year. Please continue reading with your child each night. Thank you for being diligent on helping with homework as well!

Have a wonderful week and thank you for all you do!

linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
Jan. 17-21, 2011

Weekly Theme:
Penguins/Ocean Life/Whales

Please ask your child to tell you his/her address, phone number and birthday.

JANUARY

I hope you enjoyed your long weekend! I love to come to school and be around your fun, energetic children! They make me smile! We completed the DIBELS testing this week. The students are making great progress and are understanding important learning concepts that are vital in their future academic experiences. Thank you for making school a high priority! For the next two weeks, the students will be tested on the next portion of the Kindergarten Assessment. The concepts that have not already been on another blog entry include: addition up to five, graphing, reading at least ten kindergarten sight words, and writing a sentence using a capital, spaces in between words and ending with a period.

I wanted to make you aware of an attempted abduction that happened Wednesday at 1150 West 800 South. Two boys were delivering papers when a man in a dark blue truck pulled up next to them and offered them money to get in and go with him. A police report has been filed but just wanted to let you know so you can talk to your children and also be watchful of any future problems. THANK YOU!!

Have a great week and as always please call or e-mail me with any questions or concerns!

linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
Jan. 10-14, 2011

Weekly Theme:

Antarctica/
Penguins

Early Literacy Idea
Encourage your child to write the names of the people in your family. Drawing pictures to go along with the names are fun too.

JANUARY

We had a great week back in school and the students are adjusting well after the long break. We will be reviewing skills in preparation for the next DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessment. The skills include: letter recognition, beginning sounds, nonsense words (for example: ig, xup, taf) and segmenting words (for example: the tester says, “tell me each sound you hear in “hat and the students would say h/a/t. Each segment of the assessment is timed for fluency.

Also, please ask your child to name all of the letters (upper and lower case) and sounds of the alphabet, recognize and write the numerals 0-20, identify rhyming words (say two words—if they rhyme have your child put thumbs up, if they do not rhyme, put thumbs down) write first and last name.

Thanks again for all you do to help ensure your child is having a successful school experience. You truly make a difference! Please call with any questions or concerns. Have a wonderful week!

linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
Jan. 10-14, 2011

Weekly Theme:

Antarctica/
Penguins

Early Literacy Idea
Encourage your child to write the names of the people in your family. Drawing pictures to go along with the names are fun too.

JANUARY

We had a great week back in school and the students are adjusting well after the long break. We will be reviewing skills in preparation for the next DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessment. The skills include: letter recognition, beginning sounds, nonsense words (for example: ig, xup, taf) and segmenting words (for example: the tester says, “tell me each sound you hear in “hat and the students would say h/a/t. Each segment of the assessment is timed for fluency.

Also, please ask your child to name all of the letters (upper and lower case) and sounds of the alphabet, recognize and write the numerals 0-20, identify rhyming words (say two words—if they rhyme have your child put thumbs up, if they do not rhyme, put thumbs down) write first and last name.

Thanks again for all you do to help ensure your child is having a successful school experience. You truly make a difference! Please call with any questions or concerns. Have a wonderful week!

linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
Jan. 3-7, 2011

Weekly Theme:
Winter/Antarctica

Please ask your child to tell you his/her address, phone number and birthday.

JANUARY

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THE NICE GIFTS, CARDS, AND REMEMBRANCES! Happy New Year! I hope you had an enjoyable, relaxing, Christmas break. January will be a great learning time for us in Kindergarten! Thanks for your support at home. This week we will start a unit on Antarctica. It will be exciting to learn about this strange and beautiful place.

Remember that beginning this Wednesday we will meet at the following times:
AM Kindergarten
8:50-10:50
PM Kindergarten
11:30-1:30
THIS IS ONLY ON WEDNESDAYS FOR OUR EARLY OUT TIMES. The other days of the week stay the same. For our PM classes, PLEASE DO NOT HAVE YOUR STUDENT ARRIVE BEFORE 11:25. Due to our shortened lunchtime, there will not be supervision until 11:25. Thank you for your cooperation! Have a nice week and as always, please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns.

linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
Dec. 13-17, 2010

Weekly Theme:

Customs/Traditions/Christmas

Early Literacy Idea

Encourage your child to write a story—look for a capital at the beginning, spaces in between words and a period at the end.

DECEMBER

This week we will learn more about the December holidays celebrated in various cultures. We will celebrate the diversity of holiday traditions celebrated around the world.

The State Board of Education mandates that Kindergarten students be in school for a minimum of two hours a day. On Wednesdays we do not quite meet that requirement so beginning on January 5th our classes will now meet during the following times:
AM Kindergarten
8:50-10:50
PM Kindergarten
11:30-1:30

The bus garage knows of this change and will still bring your students home accordingly. For our PM classes, PLEASE DO NOT HAVE YOUR STUDENT ARRIVE BEFORE 11:25. Due to our shortened lunchtime, there will not be supervision until 11:25. We will have the students come and hang up their backpacks, coats, etc. and begin school immediately. Thank you for your cooperation!

Have a wonderful Christmas holiday! Thanks again for all you do!
linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
Dec. 6-10, 2010

Weekly Theme:

Customs/Traditions/Christmas

Early Literacy Idea
Say a word and then ask your child to think of two or three words that rhyme with it.
For example: rock/sock/block/lock

DECEMBER

It is hard to believe that December is here already! It is an exciting month for us at school. There will be many great things going one. We will be working hard to master the concepts for the kindergarten curriculum. I appreciate you making school a priority for these young, great students!

Please remember to send back the November reading calendar if you have not already done so.
If you have missing items that your child brought to school and has not returned, please check the “Lost and Found” room next to the lunchroom. The custodians will be taking any unclaimed items after Christmas to Deseret Industries.

THANKS AGAIN for all you do to help unsure your child is having a successful school experience!
linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
November 29-Dec. 3, 2010

Weekly Theme:

Customs/Traditions

EARLY LITERATURE IDEA

Remember to encourage your child to write often! Have him/her write letters, stories, make cards, etc., using a capital at the beginning, spaces in between words, and putting a period at the end.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday! Thanks again for sharing your wonderful children with me. They are an impressive group!

Please remember to send the November reading calendar back with your child on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Thank you for reading with them! It is SO important and the benefits will last a lifetime!

Your child should be able to read the following sight words: me, see, I, can, like, look, here, the, on, at, and, in, up, to, my, this, is.

This week we will begin a unit on the December holidays observed in various cultures and will celebrate the diversity of holiday traditions around the world. If you have music, poetry, stories, etc. that are unique to your family or culture and you would like to come into the classroom and share any time before Christmas, it would be greatly appreciated. Just send a note, e-mail, or call me and we’ll make arrangements. THANKS!

Please feel free to contact me any time!
linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
November 22-26, 2010

Weekly Theme:
Native Americans/
Thanksgiving

No Centers this week because of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Have a wonderful vacation!

NOVEMBER

This is a short week because of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will have our Thanksgiving party on Tuesday. Those of you who volunteered to bring something, please send the items with your child by Tuesday. Thanks so much for your willingness to help! Remember school will be out Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

We have had fun learning about Native Americans and pilgrims and what life was like in early America.

One of the skills I would like each kindergartner to know is their address, phone number and birthday. Addresses are especially hard for them to learn, so please continue to help them with lots of encouragement. This is important information that each one needs to know but because it is so individualized, it is very difficult for me to teach. Thank you for your persistence!

Again, as it starts to get colder, please make sure your child’s name is on his/her coat or jacket so we do not loose them. There is a lost and found area right by the lunchroom. If you are missing anything, please check there.

As always, please feel free to contact me any time.
linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
November 15-19, 2010

Weekly Theme:
Native Americans/
Thanksgiving

Early Literacy idea
When reading familiar stories to your child, try stopping once in a while and let him/her fill in what comes next in the story. This is a fun way to help with comprehension skills.

NOVEMBER

This week we will cover the letters Y and Z. HOORAY, we made it to the end of the alphabet! Make sure you look at their alphabet books and drawing books they will be bringing home. They are so excited to show you their awesome work! We will learn the sight words to, my.

We will have Centers this week, but because we are out Wednesday through Friday the following week for the Thanksgiving holiday, we will not have them during that week. (November 22-26). Thank you again to those who come each week and help with Centers. You are truly appreciated!

If you signed up to furnish something for our Thanksgiving Party, I will attach a reminder to your child’s homework. Our party is on Tues., Nov. 23. You can just send the items with your child on that day. If anyone would be willing to send some apple slices, please let me know. (5-6 apples cut up) I had one person sign up for apples in the PM class, but could use one more volunteer for that class and two volunteers for the AM class. Also if some one could send cheese cubes for the AM class, I would appreciate that too! Just send a note or e-mail me if that works for any one. (We are having a “mini” Thanksgiving dinner with some healthy snacks that day). THANKS SO MUCH!

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK! Thank you for sharing your children with me. I am enjoying them and I am pleased with the progress they are making. As always, please feel free to contact me any time!
linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
November 8-12, 2010

Weekly Theme:

Native Americans

Early Literacy idea
Play “I Spy” using initial sound clues. For example, “I spy something that is green and starts with the sound /g/. (grass)

NOVEMBER

Thank you for your continued support at home. It is great that the homework and reading books come back consistently. You are wonderful parents. It is exciting to see the progress your children are making!

The students are becoming great readers and writers! We will continue to work on letters and sounds with V, W, and X. The sights words for this week are up, in, a. We will continue working on writing the numerals 0-10 and will also focus on recognizing and writing 11-20. Reversals are common at this age, but we are working hard at writing the numerals the correct way! Simple addition from 1-5 and graphing will also be introduced.

Just a reminder about green ribbon week sponsored by our wonderful PTA—your children are encouraged to wear their green wristbands every day this week. In addition, the following colors can be worn : Monday-green, Tuesday-yellow, Wednesday-red, Thursday-orange, Friday-purple. Healthy snacks will be provided each day to the class that has the most participation.
On the following Monday, please return your pledge sheets and money for the walk-a-thon. We are earning money for more playground equipment. A small prize will be given for returning the pledge sheets on time.

We are starting to get quite a collection of coats/jackets left at the school. Please remember to write the name of your student on their coats so we can tell whom they belong to. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!
linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
November 1-5, 2010

Weekly Theme:

Mapping

Early Literacy idea
Help your child understand how books work. As you read, point to words to show left to right, spaces between words, and word patterns.

NOVEMBER

Happy November! Thanks again for sharing your wonderful children with me. We have a super group and each child is progressing and contributing to our class. Please remember to fill out and send the October reading calendar back to school by Friday, November 5th. Reading is such a great way to help your child be successful in school.

Please continue to ask your child often to tell you what sound each letter makes. We will finish up the letters and sounds of each of the alphabet in two weeks. This is a great accomplishment for these little ones. Thanks for your help at home! The sight words we have learned are: me, see, I, can, like, look, here, the, on, at.

Reflections are due on November 3rd. The theme is “Together We Can”. Refer to the flyer that is stapled to your child’s homework packet.

Green Ribbon Week is scheduled for November 5-12. Saturday, Nov. 6th is Family Fitness day at the SUU PE building from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students will be given a green bracelet at school and if they wear their bracelets they will get in free. Family members will get in at a reduced price. Your student will also bring home a pledge sheet for the walk-a-thon taking place at the school during their PE time. All donations will need to be returned to the school by Monday, Nov. 25th for a prize.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!
linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
October 25-29, 2010

Weekly Theme:

Halloween

Remember our reading goal is 15 minutes a night/five nights a week. Please read to your child and have him/her read to you. This is so important! Thanks for all you do!

OCTOBER

This week we will be doing some Halloween activities and reviewing the concepts we have learned since school started. We will have a classroom Halloween party on Friday. Please do not have your child wear a costume on that day. If you signed up to bring something, a note will come home on Tuesday, Oct. 26 in your child’s homework folder. You can send the items any time by Friday. THANK YOU!

Please make sure your children have their name on their coats and jackets that they bring to school. This will help so we do not lose them or have any mix-ups.

Remember this is Red Ribbon Week. Please refer to the flyer that was sent home a few days ago for the daily activities/dress ups you may choose to have your child participate in. Thank you PTA for sponsoring this! Also, the PTA will be sponsoring Green Ribbon Week from Nov. 5-12, which emphasizes healthy lifestyles. A flyer is coming home with more information about it in your child’s homework packet on Tuesday. Don’t forget about the Reflections contest—the theme is “Together We Can”. Further information is available in the office.

A parent training meeting will be offered on Wednesday, November 3rd at 6:30 PM at Iron Springs Elementary. Sharon Coonon and Sue Harris from South Elementary are two of the presenters. For questions or further information, you may contact them at 586-2850. Everyone is welcome!

linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
October 18-22, 2010

Weekly Theme:

Five Senses

Box Tops
Please continue to send in box-tops. It is a great say for our school to earn money! We appreciate your help!

OCTOBER

We have learned the letters A-O. We will continue with P and Q this week. Thank you for helping them form them correctly on their homework sheets. We have been doing quite a bit of writing in our class. The more kids write, the better writers they become. Research shows that kids who are good writers are usually good readers. Encourage your child to write grocery lists, make cards, write letters to their grandparents, etc. We have also been practicing “stretching out” words by listening for the sounds we hear in each word and writing down the sounds we can hear. Don’t worry that your child does not spell each word correctly—encourage them to (1) slowly say the word they want to write, (2) stretch out the word, (3) listen for each sound, (4) write down the sounds they know and (5) do their best!

Here is a head’s up for Halloween—we will have a classroom party on Friday, October 29th. Please do not have your child wear a costume on that day. We will have some snacks/treats and play some games. I try to keep the parties simple. If you signed up to bring something, I will send a reminder home a few days before the party.

I have had great attendance this year and appreciate you making school a priority! As always, please feel free to contact me anytime!

linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
October 11-15 2010

Weekly Theme:

Five Senses

Early Literacy Idea
Please continue to read with your child or have him/her read to you. Visit the library and enjoy a new variety of books.

OCTOBER

We have learned the letters A-M. We will continue with N and O this week. Each student should be able to write both upper and lower case letters correctly as well as tell you the sound each one makes.

We have learned the sight words me, see, I, can, like, look, here, the. This week we will learn on, at.

We have been working on the numerals 0-10. Ask your child to name each one and write each one correctly as well.

Each child should also be able to identify a circle, square, triangle and rectangle. The rectangle is the one that is giving some of the student’s trouble.

Please encourage your child to write his/her first name with a capital for the first letter and all lower case for the rest. Thanks so much for your help at home. If they are receiving reinforcement from school and home, it is so much to their advantage! You are wonderful parents!

linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
October 4-8 2010

Weekly Theme:

Colors/Shapes

Early Literacy Idea
Play with letters! Magnetic letters are good for word play. Also, let your child trace letters in sand, salt, rice, etc. as they say the letters and sounds.

OCTOBER

Please look over your child’s pre-assessment scores that will come home on Monday, October 4th in his/her homework folder. Keep in mind that this assessment was given five weeks ago. This year the guidelines have changed a little bit. We do not count reversals. This means that if your child writes a number backwards, for example, it is not counted as correct. You will notice a part on the assessment that says, FSF. This stands for First Sound Fluency. Your child is asked to tell the first sound he/she hears in a variety of words. It is timed for one minute. The goal for this time of year is 10. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know and I will gladly explain anything on the assessment that is unclear to you. You have wonderful children and it is exciting to see the growth they are making. Thanks for making a difference in their education!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
September 27-October 1, 2010

Weekly Theme:

Colors/Shapes

Parent Volunteers
I will let you know for sure the week we will begin our centers. It will probably the week after SEP Week, but I will contact you to confirm the date. Thank you so much for your help!

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

During SEP Week, October 4-8, we will not be having individual appointments for kindergarten students because of our assessments in August. However, it you have concerns and you want to meet with me, I would love to do that. Please just let me know. I may call some of you as well. Remember that the students will be dismissed early, allowing me to more effectively plan and prepare our curriculum to meet the needs of your children. Students will be dismissed every day at 10:35 for the AM students and 2:30 for PM students, even on Wednesday for that week. PM students attend from 12:45-2:30—NOT the usual 11:45-1:30. Extended Day students will stay until 2:30 as well.

Your child will bring his/her pre-assessment and DIBELS scores home in the homework folders on Monday, Oct. 4th. Again, if you have questions or concerns about anything, I would love to talk to you about them. You may call or e-mail any time and we can set up an appointment.

Thank you for your support at home! HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
September 20-24, 2010

Weekly Theme:

Friendship/Feelings/Autumn

Early Literacy Idea
Help your child understand how books work. (Concepts of print) As you read, point to words to show left to right, spaces between words, and the word patterns.

SEPTEMBER

We are excited for our Field Trip on Monday! We will travel to Wood’s Ranch to look for signs of Autumn, which goes along with our theme for this week. Please send a sack lunch and have your child wear good walking shoes.

Last week we talked about the letters E and F. Your child should be able to recognize them, tell you the sounds they make and write them correctly. We also learned the sight word can. This week we will work on the letters G and H and learn the sight words like and look. We have also been working very hard on forming the numbers correctly. Thanks again for your help and encouragement at home.

There is an exciting free opportunity for all children in our community on Friday and Saturday. Keve Wilson, a touring artist and Broadway musician living in New York City will be presenting music demonstrations and discussions for families (kids get to try out the instruments). These events are very relaxed, enjoyable and kid friendly. Friday at 3:30 is a master class and a question and answer session. Saturday at 10:30--“Music Unwrapped”; 2:30--Open Rehearsal and 7:30--concert. All events are in the Thorley Recital Hall.

As always, please feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions or concerns!

linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850

Kindergarten News
September 13-17, 2010

Weekly Theme:

Friendship/Feelings/Autumn

Names
I would love it if you could help me reinforce the fact that our names (with one or two exceptions) start with a capital and all the rest of the letters are lowercase. If your child is used to using all capitals, this is a hard habit to break, but I know if we work together we can do it!

SEPTEMBER

We are making great progress in kindergarten! Thank you for your support at home. We are focusing on alphabet letters at this time. Your child should recognize all 26 letters—both capital and lower case by the middle of November. In addition, he/she should be able to write them correctly. I appreciate you taking the time to reinforce how to form the letters correctly on the homework assignments. Parent involvement is such an important part of their success, so thanks again for making sure their homework is complete and reading to them on a daily basis. Just 15 minutes a day can make a huge difference! We have learned the sight words me, see, I. We have started working on numerals 0-10.

The “three books in a bag” come home today. These are the books that your child will read to you (with help if needed, of course)! Please keep them at home for the entire week and send them back the following Monday. I have not had a chance to listen to those students who are already reading, so don’t be alarmed if your child brings home books that are not on his/her level. I will get that done as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding!

As always, please feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions or concerns!

linda.wood@ironmail.org
ginger.ekker@ironmail.org
586-2850