This week we will meet Mr. R and will continue to work on rhyming.  Please practice rhyming words at home by helping your child make up rhyming words, find them in books, and be sure to read plenty of Dr. Seuss books in preparation for our celebration of Read Across America and Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 1st (his birthday is Saturday March 2nd).

This Friday our class will have a vision screening with our nurse.  All kindergarten children are screened for vision.

Thank you to those of you who helped your children succeed in "sharing" this past Friday.  They did such a great job sharing their special toys!  It was fun to watch them and to hear how well they articulate and answer questions.

Our art activities for the gallery show are amazing!  A huge thank you to Kim, Paul and all of the parents that helped the children assemble their pieces.  I look forward to seeing everyone at the big opening on Friday!

You might wonder about the quote at the opening of this post.  Well, just like the grouch in Green Eggs and Ham, your child might not think they will like something until they try it.  This includes positive behavior.  As adults we often know what is best for children, what proper behavior is.  Our children might not know this and it is up to us to teach them and as in the famous Dr. Seuss book, we need to make attempts to introduce the unknown behavior with the hope that our children will taste it and discover they like it, and most importantly that they can do it!

This week we will meet Mr. Q and learn about questions vs. statements and question marks.  We will continue working in our Rhyming Books, our Alphabet Dictionary, the Starfall Advanced computer program and utilize our listening center to reninforce the sound of the letters we learn.

This Friday, January 25th, the Kindergarten will be singing two songs at the Friday Morning Assembly.  Be sure to be at school on time.  The Assembly begins at 8:00 sharp!  Wear your SuperTK shirts!

I would like to thank the wonderful classroom helpers who keep Room K running smoothly.  We need one additional helper on Friday mornings.  Mrs. Sheard is having a Parent Volunteer training on February 6, at 8:15 a.m. for those who have not had the opportunity to attend. Please be sure you have been cleared to volunteer and have your TB clearance on file in the office.  You must be cleared to attend field trips and/or to volunteer in the classroom

This Tuesday is the 90th day of school!  Please have you child wear the tie-dye shirt or another colorful shirt to celebrate this day.  On Tuesday February 5th we will celebrate the 100th day of school!  This is a huge celebration for kindergarteners.  The first step is that your child will collect 100 objects (I will send home bags for this).  We will share these collections and celebrate with a 100th Day party.  Party moms, get ready!  Our party will be from 12:30-1:30.  We will make 100th Day crowns and 100th day Cheerio necklaces.  Please plan on helping with this very fun day!

Angela has been kind enough to take on the quilt project for the Silent Auction which will be in May.  Please follow her directions and send in the requested fabric in a labeled bag so we can keep track of who has brought their fabric.

Sharing is a part of the curriculum.  Please be sure to check the calendar and the assignments.

Thanks as always for all that you do.

First of all, I would like to acknowledge Jonas, Erickson, Annika, Jack, Reagan, Stanley, Coco, Tom and Owen for bringing wipes in.  Remember that we use the wipes in lieu of cold water and a long line at the sink.  It is important that we all work together as a team to provide the best classroom environment for our students.  Please don't assume others will provide for you.  We all need to participate!

If you are reading this blog, and reading my email reminders, I would appreciate a response.  It's a little lonely here in blog land when it feels like no one is reading my posts.  I spend time each weekend writing these updates so you can all be informed about our class.  Thank you in advance for responding.

This week looks to be a fun-filled week.  We will prepare for the LA Opera field trip by learning about the story of The Magic Dream on Monday.  Tuesday we will leave bright and early in the morning on the school bus for the Music Center.  Please be sure to follow the procedures specified in the previous email I sent this past week.

In science class Ms. Monks is teaching the children about the five senses with hands-on investigations.  In reading we will meet Ms. P and her pointy patches. This is perfect timing, right before we begin to work on our class quilt for the Silent Auction!

We will be giving the LAUSD Math Assessment this week.  We give the test one student at a time to be sure all children understand the directions and focus on their work.  I will also be conducting a middle of the year Diagnostic Indicator of Basic Early Literacy Skills with students who tested below basic in the initial assessment.  These assessments help us provide the intervention needed to assure that no child falls behind the expected academic achievement levels.

Please remember to check the sharing schedule on the class calendar included in this site.  Some children have never shared.  Some only sporadically.  The assigned sharing topics can be found under the "more" tab on this site.  Don't let your child be left out!

"If you think you can do a thing, or think you can't do a thing, you're right."  Henry Ford

I hope you all had a relaxing vacation and spent lots of time with your families.  It is hard to believe we are beginning the second semester.

This is Mr. O and as you can see he is an opposite sort of guy!  This week we will learn his "letter light" (vowel) letter and we will also talk about opposites.

As we begin the second semester of Transitional Kindergarten we have a busy schedule with a lot going on in and out of the classroom.  First, some reminders:

*We have been asked by the custodial staff to put the chairs up EVERYDAY so our room will be swept!  Since the chairs are too heavy for the children, I would have to do it everyday alone.  If you can spare 5 minutes, please send me a note with a day that you can help.  We can have two people a day and it will be super quick!  If you are around in the morning, we will have to take them down also and wipe the tables off.  Thank you for the help with this!

*All field trip slips are due this Monday morning!  As the LA Opera field trip is the following Tuesday and we must get it organized.  If you have not returned your child's trip slip-do not forget it first thing Monday morning.

*Monday is the 80th day of school!  Please remind your child to wear his/her tie-dye shirt so that we can celebrate together.

*A big thank you to those of you who sent in Baby Wipes the week before Winter Break.  If you did not send your donation in, please send the labeled wipes in on Monday morning.

*Friday is a Topanga Spirit Day assembly.  Please remind your child to wear the Super TK shirt so our class can show our spirit!

Upcoming Special Days:
January 21-Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school)
January 22-90th Day
February 5th-100th Day of School (more information about this celebration will be sent home).

Thank you as always for all of your help and support in Room K!