Welcome! We are off to a great start in Room K. We have 18 students and a wonderful Teaching Assistant, Ms. Samantha Rosas.
A big thank you to Kelly Rockwell (Grady) and Farracy Richmond (Cooper) for volunteering to be our Room Parents. They will be my liaisons between our class parents and also with TEP, our parent organization. You will be getting a lot of information shortly, but I want to let you know about two upcoming events:
On September 1st we will be having Back-To-School night at school from 6:00-7:30. This is an adults- only event so please arrange child care so at least one parent can attend. I will go over the curriculum and a lot of information about our class. There will be two sessions, so if you have more than one child at Topanga, you will be able to get information in each class.
On September 9th we will be having our Parent Dinner and Stella's mom Michelle has graciously offered to host. This is also an adult-only evening, so once again, please arrange child care accordingly. You will receive more information from our Room Parents soon!
Volunteers:
Classroom volunteer can begin the week of August 31st and I am so excited to have you all working with the children in Room K. Classroom volunteers make it possible for me to provide small group instruction and the children love when parents are there to play learning games, help with math activities, art projects and read stories. Please remember, you must have a current TB test on file in the office and attend the volunteer training in order to volunteer in class, at school and on field trips. The next volunteer training is this coming Friday, August 28th first thing in the morning! Please plan to attend!
I will update this blog weekly so please subscribe and keep current on all Room K assignments and events! I also utilize our class calendar, which is on this site. There is a school Master Calendar on the school website. I will also communicate via email when needed.
Our classroom "discipline" program is called Conscious Discipline. You can read more about it here. I highly recommend using some of the language we use in class, in your home. It helps children have continuity. I will be providing more information at Back-to-School Night.
This week in Room K:
Language Arts-
We will begin our Handwriting Without Tears printing program. We will be working with a variety of materials to practice letters. We will also practice fine motor skills with some fun learning games. The children have already begun using Starfall.com on the computers to engage in language arts activities.
Math-
We have had free exploration time with math materials including pattern blocks, Unifix cubes and dominoes. We have also used the number game on Starfall. We will begin our new math program this week and will begin our math journals in September.
Movement-
We have been moving a lot in Room K! When we need a movement break (1-2 min.) we have used GoNoodle. The children love it and it really helps them focus when we begin our next activity. We also practice yoga, sing movement songs and will be continuing to add lots of movement activities that engage the brain and body.
Learning Centers-
Most days we have free choice time in our learning centers. The children self-select an activity and spend about 30 minutes playing at their selected area. Some of the areas are: dramatic play, computers, art, block play, small construction materials, puzzles, library, board games, puppets and writing center. We usually have a choice of 5 areas and no more than 5 children can be in an area. This allows all children to use the materials and have a positive social experience.
Council-
Once a week we participate in Council. We sit in a circle and create a safe space to share ideas, usually about a specific topic. This past week, the topic was "What is your favorite holiday?" We go around the circle twice. Once, speaking, and once telling what we heard another student say. This encourages active listening. Everyone has the opportunity to speak and be heard.
Speech & Language-
This special class will begin September 1st and is lead by our school Speech and Language Pathologist Youmna Haddad Schlieske. Ms. Youmna will come into our class every Tuesday morning from 8:30-9:30. We will work on one sound each week practicing articulation, make a craft and have a related snack. Parents will provide the snacks and I will have the sign up ready Monday morning. We conduct the class in small groups (Ms. Youmna, Ms. Samantha and myself) and Ms. Youmna is able to give attention to those students that need support producing sounds correctly as well as helping all children master the Common Core standards for Speech and Communication.
A big thank you to Kelly Rockwell (Grady) and Farracy Richmond (Cooper) for volunteering to be our Room Parents. They will be my liaisons between our class parents and also with TEP, our parent organization. You will be getting a lot of information shortly, but I want to let you know about two upcoming events:
On September 1st we will be having Back-To-School night at school from 6:00-7:30. This is an adults- only event so please arrange child care so at least one parent can attend. I will go over the curriculum and a lot of information about our class. There will be two sessions, so if you have more than one child at Topanga, you will be able to get information in each class.
On September 9th we will be having our Parent Dinner and Stella's mom Michelle has graciously offered to host. This is also an adult-only evening, so once again, please arrange child care accordingly. You will receive more information from our Room Parents soon!
Volunteers:
Classroom volunteer can begin the week of August 31st and I am so excited to have you all working with the children in Room K. Classroom volunteers make it possible for me to provide small group instruction and the children love when parents are there to play learning games, help with math activities, art projects and read stories. Please remember, you must have a current TB test on file in the office and attend the volunteer training in order to volunteer in class, at school and on field trips. The next volunteer training is this coming Friday, August 28th first thing in the morning! Please plan to attend!
I will update this blog weekly so please subscribe and keep current on all Room K assignments and events! I also utilize our class calendar, which is on this site. There is a school Master Calendar on the school website. I will also communicate via email when needed.
Our classroom "discipline" program is called Conscious Discipline. You can read more about it here. I highly recommend using some of the language we use in class, in your home. It helps children have continuity. I will be providing more information at Back-to-School Night.
This week in Room K:
Language Arts-
We will begin our Handwriting Without Tears printing program. We will be working with a variety of materials to practice letters. We will also practice fine motor skills with some fun learning games. The children have already begun using Starfall.com on the computers to engage in language arts activities.
Math-
We have had free exploration time with math materials including pattern blocks, Unifix cubes and dominoes. We have also used the number game on Starfall. We will begin our new math program this week and will begin our math journals in September.
Movement-
We have been moving a lot in Room K! When we need a movement break (1-2 min.) we have used GoNoodle. The children love it and it really helps them focus when we begin our next activity. We also practice yoga, sing movement songs and will be continuing to add lots of movement activities that engage the brain and body.
Learning Centers-
Most days we have free choice time in our learning centers. The children self-select an activity and spend about 30 minutes playing at their selected area. Some of the areas are: dramatic play, computers, art, block play, small construction materials, puzzles, library, board games, puppets and writing center. We usually have a choice of 5 areas and no more than 5 children can be in an area. This allows all children to use the materials and have a positive social experience.
Council-
Once a week we participate in Council. We sit in a circle and create a safe space to share ideas, usually about a specific topic. This past week, the topic was "What is your favorite holiday?" We go around the circle twice. Once, speaking, and once telling what we heard another student say. This encourages active listening. Everyone has the opportunity to speak and be heard.
Speech & Language-
This special class will begin September 1st and is lead by our school Speech and Language Pathologist Youmna Haddad Schlieske. Ms. Youmna will come into our class every Tuesday morning from 8:30-9:30. We will work on one sound each week practicing articulation, make a craft and have a related snack. Parents will provide the snacks and I will have the sign up ready Monday morning. We conduct the class in small groups (Ms. Youmna, Ms. Samantha and myself) and Ms. Youmna is able to give attention to those students that need support producing sounds correctly as well as helping all children master the Common Core standards for Speech and Communication.
If you have made it this far, congratulations! I do love comments, so feel free to let me know that you have subscribed and read the class blog. I look forward to seeing everyone Monday morning!
Mrs. W.
Mrs. W.
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