Thinking Thursday...What Will You Say To Mrs. Trent?

I am so excited that TODAY is Amelia's Open House from 4:30-6:30.

My Open House will be from 4:30-5:45. With my move to Holly Hill this week, I had to make time for my other Open House from 6:00-7:00. 

Before I meet you tonight, I would love for you to "think" about something you would like me to know about you.  
I always love to learn information like...

What is your favorite color?  

Do you have a pet?  

How many brothers/sisters do you have?  

What is your favorite sport?  

See you soon!
 

Website Wednesday... Starfall

This is my favorite website for literacy skills.  I use this website throughout the day and the students love to go on it during computer time in the room.  Please visit Starfall to see all of the amazing ways your child can interact with the alphabet. 

Website Address:

www.starfall.com

Target Tuesday...Dr. Seuss Flash Cards

I first have to say that I found this Target Tuesday deal a few weeks ago so hopefully it will still be there. :)

This Dr. Seuss flash card set is prefect to help your child begin to connect the idea that each letter has a special sound.  I would suggest pulling out a few letters at a time and have your child tell you the letter and picture on each card.  After your child has correctly identified the letter, help him/her hear the beginning sound in each word. 

*Give-AWAY!*
Do you want to have these amazing flash cards?  The first four people to leave a  comment on this post will get a flash card set.  

SO...HURRY and leave and COMMENT (with your child's first name) below to receive your free flash card set. :)

A Message To My M/W kids. :(

Hello Monday and Wednesday friends,

It is with a sad heart that I write this post. I have been moved to Holly Hill on Mondays and Wednesdays to teach a kindergarten session over there. If you have been moved to Mrs. Smith's or Mrs. Wells' room, you will have a great year and love your new (new) teacher! I wish we could have spent the year together but I am excited for you to have an amazing start to the year with my friends Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Wells. You are in a great school!!

Mrs. Trent :)

Meet Mrs. Walker Monday

Today, I am stepping out of the classroom and having you "meet" someone very special in the building, our principal, Mrs. Walker.  Mrs. Walker is a wonderful principal.  She is kind, loves to give hugs, and is always stopping by to see her smart kindergarten friends.  Mrs. Walker loves the school and her students very much.  

I can't wait for you to meet Mrs. Walker at the Open House this Thursday (August 30) from 4:30 to 6:30. 

Mrs. Walker and one of my Friendly Frogs from last year. :)

Fabulous Friday... Playground

Today, I couldn't think of anything more fabulous then a few pictures of our playground. I can't wait for you and your friends to run around, swing, and slide together.  

Photo Hunt... Can you find Tanner the Tiger?

Hint: There are 3. :)



Thinking Thursday...Reading Books

To get your child "thinking" about books and how to read them,  it is important that he/she have exposure to different types of literature.  

Please practice reading aloud to your child today. I would suggest using the book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin. If you do not have a copy at home, feel free to have your child listen to the book below.  

Happy Reading! 

Website Wednesday...Go Math

This year your child will explore Math with the new district program called Go Math! I will be sending home additional information about this program in the beginning of the year.

GO Math! is a new comprehensive K—6 mathematics program developed to support the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. 

The program emphasizes the Critical Areas and depth of understanding through interactive lessons, research based instructional approaches, best practices from around the world, and differentiated instructional resources to ensure success for all students.

To see the website for yourself, please follow the directions below.


Get A Glance At Go Math!:

1. Go to the  GO MATH Website
2. Click “Evaluators Click Here”.
3. Click “Register” and then enter the access word “gocommoncore”.
4. Accept the Privacy Policy and to the Terms of Use by checking the boxes, and then click “Next”.
5. Choose to evaluate the site as a student and then click Login.

Target Tuesday...Number Flash Cards

This week I found a great set of number flash cards in the dollar section.  The number cards are from 1-16 but I would suggest only using the numbers 1-5 when playing with your child.  You can play Memory, put the numbers in order from smallest to largest, or put the numbers around your house and have your child run to find them as you call out the next number.  

Meet Mr. VE Monday

Last week, you "met" Mrs. VE.  Today you will get to learn a little more about another classroom volunteer named Mr. VE.  Mr. VE is my father and also a retired teacher.  He taught Science downtown at SCPA.  Mr. VE loves reading with students and listening to stories.  Like Mr. Trent and I, Mr. VE is a HUGE OSU fan.  

Mr. VE's favorite picture from the wedding!

Fabulous Friday

Today's picture is of a project for the display wall in the hall. I decided to change the name tags from last year to something a little more fabulous.  I hope you enjoy your new name tag as much as I do. 

Thinking Thursday...Guess My Number

To help your child jump into the world of counting, practice counting aloud from 1-10 with your child.  After a few times, tell your child that you are going to count by yourself out loud.  As your child listens to you count, stop at any number and have them tell you the number that comes next.  

For example, I would start to count aloud... 1, 2, 3 and then stop. Your child would have to say the number 4 aloud.  

You can change the game by having your child count aloud and you "guess" the number that comes next.  

Website Wednesday

This year your child will be learning literacy skills through Reading Street.  

Pearson SuccessNet:

http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/ 

What is Reading Street?

Reading Street is a comprehensive literacy/language arts curriculum published by Scott Foresman.  Reading Street is comprehensive because it hits on all areas of early literacy skills.  Students are engaged in phonemic awareness (hearing and identify sounds), phonics (looking at letters and identifying their sound), vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

What can I do at home?

Pearson SuccessNet will be your at home area where you can access various reading street materials to enhance the learning experience.  This site has a lot of resources for you to use with your child and you can access the stories we are reading.  You will be able to view some of the exciting components Reading Street has to offer.  You will be receiving a log-in in September/October to be able to access the information.

How does Reading Street meet my child's needs?

Reading Street has three main components for each child.  The children will have a whole group piece where we will meet together and have a read aloud.  During the read aloud we will work on vocabulary words, identifying sight words, and answer comprehension questions.  In addition, the children will have a small group twice a day.  In this small group children will work on specific skills needed to master the early literacy skills.  This will include alphabet knowledge, sounds, sight words, etc.  Finally, children will work in independent/small group centers.  These centers are provided for the children to work on developmental skills with a small group of children.  The centers include alphabet work, art, writing, reading, and computers.

How do you assess my child?

Reading Street is broken up into 6 units and each unit has 6 weeks of study.  At the conclusion of each week children will be monitored on their progress.  In addition, at the end of each unit the children are assessed.  These assessments will help me pinpoint the needs of your child.  This will inform me of my instruction in small groups and questions I will focus on asking your child during whole group.  You will be notified of how your child is progressing through your child's report card each 9 weeks.  Furthermore, you will be notified of your child's progress through various papers coming home.  Please check your child's communication folder each night for important papers.

Target Tuesday...Dry Erase Board

We use dry erase boards throughout the year for many different reasons.  This is perfect for name writing (see Thinking Thursday post from last week), counting practice, and drawing! The possibilities are endless. :)


Thank you to the Gray Family who stopped by Target last week to grab their ABC puzzle. :) Has anyone else grabbed the last Target Tuesday deal?  Leave me a comment if you did! :)

Meet Mrs. VE Monday

Mrs. VE is one of our amazing volunteers in Room 106.  She is in the classroom on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  As I mentioned in my first Meet The....Monday, Mrs. VE is my mother.  She is a retired 3rd teacher and loves to help children learn.  I can't wait for you to meet her!

We don't normally looked this dressed up :) but this is Mrs. VE's favorite picture from the wedding.

Fabulous Friday Picture

My picture for this week is of your child's fabulous classroom. I have been in school all this week and am happy with the way the room is coming along.  

I still have a LONG way to go but I promise it will look FABULOUS for the first day of school!

Photo Hunt-

Can you find my pop bottle in the picture? It is my favorite thing to drink. Leave me your guess in the comment section.

(Clue- It is green and gives me a lot of energy!) :)

Thinking Thursday...It's All In The Name

The first Thinking Thursday is all about your child's name.  

This is the most important skill your child can have when entering school.  Your child should be able to say the letters in his/her name out of order, write his/her name without a model (using correct letter formation), and say all of the letter sounds in his/her name.  

So, get your child "thinking" all about their wonderful, unique, and special name.

*A fun idea... Have your child type his/her FIRST NAME ONLY in the comment section below the post. I can't wait to see who is practicing the first Thinking Thursday! *

Website Wednesday...Tiger Tales

The first website for you to add to your bookmark list is our Amelia Elementary School blog.  

Mrs. Walker updates the blog often and always posts important information to keep you informed throughout the year.  I visit the blog everyday and hope you do too.

Tiger Tales- Amelia Elementary School Blog

Target Tuesday.. ABC Puzzle

Hello Friends,

I have to admit a little guilty pleasure of mine...shopping at Target!  Target is my go-to store for everything Mr. Trent and I need but also for many classroom supplies.

Today, I would suggest stopping by your closest Target to pick up this ABC puzzle. 

It is located in the dollar section and is perfect for fine motor skills and letter/sound recognition.  You can have your child pick a piece out of a bag OR you can make it a countdown-to-school puzzle.  

Countdown-To-School Puzzle-
Each day put out a different letter of the puzzle and have your child tell you the letter and sound.  When he/she has correctly identified the letter, place the puzzle some where special for your child to add and connect the different pieces.

If you start on Thursday, (August 8th) your child will be finished with their puzzle on Monday, September 3rd, which happens to be the NIGHT BEFORE THE 1st DAY OF SCHOOL!

Happy Target Shopping!

Meet The Teacher Monday

Welcome to my first daily theme post.  I couldn't think of a better way to start off the year then to "meet" ME!  

Hello New Friends, 

My name is Mrs. Trent (formally known as Miss Van Eman):)!  This has been a very busy summer for me.  I got married to Mr. Trent, went to Jamaica and Florida, and attended many friend's weddings.  Mr. Trent and I live in Mt. Adams but have started to look for a new home. We love to spend time with our families and watch movies.  

Besides Mr. Trent, I have two sisters, (Miss Julie and Mrs. Betsy), a mother and father (Mr. and Mrs. VE), and a soon to be niece or nephew (Mrs. Betsy is pregnant and due in September)!

This is my 5th year at Amelia Elementary and my 4th year teaching kindergarten.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE teaching kindergarten and showing your little one that he/she can read, write, solve math problems, and make friends. 

I promise that this year will be filled with many laughs, lots of learning, and many lovely days with friends. 

Mr. Trent and I downtown.

Mr. Trent and I at our wedding! :)

Miss Julie, Mrs. VE, me, Mrs. Betsy, and Mr. VE

Miss Julie, me, and Mrs. Betsy

We love Ohio State football!

Hello!!!! :)

Hello Friends!!

I was so excited to see my class list today!  I can't wait for the first Open House when we get to see each other.

To get you ready for the first day of school, I will be posting daily information to make sure the transition from home to school will be successful.  The themes will help you and your child learn a little bit about the school, the classroom, and ME! 

Mondays- Meet.... Monday
These posts will be about meeting someone that will be important to your child's schooling.

Tuesdays- Target Tuesday
I will have posts about dollar deals that I have found at Target.  The posts will help your child start to learn the beginning skills for kindergarten.

Wednesdays- Website Wednesday
I will post educational sites that we will be using this year. 

Thursdays- Thinking Thursday
I will include a variety of teaching tools such as videos, pictures, and suggestions to help with many of the kindergarten skills your child will need to learn this year.

Fridays- Fabulous Friday
I will post the most fabulous picture from the week.