Attention Current Parents of K Students in the Raccoon Class

Our schedule has changed in order for us to implement our new reading program. The program is called "Reading Street."  If you'd like to read more about it, see the section about it on McNair's webpage please.  Please feel free to drop in any time to see the new reading materials, what we do in class and to "catch" your child "being good." You may wish to join us for lunch someday as well. Our daily schedule is below.  Be sure your child gets lots of sleep each night.  As you can see, we have a busy day.
 

8:10-8:40 Take care of belongings, bathroom and water fountain as needed, flag salute, flag song and read on carpet or work at math stations. On Fridays we also discuss the main idea of our library books before we exchange them for new ones.

8:45-8:50  Clean Up

8:50-9:15  Opening, large group on carpet

Building Background, calendar, message board, complete reading/writing bulletin board (weather, special, season, number line) Word and name ring, attendance sentence

9:20-10:05  Music Mon/Thurs   ART Wed   PE Tues/Fri

10:05-10:15ish   Circle the big bathroom:: Whole class power walks the halls around courtyard as 5 boys and 5 girls use community bathroom.  Each time  children pass bathroom, those finished join the end of the walking line and others drop out of it to use the bathroom. 6 or so exchange books at IC then use bathroom. Assistant stays by bathroom, I walk with the class.

10:20-10:40 Shared Reading time on carpet Reading Street

10:40-11:40 Reading Streets Work Stations:

Group 1 instruction with teacher

Group 2 instruction with teacher

 Group 3 instruction with teacher

Other children are in work stations and are monitored by the classroom assistant (and any available classroom volunteer).

11:40-11:55 Large group Language Arts instruction

12:00-12:30 Lunch 11:05-11:35 Wed  complete stations, do the UPSL  (Understand, Plan, Solve, Look back) math problem of the week, and go to  computer lab12:00-12:45 on Wednesdday.

12:30-12:40 Circle the big bathroom on Fri. only. Other days use bathroom procedure in classroom (3 sit on chairs. Still participate in lesson as they wait their turn to use the bathroom)

12:40-1:00 Large group  and on Fri (currently)12:45-1:15 go to the Information Center (library)

1:00-1:50 Free Choice Mon/Tues/Thurs 12:50-1:20/Wed Fri puzzles

Puzzles, big white board, blocks, sand table, building sets, math, books, songs, puppets, frig phonics,  community center: games, habitat, computers, art, easel, PlayDoh, science exploration or other choices.

1:55-2:15 recess  Fri. 1:30-2:00 computer lab then recess

2:15-2:25 Video enrichment (slightly earlier if raining)

2:25-2:35 Review Day  Line up
 

Parent teacher conferences are on Friday, November 13.  Report cards will be sent home on November 10.  Please keep the 13th open, and let me know in advance if you need a morning or afternoon time slot. McNair's Home Reading Program officially began on October 1 in our class. Please take the time to read with your child at least 15 minutes for at least 20 days out of each month.  Mark the form and return it on or before October 30.

 I want to thank all current raccoon parents for supporting our program very well so far this year.  Almost all of you have signed up to volunteer in class or at home. Several of you now help in class on a regular basis.  If you ever want to come just for part of one day, such as a training holiday, call, write or e-mail me and we'll make arrangements. I appreciate that you've shared your e-mail address with me.  I like using it to send you photos of classroom activities and reminders and information.  The principal and I are also grateful for your cooperation each morning.  Saying good-bye to your children and allowing them to follow school procedures and enter the school without you must be hard for many of you, but you're doing it.  The children walk down the hall in an orderly manner.  They are monitored all the way.  This helps get our day off to a good start. You've also remembered to put names on juice boxes.  Thank you!  When there are several identical drinks, or children who want drinks, and are tempted to take one from a classmate, names help a lot.  Good job! If you need to communicate with me, try to do so after school when you pick your child up, or by writing to me. I'm usually very busy in the morning greeting the children and helping them with morning routines when they enter class.
 

If any of you have time to assist us in class, we could use help monitoring the students while they are at work stationsand/or particiapating in large group activities from about 10:30-11:50.  Contact us if you are interested in helping one or more days per week during this time.

Shape books will be sent home soon. Use these books and the "I am" books sent home previously to help your child read the word "am" in context. Other small books will continue arriving home as well. Some will be from Reading Street, others from other sources. Save them all in the big brown envelope provided. The time your child reads these with you can be counted on the monthly home reading calendars.  

We now go to the Information Center at various times, not always on Friday as we previously did. We still have opportunities for book exchange almost daily. When you and your child have finished reading a library book, return it.  Your child will put it in our blue book crate, put the book card in a small bag, and be able to get a new book.Our information center staff ask that you remind your child to keep McNair books in backpacks, not on home bookshelves.
 
 

                                                                Listening Carefully

  We are spending a lot of time establishing good habits and classroom routines.  You can help us by helping your child learn not to interrupt you when you're speaking with others and to take turns speaking.  This is very hard for kindergartners!  If your child turns his/her head away from you when speaking, also work on this.  Many children get your attention, then turn towards what they're asking or telling about instead of keeping their head turned toward the listener. You may also find it helpful to turn off music and television when having discussions with your child, or when giving directions.  Many children can not tune out competing sounds. They may also treat you and their teachers like TV and only give us part of their attention. As you know, the children and I will need to adjust to having a new classroom assistant.  It will be very important for the children to use their best manners and listening skills as we make this transition.

• Covers sneezes and coughs with hand or upper arm (or sprays anyone and/or anything nearby)
• Blows nose, covering one nostril at a time, and really empties out each side, (or just dabs)
• Uses tissue if inside of nose is bothering him/her (or sticks his/her finger up his/her nose)
• Throws used tissues away properly (or drops them on floor or table or saves them in pockets?)
• Keep nonfood items out of his/her mouth (or does s/he chew on cuffs, collars, shoelaces, etc.?  If there are certain clothing items which annoy your child and end up in his/her mouth, please don't send your child to school wearing those particular items.)
• Can your child use the toilet and keep the seat clean?  Does s/he remember to flush and then wash his/her hands?  If s/he doesn't once in awhile, does s/he wipe up with some toilet tissue?
• Are your child's shoes safe and appropriate for school?  We quickly walk up and down our halls, go to the playground and/or gym or track, and do lots of activities requiring foot movement every day.  Party shoes, flip flops, shoes with platforms heels and some open toed shoes are simply not safe.  Sneakers, tennis shoes or sturdy rubber soled shoes are best for school.  Please don't put fashion ahead of safety.  Also, check out the length of the laces.  If they are too short, it's hard for children to tie them.  If they are they are too long they are distractions, they may be tripped upon even when tied, and they make tying much more difficult.  Check to see that the ends aren't frayed too.  And, last but not least, if your child can't ignore his/her flashing light function on the bottom of his/her shoes, please don't allow him her to wear them to school.  It's very hard for children not to be distracted by shoes that are flashing red or any other color.  We have some students who keep stomping or punching their shoes to make them light up. This doesn't help them or their classmates concentrate.
• Are all clothing items that may be taken off during the day (hats, vests, sweaters, sweatshirts, scarves, jackets, coats, gloves, helmets, over shirts, labeled?

 

Please remember that young child imitate what they see and hear.  Carefully screen what your child is exposed to through media.  Do not think that all cartoons or animated movies are suitable for young children.  Look at the content.  Listen to the words.  Select programs and games that teach values you want your child to have and display.  PBS has many children's shows that teach good concepts and reinforce values most parents want their children to have.  If you don't want your child to treat others rudely, laugh at others' misfortunes, or be disrespectful or to use crude language and gestures, don't permit them to watch movies or programs or to use games that have characters that are seen as funny or cool for doing these things.  Many of the games and videos you as parents use, are not suitable for your children. Don't allow your child to play these games with you or older siblings. Remember,  K-1st children usually believe in Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny.  They may laugh, be entertained and seem alright while watching inappropriate media, but that does not mean it's good for them. Purchase or rent items meant for 4-7 year olds.
 
 

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page updated 10-28-09