
Hello Families!
It is always so fun to hear the names of my "kindergartners" during graduation...it will be your children in the blink of an eye!
I am so glad to be back in the classroom- I missed my kiddos! A huge thank you to Mrs. DiNoia for taking the reins and leading room 103❤. Because of the shorter week and being at K screening, I do not have many pictures from last week...but just wait until the end of this week!
We will be wrapping up our Ocean theme and focusing more on a zoo animal theme for the next week and a half...that will take us to the last few days of school! The children will be designing maps for their own zoo, solving zoo animal number stories and writing a fiction "story" about what the animals do at night in the zoo in the upcoming week/next week!
Speaking of the last few days of school...this time of year can be quite confusing for 5 and 6 year olds. Everyone is suggesting that the end of school will be exciting because of summer vacations, etc. For many children, they will miss the structure and routines of what has become very familiar to them and this can cause some sadness. Do not be surprised if your child acts out or has had bigger than average feelings as the school year comes closer to the end. I definitely see it in the classroom! It can be difficult for the little ones to express how they are really feeling, especially if they are "supposed" to be excited for summer vacation. This may really hit them when they come to school Monday and see the June calendar and the "last day" marked- it makes it more real to them.
One thing I tell all my kindergarteners is that I will always be their teacher...even when they go to high school and beyond! I have an open door to all my students and I remind them about how many former students come to room 103 for a quick hug or chat (they see the older kids come in frequently). I even have LMS and LHS students visit! In fact, I am working with a former student (she is in high school now) on her "Girl Scout Gold Award"! Room 103 will always be THEIR classroom and I will always be THEIR kindergarten teacher and I am here for them no matter how old they are💖. I also tell them it is ok to feel sadness as well as excitement. They may see a few tears from me, too!
Sometimes, once they hear this message, they feel a little more secure about moving on...
We have a busy week ahead:
Monday- FIELD DAY! Here is a note from Mr. Bentley:
Please make sure:
- Kids have a full water bottle
- Kids wear a hat (if they bring one)
- Kids are wearing sunscreen or have some sort of sun protection before coming to school
- kids are wearing sneakers
WEDNESDAY- We filled our heart jar! We will have a PJ/stuffy day!
To conclude our Ocean theme, we may watch a Magic School Bus in the ocean episode with popcorn that afternoon as well (or Thursday...depending on a few logistics:)
FRIDAY-
Your child has been working very hard to prepare for the upcoming kindergarten performance this Friday at 10:15. I would recommend that you arrive around 10:00 to get a good parking spot and seat...it is a very well attended show- All are welcome!
I will encourage the children to wear something that YOU want them to wear 😏. If you are taking your child home with you after the show, please send in a note that morning and I will send your child to the office after we return to the classroom. I want to exit as a class and go back to room 103 together (so that we can do a quick reflection and give your child a chance to pack up his/her backpack). If your child mentions that he/she may be nervous about the show, one thing you can tell them is that they will be well prepared and we will practice a lot. If they practice with the class, everything will be easier for them. I also tell them it is NORMAL to have some butterflies in the tummy and that they will feel SO proud of themselves after the show! ᪺᪺🎼💪!
Please let me know if you have any questions about our big week ahead!
Here are a few pictures from last week: