Announcements
Camp Elim Information: Here is the slideshow presented at the Camp Elim Informational Meeting.
A couple of notes:
-There is NO GEAR CHECK for kindergarten. (In older grades students are required to bring their gear ahead of time, but in kindergarten we expect that parents will help with the packing.) That being said, please make sure that your child is the packer and you are double checking using the checklist. SPRING VOYAGE GEAR LIST: GRADE K
-Your child needs a lunch and 4 snacks. (Labeled: Day 1 Snack 1, Day 1 Snack 2, Day 2 Snack 1, and Day 2 Snack 2).
-Sunscreen and bug spray should be packed in a separate labeled ziplock and will be given to chaperones.
-Chaperones will be driving their own kids. Everyone else will be riding in the white bus, driven by yours truly.
***Important note: If your child is taking a medication (or has recently been put on a antibiotic) that needs to be taken while we are on voyage, ALL MEDICATIONS must be properly submitted with paperwork to our school nurse (even if you are a chaperone).
*Medication Authorization Form (found on website, must be completed by your medical provider & is due Monday.)
*Medication is due to the office by Monday, May 15th (must be delivered by an adult).
School Newsletter: Check out all the updates and announcements in this week's school newsletter. School Newsletter Link. Did you see that our crew's Elephant & Piggie performances were featured in the last school newsletter?!? Thanks for staying updated!
Showcase of Learning: At Renaissance, all students participate in a Showcase Celebration. This is an opportunity for our students to share their learning with an audience outide of their parents or teacher. We need panelist to help celebrate our students. This is a unique and fun opportunity to see the learning at Renaissance. No prior experience necessary! We pair you with a more experienced panel member and you learn 'on the job'. Third grade parents/family may not serve on panels for third grade and sixth grade parents/family may not serve on panels for sixth grade. I had the privilege of teaching 3rd grade for 5 years, and this was my favorite event of the year. Please consider volunteering. You will not be disappointed! To hear how Renaissance students can speak clearly and passionately about their learning is truly inspiring and further validation of our incredible school. You will walk away beaming with pride about the learning that your lucky children get to experience in their upcoming years. :) Renaissance NEEDS more volunteers. Please help!
Sixth Grade Showcases are on May 25th from 1-4pm.
Birthday Celebrations: If your child has a May, June, or July birthday that has not been celebrated yet, then we need to set up a time to celebrate! In kindergarten, we celebrate by reading a book. It can be a parent, a sibling, or the teacher who reads a special story chosen by your child. Please note that we do not celebrate with food, treats, or passing out toys. We could do M/Tu/F at 3:35. Another option is 12:35 on Wednesdays. Let me know what works for you! Please email me to coordinate.
-Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities:
-Second Semester Rug Washing (Fridays)
-Letter & Number Formation Volunteers (M, Tu, & Th 8:30-9)
-Reading Volunteers (M, Tu, Th, Fri 9:25-9:50)
-Teacher Helper Volunteers (at home projects- Friday; in-classroom helper Friday morning; and iPad helper Friday afternoon)Calendar
May 15th: Mandatory Elim Chaperone Meeting 3-4pm
May 17-18th: Overnight Kindergarten Voyage to Camp Elim
- Normal drop off @ 8:30am Wed. and Pick-up @ 4:00pm Thursday
May 19th: Day of Rest of Kindergarten- No School; 5-7 Art Walk
May 26th: 8:30-9am Community Reading
May 29th: Memorial Day; No School
June 8th: Last Day of Kindergarten!
Crew Highlights
Learning Update:
In reading, our lessons have centered around author's purpose, illustrations support a text, and thinking critically about the action words (aka verbs) in a text. After reading different stories, we would talk about if this text was intended to entertain, to persuade, or to inform. Then we spent some time looking carefully at illustrations to see what new information we could notice about the setting, characters, and events to help us better understand the story. Lastly, we thought about the actions words in a sentence, such as "she said" vs. "she shouted" or "he ran" vs. "he jogged." The authors intentional choose words which readers can use as clues to better understand what is happening.
*After reading, talk about the author's purpose or go on a word hunt for exciting action words.
In Writing, we finished our opinion writing unit. Our crew selected a piece of writing to edit and revise over several days. They created a title page with the title, author, date, and an illustration. I do not expect mastery of these pieces, but instead familiarity with the publishing process and to see how they can reflect and improve a piece to the best of their ability. Students practices sharing this writing first with a partner and then to their 4th grade buddy. Lastly, students reflected on what they have learned during his writing unit. I have set these published pieces aside and will share them at conferences with you.
*What have you learned about yourself as a writer? What have you learned about opinion writing? What is a goal that you have the next time you write?
In Phonics, we have continued to work on long vowel sounds. This week, we were looking at the the long o sound. There were no new words added to our sight word list.
*Please review the phonics assessment that came home in Take Home Folders. Please help practice high frequency words at home.
*Here are our latest sight words.
In math, we are working on Understanding Teen Numbers. There was a lot of visuals that show a group of 10 cubes and then the extras make the teen number. We used this group of 10 as a "shortcut" so that we could start at 10 and then begin counting up (instead of counting each of the 10 first). We are working on writing teen numbers correcting (ex. 17 not 71) and counting with accuracy.
*Continue your great practice of 0-10 facts at home, in addition and subtraction.
Last week
This week!
Most of our expedition time was alloted for conversations for Camp Elim, but it is worth noting how our sunflowers have grown. We look forward to planting these in our "Kindie Garden" next week!
For most of the year, we have had drum leaders work with a partner. This week, we started having brave volunteers lead the whole drum circle solo. Bravo!
Happy Birthday Levi!
Usually our 4th grade buddies come to our room. It was fun to go to their room to have each crew present learning to each other. Our kindies shared their published opinion writing.
4th graders share their topographic maps of the state of Colorado. WOW!
We revisited comfort and growth zones. How incredible to reflect on their journey since the Fall and how many MORE things are now in their comfort zone. We talked about things in their everyday life, and then made connections to climbing in the gym and things about Camp Elim. Then we did a movement activity to reflect current feelings about Camp Elim. Then students wrote about some of their thinking.
"For support I can tell myself that I can do this!"
We have spent a lot of time talking about how to support ourselves and each other when we have a problem or a challenge. That way we have a tool box of ideas of how to help when we are on voyage.
With Camp Elim one week away, we started thinking more carefully about packing for Camp Elim. I brought in a load of stuff, so that they could help me pack. :)
We sorted through everything and talked about what to wear and what to bring in an overnight bag.
Stuffies are always a big topic of conversation. The crew helped me decide to bring my little dolphin and not my big bunny. 😃
I showed the crew how to put everything into labeled plastic bags to help with organization and for future preparation of keeping clothes dry when sleeping outside.
Things not to bring: jeans, big snow jacket, cotton clothes, shorts, slipers, flashlight, bandaids, cough drops, books, or luggage with rolling wheels.
Thank you for sending in rain gear on Thursday and Friday!
It is SO IMPORTANT to be prepared for the weather (not just on voyage!)
Sleeping Bag stuffing was a success!
How exciting for kindergartners to develop their skills to be more independent at Camp Elim.
Thank you for sending in sleeping bags today. :)
Lastly, we spent a chunk of time this week working on a special Van Gogh inspired art project for Moms for Mother's Day. It connects perfectly to expedition. Enjoy!
Thank you thank you for all the love for Teacher Appreciation Week. I have been showered with kindness, and it truly touches my heart. What a joy that we have spent this incredible year together and what a privilege to be part of your child's journey.
WE ARE CREW! <3
Happy Mother's Day!
And Happy Voyage Packing!
With gratitude,
~Ms. Lauren
