Welcome to our classroom site! Here you'll find updates about our classroom and also, student pictures! I hope you'll enjoy!
Mrs. Parker
Multicultural Fair - Japan
Last Friday, Darnall celebrated the study of other peoples and cultures with our annual Multicultural Fair. Students of every grade level study a place to learn about the people, traditions, art, history, and way of life. In Kindergarten, we learned about Japan. Our kindergarten team worked together to present different aspects of Japan to fellow students. In our class, we learned about Children's Day. Children's Day is on May 5th each year. Families hang carp (fish) kites on a pole to show the number of children each family has. Each kite is a different size based on the birth order of the children. In class, we made "fish kites" of different sizes to show whether we were the oldest or only child, middle child or youngest in our family. We also learned a traditional Japanese song, Kuma San. In music class, students learned three songs and movements which they presented on Friday. They did a wonderful job. To celebrate their hard work, we learned to eat like families do in Japan by using chopsticks! We enjoyed an afternoon snack of rice with Japanese soy sauce! I hope you'll enjoy the pictures of a week of celebrating and honoring different cultures.
Tide Pools
We had an adventurous visit to La Jolla Shores! The tide pools were an awesome place to visit. For many, myself included, it was a day to remember. We were able to see the beach and visit the tide pools up close. We had the opportunity to see plants and sea life in their natural habitats such as hermit crabs, kelp, sea grass. We were able to hear the waves as we walked the beach and to feel the ocean waves upon us. After our visit to the tide pools, we enjoyed our lunch and had a wonderful time playing on the play structure which had plenty of space to run, climb and play. Thank you to the outstanding team of volunteers!
Teamwork
We have been learning to work together as a team. In the above photo album, the kids are using 2-colored counters to add. One partner rolled the counters and added the sum of the red and the yellow. The other created the addition sentence and checked their partners work.
During our study of fairy tales, we created life-size giants based on Jack and the Beanstalk. Each group of three decided who would be the giant and the other two partners traced the "giant." Next, the team worked together to color and cut their giant.
Why work in groups? Working in groups allows us to learn to listen to one another, take turns and at times problem solve and compromise. As adults, we all know how valuable these qualities are in keeping friendships, working well with co-workers and understanding others.
Time Flies
Wow! Can you believe it?! We have begun our final trimester. Time has gone so quickly. This trimester, I am focusing in preparing your child with the skills needed for first grade.
Most students know all their letters and letter sounds. As a result, we are really concentrating on using those sounds to help us read and write. By the end of kindergarten, your child should be able to read 3 letter words like hen, mop and pit. They should also be able to use the sounds to help them write simple words such as these but to also sound out longer words such as beautiful. If your child spells it, b-u-t-i-f-l. That is fantastic!
Our class still needs to work on some areas in writing. Please encourage your child to have good penmanship and letter formation. Watch to make sure that your child begins at the top to write. We will be working on writing "stories" with a beginning, middle, and end. By the end of the year, I hope that many children will be writing 2 to 3 sentences if not more.
In the area of reading comprehension, we will focus on retelling stories that have been read aloud or that we have read many times. Good comprehension includes characters, setting, beginning, middle and end. As I send home books, have your child read and retell these stories with you.
In math, we will have many focuses. Currently, we are learning about time; days of the week, months of the year, and telling time to the hour. We are also beginning our unit on subtration. As we subtract, we will use objects to show that subtraction is about taking away. As you do homework with your child, please use objects instead of their fingers. Although more time consuming, it is a better habit to have and will further their understanding.
As you can see, learning is in full swing in our classroom. We have much to learn yet before the school year is over. Thank you for your continued support.
Love Is...
being your child's teacher! I can't believe how much they have matured and grown since September. I am lucky to have the opportunity to watch them grow and learn. It is truly amazing.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Math Ten Frames
For the past month, we have been focusing on using ten frames to help us count numbers up to 20. A ten frame is visual tool used to help in counting. Students know that if the frame is full there is 10. If it is not full, the quantity is less than 10. Knowing this, allows students to create larger quanitites. For example, to make the number 14, children need 1 ten and 4 more.
Why is this important? Students who understand quantities of number will have a better understanding later as they begin to work with larger numbers. It is important that we teach youngsters that the number fourteen is 1 ten and 4 ones. It is not a 1 and a 4. Using this term, 1 and 4 does not help children comprehend the value.
This week in your child's homework packet, you will find some number cards and a ten frame. Please take some time to have your child show you how we use them in class. It is good practice. Also, reinforce the concept of 10 and some more as they are counting.
Please check the links spot to find a great website where your child can practice using the 10 frame in a purposeful, fun way.
Kindergarten Learning Targets
We are working hard in kindergarten to master the following Learning Targets. What is a Learning Target? A Learning Target is a learning goal based on the California State Language Arts or Math Standards.
Your support at home can ensure your child's mastery of these targets.
Learning Targets for Language Arts:
I can write my first and last name using correct letter formation.
I know the names of the alphabet out of order.
I know the sounds of each letter of the alphabet out of order.
I can listen and tell if two words rhyme.
I can complete a rhyming pattern.
I can read some sight words. At least 20. (can, you, and)
I can read consonant-vowel-consonant words. (hat, mop, hit)
I can write a story using sight words and some sounds for words I don't know.
I know who the character is and where the setting is in a story read to me.
Learning Targets for Mathematics:
I understand how to use the Ten Frames to help with counting quanitities.
I can count orally from 0 to 20.
I can write my numbers in order from 0 to 20.
I can write my numbers out of order from 0 to 20.
I can count from 0 to 20.
I can count objects up to 20.
I can count objects up to 20 out of sequence.
I can compare two groups and tell which is more, less or if they are equal.
I can use objects to add.
I can make a pattern and tell the pattern unit.
I know what the position words left and right, top, middle or bottom mean.
I can read the color words.
Family Reading Fridays
Share your love of reading on Family Reading Fridays. Spend the first 15 minutes of the school day reading with your child and having your child read to you. I hope that you'll be able to join us!
STAR Awards
This Friday was our first STAR Award assembly of the year. I am so proud of all the learners in our classroom. It is so wonderful to see the eager smiles on the children each day who are ready to learn and willing to take risks as a learner. Please continue to support your child at home.
We Are Learners
Want to know what your child is doing at school? You can find out more in the We Are Learners page. Photos and journal entries give you access to what it is like to be a learner in our classroom.
A Great First Week!
We had a wonderful first week of kindergarten! We spent much of the week learning about routines and procedures. We have also spent a considerable amount of time learning how to work together. We have two rules in our classroom to help us. The rules are:
1. Be kind.
2. Be safe.
Academically, we have begun previewing the letters A, B, and C for our alphabet book that we are creating. We will have an in-depth study of these letters later in the year. We have also started writing daily in our classroom. Children draw and write about topics of their choosing and then share with the class using our document camera; which they love. The document camera enlarges their writing onto the screen and the entire class can easily see a student's work. In math, we have been learning our colors. We've also sorted by color and made patterns using manipulative shape blocks. Singing and reading are also part of our kindergarten day. Our favorite books this week have been Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Mr. Grump, Today is Monday and No, David!. No kindergarten day would be complete without a little play. Children have been active indoors and out using their imagination while developing fine motor skills through the use of play-doh, lacing, and dramatic play.
As you can see, your child has been very busy!
Welcome To Kindergarten
Welcome to Darnall Charter School! My name is Mrs. Parker. I am so pleased that you have chosen to send your child to Darnall. It is a wonderful place to learn!
Kindergarten is a special time in your child’s life. It is will be a year filled with many learning experiences. Your child will grow and learn each day. Together, we will make many memories.
In order to be prepared for the day, please make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast. You may send a small snack for recess. Your child will need a backpack to store an extra change of clothes and their orange folder. Children will need to bring their orange folder to school daily. I will send student work and notices in this folder. Please take a few minutes each day to read notes and return any information needed by the office or myself.
School starts promptly at 8:25 a.m. Class is in session until 2:50 except on Tuesdays when dismissal is at 12:35 p.m. You may pick up your child by the gate on the kindergarten playground. If you arrive early, please wait there so that other classes are not disrupted.
Again, thank you, for allowing me to take part in your child’s learning as their teacher. If at anytime, you need to speak to me regarding your child, please feel free to email me at sparker@darnallcharter.org. I check my email regularly and will reply within a day. If you would like a more in depth conversation, feel free to set up an appointment. I want your child to have my full attention during school hours.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Parker