Monday, December 2, 2013

Curriculum Updates

IB Unit – Let’s Celebrate! – This is a transdisciplinary unit built around a social studies concept. We are learning about customs and traditions. We are discovering that people have many different customs and traditions when it comes to how our households run, how we dress, and even what we eat. These can be special to just one family or to an entire country or region. One of the best ways to compare and contrast these customs and traditions is to look at how and why people celebrate special holidays.   
   As a part of this unit, I ask that families work on the cut-out that was sent home in mid-November and return it to school. If you need another cut-out or another copy of the directions, please let me know.
   I would also love to have more families share their holiday traditions with the class. I sent home some information about this a couple of weeks ago, too. If you do not remember the sheet or have lost the original, once again, please let me know. I will send another one home.

Math Update: Tens in Teens – We spent most of the first part of the year learning about numbers from 0 – 10 and how we can break larger numbers into smaller numbers and vice-versa. We are now looking at the numbers between 10 and 20, sometimes referred to as the “teens” because most of the number words use the suffix “-teen” to show that there is more than a set of ten. We are doing many activities finding the “hiding set of ten” inside the teen numbers. We are also learning how to use dimes and pennies as manipulatives to make teen numbers.

Literacy Update: Daily 5 – We are continuing to learn and master the components of a literacy structure known as the Daily 5. During this time children work on reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. While we have learned many of the basic elements of the Daily 5, we are still learning how each child can manage his/her own time and materials. Each day, every child has an opportunity to work on reading and writing skills that are most appropriate for his/her literacy level.
   In January, we will focus on a different IB transdisciplinary unit that will center on reading comprehension skills. We will explore folktales from around the world, and we will compare and contrast the elements of these stories. This will help us lay the groundwork for better comprehension and retelling of stories that we can read independently later in the year.



Holiday Rotation

   One of our biggest events in Kindergarten is fast approaching:  Holiday Rotations!  During the month of December, we focus on traditions around the world and will spend a week highlighting five different holidays from various cultures: Diwali, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Christmas, and Chinese New Year.  Each class will rotate through the Kindergarten classrooms to learn about these holidays.  We will need help from you for this event to be a success.  There are a lot of supplies and volunteers needed, so please consider signing up to bring items in or help out with centers during Holiday Rotations.  We will run the centers in the morning from 8:30 - 10:30. We will not have centers in the afternoons. The links to sign up are posted under “Important Classroom Links.”

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

The Official Word


November 13, 2013

Dear Parents:

Due to an ongoing statewide software issue, report cards for elementary students will be distributed by the week of November 25.

Pearson, the third-party software provider, is currently working to address the outage in its system, which has impacted teachers throughout the state. Once the system is restored, teachers will be able to continue to enter first-quarter grades, and schools will be able to print report cards.

We thank you for your patience as the software provider fixes the problem.

Your student’s teachers remain committed to keeping you informed regarding your child’s progress. If at any time you have questions regarding your child’s progress, please contact your child’s teacher.
Thank you,
Wake County Public School System





Queridos Padres:

Debido a una interrupción en el sistema informático de todo el estado, las boletas de calificaciones de los estudiantes serán distribuidas la semana del 25 de noviembre.

Pearson, el proveedor tercero de software, está trabajando actualmente para tratar la interrupción en su sistema, que ha impactado los maestros de todo el estado. Una vez que el sistema se restablece, los maestros podrán seguir entrando las calificaciones y las escuelas podrán imprimir las boletas de calificaciones.

Le agradecemos su paciencia mientras el proveedor de software resuelve el problema.

Los maestros de su estudiante mantienen su compromiso de mantenerlo informado sobre el progreso de su hijo. Si en algún momento tiene dudas sobre el progreso de su niño, por favor comuníquese con el maestro de su hijo.

Gracias,
El Sistema de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado Wake


Look for the Sign-Up Sheet!

Parent/Teacher Conferences


   Several of you have asked when we would have parent/teacher conferences. I have been waiting for the new statewide report cards to be ready before I met with everyone. However, the report card website is experiencing “technical difficulties”. Mrs. Dawes is putting the conference sign-up information in today’s OTIS folder. I look forward to meeting with everyone. 

Thank you!

Teacher Appreciation


   Mrs. Dawes and I wanted to say a big “thank you” for the lovely gifts, baked goods, and cards you gave us on the early release day. I am very happy to be a part of the Joyner family, and I appreciate all you do for the school, your child, and our classroom.

Letterland Day Parade!

Reminder!

   The Letterland Parade is TOMORROW MORNING! (Wednesday, November 13) We are very excited about our program! If you have not helped your child get his/her costume together and an object to bring that he/she can show, time is running out. Please, make sure that your child is on time to school. We will start getting ready for the program promptly at 8:30. We look forward to seeing you in the gym tomorrow morning at 8:45.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

End of First Quarter

Report Cards and Parent Conferences

   The first quarter of the year has come to an end. In the past kindergarten parents have only had conferences with the teacher at this point. However, this year the state of North Carolina has launched a new data collection program known as PowerSchools. Along with the new program, kindergartners now receive a report card every nine weeks.
   This is a good news/bad news proposition. The good news is that it will eventually give parents more information about how their children are doing in school. The bad news is that the PowerSchools program has had LOTS of issues, and the final kindergarten report card is a little more complicated than the Wake County report card in years past.

   I would like to meet with all of the parents and explain the new report card and some of the assessment data from the very beginning of the school year collected during staggered entry. Next week, I will be sending home a conference sign up sheet in the OTIS folder. Please, choose three times that you would be available to meet with me. I try to be as accommodating as I can with working parents, but I also work a second job so my schedule is not always as flexible as I would like. I look forward to meeting with all of you soon.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Center Time Volunteers

Afternoon Volunteers
   In the past I have always been a big proponent of having parents volunteer in my classroom. Now, that I have gotten settled in at Joyner and the children are in a routine, I would like to invite parents to join us for our afternoon center time.
   My teaching style relies heavily on working closely with small groups of children. I prefer hands-on tasks, games, and integrated activities to worksheets or whole group lessons. This allows me to differentiate instruction more effectively and challenge or support different children.
   Our center time is from 1:25 – 2:15 every afternoon. Most of the centers are math related. Don’t feel like you have to be a math expert, though. I also frequently incorporate art, science, or cooking activities with whatever else we are doing. Some times, I may even have you working with one or two students on reading, writing, or math skills that require more practice.
    Before I have volunteers start, I have a quick “training” session for all interested parents on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 12 at 4:00 so I can explain the method to my madness. It is nothing formal, but I do like parents to know my general philosophy of working with children. If you would like to attend the training session on November 12, please send me an email tlancaster@wcpss.net . If you would like to still volunteer, but you will be unable to come to the training session, don’t worry. Please, send me an email just letting me know you do want to volunteer.
   You can choose how often you would like to (or can) come in. I personally would love to have one or two volunteers every day, but I realize that parents are busy people. I will put a sign up calendar under links on the right side of this blog page. You can sign up regularly, or you can sign up as your schedule is open. I appreciate any and all help!

Thanks!

Creepy Crawly Day!


   I wanted to say “Thank you!” to all of the parents who sent in supplies and volunteered during our Creepy Crawly Day centers. The children thoroughly enjoyed them. We had snacks, made a hat, and played some games. I hope the children have a wonderful, fun, and safe evening!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

JYJ Book Fair

BOOK FAIR!

    Joyner will have its annual Book Fair in the library November 4 – 8 in the Media Center. Our class will get to visit the Book Fair on the morning of Monday, Nov. 4. Your child will bring home his/her wish list in the OTIS folder that day. On the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 6, Mrs. Dawes will take the children from our class who have brought money to purchase books. Please, circle the items on the Wish List you have approved for purchase and return it with the money.
   I am very picky about the Book Fair. I only allow the children to write down the titles and prices of books that they would like on the Wish List. There are often toys, art kits, and other items for sale, but I feel like families should come to the Family Night to purchase those. I am more interested in getting good books in the hands of children.

   The PTA will be sending out more information about payment options, hours, volunteer opportunities, and the Family Night. Look for it in the OTIS folder in the coming days.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

S.O.S.!

Creepy Crawly Day Glitch!

   I need your help. Somehow all the information that had been entered into the Creepy Crawly Google document link at the right has been magically erased. Such is life.

   If you wouldn’t mind, I need you to go back into the document and re-sign up for whatever you volunteered to send in/do. Then, I’m going to use an old-fashioned pencil and sheet of paper and write down the information in case technology fails me again. That way, I can see which materials I still need to track down between now and October 31. I would sincerely appreciate it!

Monday, October 21, 2013

Inquiry Science

Mystery Objects

   I hope your child has been telling you about the “mystery objects” we have been observing at school. Last week, each table group got their own “thing” to look at, draw, measure, touch, smell, and eventually taste. We completed short journals about the experiences we had with our objects. Here are some photos of our tasting experience from Friday.













   As you can see from the photos, some children enjoyed the tasting party more than others. Everyone tried at least two of the five “mystery objects”. Most children tried all five! Later this week, I will reveal the names of these edible mysteries along with some more photos.
   A big “thank you” goes out to Ms. Elaine West, the TA from across the hall, who took all the photos!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Upcoming Dates and Events

Spanish Dance
Our class and Mrs. Wilkinson’s class will be dancing this Friday, October 18th during the Joyner Jamboree.   The dance will be held under the overhang at the back of the school pending good weather.  If it is raining, it will be held in the gym.  Please bring your child to our classroom by 5:30, dressed and ready to dance.   After the dance, your child will be brought back to the classroom so that costumes can be gathered and your child can change their clothes (if necessary) for the Joyner Jamboree.  (Girls in Wilkinson's class and Boys in Del's class.)

Joyner Jamboree
Joyner Jamboree is this Friday, October 18 from 5:30-8:00. If you are interested in volunteering or donating items please check Member Hub for more information. We hope to see you there!

CO’IN CRAZY – October 15-25
Join us in the Joyner Elementary Coins for a Cure Campaign. We will be collecting change from October 15-25 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The class who collects the most money in each grade level will win a pizza party. 

CREEPY CRAWLY DAY - October 31

We are planning a morning of creepy activities! From 8:45 until 10:30 the kids will be rotating through 6 spooky centers!  (Try to say that 3 times fast.) We will need several items for the creepy projects, and I will need 6 volunteers to help me run the centers. Go to the Links on the right of this page and click on “Mr. Del’s Creepy Crawly Centers”. You can see items we need, and you can also sign up to volunteer.


Monday, October 14, 2013

Curriculum Updates

   First, I want to apologize for not updating the blog more often. I was doing well the first couple of weeks, but I have been focused on a field trip and an upcoming unit of study. I will make it my intention to update this blog at least once a week if not more often.
   I want to take this opportunity to give all of you parents an overview of some of the curricular structures I have been working to put in place over the last month. These structures make it easier for me to individualize instruction for all children and maximize instructional time.

Daily 5 Literacy:
   The Daily Five is a literacy structure that teaches independence and gives children the skills needed to create a lifetime love of reading and writing. It consists of five tasks that are introduced individually. When introduced to each task, the children discuss what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like to engage in the task independently. Then, the children work on building their stamina until they are successful at being independent while doing that task.

The five tasks include:
1. Read to self
2. Read to someone
3. Listen to reading
4. Work on writing
5. Word work

   Once all five tasks have been introduced and the children are fully engaged in reading and writing activities, I am able to work with small groups
and to confer with children one on one. This structure is effective, the results are amazing, and the children really look forward to Daily Five time. Ask your child about Daily Five and see what he/she has to say. I anticipate your child will tell you about the class stamina, how we are working towards independence, and maybe you will even hear about some of the fantastic things your child has written, read, or listened to during our structured reading time.

Writers’ Workshop

   Writer’s Workshop is the framework for writing instruction and practice in the classroom. It allows students to determine the topics they will write about and work at their own writing stage and pace. The teacher serves as the facilitator and conducts daily mini lessons and conferencing with individuals and small groups. Students always love this time of day and I am excited to watch your child grow into a confident, developing writer!

Letterland
   I’m sure many of you having been hearing about Letterland.  This is an imaginary and secret place where all the letters live. We have finished fast tracking all the Letterlanders and their sounds! We will now begin teaching each Letterlander for mastery, introducing capital letters and working on correct letter formation.
What exactly is Letterland??
Letterland is a unique, phonics-based approach to teaching reading, writing and spelling to 3-8 year olds. The Letterland characters transform plain black letter shapes into child-friendly pictograms and they all live in an imaginary place called Letterland.
Simple stories about the Letterland characters, explain the full range of dry phonics facts so that children are motivated to listen, to think and to learn. These stories explain letter sounds & shapes, allowing children to progress quickly to word building, reading and writing.

Letterland fast tracking sounds:

a – Annie Apple
i – Impy Ink
b – Bouncy Ben
j – Jumping Jim
c – Clever Cat
k – Kicking King
d – Dippy Duck
l – Lucy Lamp Light
e – Eddy Elephant
m – Munching Mike
f – Firefighter Fred
n – Noisy Nick
g – Golden Girl
o – Oscar Orange
h – Harry Hat Man
p – Peter Puppy
q- Quarrelsome Queen
r- Red Robot
s- Sammy Snake
t- Talking Tess
u- Uppy Umbrella
v- Vicky Violet
w- Walter Walrus
x- Fix-it Max
y- Yellow Yo-yo Man
z- Zig Zag Zebra


Math Centers
   If you look at our Daily Schedule, you will see that the morning is packed with literacy activities. Then, the children are off to Specials and Spanish in the middle of the day. When they return it is time for math. Unfortunately, the children are fighting mental fatigue at that point in the day. However, I try to help the children focus by making math a more hands-on, fun experience than math probably was for you when you were in school.
   Each day the children have at least one small group math activity or game to play. Mrs. Dawes and I are actually doing a lot of direct instruction during that time, but the children may not even realize it. During the past several weeks the children have been working on counting, numeral recognition (0-10), one-to-one correspondence, the concepts of “more” and “less” in relation to amounts, how to conserve (remember) an amount and count on, sorting, graphing, and subitizing (the ability to quickly recognize a grouping of objects as a set amount, like knowing the patterns of dots on dominoes and dice as numbers). I work very hard to make math as engaging, productive, and fun as possible.

   I will keep you posted on new math updates for the second quarter in the coming weeks. These children are laying the groundwork for future success as problem-solvers and mathematicians. 

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Latest Update!

Reminder! Friday, September 25, 2013 is an Early Release Day at Joyner. All children will be dismissed at 12:30. Please, make transportation and/or childcare arrangements ahead of time, and send me a note in your child’s OTIS folder if he/she is going home a different way on Friday. Thank you!

Jackets, Sweatshirts, Etc.

    This is the time of year when children are wearing jackets and sweatshirts in the morning. By mid-day the children are taking them off and leaving them behind. Soon, the weather will be cold enough that children will be wearing mittens, gloves, scarves, and heavier coats. Please, take this time to put your child’s name inside ALL their articles of fall and winter warm clothing. I cannot remember who wore which jacket at the end of the day, and I want to make sure all the children get their articles home in the afternoons so they will have them for the next morning. Thank you!

Ganyard Hill Farm Field Trip

   We are heading to the Ganyard Hill Farm just outside of Durham on Friday, October 11. The cost for each child is $15. The easiest way to pay is the Online Payment link on this blog. Thank you to the parents who have already paid. Your child will also need to have paid for the Kindergarten T-shirt ($10) so we can wear them when we go. That can also be handled through the online payment link.
   If you are willing to chaperone that day, please email me and let me know at tlancaster@wcpss.net . The cost for each chaperone is $10. You can pay when you arrive. I will send home some information for chaperones in the Friday OTIS folder. If you would like to check out the farm and the activities will we enjoy, you can go to www.pumpkincountry.com  or www.ganyardhillfarm.com .

The Relatives Came

   Shh! It’s still a secret. On Tuesday, October 1, I am inviting parents and grandparents to join us in a special celebration. Our class will come back to the room from Spanish class around 1:15 (so don’t be seen in the hall), and I will read the book The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant.  At the end of the story (around 1:30) I will ask the children what it would be like if their relatives came to school. After the children tell me some of their ideas, I will open the door and invite you in! Please, come with a blanket or towel to sit on, a few cookies if you’d like, and a story that you can share with your child and a one or two of his/her friends. This is a great way for all of the children to see how important (and fun) reading is in all of our lives.

Upcoming Events
Friday, Sept. 25 – Early Release at 12:30
Tuesday, Oct. 1 – The Relatives Came day at 1:30
Friday, Oct. 11 – Field trip to Ganyard Hill pumpkin farm 10:00 – 12:30
Friday, Oct. 18 – Early Release/Joyner Jamboree


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Oops!

Slight Change of Plans

   I have had to adjust the date from “The Relatives Came” description I posted yesterday. Our date will actually be Tuesday, October 1st. Look for a flier with more information in tomorrow’s O.T.I.S. folder. I will also post the same flier on here tomorrow during the day. Thanks for checking the blog! 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Beginning of the Year -- BIG Post

   Thank you for checking our classroom blog. I will try to update the blog at least weekly. This first big post will have a LOT of information so I hope that you will stay tuned to the end.
   The children are already falling into a routine and are working hard. I hope that they are coming home and singing songs or telling you about Letterland characters or talking about their day. I work very hard to make sure the children are engaged in quality, developmentally-appropriate activities all day.
   We have also been establishing rules for how we want to treat other people and be treated. Look for the ROAR tab at the top of this blog page to see the promise we recite each morning.

Upcoming Dates
Shhhhhh.... it's a secret!!!   Monday, September 30, 1:30 The Relatives Came:  Details will be coming home this week in OTIS. This is a day when we are inviting all families into our classroom (but keep it a secret).  The kids won't know until you show up.
Friday, September 27 – Early Release
Friday, October 11 - Ganyard Hills Farms Field Trip – More details coming soon!

O.T.I.S.
   Thank you for checking your child’s Only The Important Stuff folder daily. This is a new idea for me, but I love it. At the other schools where I have worked I sent home a folder one day a week. For the parents I am sure it was paper overload with notices from our class, the school, the PTA, and the school system, not to mention the children’s work. Mrs. Dawes and I will check these every morning to keep up with money, notes, and forms. You can also email me notes at tlancaster@wcpss.net.
   Please, help your child learn to be responsible for his/her own O.T.I.S. folder. He/She put it in his/her backpack every night after you have had a chance to check it. I make it the children’s responsibility to unpack it as they walk in the door each morning. They may be little, but they can handle it.

Birthdays
   We try to celebrate the happy occasions in everyone’s life in kindergarten, especially birthdays. When it is your child’s birthday, we make a time during lunch to recognize the special day with all of the kindergarten classes. We sing the birthday song together. Then, if you would like, Mrs. Dawes and I will hand out individual, store-bought treats to the children, such as cupcakes, doughnuts, or cookies. It is a Wake County policy that the treats are commercially made so that children with allergies can be aware of any potentially harmful ingredients. If you would like to join us to celebrate your child’s birthday, you may sign in at the office and then meet us at our classroom door at 10:35. Our lunch time is from 10:40 – 11:10.
By the way…Mrs. Dawes’ birthday is coming up on September 22. If you would like to have your child make a card for her or draw a picture for her at home, I’m sure she would appreciate it.

Scholastic Book Club
   I included this month’s book order form in the O.T.I.S. folder. There is a link to the right side of this blog page that you can follow to order books for your child. I cannot handle any of the orders or money per Joyner policy. Our class code is:
MGBC6
   If you have any difficulty placing your order, please let me know, and I’ll see what I can do to expedite it.

JYJ Kindergarten T-shirt
   We want every child in kindergarten to order a special T-shirt just for kindergartners. The cost per shirt is $10. We will wear them on field trips and special occasions. I hope I have the “Online Payment” link up and working under Important  Classroom Links to make it easier for you to get your child’s shirt ordered.

Personality Train
   Some of the children have already brought in and shared their “personality train” posters. We are learning a lot about each other. If you have not had a chance to help your child put one together, do not worry. We will have these up for a few weeks. This is meant to be a fun family project, not a stressful one.  If you need another sheet of construction paper or another copy of the instructions, just email me or send me a note in O.T.I.S., and I will send you what you need.

Volunteering
   I would like to say another word of thanks to all of the parents who have returned their Volunteer Opportunities sign-up sheet. If you have not done it yet, it is ok. You have all week. I have had a couple of parents ask what a “Writer’s Workshop Helper” would do. Basically, Writer’s Workshop is a time when all of the children are practicing writing sentences. It is not easy to get to every child who is unsure of a letter sound or how they want to express an idea. I will actually host a training session for parents on how they can help children during this time. I want children to feel supported in their writing without adults walking around and basically spelling everything for the children. It can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. I will probably host the training session one afternoon/evening in October.
   If you would like to volunteer in any capacity – on field trips, in the classroom, or around the school – you must be a registered volunteer with the Wake County schools. It only takes a few minutes. If you have not registered and you are not sure how to do so, please, stop by one morning, and I will help you get to a computer and get registered. Thanks!

   Well, you made it to the end of the first big post. I promise they will not ALL be this overwhelming. There are just lots of odds and ends to talk about at the beginning of the year.

   I would just like to say one more “thank you” to all of you as parents. You have made me feel very welcome at Joyner Elementary, and I appreciate it. More than that, however, I can see the effort that you put into your children and their education every day. It is hard work to be a good parent, and I appreciate all you do to help your child to be as successful as possible.