Transitional Kindergarten News 

📚 Language Arts

This week, we read several wonderful books, including our first nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty! Did you know that literacy and child-development experts have found that children who know at least eight nursery rhymes by kindergarten often become some of the strongest readers and spellers in their class by third grade?

We read and chanted Humpty Dumpty together and completed a fun cut-and-paste Humpty Dumpty activity. Their finished work is now proudly displayed on their lockers. Be sure to have your child chant Humpty Dumpty for you this weekend!

Letter Mm - Students were introduced to the letter Mm and practiced identifying its sound. We sorted pictures into groups based on whether they started with the /m/ sound.

 

🎨 Art

We learned about the famous artist Wassily Kandinsky and explored his amazing concentric-circle artwork. Students worked collaboratively to create a group project inspired by Kandinsky's style. Our beautiful artwork is proudly displayed on our back bulletin board!

 

✏️ Handwriting

This week, we practiced writing vertical lines, beginning at a green dot and ending at a red dot, to prepare us for working with handwriting lines.

This year, students will be working in a Kindergarten Zaner-Bloser handwriting book, which uses a top, middle, and bottom line to help students form their letters correctly. Pages will be sent home as we complete them.

We also practiced using a proper pencil grip and seating position.

 

🔢 Math

In math, we reviewed number 1 and practiced writing the numbers 2 and 3. We also practiced counting every day during our calendar time.

Social & Emotional Learning

We read One, written and illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi. Using colorful watercolor illustrations, numbers, and a simple story, students learned about kindness, empathy, and standing up for others. We talked about how one person can make a difference and how important it is to speak up when someone is being treated unkindly.

We continue to practice problem-solving during recess. Students are learning to use the words:

“It bugs me when…”
“I wish you would…”

These phrases help students calmly communicate with one another and work through problems with their friends.

We have also learned four classroom rules and continue to practice them throughout our school day!

 

Backpacks & Green Folders

Please remember to send your child’s backpack and green folder to school every day. We are working hard to build responsibility and independence in TK! Each day, students practice packing their folders with their work and then placing them safely into their backpacks. These little routines help our students become more confident and responsible learners.