Happy Birthday, Bryce!
Love, Mrs. K.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
October Family Reading Awards
I have some good news today ... we had our Family Reading Awards Assembly for October yesterday, and ... our class won a Clifford! I say good news, because we almost had everyone reach their 30-book goal - 22 out of 23 students - way to go! We tied for second place with Mrs. Davis' class at 96% of our students meeting their goal. Mrs. Burkhardt's class had 100% of their students meet the goal!
These are the students who met their Family Reading Goal for October (in no particular order): Christian, Abigale, Cameron, Gavin, Katherine, Austin, Drew, Arielle, Isaiah, Audrey, Bryce, Jayden, Elaina, Landyn, Ayla, Caden, Madyson, Kaleb, Jacob, Kerrigan, Christopher, & DeAnna. Super job!
Let's try for 100% participation for November - remember, there are prizes at the end of the year based on the number of months your child meets the goal!
These are the students who met their Family Reading Goal for October (in no particular order): Christian, Abigale, Cameron, Gavin, Katherine, Austin, Drew, Arielle, Isaiah, Audrey, Bryce, Jayden, Elaina, Landyn, Ayla, Caden, Madyson, Kaleb, Jacob, Kerrigan, Christopher, & DeAnna. Super job!
Let's try for 100% participation for November - remember, there are prizes at the end of the year based on the number of months your child meets the goal!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Family Reading for September
We had our first Family Reading Assembly yesterday. During these monthly assemblies, we recognize all students who met their monthly Family Reading Goal, our Star Students for the month from each class, the class winner of the Clifford award, and those with birthdays during the month.
I am proud to announce that 19 of our 22 students met their Family Reading goal for September! Those making their goal were (in no particular order): Isaiah, DeAnna, Caden, Elaina, Bryce, Kerrigan, Austin, Ayla, Madyson, Cameron, Abigale, Jacob, Landyn, Christian, Katherine, Drew, Jayden, Audrey, and Kaleb! Way to go, everyone!
However, our class did not win the Clifford award this month. This award goes to the class with the greatest percentage of students who meet their goal. There were two classes who had 20 out of 22 students meeting their goal. Won't you help us win the Clifford award for October? If your child is not listed above, I may not have received his or her reading log. Please make sure this paper stays in your child's Parent Pack Folder so I can collect it at the end of the month.
Each month, one student from each class is chosen who exemplifies qualities of good behavior and being a class leader. This person is called our Star Student. This month I chose Austin! He always follows directions, works quietly without disturbing others, and raises his hand to give answers. Congratulations, Austin!
Each student who had a birthday during the months of August or September received a paperback book (to keep), donated by the Rotary Club. Happy Birthday to Christian, DeAnna, Caden, Elaina, Drew, and Kerrigan!
Finally, each month we introduce a new social skill for the students to work on throughout the next month. These skills are introduced in a funny and entertaining skit by the teachers. This month's skill is "If you want the teacher's attention, raise your hand." Ask your child to sing the song - I'm sure you'll have a great laugh!
Please remember to have someone (just about anyone!) read to your child daily and record the book title on their Family Reading Log (or it doesn't count).
Have a great week, and happy reading! :-)
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Daily Life in Mrs. Krouskop-Smith's Class
OK, so you've been working with your child at home, completing the homework online, and reading to them each night (and recording each book on their Family Reading Log, I hope!). Now you'd like to know what it is we do all day in school, huh?
Well, our morning starts off with a daily "name ticket". Each student practices writing their name on a slip of paper 2x5. We practice using one capital letter and the rest lowercase letters. Then we use these "tickets" to answer a daily graph. To date, the questions have been "Do you like {color}?", with a different color each day. The questions are always formatted so many of the students can already read them independently, and those who can read them help those who are still learning. Most days, we also discuss the graph (which choice received the most votes/fewest votes, how many people chose choice a, etc.)
After our name tickets are done, we meet on the "rocking chair rug" for a daily message. This is where we have been practicing our letter-of-the-day, modeled writing, and "sharing the pen" (I sometimes call students up to help me write one of our popcorn words). You might have heard your child talk about the "Fabulous Froggy" - the student who is the line leader and general classroom helper for the day. During the message is when we find out who will be the Fabulous Froggy for the day, as well.
After our daily message, we currently do some silent "reading". Now I know most (but not all!) of my students cannot read words yet. But guess what? We have learned that ALL students can read pictures! Every student in our class can look at a picture and make up a story to go along with the picture - this is the very beginning of reading! I have many books that have simple one-word labels attached to each picture, and the students' book baskets are currently filled with these books, as well as I Spy books and the guided readers that you have been reading together for homework. However, in kindergarten, we can't just sit down on the first day of school and read for 15 minutes - I'm sure you know that as well! We have to "build our stamina for reading" gradually. We started the year out by reading for a whole minute at a time, and we did this up to three times a day in the beginning. Each time we became comfortable with the reading time, we added a minute to our time, until we reached the point we are now - 12 minutes (but only once per day now)! Our goal is to get to 15 minutes or beyond. Once this happens, Mrs. K. will begin pulling small groups during this time for individualized reading instruction.
After our reading time, we have literacy stations for the rest of the morning. Literacy Stations involve working with a partner, and the weekly activities include the following: a choice of activities from a basket that is based on the students' reading level, a listening station (basically a book on tape that I have loaded onto an mp3 player), the computer (where we listen to and interact with our guided readers), the smartboard (an educational website or game), the school iPad and Mrs. K's iPad (phonics apps), and the "rainbow table" (small groups meet with Mrs K for phonics instruction). We usually complete three stations each day, and we get to visit each station at least twice each week.
Isaiah and Madyson complete a letter matching activity that was in their basket.
Jacob and Katherine use the LeapPads that were in their basket.
Abby, Christopher, and Jayden listen to books on mp3 players.
Kerrigan and Drew complete an activity on the computer.
Karlie and Christian work on the school iPad.
Landyn and Arielle work on Mrs. K's iPad.
DeAnna works on a puzzle that was in her basket.
Audrey completes an activity on the Smartboard.
Ayla listens to letter sounds in an activity that was in her basket.
At 11:15, we head down to the cafeteria for lunch, and we are dismissed to recess at 11:35. At 12:15, recess is over, and we come back together on the "smartboard rug" for our daily calendar time, where we review the date, days of the week, months of the year, counting practice, number concepts, and many other math objectives. Then we do our Math Stations, almost exactly like the Literacy Stations from the morning. In Math Stations, we again have a partner, and the activities include the following: a choice of activities that matches the student's current level, a listening station (a math-activity-on-tape that I have loaded onto an mp3 player), the computer (a math website), the smartboard (another math website or game), the school iPad and Mrs. K's iPad (math apps), and the "rainbow table" (small groups meet with Mrs. K for math instruction). Again, we usually complete three stations each day, and we get to visit each station at least twice each week. (Pictures to come!)
I do want to let you know, though, that the number of times each student meets with me in a small group setting depends on the child's level. Those needing the most help meet with me every day; those needing the least help meet with me twice per week; and those in the middle meet with me three to four times per week. The activities completed during small group meeting times (both in phonics and math) are also tailored to your child's needs. Generally, every group completes a different activity, so don't be alarmed if your child doesn't bring home the same activity his friend does. :-)
All of our "specials" are in the afternoons, and the days that we don't have a special are the days we focus on handwriting and art as well. Your child has a handwriting workbook that is kept at school, which is why you have not seen many papers come home. As you can tell, I am not a worksheet-type teacher. Most students think they are boring (as do I), and research proves that children of this age learn best by actually handling and manipulating objects and making connections. The abstract-ivity of worksheets will come soon enough, believe me! :-)
Back to the specials, we have Library on Tuesdays (including a storytime) and Thursdays (checkout only), and Music on Fridays.
I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into our day at school! Please enjoy some photos of activities we did during our "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" week, and pics of the students taking the four online tests we are required to give at different times during the year.
Sorting Gummy Bears 1
Soring Gummy Bears 2
NWEA Testing 1
NWEA Testing 2
NWEA Testing 3
NWEA Testing 4
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Thank you!
Good evening, Parents!
I just want to take a minute to thank those of you who are completing the homework with your child, and especially for the feedback you have given me already! I am compiling the results, and will be tweaking the playlists based on your comments.
If your child has completed the Lesson 1 activities and you have filled out the survey, I awarded your child a Star badge on Edmodo. You should see it right under or next to their name & profile picture.
With getting this homework process up and running, I am a little behind on updating the blog with the things we're doing in class. I hope to have a full update for you by this weekend - hang tight! :-)
I just want to take a minute to thank those of you who are completing the homework with your child, and especially for the feedback you have given me already! I am compiling the results, and will be tweaking the playlists based on your comments.
If your child has completed the Lesson 1 activities and you have filled out the survey, I awarded your child a Star badge on Edmodo. You should see it right under or next to their name & profile picture.
With getting this homework process up and running, I am a little behind on updating the blog with the things we're doing in class. I hope to have a full update for you by this weekend - hang tight! :-)
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Parent Night is Tonight!
I hope you can attend tonight's Parent Night. It will be packed with information about events and policies here at Nicklin, as well as information specific to our classroom. Did we mention you could win a 26" TV?
Anyway, if you are here because you saw my presentation and were so impressed that you just needed to watch it again :-), or if you simply couldn't join us tonight, you can view the presentation by clicking this link.
Once again, I will be assigning login credentials so you can get started next week - look for this information in an email, or in your child's Parent Pack folder.
Have a great evening!
Anyway, if you are here because you saw my presentation and were so impressed that you just needed to watch it again :-), or if you simply couldn't join us tonight, you can view the presentation by clicking this link.
Once again, I will be assigning login credentials so you can get started next week - look for this information in an email, or in your child's Parent Pack folder.
Have a great evening!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Our First Week is Under Our Belts!
Good Afternoon, Parents!
We have had a wonderful week here in the Green Room. We have read several versions of the story of the Gingerbread Man/Boy. We even saw evidence of his presence in our school when he left notes for us in different places around the school! Today, though, we caught him! And "he" turned out to be "they" - a gingerbread cookie for each of us! It was lots of fun, as you may have heard from several excited children when they came home.
We are just starting to get into the routines of Daily Reading and of Math Stations. In Daily Reading, we have been "reading" books selected for us specifically by Mrs. K. These are books where the text is typically made up of labels - one word per picture, and they focus on colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. We are proud to say that we have been able to read for one whole minute for two days in a row! This means your child can look at the pictures or read the words in a book for a whole minute without stopping and getting distracted! By the end of the first quarter, our goal is to be able to read on our own for fifteen minutes without teacher re-direction. We call this "building our stamina." Because in first grade, you have to be able to read lots of things on your own, and we all want to be ready for first grade when the time comes! :-)
Now, if you are working with your child at home, you will notice that they most likely cannot read actual words yet - that will come as we learn our 41 "popcorn words" throughout the year. I have shown the students that good kindergarten readers read the pictures and use them to make up stories in their head.
Right now in Math Stations, we are just exploring and getting familiar with the different manipulatives available in our classroom - how to use them correctly (they can be counted, sorted, or lined up, but they cannot be thrown or put in our mouths!), different ways we can work with them, etc.
Next week, we will be reading the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, by Eric Carle. This book will familiarize us with our colors, but we will have many other math and reading activities to go along with it.
If you would like to get a head start on at-home activities for your child, please go to this link: Mrs. K.'s Activities for Week 2. This is a list of activities I have put together that correspond to what we are working on together in school. Please email, call, or send a note if you have any questions. Once, again, I will be explaining this process in more detail during our Parent Night on Thursday, Sept. 6, from 6:00-7:00 pm. Hope to see you there!
Have an awesome week!
We have had a wonderful week here in the Green Room. We have read several versions of the story of the Gingerbread Man/Boy. We even saw evidence of his presence in our school when he left notes for us in different places around the school! Today, though, we caught him! And "he" turned out to be "they" - a gingerbread cookie for each of us! It was lots of fun, as you may have heard from several excited children when they came home.
We are just starting to get into the routines of Daily Reading and of Math Stations. In Daily Reading, we have been "reading" books selected for us specifically by Mrs. K. These are books where the text is typically made up of labels - one word per picture, and they focus on colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. We are proud to say that we have been able to read for one whole minute for two days in a row! This means your child can look at the pictures or read the words in a book for a whole minute without stopping and getting distracted! By the end of the first quarter, our goal is to be able to read on our own for fifteen minutes without teacher re-direction. We call this "building our stamina." Because in first grade, you have to be able to read lots of things on your own, and we all want to be ready for first grade when the time comes! :-)
Now, if you are working with your child at home, you will notice that they most likely cannot read actual words yet - that will come as we learn our 41 "popcorn words" throughout the year. I have shown the students that good kindergarten readers read the pictures and use them to make up stories in their head.
Right now in Math Stations, we are just exploring and getting familiar with the different manipulatives available in our classroom - how to use them correctly (they can be counted, sorted, or lined up, but they cannot be thrown or put in our mouths!), different ways we can work with them, etc.
Next week, we will be reading the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, by Eric Carle. This book will familiarize us with our colors, but we will have many other math and reading activities to go along with it.
If you would like to get a head start on at-home activities for your child, please go to this link: Mrs. K.'s Activities for Week 2. This is a list of activities I have put together that correspond to what we are working on together in school. Please email, call, or send a note if you have any questions. Once, again, I will be explaining this process in more detail during our Parent Night on Thursday, Sept. 6, from 6:00-7:00 pm. Hope to see you there!
Have an awesome week!
Parent Night Coming Up September 6
Parents, Please mark your calendar for this coming Thursday, September 6 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. for Nicklin's Annual "Parent Night", where you can come and learn about the different events and activities we sponsor on behalf of your child. Mrs. Henderson will begin the evening by speaking to you about building-wide activities and programs. You will also have a chance to enter to win a 26" TV, which is being raffled off only to those in attendance! Following Mrs. Henderson's talk, you will have a chance to come to your child's classroom, where I will tell you all about our classroom procedures, including the nightly homework, which will commence the following week.
Please make every effort to attend, or send someone in your place with your list of questions to be answered. You won't want to miss a chance to win that 26" TV!
Please make every effort to attend, or send someone in your place with your list of questions to be answered. You won't want to miss a chance to win that 26" TV!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
First Day a Success!
Hello Parents and Students!
We had an awesome day! On top of the already hectic nature of the first day, I had 3 new students whom I had never met, and who had never met me! Whew!
But that aside, we got to explore manipulatives at our tables, complete a gluing activity in which we learned to use tiny dots of glue (see picture), got an introduction to the smartboard, learned the rules of the playground, how to walk in a straight line, the rules for the bathrooms, and the procedures for lunch, and of course we took 45 minutes to practice getting into the correct bus/car rider lines!
It was the first year I've had in quite a while where we didn't have any tears first thing in the morning - great job, friends!
It was a good day - I'm looking forward to this being the start of a great year!
We had an awesome day! On top of the already hectic nature of the first day, I had 3 new students whom I had never met, and who had never met me! Whew!
But that aside, we got to explore manipulatives at our tables, complete a gluing activity in which we learned to use tiny dots of glue (see picture), got an introduction to the smartboard, learned the rules of the playground, how to walk in a straight line, the rules for the bathrooms, and the procedures for lunch, and of course we took 45 minutes to practice getting into the correct bus/car rider lines!
It was the first year I've had in quite a while where we didn't have any tears first thing in the morning - great job, friends!
It was a good day - I'm looking forward to this being the start of a great year!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Welcome Class of 2025!
Welcome Class of 2025! I am excited and looking forward to having a great year with you!
Parents, this is where you will find out information on what we're learning, activities we've done, and maybe even some tips to help you teach your child at home.
In the coming few weeks, I will be contacting you about how to work with your child at home. In my class, we will have homework every day. This "homework" will require the use of a computer with internet access, so if you do not have access at home, I need to know this as soon as possible. I am willing to do a work-around, but I need to know. Thank you!
Enjoy the night, and we will start an awesome year on Friday!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Krouskop-Smith
Parents, this is where you will find out information on what we're learning, activities we've done, and maybe even some tips to help you teach your child at home.
In the coming few weeks, I will be contacting you about how to work with your child at home. In my class, we will have homework every day. This "homework" will require the use of a computer with internet access, so if you do not have access at home, I need to know this as soon as possible. I am willing to do a work-around, but I need to know. Thank you!
Enjoy the night, and we will start an awesome year on Friday!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Krouskop-Smith
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Kindergarten Memories
I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every student in my class this year. I will miss them terribly! But I know they must grow up and move on, and I wish them the best of luck in all of their future endeavors. Your child will receive a dvd of photo memories from our year together. Here is the video that will be on the dvd.
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| Personalize a photo slideshow |
As I said, it has been a pleasure serving you and your children. I look forward to hearing from you as your child grows. Please make sure they come back and see me often! :-)
<3 Love,
Mrs. Krouskop-Smith
Friday, April 27, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
March Reading Awards Assembly
Yesterday we held our March Reading Awards Assembly to celebrate those students whose families met their 30-book reading goal. Mrs. Henderson had given us a challenge that every class who had at least 70% of the students meet the reading goal would win a pizza party.
In our class, 17 out of our 18 students met the Reading Goal!!! Way to go, families! This means that our class had 94% of the students meeting the reading goal - we won a pizza party!
Congratulations and thanks go out the families of Matthew, Madison, Brett, Payten, Trenen, Jennifer, Evan, Logan, Gracie, Carson, Chase, Alahna, Breanna, Tambra, Emma, Boston, & Khloi!
Our Star Student for the month of March is Evan. He remembers to keep his hands and feet to himself, and knows that "if it doesn't belong to you, don't touch it!"
Now many of you know as well that Nicklin has a "travelling Clifford Dog". Each month he visits the classroom who had the most students reach their goal. Every month, Mrs. Burkhardt's class wins the Clifford Dog because she always has 100% of her students reaching their goal.
I would like for April to be the month that we share the Clifford Dog with Mrs. Burkhardt's class! But to do so, we are going to need 100% participation on the 30-book reading goal.
I know we can do it!!! Since the month is almost half over, if you read just two books to your child before they go to bed each night, you'll make your goal, and help us to win the Clifford Dog!
We're on the home stretch now - sliding in to first grade!
Oh, I wanted to make sure parents are aware that I am planning to be gone on Wednesday afternoon, and all day Thursday and Friday of this coming week, so your child will have a guest teacher on those days.
In our class, 17 out of our 18 students met the Reading Goal!!! Way to go, families! This means that our class had 94% of the students meeting the reading goal - we won a pizza party!
Congratulations and thanks go out the families of Matthew, Madison, Brett, Payten, Trenen, Jennifer, Evan, Logan, Gracie, Carson, Chase, Alahna, Breanna, Tambra, Emma, Boston, & Khloi!
Our Star Student for the month of March is Evan. He remembers to keep his hands and feet to himself, and knows that "if it doesn't belong to you, don't touch it!"
Now many of you know as well that Nicklin has a "travelling Clifford Dog". Each month he visits the classroom who had the most students reach their goal. Every month, Mrs. Burkhardt's class wins the Clifford Dog because she always has 100% of her students reaching their goal.
I would like for April to be the month that we share the Clifford Dog with Mrs. Burkhardt's class! But to do so, we are going to need 100% participation on the 30-book reading goal.
I know we can do it!!! Since the month is almost half over, if you read just two books to your child before they go to bed each night, you'll make your goal, and help us to win the Clifford Dog!
We're on the home stretch now - sliding in to first grade!
Oh, I wanted to make sure parents are aware that I am planning to be gone on Wednesday afternoon, and all day Thursday and Friday of this coming week, so your child will have a guest teacher on those days.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
February Family Reading Awards
Today we held our February Family Reading Awards Assembly. If you read 30 books with your child during February, they received a certificate and special recognition today.
Congratulations to these students and their families for meeting their goal:
Madison, Emma, Khloi, Brett, Alahna, Gracie, Evan, Payten, Chase, Breanna, Boston, Carson, Logan, and Matthew!
Way to go!
Congratulations to these students and their families for meeting their goal:
Madison, Emma, Khloi, Brett, Alahna, Gracie, Evan, Payten, Chase, Breanna, Boston, Carson, Logan, and Matthew!
Way to go!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
What a Wacky Wednesday!
What a wAcKy wEdNeSdAy it was today!
First, we noticed that our whole behavior chart was turned upside down! We had to move our frogs down when we were good today!
Most of the charts in our room were upside down, too!
Our chairs were gone, so we had to stand or kneel most of the day!
When we did our Literacy Stations, we were allowed to read under the tables, since there were no chairs!
We even had to write under the tables! This is hard for many of us, but it builds upper arm strength!
Here is our very Wacky Class, in action!
And I asked for one nice pose. Most of us were smiling, anyway ... Aren't they precious?!
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