Handey News for August 29 - Sept. 2

We have worked hard this week! The students have done a great job of working in Literacy centers and reading with me at the small group table! They worked on the Mac laptops and practice using a mouse. We ended the week with a cooking activity where we made edible aquariums with blue jello and gummy fish. We discussed how the jello changed from a liquid to a solid. The activity extended a story from our reading lesson that highlights the various colors of fish.

This coming week we will be wrapping up our theme of colors. We have been working a lot with the color words and I will check the students ability to read all the color words by the end of the week. Also, next week we will begin our nightly reading practice. Look for the “Book Bag” in your child’s backpack. 

Next Friday we will make “Friendship Fruit Salad” to wrap up our theme on colors. If you would like to send fruit to contribute to this project please e-mail me (jhandey@trinitywildcats.com) and let me know what fruit you would like to send. 

Our lesson objectives for next week below as well as important dates. Have a great week!

Language Arts Skills:

• High Frequency Words: I, see
• Language/Writing Skills: singular words and plural words
• Phonics focus: /r/
• Comprehension skill focus: Sequence of events

Handwriting Skills: Letters Oo, Aa, Dd

Math: Complete Topic 2: Position and Location; Topic 3: Patterns

Social Science: Ocean Life

Bible: Adam and Eve sin; Memory verse: “They eyes of the Lord are in every place keeping watch over the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3

Important dates:

• Picture Day -- August 31
• Labor Day Holiday -- September 5
• Fall Festival -- September 23, 2-3 p.m.
• Field Trip to Dreamfield Farms Pumpkin Patch -- Tuesday, October 18th (There is no limit on chaperones however there is a $5 charge per adult. Student costs were included in the Activity Fee.)

Super First Week!

We have had a wonderful first full week of school! The students are beginning to settle into our school routines. They are learning to work independently while  we have small group rotations. That is a very big kid skill!!! You can see some pictures above of lunch time and classroom activities. They have had a great time visiting all of our special teachers. I am most proud of the way they have put this week's Bible verse into action by encouraging one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). 


A few friendly reminders:

• Please send a healthy snack like crackers or fruit rather than chips.
• Please encourage toys to stay at home. They must remain in the backpack if they come to school.

Thanks! Below is a peek at what we will be practicing and learning next week.

Language Arts Skills:

• High Frequency Words: I, see
• Language/Writing Skills: Using exact words, using a capital letter to begin a sentence
• Phonics focus: /m/

Handwriting Skills: Vertical line letters Ll, Ii, Tt

Math: Position and Location (Inside, outside, over, under, on, top, middle, bottom, before, after, left, and right

Social Science: School Routines and Manners

Bible: God Cares for His Creation; verse focus: “All things were made by God.” John 1:3

Our First Day!!

We had a great first day!

I am very blessed to be teaching such a precious group of boys and girls! Thank you for sharing them with me. Our first day went by quickly, but we were able to meet many of our special teachers and explore each center as you can see above. This week we will continue to get to know Trinity and our classroom routines. I will also introduce our reading, math, Bible, and handwriting curriculum materials.

Please make note of the following helpful tips and reminders:

• School officially starts at 8 a.m. We will be very prompt about starting our Morning Meeting at that time. There will be a teacher on duty in the common area beginning at 7:30 a.m. for early arrivers. Students may go in their classrooms beginning at 7:45 a.m.
• Air conditioning can be chilly for some of us! Many students enjoy having a light jacket or sweatshirt at school to help them stay comfortable under the air conditioning vents. 
• Our regular snack schedule begins tomorrow. Students should be bring a healthy snack to enjoy in the afternoon. Please do not send fruit cups or Gogurts as the clean up from these snacks often steals our class time. Crackers and whole fruit are always great choices! Water for student snacks will be provided.

I am looking forward to the rest of our week!