We have had a wonderful second week of kindergarten! I can tell we are all settling into a comfortable routine, and the kids are doing a fantastic job getting used to our routine and schedule. We had a great time riding the bus to Convocation on Wednesday, and it was beautiful to be able to worship together as an entire student body (with many parents too!).
This week we have been starting to use more common phrases and questions, such as "¿Puedo ir afuera?" (Can I go outside?), "¿Me lo abres?" (Can you open it?) and "¡Ya terminé!" (I'm finished!).
Here are more details about what we are learning...
Reading / Lectura: This week we have learned and practiced the letters B, C, D, and E. All of the consonant sounds we've learned so far have almost exactly the same sounds as they have in English. We have also been learning about las vocales--the vowels (see here for a video of the pronunciation)--as well as the difference between una persona (a person) and una cosa (a thing).
Writing / Escritura: We have started our unit focusing on la familia, or the family. We have been learning and practicing family vocabulary words and drawing pictures of moments with our families. It is exciting to see the kids start to share their work with each other!Math / Matemáticas: This week we have practiced counting and writing the numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7. We are also having fun counting on our fingers, exploring manipulatives, and sorting objects.
Bible / Biblia: We are starting to learn about the 7 days of creation. On day 1, God created la luz (light) and la oscuridad (darkness). On day 2, God created el cielo y el agua (sky and water). On day 3, God created las plantas (plants). On day 4, God created el sol, la luna, y las estrellas (the sun, moon, and stars). The kids have been enjoying pulling things out of the "surprise bag" every day to discover more about God's creation!
Science / Ciencias: We are learning about los cinco sentidos, or the five senses! We will continue to dive into each sense while learning important vocabulary at the same time.
Immersion Tip of the Week
One technique I use to encourage students to produce language, even when their vocabulary is limited, is called "circling". For example, I'll ask "sí-no" questions, such as: "Is this ball big?" "Is this a pencil?" Then, I'll ask "either-or" questions, such as: "Is this a Bible or a notebook?" "Is this book red or blue?" "Is the boy happy or sad?" This helps students hear more vocabulary and feel successful because they can understand and answer questions correctly.
Reading Tip of the Week
When you're reading a new book to your child this weekend, talk about the pictures you see on the title page. Ask, "What do you think this book will be about? Why do you think that?" Make predictions together. Most of all, have fun!
From the Office
If you weren’t able to attend parent night last week feel free to check out Ms. Roskamp’s presentation here!
Caring for the Rose Park Ranch: Do you love animals? Do your kids come home talking about loving their days in the barn at school? If you and your family would be interested in caring for our ranch on the weekends would you send an e-mail to Ms. Roskamp at kroskamp@hollandchristian.org. We are going to set up training this Fall to get more families involved in our weekend barn chores!
School pictures coming soon! School photos will happen on September 10 & 11 - please see the attached schedule for when your child's class photo will be taken!
Carpool lane: Do us a favor and use your hazard lights to indicate that you are still waiting for your students!
Hazard lights on: still waiting for kids
Hazard lights off: loaded and ready to move
Rose Park Fall Fest is coming up on September 25 from 5:30-7pm. This is an incredibly fun community event, Please sign your family up here!
Grandparents Day is coming up on October 2, we would love to bless our Grandparents with some treats, if you are able would you sign up to provide something HERE.
Upcoming Dates:
August 29 & September 1: Labor Day Weekend, no school
September 10 & 11: School Photos
September 24: Walkathon
September 25: Fall Fest 5:30-7pm
October 2: Grandparents Day (morning)
