¡Feliz fin de semana, familias!
Our classroom was overflowing with excitement today with a visit from author John Rocco, our first class birthday, the first snow of the season, and, well, the general excitement that I just love about kindergarten! We had a great week full of fun and learning. Read an update on our week below as well as some important announcements at the end of this post!
Our Week
Bible
In Bible this week, we started learning about Moisés and how God used him to deliver his people--los Israelitas. We talked about how they were esclavos in Egipto and how Moises's mother hid him in a canasta. The kids made a couple of crafts that also provided some fine motor skill practice, one of el bebé Moisés and another one of el arbusto en llamas (the burning bush). Next week we'll talk more about Moises's encounters with Faraón.
Reading
Our new syllables this week were na, ne, ni, no, nu. We have been enjoying learning new vocabulary as we strengthen our reading skills by putting syllables together. The kids are doing a great job with this!
**NOTE: Your child received a book bag in his/her backpack. Please review at least one book a day! Expect to see new books added each week, so please keep it in your child's backpack or folder.
Writing
This week in writing, we have been working on weather vocabulary--an appropriate topic, what with so many changes in the weather over the last few days! The students talked and wrote about weather that they like and whether that they don't like. We have been working hard on identifying the sounds in words using a sound chart (pictured at right). I have enjoyed seeing the students write more and more words using the sounds they know! It is an exciting process!
Math
We have started to focus more on numbers 11-20 this week. We are identifying the numbers as having patterns of diez más ___ (ten plus ____). We've also been working on telling number stories (cuentos de números) using pictures, words, and manipulatives.
Science
We have started a new unit in science about motion and force. To prepare the students for this unit, we have spent the past week learning and practicing vocabulary to talk about prepositions: cerca y lejos (near and far), arriba y abajo (up and down), adentro y afuera (inside and outside), and enfrente y atrás (in front and behind). We have played games, sang songs, and used objects to practice these words.
Immersion Tip of the Week
Typically for a new vocabulary word to "stick", students learning a new language need to hear it between 40 and 60 times. When the word is repeated across different contexts (e.g. in reading and math), it's more likely that the child will remember the word. In our classroom, we are constantly reviewing and practicing our vocabulary in different ways; for example, through a song, with an action, or using a visual cue.
Reading Tip of the Week
When reading with your child from their book bag, remind them to follow along with their eyes and fingers. Ask questions about the pictures in the books!
Class Christmas Party
It is already November and time to start thinking about our class Christmas party! The date for our party will be Thursday, December 20th from 2:00-3:00pm. Your family is invited to join us for a special time of singing, crafts, and of course, eating! Here are a couple of specific notes:
*Your child will participate in a $3 gift exchange. Bring a wrapped gift for a boy/girl (boys will give to boys and girls to girls).
*I am asking parents to participate by bringing in a cultural food item to share. Please see more details on our signup sheet here!
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
*Wednesday, November 14: Return library books
*Wednesday, November 21: Half day
*Thursday, November 22/Friday, November 23: No school--Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for reading all the way to the end! Enjoy some pictures from our week below:
¡Hola Familias!
Another full week has flown by! We have spent lots of time reading, playing new math games, singing, and enjoying the crisp fall weather. The students are doing a fabulous job speaking more and more Spanish in the classroom, at lunchtime, and even on the playground! Here are some highlights from our week:
Our Week
Bible
This week we concluded the story of José. We learned about how Faraón (Pharaoh) had a dream about siete vacas gordas y siete vacas flacas (ask your child about it!). Then, José was able to interpret the dream and became an important helper in Egypt. When his brothers came looking for food, José les perdonó--he forgave them. What a great reminder of how God forgives us too!
Reading
We studied the syllables sa, se, si, so, su this week. Here is Monosílabo's video that we watched to practice reading words and sentences with the sounds. I'm so proud of the kids when they start pointing out syllables they know around the classroom and throughout the day! They get pretty excited to read them too. :) We have also been starting to read short books in Spanish, practicing following along with our ojos (eyes) and dedos (fingers). It is exciting to see these young readers grow in confidence every day!
Writing
This week, we talked about animales and mascotas (pets). We wrote about our favorite pets and about other animals we've seen. As we write and build vocabulary, the students are stretched more and more to listen to the sounds in words and add more details and descriptions. We also practiced sharing our work with a partner, rather than in a whole group.
Math
In Math, we have been learning new games and practicing them in our centers. We have been using lots of dice to practice sumas (addition) and más uno (plus one). Your child also took home his/her previous workbook pages, and you'll see more coming home next week! Be sure to talk to your child about what we worked on in class.
Blackout / El Apagón
As you have probably read in our HC emails, Rose Park is participating in Holland's Big Read project by reading the book Blackout by John Rocco. Our class was fortunate enough to get a copy in Spanish, called El Apagón. The book explores the idea of what might happen in a city-wide blackout, while reminding us of the importance of spending time together as a family. We enjoyed reading this book as a class and reacting to it by drawing pictures and talking about our favorite family activities. We're also excited that John Rocco will be visiting Rose Park next Friday! You may also see him for the Author Visit and Book Signing at the Herrick District Library on Saturday, November 10th at 11:00am.
Immersion Tip of the Week
Immersion in a second language can be overwhelming, and these kids are champs! Let them know what a great job they are doing. I was talking with my daughter, Anaiah, this week about how I didn't know Spanish at her age, and her papi didn't know English. Learning another language breaks down so many barriers, and it is an amazing gift for your child! Thank you for allowing me to be part of this language journey.
Reading Tip of the Week
There are many, many activities you can do to build your child's reading skills, but the most important thing is that you ENJOY it! Take time this weekend to read with your child. If it's not part of your daily routine, I encourage you to find a time to do so. Reading 20 minutes a day yields amazing results (see infographic at right!).
Upcoming Dates to Remember
*Wednesday, November 7th: Return library books
*Friday, November 9th: Author John Rocco visit at Rose Park
Blessing Bags
As we enter into the month of November, we can't help but bless God for how He is so, so good to us. We have much to be thankful for! There are those God places in our path each day that aren't feeling so blessed. It may be an overwhelmed young mom that you run into at Target, or a friend at church who has recently lost a spouse. Could it be the person on the corner by Family Fare who is begging for work? We all can come up with someone, in recent days, that has caused us to pause and pray.
Our three Rose Park kindergarten classes will be collecting items and creating Blessing Bags this month. Each child will be coming home with his/her own Blessing Bag on Thursday, November 29. Would you begin praying for who God desires your family to give your Blessing Bag? Allow the Holy Spirit to lead your family in giving this blessing.
In order to make the Blessing Bags possible, we need your help in providing items to fill the bags. If you are able, would you sign up for an item or two that works for your family? All items will be due by Monday, November 26.
Have a great weekend, and enjoy some pictures from our week below!
We have started a new unit in science about motion and force. To prepare the students for this unit, we have spent the past week learning and practicing vocabulary to talk about prepositions: cerca y lejos (near and far), arriba y abajo (up and down), adentro y afuera (inside and outside), and enfrente y atrás (in front and behind). We have played games, sang songs, and used objects to practice these words. 
