Week One Is In The Books!

We had a great first week of kindergarten!  There are so many adjustments and routine changes for the children, for you and for me that it takes patience from all of us as we start a new school year.  Thank you for being patient with me as I prioritize relationships, routines and procedures in the next few weeks.  I believe that positive relationships are the most important thing and so while it may seem to you like we are learning a lot at school, believe me - we ARE!!!  We are learning about each other and how we can work well together this school year.  We are celebrating our differences and learning to forgive and give grace to each other as we adjust to a "family" of 21 (19 kiddos, Mrs.B and myself!).  The work will come once the relationships are established.

That being said.....we finished our first Letterbook in only 3 days!  We've enjoyed singing, exploring centers and so much more!  We've talked about Jesus' love for us - even when we make a problem rather than solve a problem.  Oh, there's so much to learn in kindergarten!!  But it is a fun, treasured time of life and I'm so thankful that you have allowed me along your child's journey of childhood!

Who doesn't love play-doh?!  We are starting out each day the next week or so by playing with play-doh!  On top of making shapes and using cookie cutters and just having fun, it helps build fine motor muscles which all 5 and 6 year olds need!! 

This next week, we will focus in Jesus Time on ways that God would like us to act because of our hearts being filled with the Holy Spirit.  We learned about what God says about friendships and will continue with things like honesty and generosity.  We read Bible verses about these attributes and then relate them to our walk in life.

We will review letter C (hard sound only) and then learn the short O sound.  We will start Literacy Centers in addition to whole group work.  In Math, we will learn about number writing, 1:1 correspondences and patterns.  We will also start Math Centers this week.  Working in centers like this allows for differentiation and individualized and small group work which benefits the children and also myself.  Mrs. B will spend some time in the Computer Lab with the children - working in abcya.com and other things.  STEM Lab classes will continue for the quarter to be on "Pushes and Pulls" learning.

Thank you for all your suggestions on FaceTime/Skype opportunities!  I will start contacting those people this next week.  I love using this way to help connect the children with other parts of the world and learn so much about people and places.

Thank you for sharing your children with me!  I'm looking forward to learning alongside them this school year!
In Christ's Service
Mrs. Dartmann