Winter Sing
The kids have been practicing their songs for the Winter Sing.  This great Irving Tradition is always a hit.

• Your child can dress up for the concert but will be going straight to the party after-so please be realistic about how clothes may have frosting on them, etc.  
• The two concerts, 8:15 and 9:45 are identical.  The Kindergarten students perform first and then the first grade will perform.  Ms. Hiolski will ask that you stay for the first grade so it is not disruptive.  The concert usually lasts about 30 minutes total.
• If you- or someone from your family- is unable to attend either of the concerts, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!  Your child will be disappointed if they are not prepared.  If your child is prepared, it is so much easier for them to enjoy the show and the party.  I am happy to send video or pictures to you if you cannot attend.  Your child can help me do this.

Winter Party
Thanks to our Room Parents for organizing a celebration for Wednesday!  I am sure it will be a wonderful event.  Please consider signing up to help or send in supplies by clicking here.  We need a few more people to send in candy for decorating gingerbread men.  Next time you are at the store you could grab some licorice for hair, gum drops for eyes, marshmallows...you get the idea.  We also need someone to teach and play the dreidel game.

Author Visit
We are so lucky to have another author coming just to Kindergarten!  The author, Rachel Ruiz, is a Chicago area author who wrote a book about a little girl meeting POTUS.  She has experience working in the White House and her POTUS happens to be a woman.  It is a great book and I would encourage you to consider purchasing a book for her to sign.  She will be coming right before Inauguration day.    If you misplaced the order form, please let me know and I can send another.

Reading:  This week we compared and contrasted the adventures of the Gingerbread Boy and the Gingerbread Girl.  The students have a formative assessment on this skill in their folders.  It is a Venn Diagram.

Math:  We are working on all kinds of measurement.  We are using the words taller than and shorter than.  We are also measuring with non-standard units. We are exploring capacity during our sensory tables time.   Next week we will explore area and weight.

Writing:  Students have been working on making their writing easier to read.  We have also worked on adding exciting beginnings and adding feelings to our stories.  After break we will be writing how-to stories.  I will be asking you to fill in a form so I can see all the things your child is able to do at home.  

Winter is HERE!

Winter Gear:  We will be going outside every day for recess this winter.   A few reminders:

• Label all the gear.
• If is is wet outside, your child will likely get wet.  Please consider snowpants every day.  We do not have time to change into dry clothes several times a day.  
• Consider leaving an old pair of mittens at school.  
• Encourage your child to do all of the dressing and undressing independently.  I know it takes a little more time initially.   If the boots tie, practice tying.  If it is a tricky zipper, practice zipping it.  I tell the kids I will not help them until I have seen them really trying it first.  This morning it was 8:20 before we were all in our chairs.  Our goal will be to cut that time in half!  Good thing we live in Chicago...they will have all winter to practice!  

Winter Concerts and Party

• There will be two shows the morning of December 21.  The first show is 8:15.  The second show is 9:45.  The Kindergarteners will sing for about 15 minutes.  The first graders sing after Kindergarten.  The whole show lasts about 30 minutes.  
• After the second show we will have our Winter Party.  Everyone is invited to attend this party.
• You will get an email from our room parents with details about the party.
• If you are NOT able to make it to either of the shows, PLEASE TELL ME as soon as possible.  If we can prepare your child ahead of time for the fact that you will not be there it is much easier for them to relax and enjoy the show and party. We can arrange to send pictures and videos.   If your child is anxious about whether or not you are coming, it makes it very hard and your child will be upset.  

Writing:  Ask your child what his/her writing goal is.  They are working hard to make their writing easy to read.  

Reading:  We loved the different versions of the Gingerbread Man.  Next up?  Gingerbread Girl. 

Math:  Please help your child find 3D (Solid) shapes around the house.  Your child should be able to find spheres, cubes, cones, and cylinders. 

practicing our pincher grip with sequins in oatmeal

adding one more fluently

practicing our color words with smelly markers

adding one more

pincher grip

practicing 3D shapes on Starfall