Kindergarten Newsletter – October 2016

Language Arts

As the weather changes from summer to fall, we will enjoy reading stories about autumn, fire prevention, pumpkins, scarecrows, spiders and bats. Writing first names with proper letter formation will be continued. Please review these sight words: stop, go, yes, no, I, the, can, see, a, play, boy, me, and you. We will learn these sight words in October: like, mom, dad, up, with, out, big, is, but, at, eat, off, and, all, come.

Library books are coming home each week. The books need to be returned the following week as requested by your child’s teacher. Please read the book with your child every night. Ask your child to retell the story in his/her own words, recalling as many details from the story as possible. Your child should be able to identify the author as the person who writes the words to the story, and illustrator as the person who draws the pictures. Discuss descriptive words and their meaning with your child. At the kindergarten level, descriptive words are not usually found in the child’s everyday speaking vocabulary, but are often used by an author to enhance the meaning of a story to make it more exciting or interesting. Making a list of “descriptive words” from the library book to discuss with your child is a great way to enrich your child’s reading experience! We strongly recommend reading with your child every night for at least 20 minutes.



Math/Technology

We will continue working on counting and writing numerals 0 – 15, copying, creating and describing patterns, and sorting and classifying objects. Your child should be able to identify an AB pattern by the end of the month! Soon, your child should be able describe a “hopscotch pattern” to you! Please practice coin identification, especially the penny and nickel. Have your child practice drawing these shapes: square, circle, triangle, rectangle and oval.

Ask your child if he/she can locate these keys on the computer keyboard: delete, shift, enter, backspace, and space bar. Using a word processing program, let your child practice typing his/her name, weekly sight words, the alphabet, or numbers on the computer. This will reinforce our lessons on the laptops.


Science/Social Studies

“Stop, drop and roll”, smoke detectors and fire escape plans will be the “hot topics” during Fire Prevention Week. We will discuss how to call “9ll”, and what to do in case of a fire.

Also, we will use our observational skills to study the growth and life cycle of a pumpkin. As fall continues, the students will identify seasonal changes which are occurring all around them. Bats and spiders can be scary, but reading non-fiction texts and storybooks will help ease the mystery surrounding these creepy creatures. Ask your child to tell you something he/she has learned about Christopher Columbus too!

Important Dates

October 5th- Oddysey of the Mind Informational Session @ RLC (in the library), 7:00-8:00 pm

October 6th – Boosterthon Fun Run (8:15-9:30)

October 10th – Columbus Day (school closed)

October 11th- Moveable Monday, PALS testing begins

October 18th – Spirit Night @ IHOP, 4:00-9:00 pm

October 20th - Field trip to Pumpkinville and Phoenix Information Night @ RLC

October 28th – Glow Dance Event, 6:30-9:00 pm

Pumpkinville

We are looking forward to our all-day field trip on October 20th. On field trip day please send your child’s lunch in a paper bag or zip-lock (labeled with your child’s name), so chaperones do not have to keep track of lunch boxes. We recommend students wear light jackets, since mornings can be chilly. If you would like your child to wear sunscreen please apply at home before coming to school. If you signed up to chaperone please look for a note on Wednesday, October 12th regarding chaperone information.

Friendly Reminders

* Students with cold or flu symptoms must be fever-free for 24 hours prior to returning to school. As we have students who attend RLC with immune deficiencies, please keep sick children home to rest and recuperate.

* Library books must be sent back every week in order for your child to receive a new book.

* Please inform your child’s teacher of any transportation changes as soon as possible by sending in a note. You may also call the office prior to 10 am: (703) 957-4490.

* Don’t forget to check the kindergarten tab on RLC’s website weekly for updates and current events J: http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/carter