We Need Your Help!

Our auction project needs your help!

The concept is this:

The background is a 30" x 40" canvas painted gray.  The bikes are made out of scrapbook paper.   The outside of the wheels will be made out of small, round, black map pins and the spokes will be done by the kids weaving around the map pins with embroidery floss.  The words in the spaces between the bike are "bicycle" in the nine languages represented by the families in our class.  (Obviously there are a few that need special characters.)  They will be paper as well.

Now for the help...

We made the bike frames, seats, etc. last week and they need to be laid out, leaving room for the words, and affixed to the canvas.  We also have bits and pieces for handlebars, pedals, etc.  (We have double sided scrapbook tape to affix the paper).  This is the first big priority.  Can you help?  Here's what it looks like so far...

The next step in the process is to put all the many map pins in place where the wheels will be.  (I envision a cardboard stencil with two wheels cut out.  I can help with that.)  There is foam core behind the canvas, so the pins ought to stick well.

After the pins are in, we'll need volunteers to come work with students to weave the floss around the pins to make it look like spokes.

Whew!  All this needs to happen in the next week-ish, as the auction is the 14th.  Ideally someone can get working early next week.  If you can help, please email me.  You can take the canvas home (although it's huge) or we can find a space for you to work here.  I hope all this makes sense.  It should be a pretty neat project and hopefully a big money-maker once we get it finished.  I just need your help to make it all happen!  Please let me know if you're willing to help!

(As a side note, if you're interested in helping cover some of the materials cost, please feel free to send in a little money.  Even $5 or $10 is helpful.  Thanks.)

What Do I Do That Bugs Others...

October's Character Strength is Courtesy.  Today we did a fascinating exercise; admitting the things we do that bug other people.  We then discussed courtesy as not doing those things!  They were very honest, so see if you recognize any of these....

As a side note, we are running low on snacks.  Next time you're at the store, please think of us.  We'd love some healthy, nut-free snacks.

Something Strange at the Pumpkin Patch

Not sure what happened at Chapman last night, but there's something strange about the pumpkins we made yesterday...

(Note:  This is a great reminder to return your field trip permission forms!)

Auction Ideas

It's time to start thinking about the Chapman Auction!  Invitations will go home tomorrow (Friday), and the event is coming up quickly!  (November 14th)  We need a classroom project to donate to the event.  The ideal project is both clearly done by kindergartners, but also something folks will want to pay good money for and take home!  This year's theme is "Kentucky Derby Gala," but the art doesn't necessarily have to fit the theme.

Are you someone who has ideas for projects?

Are you someone who is not an idea person, but can help make it happen?

Are you someone who has no time during school, but can help track down supplies?

Please let me know if you would like to help out with this.  (If you're an idea person, the sooner the better!)

Great app resource

Do you use an ipad or other tablet?  If, so you might want to know about a resource for free and discounted apps.  I follow http://www.smartappsforkids.com/ (for ipads or iphones) and http://www.smartappsforandroid.com/ (for other tablets or phones).  Both website post regularly telling about apps that are free or discounted.  Not all of their apps are good ones and not all are applicable to kindergarten age students.  However, I have been able to download some great apps for free or at a way-reduced cost because of these resources.  If you'd like recommendations for specific app titles, just ask!

Library Books!

Your child likely brought home a library book today!  They checked books out last week, but our librarian Cynthia asked that they keep them at school for the week.  Today they got to check a book out and earned the privilege of bringing it home.  Your child's library book is due back to school each Thursday.  Thanks for helping them remember to bring it back!

Ni Hao

Have you heard a few words of Mandarin from your kindergartner?  Teacher Tracy has been helping us learn some animal names (dog, cat, fish, bird, panda, elephant and duck).  This week we've also been learning the numbers in Mandarin (as of yesterday we've learned up to 6).  Since the English writing of Chinese words can be tricky to know how to pronounce, here are the numbers in English with the Chinese character and a phonetic pronunciation.  Hopefully this will help you practice with your child!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2r2YGKkNM8nRHd4M3BMS3JhcUU/edit?usp=sharing

Next Week and a Few Other Things...

The class is going quite well for the 11th day of kindergarten.  Hopefully we're building some stamina, but I'm guessing your kindergartner is still pretty tired at the end of the day.  We're building routines while working on content too.

Tuesday (the 23rd) is Picture Day!  Please be sure your child has a completed form with a check/cash or the print-out from the online option, otherwise they will not have pictures.  Our class will go at 9:50 AM.

Mr. Duffy is back again next week!  We see him bright and early at 8:00 AM Monday morning (please be on time!) and again on Wednesday morning.  Our final session with him will be Monday, September 29 at 8:00 AM.  You are welcome to stay to watch that day if you'd like to witness the fun!

Is your child eating breakfast at school?  A few students have been bringing breakfast into the classroom when the first bell rings.  It's fine with me, but I'm not sure they've checked with you.  Please have the conversation with your child about whether or not it is ok with you if they get breakfast at school.  I want to be respectful of your budgets since it costs money to eat here.  If you want to let me know too, I can help monitor the situation.

Next Saturday is the Swift Family Fun Run!  Please go to www.friendsofchapman.com if you're interested.

Lastly, the character trait we're working on this month is Self-Control.  The language I use to explain it is that your brain is in charge of your body.  For instance, we use self control when we are standing in line.  You might want to talk to or touch your neighbor, but you don't.  You might want to touch something on a shelf, but you make the good choice not to.  We practice it while we sit on the carpet during group times, while we walk through the hallways, in the lunch room....everywhere!  With children this age, there are ample opportunities and challenges related to self-control.  You can practice at home too :-)

This Week in Kindergarten

Thank you to all who came to Back to School Night!  I appreciate your attendance.

This is a busy week in kindergarten!  We have our first late opening this Wednesday, September 17th.  The classroom will open at 9:55 AM, so please be sure your child is here and ready to learn by 10:00 AM.  If your child takes the bus, the pickup time is exactly two hours later than your normal time.

We have Mr. Duffy coming again on Thursday.  Friday morning will be our regular all-school assembly (Round Up), so students will come straight into the auditorium first thing in the morning.

Be thinking about sending in those picture forms for next week.

Thanks for helping us get off to a great start.  Let's have another fabulous week!

Two days down!

The first two days of kindergarten have been a whirlwind of learning.  We've been working on building routines and getting to know one another.

Monday we had music, so the kids got to meet Mrs. Jetton.  Tomorrow (Wednesday), we begin the first of 6 sessions with theater artist Bernie Duffy.  Mr. Duffy is great at building community and teaching lessons through fun games and interactive storytelling.

I hope to see everyone Thursday evening for Back to School night!  It begins in the auditorium at 6:30 PM and then moves into the classroom for kindergarten specifics.  Child care is available for kindergarten and first grade students.  If you have younger children and no child care, I'd rather have you here with your little one than not at all!

Thanks for helping this year get off to a great start!  I look forward to seeing you soon!

Welcome to Kindergarten 2014-2015!  I am very excited for this year and can't wait to meet everyone!  This blog will be my main means of communication, so please follow it by entering your email address over to the right ------->.  I will post news, updates and photos of class activities here regularly.  When I post photos, I will not attach any personal information, such as names.  If you'd prefer your child not have his or her picture on the blog, please be sure to let me know.  I know it's going to be a great year!

Testing the waters

A colleague of mine has been using a blog for classroom communication with success.  I figured I would give it a try, so here it goes.  A blog seems like a great way to post pictures and get messages out.  I chose the title of the blog because some folks (not you, of course!) minimize the importance of kindergarten sometimes by saying, "Oh, well it's just kindergarten."  Anyone who has spent more than 10 minutes in a kindergarten classroom full of kids knows that it is not "just kindergarten."  We are laying the foundational skills kids will build upon for the rest of their time as learners.  What we do all day matters!  Wish me luck in this endeavor!