We have been so busy this week. We are getting really good at getting unpacked in the morning and packed up at the end of the day all by ourselves. Independence is an awesome skill to learn and I encourage you all to extend that skill at home. They are very quick and learn to be responsible at an early age!
We started Little Red Ridinghood, the color red, the letters Aa, Bb and numbers 1 and 2. WOW right? This will be our focus for the next week as well. We had all of our specials classes and really enjoyed them. In Religion, we started talking about friends.
I know sometimes parents want to get workbooks at home for practice. While that is ok, there are more engaging ways to practice. Here are some suggestions OTHER than workbooks.
1. go on a color hunt around the house
2. search for letters around the store or in mail
3. practice cutting up old paper, just the idea of cutting anything is great
4. give them plain white paper and fold in 4's, have them practice letters and numbers in the boxes. As they get better at their letters, you can start drawing lines.
I will be posting photos as soon as I get all media releases. Thanks again for all your patience and help thus far. The year is off to a great start.
Mrs. Boyle
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2014
Great Article about asking the question "How Was Your Day?"
25 Ways To Ask Your Kids “So how was school today?” Without Asking them “So how was school today?” Simple Simon and Co.
This year Simon is in 4th grade and
Grace is in 1st grade and I find myself asking them every day after
school, “So how was school today?”. And everyday I get an answer like “fine” or “good” which doesn’t tell me a whole lot.
AND I WANT TO KNOW A WHOLE LOT!!!!
Or at get at least a full sentence. So
the other night I sat down and made a list of more engaging questions to
ask about school. They aren’t perfect…but I do get at least complete
sentences…and some have lead to interesting conversations…and hilarious
answers…and a few insights into how my kids think and feel about their
time at school.
#2. Tell me something that made you laugh today.
#3. If you could choose who would you like to sit by in class? (Who would you NOT want to sit by in class? Why?)
#4. Where is the coolest place at the school?
#5. Tell me a weird word that you heard today. (Or something weird that someone said.)
#6. If I called your teacher tonight what would she tell me about you?
#7. How did you help somebody today?
#8. How did somebody help you today?
#9. Tell me one thing that you learned today.
#10. When were you the happiest today?
#11. When were you bored today?
#12. If an alien spaceship came to your class and beamed up someone who would you want them to take?
#13. Who would you like to play with at recess that you’ve never played with before?
#14. Tell me something good that happened today.
#15. What word did your teacher say most today?
#16. What do you think you should do/learn more of at school?
#17. What do you think you should do/learn less of at school?
#18. Who in your class do you think you could be nicer to?
#19. Where do you play the most at recess?
#20. Who is the funniest person in your class? Why is he/she so funny?
#21. What was your favorite part of lunch?
#22. If you got to be the teacher tomorrow what would you do?
#23. Is there anyone in your class that needs a time out?
#24. If you could switch seats with anyone in the class who would you trade with? Why?
#25. Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today at school.
*****
Food for thought!
Friday, August 22, 2014
An Amazing Start!
What fun we have had this week. I am sure by now you have heard all about the ALS water challenge. Well, I hope your child shared with you the fact that they doused me with ice water on our first day and the whole school did it today. I would really love to share photos on the website, but I need to make sure ALL media forms have been returned. If you have not yet returned yours, please do asap and I can get some great pictures up for you including a video!
Until I can post photos, I thought I would give you a little information on this week. We have been familiarizing ourselves with rules and safety and routine. They are doing great with lockers and folders! I am also starting beginning of the year assessments for their portfolios. This is one of my favorite things to do because in just a short time you can see such amazing changes.
We will be starting our Little Red Riding unit. We will also begin our Religion program. Specials began on Thursday and Mass will begin next Wednesday. Just something to remember as we get into work mode, when assisting or practicing name writing at home, remember it is upper case followed by all lower case letters ie: Boyle, not BOYLE. We need to be on the same page with that. It is a hard habit to break. :)
Finally, with all this heat, a water bottle is VERY helpful. Please label the water bottle. It would also be helpful if you could put their snack in a ziplock or paper bag with their name on it. Based on the week and playing around with different set ups, we have decided that this would be better for the children starting as soon as possible.
Thanks for all your patience and help thus far. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Have a great weekend and THANKS to all who donated to the ice bucket challenge.
Blessings,
Mrs. Boyle
Until I can post photos, I thought I would give you a little information on this week. We have been familiarizing ourselves with rules and safety and routine. They are doing great with lockers and folders! I am also starting beginning of the year assessments for their portfolios. This is one of my favorite things to do because in just a short time you can see such amazing changes.
We will be starting our Little Red Riding unit. We will also begin our Religion program. Specials began on Thursday and Mass will begin next Wednesday. Just something to remember as we get into work mode, when assisting or practicing name writing at home, remember it is upper case followed by all lower case letters ie: Boyle, not BOYLE. We need to be on the same page with that. It is a hard habit to break. :)
Finally, with all this heat, a water bottle is VERY helpful. Please label the water bottle. It would also be helpful if you could put their snack in a ziplock or paper bag with their name on it. Based on the week and playing around with different set ups, we have decided that this would be better for the children starting as soon as possible.
Thanks for all your patience and help thus far. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Have a great weekend and THANKS to all who donated to the ice bucket challenge.
Blessings,
Mrs. Boyle
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Getting Ready for School
It is that time of year! Time to shop for clothes and supplies and get hair cuts and buy shoes all in preparation for the first day of school! This will be short and sweet as I am very busy doing that very thing for myself, my kids and my classroom!
As you start to prepare your child for their first experiences in school, remember that this is an Exciting time. Make the process fun. Here are some ideas to think about using.
1. Create a countdown chain or calendar about 10-14 days before school.
2. Plan a special night before school dinner or dessert.
3. Let them pick out their own backpack and lunchbox for school.
4. Let them pick out their first day of school outfit (if applicable).
5. Draw a picture or write a note for the teacher or class on the first day. Most teachers, including myself, LOVE to hang up their notes.
There are also lots of other ideas that maybe you and your child can come up with that will make the first day of school even more memorable.
See you soon!
Mrs. Boyle
As you start to prepare your child for their first experiences in school, remember that this is an Exciting time. Make the process fun. Here are some ideas to think about using.
1. Create a countdown chain or calendar about 10-14 days before school.
2. Plan a special night before school dinner or dessert.
3. Let them pick out their own backpack and lunchbox for school.
4. Let them pick out their first day of school outfit (if applicable).
5. Draw a picture or write a note for the teacher or class on the first day. Most teachers, including myself, LOVE to hang up their notes.
There are also lots of other ideas that maybe you and your child can come up with that will make the first day of school even more memorable.
See you soon!
Mrs. Boyle
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