Mrs. Birch’s Classroom News September 25th- September 29th Email: ebirch@pretzelpride.com phone: (217) 488-6054 ext. 109 A Peek at the Week + Mark your Calendar * Math: This week in Math we worked on using describing words for shapes. We also made different patterns with shapes. We learned about two types of patterns: growing and repeating. We also learned a new game called “Top it”. Literacy We started a new reading series this week! The Kindergarten teachers are super excited about it. We read The Orange Butterfly. This is a wordless book that follows an orangutan through the rainforest while he chases an orange butterfly. We talked about how to tell stories through pictures. We also discussed the characters in the story and how their faces help us know what they are thinking. We also read Rain Forest Colors. This is a non-fiction book about different animals in the rainforest. Centers We had 5 centers this week. In one center we practiced sequencing using an Autumn tree. We also practiced sight words with a read and write with shapes, as well as an apple sight word write around the room. We worked on making the number five in different ways using five frames and red and green apples. We also were able to have dramatic play time in the kitchen area. Writing: In writer’s workshop this week we talked about how our writer’s workshop would be structured. We also talked about voice levels and when and where we use certain voices. Social Emotional Learning This week we played a game with our new turtle friend Twiggle. We tossed Twiggle onto a turtle cutout on the floor that had different places in the school listed on it. Depending on where Twiggle landed the student had to tell me one expectation for that location. October 9th– No School (Columbus Day) October 20th– Teacher Institute/No School October 24th– PBIS Parent Night A Note from Your Teacher n As the weather gets cooler, remember we go out for morning recess so it is usually windy and chilly on our playground. Please send a jacket to school. You are welcome to leave one here at school! Extras r Sight Words: blue, three Letter Focus: Review A-Z Conversation Starters *What did the Orangutan do in The Orange Butterfly? *What did you learn about Rain Forests? *What was your favorite center this week? z