Super Scientists!

The students have been learning all about their five senses and the many ways in which we use our senses to explore and observe the world around us. We recently started learning about science tools that can help us as we make observations and take part in exploration. During this lab, students were asked to look at different materials and pick the one they thought would be best to use when cleaning up a liquid mess. They had to answer the question, "which material will absorb water the best?". The students made predictions and then worked with partners to explore pieces of aluminum foil, wax paper, and paper towel using water droppers and observing how each material reacted with the water. Our conclusion? Wax paper and aluminum foil would only spread the mess around. Paper towels are the best choice because they absorb liquids better than foil and wax paper!

Magnificent Math!

Our kindergarten days are packed with all kinds of fun activities and learning. One of the highlights for the students is our math workshop time, especially our math stations. Each week, the students rotate through a variety of learning games and get to work with their table partners to become magnificent mathematicians!
This week, the students explored these stations:

	Supplies	Activities
1	Playdough Number Cards	Students will practice forming numbers.  Students will choose a color of playdough, pick a number card, and practice forming that number with their playdough. Then they can practice creating small balls of playdough to match their number.
2	Dice Counting Bears Number Cards	Students will roll dice and create matching sets of objects. Students will practice joining groups by rolling a dice (numbered 1-3) two times and creating a matching set of objects each time. Then they will join the groups together and count the objects in the new group.
3	Math Cut & Paste Shapes Glue Scissors	Students will work to correctly sort and count shapes. The students will cut out hexagons and ovals, sort them into the correct groups, count how many there are of each, and write the matching number.
4	Math Manipulatives Work Mats	Students will continue to explore math manipulatives. Students may choose from the math shelves the manipulatives they wish to explore.
5	Variety of Buttons Envision Topic 1.5 Crayons	Students will work to correctly count groups of objects. The students will use buttons as counters and match them to the picture groups on their pages. After counting each group carefully, they will draw circles and color in the correct number of 5 frame spaces to match.

You can play many of these same games at home to help your child continue to master their numbers and become experts at counting, sorting, and adding. Check out these rock stars hard at work!

Rituals and Routines!

The first month of school has passed and with it a whirlwind of new information and ideas! One of the most important things your child is learning is how to be a successful student. In class we discuss our rituals and routines until the students understand exactly what to do and when to do it. This enables them to have the best working environment, the friendliest interactions with their peers, and the most respectful discussions with their teachers.
Thank you for continuing to support your child's education by being involved in their school behavior and encouraging them to abide by the classroom rituals and routines. Your support is helping to mold your child into rock star student!
Our administrative staff often come around to make classroom visits and the students have a great opportunity to show our principals what wonderful kindergarteners they are! Mrs. Lewis visited our room and took some snapshots of the students as they participated in some of our class time rituals. Check out this great class of learners!

Much to do in week two!

It is amazing to see the transformations already taking place in this year's wonderful group of students after only two weeks of school. We are continuing to learn and practice our classroom rituals and routines. Some of the students have already become experts and are now helping their friends understand what to do as well!

Today the students participated in a special Reading Kick Off event where we learned the importance of following the rules as well as discussing our reading goals for the year. Champ was there to rock out with us as well as several teachers from our rocking NBE staff. What a fun way for the students to learn that Readers are Leaders!

Please remember to check agendas daily and to sign and return the blue Tuesday Folder the following day. Homework goes home each Monday and is collected from the agendas every Friday. There is no school on Monday, September 2, for Labor Day. Enjoy your long weekend!

* We received information that the code of conduct books are going to be accessible online this year, rather than in printed form (though you may request a printed copy if you need one). Please look in this week's Tuesday folder for information about how to access the online version.*

Week one, already done!

This first week of school has zipped right by! Our class has 20 wonderful students who are learning so much about how to be responsible kindergarteners and how to have fun while still following the rules. Please take some time to talk with your child and have him or her share our classroom rules with you. The more they talk about them at home, the more likely they are to remember them at school.
We began practicing our color coded behavior chart this week as well. Starting Monday, the students' behavior will be recorded from the chart daily and will make up a percentage of their conduct grade.

I have great first day and first week pictures that I can't wait to post on our classroom blog. Unfortunately, we are still waiting for our code of conduct books which have the technology permission slips. As soon as we get those in, I will send them home to be signed and we can start showing you just how much fun we are having in this rock star class!

Thank you to everyone who has sent in supplies, offered to help out in the classroom, and continues to check and sign the agenda daily. You are a rocking support team! :-)

Welcome to Kindergarten!

Hello and welcome to my classroom blog! I hope each of you had a fantastic summer.

It's hard to believe that another school year is already beginning. Your children are going to set out on a journey that will forever change who they are. From practicing in the classroom to rocking out on life's big stage, your children will learn that they can follow their dreams to become anything they want to be. We will take risks, work hard, try new things, and (of course), have fun!  :-)

See you soon!

Ready for 1st Grade!

The last day of school has finally arrived and with it, mixed emotions of excitement and sadness for all of us. Our class has formed a strong bond and we will miss each other a lot. Yet the promise of summer and the uncharted waters of first grade keep the anticipation bubbling in all of the students. I hope each one of you has enjoyed your kindergarten experience, whether as a student, parent, or grandparent! I appreciate all of the support you have provided over the past year and I pray each of you will be richly blessed.

Feel free to stop by Sticky Fingers this summer to say hi or come by my room next year during orientation. :-) Have a wonderful summer!

~Mrs. Callejas~

ps. Remember to keep reading and practicing sight words over the summer. Your child brought home a great summer book today with a special surprise in the front cover!