Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
May 17-20, 2010
Classroom News
I would like to thank all the parents that have signed up to help out with our Texas Field Day on Tuesday, May 25th. However, we still need some help. I would like to have two parents at our “Lasso the Calf” station at a time. We do not have any volunteers for the station from 10:30-11:30 and need another volunteer for 11:30-12:30. We also need another parent to bring juice boxes. Our class is responsible for providing drinks for all of the elementary school classes. Lastly, our class still needs a hibachi grill to make our lunch on.
I still need help planning the end of the year party. Please let me know if you think you can help.
Our Studies
Our class has been studying homophones. They are learning that homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. For the past two weeks, we have focused on the homophones meet/meat and eight/ate. The students illustrated the different meanings of these two homophones.
We began reading the tall tale about Davy Crocket. This tale is full of exaggerations! Everyone seems to be enjoying the delightful tale.
Last week, the class finished the state book they had begun several weeks ago. They have now colored the outline of each 50 state and then found and colored it on a United States map. During learning stations, the students also did a US puzzle that said the name of each state and its capital as they removed or replaced the state. They loved taking turns to do the ‘talking puzzle.’
The students know most of the Deep in the Heart of Texas. They are working on getting the clapping section on beat. We are also trying to learn Texas, Our Texas.
As the school year comes to an end, I am busy assessing the students. During learning stations last week, I reviewed and assessed their reading skills. The students have begun having independent work to do in the afternoon in which I pull them for assessments also. This will continue this week until all the students have been assessed.
Everyone has been working so hard in math. Most students have completed or will complete their math workbooks. They will be spending the remainder of the year reviewing what they have learned and memorizing math facts.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
May 10-13, 2010
Classroom News
I need your help planning our activity for the upcoming Texas themed field day on May 25th. I will be sending a more detailed note about field day latter in the week. I also need help planning the end of year party. Please let me know if you are available to help by emailing me at nicolekirk@yahoo.com.
Unfortunately, we were unable to schedule a tour at the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth. However, we can just pick a day and walk around the gardens on our own. In order to do this, we would need lots of parental help. Please contact me if you would like to help make this field trip possible.
Our Studies
For grammar, the students wrote an action verb and noun on sticky notes. Then we mixed them up to make silly sentences. The students copied them off the board and illustrated one of the sentences. The class participated in a picture narration of the picture titled “The Leaf Pile.” We discussed the picture, identified the proper and common nouns and then made a list of the action verb that you can do in a leaf pile. We also read and acted out the action verbs in the poem “Dancing” by Eleanor Farjeon.
The students practiced their spelling words the previous week by writing them in shaving cream. That was very fun for everyone.
Last week, the student began a study on homophones. We are focusing on meet/meat and eight/ate.
We finished the tall tale about Johnny Appleseed. The student drew a picture of Johnny Appleseed and got to glue read apple seeds onto their picture. The illustrations came out great. They will be hanging the hallway this week.
We began our study on our state, Texas. The students learned about the six flags that flew over Texas. They colored the six flags, taped them on ‘poles’ and glued them over Texas. They are hanging on the history bulletin board in the hallway.
May 10-13, 2010
Classroom News
I need your help planning our activity for the upcoming Texas themed field day on May 25th. I will be sending a more detailed note about field day latter in the week. I also need help planning the end of year party. Please let me know if you are available to help by emailing me at nicolekirk@yahoo.com.
Unfortunately, we were unable to schedule a tour at the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth. However, we can just pick a day and walk around the gardens on our own. In order to do this, we would need lots of parental help. Please contact me if you would like to help make this field trip possible.
Our Studies
For grammar, the students wrote an action verb and noun on sticky notes. Then we mixed them up to make silly sentences. The students copied them off the board and illustrated one of the sentences. The class participated in a picture narration of the picture titled “The Leaf Pile.” We discussed the picture, identified the proper and common nouns and then made a list of the action verb that you can do in a leaf pile. We also read and acted out the action verbs in the poem “Dancing” by Eleanor Farjeon.
The students practiced their spelling words the previous week by writing them in shaving cream. That was very fun for everyone.
Last week, the student began a study on homophones. We are focusing on meet/meat and eight/ate.
We finished the tall tale about Johnny Appleseed. The student drew a picture of Johnny Appleseed and got to glue read apple seeds onto their picture. The illustrations came out great. They will be hanging the hallway this week.
We began our study on our state, Texas. The students learned about the six flags that flew over Texas. They colored the six flags, taped them on ‘poles’ and glued them over Texas. They are hanging on the history bulletin board in the hallway.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
April 26-29, 2010
Classroom News
Our class spends time every week in the nature study room. The class loves going to visit and pet all the animals. If you would like to make a donation to help with the maintenance of the nature room it would be greatly appreciated. Max, one of the guinea pigs, is a class favorite. He could use some kibble.
We are working on planning a field trip to the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth. I will send out more information once the date and time is finalized.
Please keep in mind the field day is Tuesday, May 25th and our end of the year party is Wednesday, May 26th. Please let me know if you are interested in helping with these events.
Our Studies
In science, we began studying animals. The class cut out pictures of animals from different animal magazines. The class learned the characteristics of mammals. As a class, they sorted their pictures and glued them on posters. We have a “mammals” poster and a “non-mammals” poster. They will be hanging in the hallway. When we went to the nature room on Thursday, we went around to each animal and decided if it was a mammal or not.
The students made a list of action verbs. One of our students brought a book full of verbs. We read it together.
The class finished their last handwriting lesson. We have gone through the entire alphabet. Last week, the class practiced making the letter x.
To help the students practice their individualized spelling words, they practiced writing them using smelly markers. They also wrote their words on different textured surfaces such as sandpaper, foamy shelf liner, and plastic cross-stitch canvas.
Last week, we began a study on tall tales. The students learned that tall tales are based on real people and their lives but that some aspects of the story are exaggerated. We had a mini lesson on what the word exaggerated means. We are reading Johnny Appleseed. Several students have heard of him and are eager to learn more about him.
We did a picture study on Monet’s The Beach at Ste. Andresse. They had to spend time studying the painting and then turn it over and tell me everything they remember. We made a list and then looked at it again and added more to our list.
The class began copying Psalm 100. They are quickly learning the psalm.
April 26-29, 2010
Classroom News
Our class spends time every week in the nature study room. The class loves going to visit and pet all the animals. If you would like to make a donation to help with the maintenance of the nature room it would be greatly appreciated. Max, one of the guinea pigs, is a class favorite. He could use some kibble.
We are working on planning a field trip to the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth. I will send out more information once the date and time is finalized.
Please keep in mind the field day is Tuesday, May 25th and our end of the year party is Wednesday, May 26th. Please let me know if you are interested in helping with these events.
Our Studies
In science, we began studying animals. The class cut out pictures of animals from different animal magazines. The class learned the characteristics of mammals. As a class, they sorted their pictures and glued them on posters. We have a “mammals” poster and a “non-mammals” poster. They will be hanging in the hallway. When we went to the nature room on Thursday, we went around to each animal and decided if it was a mammal or not.
The students made a list of action verbs. One of our students brought a book full of verbs. We read it together.
The class finished their last handwriting lesson. We have gone through the entire alphabet. Last week, the class practiced making the letter x.
To help the students practice their individualized spelling words, they practiced writing them using smelly markers. They also wrote their words on different textured surfaces such as sandpaper, foamy shelf liner, and plastic cross-stitch canvas.
Last week, we began a study on tall tales. The students learned that tall tales are based on real people and their lives but that some aspects of the story are exaggerated. We had a mini lesson on what the word exaggerated means. We are reading Johnny Appleseed. Several students have heard of him and are eager to learn more about him.
We did a picture study on Monet’s The Beach at Ste. Andresse. They had to spend time studying the painting and then turn it over and tell me everything they remember. We made a list and then looked at it again and added more to our list.
The class began copying Psalm 100. They are quickly learning the psalm.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
April 19-22, 2010
Classroom News
The class had a great week last week. On Thursday, each student got to cash in their stones for money and go shopping. They seemed to enjoy going “shopping.”
Field day is quickly approaching. It will be Texas themed this year on Tuesday, May 25th from 9:30-12:30. Our class station is “Lasso the Calf.” We need a sawhorse and a cardboard cut-out of a calf or something for the calf head to lasso. Our class is also in charge of bringing drinks and cups. We also need a hibachi grill, coals, and starter fluid. If you can help with this please let me know.
Our end of the year party will be held on Wednesday, May 26th. Please let me know if you have any ideas for a fun party!
Our Studies
The students practiced spelling words that follow the floss rule; a one syllable word ends with f, l, or s double the final f, l, or s. They did a great job remembering the rule from last week. Each student continues to learn individual phonic rules during their one-on-one time with me.
To celebrate the 100th day of school, each student got different manipulatives and counting out 100. They counted out ten groups of ten. We practiced counting to 100 by 1’s, 5’s, and 10’s.
In conjunction with the 100th day of school, the students took turns and spelled 100 words. It took them two days but they were able to do it. The word list will be hanging in the hall.
The class is studying the 50 states. The students write the year that the state was added to the United States, color the outline of the state, and then find it on the United States map. They have done half of the states. We will stop and begin our study on Texas history in preparation for the Texas themed field day.
We played the game of charades for grammar. They had to guess what verb the other students were acting out.
The class has almost memorized the first two verses of Psalm 100. I have written each word of the Psalm on an index card. The class has been working together to put the words for the first two verses in order.
April 19-22, 2010
Classroom News
The class had a great week last week. On Thursday, each student got to cash in their stones for money and go shopping. They seemed to enjoy going “shopping.”
Field day is quickly approaching. It will be Texas themed this year on Tuesday, May 25th from 9:30-12:30. Our class station is “Lasso the Calf.” We need a sawhorse and a cardboard cut-out of a calf or something for the calf head to lasso. Our class is also in charge of bringing drinks and cups. We also need a hibachi grill, coals, and starter fluid. If you can help with this please let me know.
Our end of the year party will be held on Wednesday, May 26th. Please let me know if you have any ideas for a fun party!
Our Studies
The students practiced spelling words that follow the floss rule; a one syllable word ends with f, l, or s double the final f, l, or s. They did a great job remembering the rule from last week. Each student continues to learn individual phonic rules during their one-on-one time with me.
To celebrate the 100th day of school, each student got different manipulatives and counting out 100. They counted out ten groups of ten. We practiced counting to 100 by 1’s, 5’s, and 10’s.
In conjunction with the 100th day of school, the students took turns and spelled 100 words. It took them two days but they were able to do it. The word list will be hanging in the hall.
The class is studying the 50 states. The students write the year that the state was added to the United States, color the outline of the state, and then find it on the United States map. They have done half of the states. We will stop and begin our study on Texas history in preparation for the Texas themed field day.
We played the game of charades for grammar. They had to guess what verb the other students were acting out.
The class has almost memorized the first two verses of Psalm 100. I have written each word of the Psalm on an index card. The class has been working together to put the words for the first two verses in order.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
April 12-15, 2010
Classroom News
Thursday we had our first class popcorn and movie party. The class has been working all year to earn class stones to fill up a jar. They were very excited to have filled it up. They enjoyed watching some Veggie Tales stories about friendship while they ate yummy all natural popcorn.
Now instead of earning class stones, the class will be earning coins. At the end of the week, the students will be allowed to go “shopping” with their coins to buy prizes. This will be a great way for the students to practice identifying and counting money. It will also teach them the value of saving and spending.
Our 100th day of school is coming up on Tuesday of this week.
Our Studies
The class was introduced to the floss phonic and spelling rule. The rule states that if a one syllable word ends with f, l, or s double the final f, l, or s. They wrote the rule in their phonic rule book. This week, the student will practice applying the rule.
The students practiced counting dimes and nickels as a group and at learning stations. The students also spent time this week reviewing addition flashcards.
The class is working on memorizing Psalms 100. We began last week by echo reading it. I would say a few words and they would repeat it after me. Several of the students recognized the psalm as a song that they sing in church.
Our science last week focused on the life cycle of a frog. Each student made their own little book describing each stage. They also made a tadpole that they can manipulate to change it into a frog. We are continuing to keep a watchful eye over our tadpole. It is taking longer than we thought for it to begin to change. This has been a great lesson on patience.
The students completed their copy of Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge by Monet. They are wonderful! They look so beautiful hanging in the frames in the hallway. This week the students did a picture study on Monet’s Houses of Parliament, London, Sun Breaking Through the Fog. The students also looked at several other painting Monet did of Houses of Parliament but at different times of the day. The student made observations about the different colors he used.
In grammar, we began our study of verbs. They wrote the definition of a verb. We are working on making a list of action verbs.
April 12-15, 2010
Classroom News
Thursday we had our first class popcorn and movie party. The class has been working all year to earn class stones to fill up a jar. They were very excited to have filled it up. They enjoyed watching some Veggie Tales stories about friendship while they ate yummy all natural popcorn.
Now instead of earning class stones, the class will be earning coins. At the end of the week, the students will be allowed to go “shopping” with their coins to buy prizes. This will be a great way for the students to practice identifying and counting money. It will also teach them the value of saving and spending.
Our 100th day of school is coming up on Tuesday of this week.
Our Studies
The class was introduced to the floss phonic and spelling rule. The rule states that if a one syllable word ends with f, l, or s double the final f, l, or s. They wrote the rule in their phonic rule book. This week, the student will practice applying the rule.
The students practiced counting dimes and nickels as a group and at learning stations. The students also spent time this week reviewing addition flashcards.
The class is working on memorizing Psalms 100. We began last week by echo reading it. I would say a few words and they would repeat it after me. Several of the students recognized the psalm as a song that they sing in church.
Our science last week focused on the life cycle of a frog. Each student made their own little book describing each stage. They also made a tadpole that they can manipulate to change it into a frog. We are continuing to keep a watchful eye over our tadpole. It is taking longer than we thought for it to begin to change. This has been a great lesson on patience.
The students completed their copy of Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge by Monet. They are wonderful! They look so beautiful hanging in the frames in the hallway. This week the students did a picture study on Monet’s Houses of Parliament, London, Sun Breaking Through the Fog. The students also looked at several other painting Monet did of Houses of Parliament but at different times of the day. The student made observations about the different colors he used.
In grammar, we began our study of verbs. They wrote the definition of a verb. We are working on making a list of action verbs.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
April 5-8, 2010
Classroom News
I hope everyone had a delightful Easter weekend remembering Christ’s resurrection. We had a fun party with lots of yummy snacks. During the egg hunt, the students gathered their own eggs with mementos of the resurrection with correlating Bible verses.
I would like to thank all the prayers that have gone up on my family’s behalf, especially my little brother Corey’s. It is such a peaceful feeling to know that I am surrounded by loving Christians who can lift me up in prayer during times of need. I truly feel blessed.
Our Studies
In celebration of Easter, the students colored a worksheet by vowel sounds. Some students had to differentiate long and short vowel words while others practiced differentiating words by short vowel sounds.
Similarly, in math the students did addition and/or subtraction equations and colored the equations by the code. The students also played a memory game with Easter pictures. Last week, the students also did several worksheets that reviewed telling time to the hour and half hour.
We gathered in a circle and the students listened to me read the resurrections story as they passed around the contents of the Resurrection Eggs. They were all very eager to get their turn to touch the items.
In history, we studied the War of 1812. The students had index cards with key words from the lesson. When I discussed their word, they stood up.
The students practiced writing the letter r. They practiced spelling their spelling words by writing the letters on eggs and gluing them in order. In grammar, we concluded our study on pronouns. The students took turns picking the correct pronoun needed to complete the sentence.
We are still working on painting Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge by Monet. The students got to mix green with white and black to made different shapes of green. Hopefully we will finish it this week and hang it in the gallery in the hallway.
April 5-8, 2010
Classroom News
I hope everyone had a delightful Easter weekend remembering Christ’s resurrection. We had a fun party with lots of yummy snacks. During the egg hunt, the students gathered their own eggs with mementos of the resurrection with correlating Bible verses.
I would like to thank all the prayers that have gone up on my family’s behalf, especially my little brother Corey’s. It is such a peaceful feeling to know that I am surrounded by loving Christians who can lift me up in prayer during times of need. I truly feel blessed.
Our Studies
In celebration of Easter, the students colored a worksheet by vowel sounds. Some students had to differentiate long and short vowel words while others practiced differentiating words by short vowel sounds.
Similarly, in math the students did addition and/or subtraction equations and colored the equations by the code. The students also played a memory game with Easter pictures. Last week, the students also did several worksheets that reviewed telling time to the hour and half hour.
We gathered in a circle and the students listened to me read the resurrections story as they passed around the contents of the Resurrection Eggs. They were all very eager to get their turn to touch the items.
In history, we studied the War of 1812. The students had index cards with key words from the lesson. When I discussed their word, they stood up.
The students practiced writing the letter r. They practiced spelling their spelling words by writing the letters on eggs and gluing them in order. In grammar, we concluded our study on pronouns. The students took turns picking the correct pronoun needed to complete the sentence.
We are still working on painting Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge by Monet. The students got to mix green with white and black to made different shapes of green. Hopefully we will finish it this week and hang it in the gallery in the hallway.
Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
March 29 – April 1, 2010
Classroom News
We had a wonderful field trip to the aquarium. I would like to thank all the mothers and grandmothers that attended the field trip. Everyone had a lot of fun!
Our Easter party is this Thursday. I will need help around 2:00 hiding the eggs for the egg hunt. The party will begin around 2:30. I emailed out a list of items to bring for the party. If you did not get this email or have any questions please let me know.
Progress reports were sent home last week. If you would like to schedule a conference, please email me so that we can schedule it.
Our Studies
We spend last week discussing fish in preparation for the trip to the aquarium. We talked about where they live, what they look like, how they are different from humans. We also read a Magic School Bus book about sharks.
Unfortunately one of the tadpoles did not survive. We still have one tadpole to watch. The students learned that the tadpoles need lots of oxygen to go change into a frog. I explained to them that I learned that the tadpole needs fresh every other day (not once a week like the directions stated). They are very diligent to ask me daily if I have changed the water.
We began copying the painting Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge by Monet. Everyone is working very carefully with their tiny paintbrush. Hopefully, we should finish this painting this week.
We are nearing the end of The Adventures of Buster Bear. Each student illustrated a different chapter last week. We will continue to do this for each chapter.
In phonics, we did a spelling worksheet on the the –ck rule; spell /k/ with ck after a short vowel.
In grammar, the students practiced identifying pronouns in sentences. We will review pronouns this week before beginning verbs.
March 29 – April 1, 2010
Classroom News
We had a wonderful field trip to the aquarium. I would like to thank all the mothers and grandmothers that attended the field trip. Everyone had a lot of fun!
Our Easter party is this Thursday. I will need help around 2:00 hiding the eggs for the egg hunt. The party will begin around 2:30. I emailed out a list of items to bring for the party. If you did not get this email or have any questions please let me know.
Progress reports were sent home last week. If you would like to schedule a conference, please email me so that we can schedule it.
Our Studies
We spend last week discussing fish in preparation for the trip to the aquarium. We talked about where they live, what they look like, how they are different from humans. We also read a Magic School Bus book about sharks.
Unfortunately one of the tadpoles did not survive. We still have one tadpole to watch. The students learned that the tadpoles need lots of oxygen to go change into a frog. I explained to them that I learned that the tadpole needs fresh every other day (not once a week like the directions stated). They are very diligent to ask me daily if I have changed the water.
We began copying the painting Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge by Monet. Everyone is working very carefully with their tiny paintbrush. Hopefully, we should finish this painting this week.
We are nearing the end of The Adventures of Buster Bear. Each student illustrated a different chapter last week. We will continue to do this for each chapter.
In phonics, we did a spelling worksheet on the the –ck rule; spell /k/ with ck after a short vowel.
In grammar, the students practiced identifying pronouns in sentences. We will review pronouns this week before beginning verbs.
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