Ms. Kirkpatrick's Website

Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter

2010-05-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-05-10T18:06:00.001-07:00

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.

2010-04-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-19T16:40:00.001-07:00

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.

2010-04-11T19:04:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-04T17:46:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-04T09:01:00.001-07:00

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.

February 22-25, 2010

2010-02-22T05:29:00.001-08:00

Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
February 22-25, 2010
Classroom News
We had a very successful Open House on Friday. We had two families attend as well as two new families.
Taylor has a birthday at the end of the week. She was a leap year baby.
The Flint Academy is collecting shoes for the Mission Possible Kids ministry to send to Haiti. There will be a box to collect them at the front of the building. This is a great service opportunity. The shoes can be gently used or new.
We will begin a study on birds this week. I would like to take the students to Veteran’s park to go on a nature walk to look and listen for birds. There will be a permission slip sent home today. Please return it by Wednesday.
I am also planning a field trip to the Dallas Aquarium March 25th. Please let me know if you are interested in attending because I need to make reservation this week and pay the deposit. Unfortunately there will be no discount for adults who attend.
Our Studies
For phonics, each student had their own Valentine’s Day phonic worksheet. They read words and glued them on the corresponding vowel sound to make a heart.
In math, they also did their own Valentine’s Day worksheet by completing equations and coloring by the code to spell love. Each student got their own candy hearts to sort by colors and then graph. We also did several estimation activities. They had to estimate how many candy hearts would fit inside a heart, then they put the hearts in and counted. Lastly, they estimated how many suckers were in a clear bag. As a class we counted and the closest student got to take it home, Nate.
We concluded our study on Thomas Jefferson. The posters the students made are on display in the hallway. Also on display in the hall, are the students’ illustrations of chapters 1-6 of The Adventures of Buster Bear.
In spelling, the class practiced spelling love by gluing candy hearts on the letters. In grammar, we reviewed the pronouns my, mine, I, me. Each student took turns covering up their name in sentences with the appropriate pronouns.
Our focus this week in Bible was on the kindness King David showed to his friend Jonathan’s crippled son. Each student thought up ways to show kindness to their family members and were awarded Kindness Badges.

February 16-18, 2010

2010-02-17T07:17:00.000-08:00

Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
February 16-18, 2010
Classroom News
I hope everyone had a wonderful, white weekend. I enjoyed all the beautiful snow and spent time outside this weekend. The two students who made it for school on Thursday enjoyed a short recess in the snow.
We had our Valentine’s Day party on Tuesday. I would like to thank all the parents for all the goodies that were brought.
Open House is this Friday, February 19th at 7:00pm. This is a great time to come to the classroom and see all the hard work your child does.
One of our students, Taylor, was in the hospital over the weekend with an infection, but praise God she is feeling better and will be returning to school!
Our Studies
We spent much of our time last week preparing for Valentine’s Day. Each student decorated a sack to put his or her valentines in. They were working on a gift for their parents for Valentines Day. They will finish it this week to send home.
We spent our history time talking about the history of Valentine’s Day and Saint Valentine. For Bible, we studied Psalms 118:1, which talks about the Lord’s unending love. The students copied it off the board onto heart paper.
In grammar, we began a study on pronouns. We are focusing on pronouns that replace our name (my, mine, I, me). We played a letter scavenger. They went around the room in groups and found letters that I had hidden. Then they sorted them by capital and lowercase letters.
In handwriting, we practiced the letter q. We focused on differentiating it from the letter p. Each student continues to practice his or her individual spelling lists everyday.
We are continuing to read The Adventures of Buster Bear. We just completed the sixth chapter. We have had lots of great conversations about the choices Buster Bear and Little Joe Otter have been making.

February 8-11, 2010

2010-02-17T07:16:00.000-08:00

Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
February 8-11, 2010
Classroom News
We had a fantastic time at the Yankee Doodle Dandies on Thursday. The play was very informative and very relevant for what we have been and will be studying in history. We also celebrated Bailey’s birthday by eating yummy cupcakes his mother made.
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. We will have our class party on Thursday, February 11th at 2:15. There will be a note attached that will tell you what to bring for the party. Please provide a Valentine for each student from your child. As a part of the party, each student will pass out Valentines to each of their classmates. The names of all of the students will be attached also.
Don’t forget there will be no school on Monday, February 15th for President’s Day. Open House is Friday, February 19th. Please let me know if you plan to attend.
Our Studies
Last week, we have been studying the patriot Thomas Jefferson. The students are making a poster about all the great things Thomas Jefferson has done for our country. We are continuing to learn the Star Spangled Banner. We almost have the first verse memorized.
We went to the nature study room to see all the new animals. The students got to pet one of the sugar gliders who really liked climbing all over me. Everyone thought it was very funny. They got to hold and pet the new rat named Stuart and Mr. Cookie the guinea pig.
We studied the was/were rule much like we did the is/are rule. The students did really well at listening to a sentence and figuring out if was or were was needed to complete it. We will spend another week on this rule before moving ahead.
In handwriting, we practiced the letter e. We have done dictation this week and last week. During dictation, I say a sentence and each student has to write the sentence or fill in the blank depending on each student’s individual level. It has been challenging for some of the students but will only get easier with practice.
In Bible, we studied the story about King Josiah in 2 Kings 22 and 23. This lesson focused on responsibility. The students copied the scripture I Timothy 6:20.
We made a big clock on the floor and the students took turns moving the huge hands to make different hour and half hour times. The students are also practicing addition flashcards everyday to help them memorize their math facts.

January 25-28 2010

2010-02-03T11:40:00.000-08:00

January 25-28, 2010
Classroom News
We have several events coming up in February. The class will be going to see Yankee Doodle Dandies next Thursday, February 4th. Please make sure that the permission slip and money are turned in by the end of the week. Valentine’s Day is also quickly approaching. I will send home more information next week. Don’t forget to order your child a Valogram. The students get very excited to get a surprise the day of the Valentines party.
Our Studies
Every Wednesday, we have a group phonic lesson. We have focused on the consonant diagraphs /th/ and /ch/. The students took turns naming things that begin with these sounds. We made a chart with all the items named.
During math, the students continue to work in their individual workbook. We also have a group life skills math activity. We have been focusing on skip counting by 10’s and counting dimes. Last week, we practiced writing the coin amounts.
I have changed our schedule so that we do one week of science and one week of history rather than doing each twice a week. In history, we focued on George Washington. The students made a book about him. They also did a picture study on a portrait of him. Then the students tried to reproduce it. It will be hanging on the bulletin board with the flag they made.
In science, we have been studying day four of creation. We read the Magic School Bus book about the solar system and God Made Space. The students are currently working on making a mobile of solar system. They have been coloring each planet based on real life pictures of them.
In grammar, the students have been learning the rules for when to use is and are. We did several lessons as a class to observe the rules. After a quick assessment on common and proper nouns, I discovered a majority of the student have a hard time with capital letters. Therefore, we will be doing activities to practice identifying and writing capital letters each week.
The students are learning the Star Spangled Banner. We are currently focusing on the first verse. We read the verse and listen to it every day.
We began a new Bible unit. It covers the truths the Bible teaches us. The first lesson taught that God gave us the Bible and it will never change. The Bible story was Jeremiah.

January 4-7 2010

2010-02-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

January 4-7, 2009
Happy New Year! I am very excited to be back after the long break. I hope everybody had a very Merry Christmas. I know I did. The new year brings in a lot of changes. I got married the day after Christmas. It was a simple and lovely ceremony. I will not be changing my name until after the school year. I don’t want to confuse any of the students.
My parents (Mrs. K, the 4th-5th grade teacher) are moving to Seven Points, Texas this week. My dad got a preaching job there. I am very sad to see them, but I know it is God’s will. Please pray for them as well as for my little brother Corey. You can stay updated on his health at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/coreykirkpatrick.
Another small change is that Mrs. Caldwell will not be helping out in our class on Wednesdays. Therefore, the red folders will go home empty on Wednesdays.
Before the break, the students finished up all their Christmas crafts. We went to paint unfinished pottery at Creative Hands. The students got to see huge ice statues of Dr. Seuss’ book How the Grinch Stole Christmas. We will spend this week reviewing what was taught before the break.
I would like personally extend a huge “thank you” to all the parents that made donations to help out the family our class adopted. I am copying a thank you note from the family:

Dear Students and Families at Flint Academy,

Wow! We are so overwhelmed and thankful! What a great surprise to see our pantry full of so much delicious food. We know that God loves us and provides for us because he sends "angels" like all of you to help us. We are also thankful for the presents. We haven't opened those yet but know the kids will be so blessed on Christmas morning because of your gifts. Thank you also for the beautiful and encouraging cards you made for us. We pray that your Christmas season is blessed and the year 2010 is a year filled with hope and love for all of you!

Love and thank

Christmas News

2010-02-03T11:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas News
This is the season of counting all the blessings God has given us. Our class, as well as Mrs. Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Workman, will be blessing a family in need. We have adopted a family who had come upon some difficult times lately. The mother has been substitute teaching as much as she can and the father works for a roofing company but has not been bringing home very much income. They have two children. A 5th grade daughter and a 14 year old son who attends a skill class. Our class is raising money to buy gifts for the children. We have a wish list and would like to raise enough money to buy them several gifts each. The students will make wrapping paper and help wrap the presents.
We need empty toilet paper rolls and shoe boxes for a nativity scene we will be making.
We will be going to Creative Hands to make Christmas crafts on Tuesday, December 8th. We do not need any parents help. We will just go from 2:00-3:00. Please fill out the permission form by Monday, December 7th. There is no price for this field trip.
We will be going to the Gaylord Texan’s ICE exhibit based on “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” We will leave at 9:30. We will eat our sack lunch in the lobby. Please make sure that your child wears their field trip shirt. The exhibit is cold. They do provide jackets, but dress your child appropriately for the weather. Please return the field trip form by Monday, December 7th with the. If you would like to attend please let me know ASAP so we can make arrangements.
We will have our Christmas party after the field trip. I will assign what each student needs to bring to the party.

2009-11-29T19:08:00.000-08:00

Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
November 20 - December 3, 2009
Classroom News
I hope everyone had a memorable Thanksgiving break. I would like to thank all the parents who brought food for our Thanksgiving feast, helped set up, and clean up. We had a delicious feast. The students did a great job reciting the poem I’m Glad.
We have school for two weeks before we are out for Christmas break. We have several field trips planned for next week to go to ICE! at the Gaylord Texan. The exhibit this year is on “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” We will also be going to Creative Hands to make a Christmas craft. I will send more information home later on this week.
Our classroom, as well as two other classes, will be helping a family out this holiday season. Our class will take donations to buy gifts from the children’s wish lists. One of our parents will be go purchase the items. Our class will make wrapping paper and wrap the gifts. If you would like to make a donation, please put it in the envelope that will be in your child’s folder and send it back in the folder.
Our Studies
We had a fun filled week full of Thanksgiving activities. The students practiced spelling the words Thanksgiving, autumn, and turkey. Each student had their very own packet of Thanksgiving fun worksheets to do when they finished their work.
The class made a list of all the things they are thankful for. Each student illustrated four things they are thankful for. Then, I tied them together to make a class Thanksgiving quilt. The students also used beans to make a cornucopia. All the students worked very hard on these Thanksgiving crafts.
In science, the students made a book all about leaves. Each student picked a colorful fall leaf and sketched it in their nature journal. This week, the students will label the different parts of a leaf.
We did a whole group lesson the /th/ sound. Each student got leaves with words written on them. They took turns reading the word and determining if the word had the /th/ sound in it. If the word did have the sound, they put it on the /th/ leaf pile. If it did not, they put it back on the tree. The students did great reading. We will continue to practice spelling and reading words with /th/ sound.
In history, we read a book about the life of George Washington. We will continue to study him this week.

Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter

2009-11-09T22:38:00.000-08:00

Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
November 9-12, 2009
Classroom News
We had a lot of fun last Wednesday on our field trip to Mainstay Farm. The students got to learn how pumpkins grow, play in a hay loft, dress a scarecrow, roast a marshmallow, play in a maze, go on hayride, and play in a huge tree house.
We will have a Thanksgiving feast next Thursday. Please watch for more information to be sent home.
Our Studies
The past several weeks, we have been studying pumpkins in preparation for our field trip. We read several books about the life cycle of a pumpkin. We spent part of our science time weighting and measuring a pumpkin. We practiced spelling the word pumpkin as well as the word leaves. The fall still lives the students drew are out in the hallway.
Also in celebration of fall, we made applesauce. We read a book about how apples grow. Each student got their own apple to cut into pieces with a plastic knife. Everyone did a really good job with their knives.
The students have been practicing the letter d. They are learning to make it the D’Nealian style. This will help them be able to differentiate b from d.
We did some work in our garden last week. We walked over to Green’s and the students go to purchase pansies and violas. We planted them in some flower pots. This week we will begin our study on plants in sync with day three of creation.
In grammar, the students have been practicing nouns as places. Last week, we talked about where we live. They practiced saying the country, state, and city they live in. We also finished up a worksheet on to/two/too.
The students colored a picture of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It will be hanging on the students timelines in the hallway. We have been talking about the writes of it and their role in the quest for independence.
In Bible, we are studying Abram and Lot. The students are also copying scripture about the days of creation. Last week, they copy a verse from Psalm about the sky.
We are continuing to read the Little Mermaid. They made another illustration this week. They will be hanging on the bulletin board. Please stop by and see the work your child is doing.

October 26-29, 2009

2009-10-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
October 26-29, 2009
Classroom News
It has been so rainy lately. I have postponed our field trip to the duck pond at Veteran’s Park until the weather forecast looks better. Hopefully it will be dry on our field trip to Mainstay Farms on Thursday. Each student needs a sack lunch. We will be eating an early lunch there. You can pack a separate snack to keep in his/her backpacks for your child to eat when we return back to the school. Check the weather and dress appropriately. We will spend a majority of the day outside. Please email me if you are attending and if you will be driving. I need to know by Tuesday so I can plan the driving arrangements.
We have a busy week this week. On Wednesday, each student gets to dress up as their favorite story book character. Please send the book to school with your child. We will decorate a pumpkin as another character from the story. It should be a day filled with fun fall activities.
Our Studies
We have been practicing telling time to the hour for the past several weeks. Last week, the students did time worksheets to assess this skill. Everyone has done amazing.
I will be sending home each student’s The Fifer pictures that were framed in the hallway. We walked over to Green’s Produce and each student got to pick out something for our still life. The arrangement is on the table in the hallway. Last week, each student began sketching the still life. This week, they will watercolor their sketch and I will display them on the table.
The students did their first illustration for The Little Mermaid. They colored their picture with crayons and then painted over it with blue paint to give it the underwater effect. All the illustrations came out really great. They will be hanging on the bulletin board.
Last week, we finished studying day two of creation in science by making a cloud in a bottle. The students were mesmerized. They sat so still to watch the experiment.
In Bible, we read the story of the Tower of Babel. The student then acted out the story in the centers room. They used block to begin building a tower. The students had a hard time making up their own language. This really surprised me. It was fun.
We continued our study on nouns. We made a list of all the places that we go. We also did a worksheet on the homophones to/two/too. We did it as a class and will finish it this week.

October 19-22, 2009

2009-10-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
October 19-22, 2009
Classroom News
We will try to go to Veteran’s Park again this Thursday. I will send home another permission form. Please return it by Wednesday. We will leave for the park at 2:30. We will sketch the duck pond and return before 3:20. Hopefully the weather will cooperate this week.
I need all permission forms and $7 per person as soon as possible for the field trip to Mainstay Farms. This field trip is open to all parents. If you are planning on attending and driving, please let me know so I can make arrangements.
There is a signup sheet outside the classroom door for any parents that would like to have a parent-teacher conference. You can also email me to make arrangements at nicolekirk@yahoo.com
Our Studies
The students’ illustrations of The Princess and the Pea will be hanging on the bulletin board. We began reading The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. It will take us several weeks to read this fairy tale.
The class continues to practice reciting I’m Glad. We focused on learning the second verse of the song Yankee Doodle.
In math, we practiced converting nickels and dimes to pennies and vice versa. The students make animals and other objects out of tangrams during learning stations. This helps student develop special awareness and early geometry skills.
Many of the students invert the letters b and d. We will be spending several weeks focusing on these letters during handwriting lessons. We began with the letter b last week and will continue with it this week.
In grammar, we practiced sorting person nouns as common or proper. Everyone did really well. We also studied the homophones to/two/too. We will continue that study these words.
We will begin a study on the fall season. We will walk over to Green’s Produce and get different fall items to make a still life. Then, each student will sketch the still life.

Newsletter October 5-8, 2009

2009-10-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

Ms. Kirkpatrick’s Newsletter
October 5-8, 2009
Classroom News
We will be taking a short field trip, weather permitting, to Veteran’s Park this Thursday to sketch the pond in our nature journals. There is a permission form in your child’s folder. Please fill out and return by Wednesday. We will leave around 2:30 and return before 3:30. I will try to plan a nature walk at a local park once a month. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Our Studies
We welcomed October last week. The students practice a song every morning to help them remember how to spell October. We also have color songs that we sing to help them spell the color words. Last week, the students practiced the red song. This week, we will practice the color word orange.
All of the students are working in their individual phonic workbooks. I work with each student one-on-one everyday to teach individual phonic lessons.
We now have two math periods a day. During the first period, the students work in their individual workbooks. The second period consists of “life skills” math. For example, this week, we practiced telling time to the hour and ordinal number.
We continued to read Aesop’s Fables. This week we read The Wolf and the Kid. After reading, the students drew a picture and retold the fable. Their illustration and narration is hanging out on the bulletin board. We also read The Goose and the Golden Egg. The students made their very own golden egg. After reading The Bundle of Sticks, we went outside and collected sticks to reenact the fable. On Thursday, we read The Farmer and the Larks.
In Bible, we studied the story of Cain and Abel. The students continue to practice sequencing the days of creation.
We had a guest speaker for history this week. My dad, Mr. K, was able to come in and share the story of Paul Revere. The students colored a color sheet and I hung it up on the history timeline bulletin board.
Our science lessons have focused on water, created in day two of creation. Last week, we did experiments about floating and sinking.
The students did a picture study on Manet’s Still Life with Melon and Peaches. They had to spend a full five minutes looking at the print. This was very challenging for some of them. After the five minutes, they had to turn their print over and tell me everything they remember. The students remembered a lot!

Mrs. Kirkpatrick's Newsletter

2009-09-28T19:22:00.000-07:00

September 28 - October 1, 2009
Classroom News
Everyone had a good time on the field trip. They learned about animals they might see out during the fall and got see a real live opossum. We went on a nature walk with the tour guide who was very eager to share her love of nature with the students. We have another field trip planned for the end of October to Mainstay Farms.
Friday is Open House at 7:00 pm. I look forward to seeing all of you there!
Our Studies
Each student got their very own phonic and math workbook last week that is on their level. The students went to learning stations while I was able to pull each student for one-on-one phonic lessons.
This week we read The Fox and the Goat, which taught the students to think before they act. The students made a well and drew pictures of the events of the story. On Tuesday, we read The Plain Tree, which taught appreciation of all God made. Each student got to make their very own “plain tree.” They are hanging out in the hallway. The students made puppets and reenacted the fable of The Fox and the Stork. This fable taught them the golden rule, ‘do to others as you would have them do to you.'
We continue to practice memorizing the days of creation. This week, the students heard the story of Adam and Eve. We read a book about making good choices that please God.
The students continue to practice making the letters l and t properly at learning stations. Last week, they practiced making the letter h.
In history, the class pretended to be colonists. They drew money cups which told them their title and had their money. I was the king and taxed the colonists. The “member of parliament” and “tax collectors” had to enforce my taxes and collect them. The students quickly realized how “unfair” it was.
We did a science experiment in which the students we split light so they could see all a rainbow and all the beautiful colors that are in light. This week, we will focus on day two of creation, water.
In art, we are studying the painter Manet. The students tried to recreate his painting, Fifer. I am very proud of how hard all the students worked. Their artwork is on the table in the hall.

September 21-24, 2009 Newsletter

2009-09-20T20:05:00.001-07:00

September 21-24, 2009 Classroom News
Don’t forget about the field trip that Thursday, September 24th to the River Legacy Science Center from 12:00-1:30. Please make sure you sign the permission slip located on the outside of the classroom door and send $10. All students need to wear their Flint Academy “field trip” shirt and dress appropriately for the weather that day. If your child does not have a “field trip” shirt, please dress your child in a light blue shirt.
I would like to commend all the students for their behavior while I was out of town last week! I know we will have a fun week to come. Remember, if you have any questions write in your child’s folder or send me an email.
Several students were out sick last week. Please review proper hand washing and other preventative measures, such as covering your mouth and proper nose wiping.
Our Studies
We complete most of the assessments. This really helped me determine what each student needs to work on this year. Each student will get their own phonic workbook and math workbook this week.
We continued our study of Aesop’s Fables. The students water colored a picture of The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse after we read it. They work is hanging on the bulletin board. We read The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf and discussed lying. The students learned about anger in the fable, The Bear and the Bees. The students made a milkmaid after reading The Milkmaid and her Pail and discussed the importance of having the habit of attention.
For Bible, the students learned the days of Creation. We sang a song and played ‘what am I?’ The students had to listen to clues and guess what thing God made based on the clues. In art, the students make magnets for each day of creation.
We began our study of nouns. We will spend several lessons studying nouns as people. The students colored and labeled the common nouns in a picture of a family. Then, they drew a picture of their family and labeled their family members’ names (proper nouns). Their drawings are hanging in the hallway art gallery.
In handwriting, the students practiced making the letters l and t in the D’Nealian style. They will continue to practice these letters this week.
God created light on the first day of creation. We are studying light in science. The students were able to see how light travels through transparent items.
We began Latin last week. The students learned that photos means light. The students learned a hand gesture to help them remember this root and its meaning.

Newsletter 9-14-09

2009-09-15T11:19:00.001-07:00

Classroom News
We had a wonderful first week! I enjoyed getting to know all of the students. Parents, please make sure that you fill out and return all of the papers that were sent home last week. Please take all of the students’ work out of their red folders every day.
I will be out of town on Wednesday and Thursday this week. The folders will not go home those days.
We have our first field trip planned for Thursday September 24th. We will be going to the River Legacy Science Center with the Pre-K and Kindergarten classes from 12:00-1:30. It costs $10 per child. If you are new to the school, please see Jennifer or Sheila at the front desk to order a “Field Trip” shirt for your child. It will be required for every field trip we go on. Look for a signup sheet on the board outside the classroom door.
I am sending home Scholastic book orders. Please observe the return date. Also, I make a wish list of books to put in our classroom library.
Our Studies
The students worked really hard this week. I have been assessing the students so that I know their levels so I can place them in the proper phonic and math books. Everyone has been working really hard on their packets so I can pull for one-on-one assessments.
We read three of Aesop’s Fables last week. After reading The Hare and the Tortoise, the students make a medal for the tortoise. They colored a picture of The Grasshopper and the Ants. They are hung on the bulletin board. The students sequenced pictures from The Lion and the Mouse. I will so impressed by the students’ ability to follow directions when we did a craft where we trapped the lion in a net. We will continue reading more of Aesop’s Fables. They teach the students great life lessons.
During Bible time, we studied the habits. I read examples of how the habits were followed in the Bible and how everyone should apply them at school, at home, and at play. This week, we will begin our study of the Old Testament beginning with Creation.
We went on a nature walk around the front of the school building. Each student got to collect something for our nature shelf. They also make covers for their nature journal.
We spent time talking about Charlotte Mason’s motto, “I am, I can, I ought, I will.” Each student made a poster about themselves. They are hanging in the hallway.