Hello Grownups! Trimester 2 of kindergarten is here! Time is flying by and your children are gaining so many skills! The second half of the school year works the same with “homework” and your children will learn much more independence prior to first grade. PLEASE READ & keep the following in mind:

1. In this ziplock bag-you will find 2 sheets of sight word flash cards. Please cut out the cards or assist your child in doing so and practice the sight words daily. Start with 2 at a time and add words as your child becomes fluent. Please refer to the sight word menu for activities. These are just suggestions J

2. A new set of sight words will be sent home at the beginning of trimester 3. You can also add more words! Pick unknown words from books you read at home. The flash cards are yours to keep and they do not return to school. We only assess the words that are on the flashcards.

3. Reminder: In the bag you will also find a book that your child chose. Your child will bring home a new book on Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays when they return their book. These books will range on levels and interests and while we will guide your children to choose “just right” books, it is their choice to pick based on interest. Use this time to have your child practice whether the book is too easy, too hard or just right. Your children can pick a book for you to read to them or that they can read on their own. Reading the pictures is a form of early reading and should be encouraged if the words are difficult. Please note: no new books will go home unless a book is returned. This helps students practice being responsible members of our classroom. We will help your child practice the routine of placing their book directly in their

zip-lock bag and book bag during daily check in. At home, please direct them to do the same.

4. Please refer to TAKE HOME BOOK GUIDE for help. 5. RAZ-Kids can be used at home! 6. At the beginning of every math chapter, we will post on our

websites practice pages per each chapter. You can choose to do this at home with your child, by printing out OR practicing the skill in a notebook. They should not be returned to school. We will not be checking these. For additional math resources please see Math Resource Page.

7. Children can and should continue to practice writing in a journal or notebook. Answering questions about what they are reading is a great way to practice these skills in addition to writing notes, lists, directions and diary entries !!!

As always let us know if you have any questions. Thank you for your support, The Kindergarten Team

Take Home Books Easy Guide Please keep this handy to aid in reading and discussing books that come home.

1. Have your child look at the front cover picture. Ask-What do you

think this book will be about? 2. Have your child look at the pictures and tell what they see. 3. READ the book to your child one page at a time. As you read

point to each word you are reading. Have your child echo what you read while pointing to each word.

4. ASK your child if they are ready to read independently. Praise their efforts and assist them as needed.

5. Record book title on LOG SHEET. 6. In order to borrow a new book, you must return this book. If you

need more time with one book-borrow it for 2 nights. Some questions to ask following the reading of a book:

1. What was the author teaching you in the book? What does the author want you to know? OR What was this book about? Tell me everything you remember from the book?

2. What did the author do to help you learn to read this book? What words or sentences were repeated?

3. What words can you read in this book? Can you find and point to any words that you knew? Can you find words that you can read by stretching out sounds?

4. What did you like about this book? 5. Tell the things that happen in the book 6. Talk about the important information the writer tells about ________. 7. Tell how the book makes you feel. 8. Did you find any pages that you:

• Learned something new? • Reminded you of something?

MATH RESOURCES

Playing games encourages strategic mathematical thinking as kids find different strategies for solving problems and deepen their understanding of numbers. When played repeatedly, games support kids’ development of computational fluency and have the potential to allow kids to develop familiarity with “benchmark numbers” (10s, 100s, and 1000s). When playing there is no need to teach the math. Enjoy the games and the math will come! Any game that utilizes numerical thinking while playing, will encourage mathematical growth-think monopoly, money exchange at stores, train times…

Math books:

• Anything by Greg Tang • Bedtime Math (series)

Card Games:

• Tiny Polka Dot (a favorite!!) • Set • Blink • Greg Tang card games (can be purchased on Greg Tang Math website)

o Numtanga (there is a Jr. version) o Numskill o Tang Cards (like a regular deck of cards but with different

representations of numbers - can play any game you would use a deck of cards for with this deck and build number sense at the same time)

Dice Games:

• Yahtzee • Tenzi • Math Dice (there is a Jr. version) • Dominoes (not dice, but dot patterns)

“Board” Games:

• Chutes & Ladders • Sorry • Parcheesi…

Patterns & Shapes

• Qwirkle • Q Bitz (there is a Jr. version) • Mastermind (may be too advanced for kindergarten)

Problem solving:

• Tangrams • Rush Hour (there is a Jr. version)

Web-based games: (all on www.gregtangmath.com)

• Ten Frame Mania • How much, How many? • Numtanga • There are many others on this site, try them out and see what is

comfortable...

SIGHT WORD MENU make recalling sight words fun!

Sort your words by

the number of letters. Read the words in each

group.

Hide and Seek-lay out several words and search for the words. For example can you find was?

Put your word cards on your fridge. Say your words before you help with dinner.

Silly Voices-Spell and read the words in your silly voices. Monster, mouse, robot, scary, plugged nose.

Use a highlighter or yellow crayon to highlight the sight words in magazines or newspapers.

Use your magic pencil (finger) to correctly trace over each word.

Use magnetic letters or cut paper to scramble the letters in your sight word and then rebuild.

Bingo Write all your words on a board like this and play with your grown-up.

Speed Read Set a timer for one minute and read as many words correctly as you can

Write your words with shaving cream or play-doh with adult permission J

Rainbow Writing Write your words in RED. Trace the words using another color in the rainbow.

Assign each word a number. When you roll that number-write down your word.

!Some computer sites and apps.

• sightword.com • abc mouse • sight words by little speller • sight words: kids learn • sight words ninja • sight words by photo touch • play sight words • meet the sight words • sight word learning games

Writing to practice:

Writing your first and last name the kindergarten way. Beginning with a capital and the rest lower case.

Draw and label a picture using at least 4 colors.

Writing simple sentences: I can, I like, We go, We see, I see

Add a detail to your sentence-color, size

Add a supporting sentence.