Jan. 27, 2012

Dear Parent(s),

       We had a terrific time in Hawaii!  The children enjoyed wearing their shorts and flip-flops and learning about Hawaii and ocean animals!  I am sure we have the best hula dancers for miles around!  Please ask your child to share their pineapples books with you. 

       We had a special visitor today!  Kristi Tostenson, a “scientist” visited our classroom today.  She shared experiments that the children thought were magic!  They very much enjoyed her presentation and learned more about science and being a scientist!

       Attached to the newsletter are several things that need your attention.  There is a way that all K kids can get their Weekly Reader free!  Please fill in the coupons and return them to school and soon as you can.  The more that are returned the more our kids can have free!

       Also attached is the list of children in our classroom.  This is our Valentine list and I do expect everyone to make valentines for everyone in our class.  There is a list of optional people.  This list is of adults that your child sees daily.  It is up to you if you want to give valentines to them

       This next week, we will be learning about different animals and what they do in the winter months.  We will learn about animals that hibernate, migrate, or adapt to their environments.  We will also be going to the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center to learn even more about these animals. We are scheduled to go on Friday, February 3rd. We will leave at about 8:45 and return at about 10:30.  This is the day that your child will need all of their winter gear because we do spend some time outside.  If you are interested in going with us, please let me know. 

This next week is the Oo week.  Please help your child remember to bring something for show and tell on Friday that begins with the letter Oo.

Dawn Ackley

dackley@posterous.com

                                                 Jan. 20, 2012

Dear Parent(s),

Aloha!  We have been in Hawaii and enjoying the warmer weather! We will be having some fun on the beach on Friday, the 27th.  Your child may wear shorts, flip-flops, sunglasses, visors, hats, and anything else you can think of that we might need to have with us for the warm weather.  It is best if your child wears shorts under his/her pants and then they can take the pants off here at school.

On Thursday, we had Science Day!  All of the kindergarten children got to learn about matter.  We learned different ways to melt an ice cube, sorted different types of matter, blew bubbles, made sculptures and did some float and sink activities.  It was awesome! Ask you child about solids, liquids, and gases.

Jess Steinbrenner will be with us on Wednesday, Feb 1^st.  I will need to have some volunteers to help her make paper with the children.  The time is 11:45-12:45.  Please let me know if you can help us out.  Thanks!  And don’t forget about our trip to the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center on Friday, Feb. 3^rd!

Our library is looking for lots of the books!!!!  Please help us and return them to school for other children to check them out.  We also need the literacy bags back too!

       Have a great weekend!

       Stay safe!

       Dawn Ackley

This next week, we will be working on the letter Mm.  Please help your child to remember to bring something for show and tell that begins with the letter Mm. 

We will be going to the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in the morning of Friday, Feb. 3^rd.  We will be learning about animals and what they do in the winter months.  Please let me know if you are interested in joining us.

We are in need of glue!  Please send some glue bottles as soon as you can.  Thanks for your help!

Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, the 16^th due to Martin Luther King Day. 

This next week we will be learning more about snow and ice. (Now I know how southern teachers feel when their children have never seen snow!)  Then we will be off to Hawaii!  (Don’t I wish!)  We will be learning about the Hawaiian Islands and just having fun on the beach with letters, words, and numbers!

  This next week we will be doing our MAP testing again.  Please make sure that your child gets a good nights rest and a good breakfast.

We will be going to the Prairie Wetland Learning Center to learn about winter animals and what they do during the cold winter months. This is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 3rd.  Please let me know if you would like to come with us.

We have two new friends in our classroom.  Aiden and Lillian joined us this week.  We are very happy they are with us!  Welcome!

We are off to the North Pole on Friday, the 16^th!  We will be traveling by train.  Special snacks will be served and we will be wearing pajamas! The children may bring robes, slippers, a special blanket, or a stuffed animal.  It is a good idea to wear the pajamas under their clothing.  It is much easier for the children.  Tennis shoes will still be needed because the children will have gym.