Science Fun

Tearing the paper

Shaking to make paper mush

Pressing out the water

In Science, we have been learning about paper.  We found out that paper comes from trees, and learned how it is made.  Students had fun making their own paper using toilet paper (clean of course, :)), and water.  To make it, students tore the paper in little pieces and put it in a small bottle.  After water was added to the bottle, students enjoyed shaking it until the paper turned to mush.  Then, they poured the mixture onto a screen and gently pushed out the excess water.  Once the paper dried, students could decorate it.

After Spring Break, the kindergartners will be learning about Living Organism.  They will be excited to tell you what living organism we have in our classrooms to observe and take care of.

Superkids Club

Students have enjoyed becoming better readers.  The Superkids now have a club and a Supernoodle (leader);  they've gone on a "Hunt" and we are excited to see what their next adventure will be. Again, we encourage your child to visit the Online Superkids Fun.  On this site, students can read the books we have in class, play educational games that reinforce reading concepts taught in class.  Also, please have your child read through the stories (and other pages) in their Superkids Club Books.  The books don't come home as often, now, and there are 2-3 stories in them as well.  Thank you for working with your child on the Fluency Folder!  We have noticed the improvements in reading for those who are consistently doing it.  As we say to the students, "why do we practice reading?"  Their response is "so we can get better at it."  They all have made great gains!  Continue reading to your child and listen to them read too!

Busy February

For being the shortest month of the year, February always seems to be the busiest month in Kindergarten with the 100th Day, Valentine's Day, President's Day and Dental Health Month. In addition to that, the kindergartners enjoyed three field trips this month:  Grand Theater, Bowling (pictures to the left and below) and the Teddy Bear Clinic.

100 Days of Learning, 100 Days of Fun!  We practiced counting by 10's to make our Fruit Loop Necklaces and 100 Day Stamp Book.  The students did a great job stamping their 10's like the 10 Frame we use in Math.

We also enjoyed using the iPads for Digital Learning Day.  For Math, we played a game called Math Slides on the iPads.  Later, we went on a QR Code Scavenger Hunt.  After scanning the code, we were able to do an activity on the iPad as well.

For Superkids, we've met all the Superkids and now are having Superkids' Club Days.  On those days, students have independent work while the teachers meet with small reading groups.  The books we read with the students are available on Superkids Online Fun.  Please have your child go to the Superkids Online Fun site or use the app.  It has fun literacy games, and the books we've read in class.  It is a great way for students to practice their reading.

In Social Studies, we have been learning about George Washington and Abe Lincoln.  Both classes made life size Abe Lincoln's.  With his hat on, he was over 7 feet tall!  We learned interesting facts about both of these presidents, and how they are an important part of our history.

15 Ways to Say "I Love You" to Your Child

Valentine's Day is coming soon.  Here are some ways you can say, "I Love You!"
1. Always remember to kiss your child good-morning, good-bye, hello & good night.
2. Laugh at your child's jokes even though they make you question his/her sense of humor.
3. Use your time in the car for special activities, i.e., play rhyming games, sing songs or just TALK.
4. Make reading to your child a part of every day.
5. Send a card to your child at our school.  They'll feel like a celebrity.  Our address is 2701 Robin Lane, Wausau, WI 54401.
6. Take a cuddle break everyday for at least 10 minutes.
7.   Take your child to your office (or place of work) to visit.  Make sure you have family   pictures displayed.
8.   Take your child out on a "date." Let them choose the restaurant or movie.
9.   Make cookies together.
10. Praise your child when he/she is and isn't within earshot.
11. Always ask your child what kind of day they had...and LISTEN.
12. Let your child choose the menus once a week.
13. Ask your child's teacher about some of the activities they do in the classroom and do them at home.
14. Make positive statements to your child rather than negative.  Exchange "Don't throw the blocks" to "Let's make a tower with these blocks."
15. You can never say "I LOVE YOU" too much to your child.  Add it to every hello or good-bye and sprinkle it in, every chance you get!

In Kindergarten...

In kindergarten, we talk about why we keep practicing reading and our math skills.  The students know this is so we can get better at it.  Here are some of the skills Kindergartners CAN DO to this point:
* Blend letter sounds together to read (decodable) words. These would include the words in their fluency folders.
* Read some or all of the Superkids' sheets and books they bring home.
* Write words by saying it slowly and writing the sounds. (Some words may not be spelled correctly but as they hear the sounds).
* Add numbers equally up to 5, fluently (fairly quickly).
* Subtract numbers from up to 5, fluently.
* Orally count to 30, and probably beyond.
* Write numbers to 20.

Holiday Customs and Traditions

During the month of December, we have been focusing on different Holiday Celebrations.  Students decorated a paper shoe to put out for St. Nick and made hats for St. Lucia. Mrs. Thao came and shared pictures about Hmong New Year and the traditional clothing she wears for that.  After learning about a Holiday Celebration, students completed a page in their Holiday Customs booklet.  Please take time to have your child share and tell you about the various celebrations.

Thank you for helping your child complete his/her Holiday Traditions booklet! Students enjoyed sharing them with the class.  As students have shared their Holiday Traditions booklets over the years, I too have learned about other traditions from this Holiday Season.

Please enjoy the Winter Break with your family!  As you go about your various traditions, talk to your child about your traditions. 

Hmong New Year

St. Lucia

Superkids Fun!

Thanks to Mrs. Nygaard’s daughter, we were able to bring one of our Superkids, Tac, and Super Smart Book, “Join the Band” to life through the tuba. In this book, we learned about a marching band and some of the instruments in it.  We also saw and heard the instruments Mrs. Nygaard brought, the tuba, flute, clarinet and bassoon.  We had instrument demonstrations by: Mrs. Nygaard on the flute, Mrs. Steckbauer on the clarinet, and Mrs. Rossetti tried to play the tuba (she played the baritone when she was in school). We enjoyed having the real instruments to see and hear!