Happy Monday!

What a wonderful Monday!  Today, we had math, worked on counting and writing number sentences both ways (8=3+5, and 3+5=8).  We read a fantasy story "If the Dinosaurs came Back" by Bernard Most.  We worked on our writing and handwriting, did calendar, daily news and practiced our songs for our end of the year concert.  At the end, each class had some Free Choice time!   

Today, homework will be sent home as usual; however, the kiddos are not being asked to write sentences. Instead, the students will start writing narratives as part of their homework. 

 We wanted to take the time to explain how we've taught narrative, so you can use the same language with your child at home. Below is a step by step explanation with pictures, just as we have taught it in class.

1. Students need to write their name and short date on the paper.

 2. They fold the paper in half and find the middle (the fold helps children center their title).

3. After reading the prompt with your child, ask them what might be a good title for their story? We shoot to write titles that are between one and three words (eg. Carpet, Magic Carpet, The Magic Carpet).

4. Now it's time to set up their paper. Here is the chant we do in class to set up our papers. "I need a title, author, skip, indent, star, ready!"

4. The prompt is their first sentence and they start writing next to the star.

5. In their second sentence they must tell their reader what they did.

We have taught the kiddos to flip their papers up and start writing on the top line (where my thumb is) when they need more room to write.

 6. In their third sentence, they "wrap it up!"

7. Their story ends with an emotion in sentence number four. We've taught the kiddos to always start with I felt so _________. 

8. Lastly, they sketch (with pencil) a picture to go with their story and then add color. 

*I realize you probably don't need pictures for each step; however, I thought it may be helpful if your kiddo needs to see an example. :)

Please don't hesitate to email with questions! As always, when it comes to spelling, encourage kiddos to sound it out. Please don't just spell the words for them. Also, I'd like to point out, on the writing paper, there is a simple rubric for the kiddos to use.

  I can use capitals at the beginning of my sentences. 

I can spell my sight words correctly. 

I can use lower case letters in my sentences. 

I can do two finger spaces between my words. 

I can use punctuation at the end of my sentences.

 Important Information

1. Homework folders came home today, Monday, 4-27! All kiddos should be doing the attached math page and writing a narrative story. The story does not need to be written in one day. We recommend breaking up the sentences (eg. Monday: page set up and sentence #1. Tuesday: sentence #2. Wednesday: sentence #3. Thursday: sentence #4 and picture.

2. Take home books came home today!  The next book exchange day is Thursday!  Please do not forget a note. 

3. MOMMA is coming up on May 7th from 6-8pm. This replaces our old Muffins with Mom time.

4. Our end of Kindergarten program is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9th at 6:30pm. Please feel free to bring your other kiddos, invite grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. It's sure to be a fun (and cute) show!