Dear Parents,
K-207 is really getting ready to prepare for the Kindergarten Step-Up Celebration! We are so excited that this year we all will be going to Prospect Park for our celebration! The children will be singing some songs for all our guests to see and then taking part in a morning full of fun and excitement.
Our big day will take place on Wednesday, June 17! All the children must meet at the Tennis House at 9:00 am. We will be starting the ceremony at 9:30 am. The Kindergarten teachers will be meeting you and your children at the park. (If that is not possible for you, please let me know as soon as possible to discuss alternate arrangements.) All are invited, and we are asking that you provide your child with a picnic lunch for you and your family to enjoy. Just remember to bring a blanket to sit on.
We have lots of great things planned for the Stepping-Up Ceremony but we need your help! We are collecting $10.00 for graduation costs from each child. If any parent can contribute a little more to offset the cost for a child who cannot pay, it will be greatly appreciated.
We would like to coordinate the attire for each class. Class K-207 will be wearing RED! Please dress you child in a top (or dress) of this color and have him or her wear khaki bottoms (skirt or shorts)
Many familes continue the Stepping-Up celebration by taking their child out after the ceremony. Children just love this special day with their family! Even though I will miss them tremendously, this is fine, as long as you sign your child out before you leave. Do not leave the park with your child without letting me know. This is a very busy day...so you really need to get my attention.
I hope that you have received the notes and directions to the Tennis House. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TENNIS HOUSE IS NOT NEAR THE TENNIS CENTER - THE TWO ARE LOCATED IN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE PARK! If you do not have the directions to the Tennis House, please let me know.
Now down to the academic part the notice. Here is an overview of what the children will be learning throughout June. Yes, parents...we are still working!!!!
Reading Workshop: Theme-Based Reading Clubs. We started this unit by gathering books related to a variety of topics such as families, insects, friends, birthdays, and so on. We have grouped these books by themes and children were partnered in each club by a theme they want to study for a week or so have worked within a basket of books gathered on that topic. The purpose of these reading center units is to support thoughtful reading (and deep comprehension) of just-right books.
Writing Workshop: Authors as Mentors. We are using Donald Crews as our mentor and have taken a look at many of his books for inspiration. Some of these books include Freight Train, Big Mamas, and Parade. We are mimicing some of his writing crafts such as labeling, using patterning, and zooming in on the moment. The children are writing across many pages and the work is really astounding!
Word Study: We have been working on phonological awareness during May and now into June. The children are learning to hear the middle sounds in words and to hear sounds in sequence. We are also focusing on common spelling patterns (consonant vowel consonant words), and continue to support children with high frequency word instruction.
Shared Reading: We are continuing to use shared reading as a place to demonstrate early reading strategies such as looking at the picture, getting your mouth ready for the initial sound, voice-to-print matching, and helping children anchor themselves to the text by finding sight words they know. During this time, I am also modeling what to do or say when readers get stuck on hard words.
Social Studies: Playgrounds. We will continue to take many walking trips to playgrounds, and incorporate our playground study during choice time. Choice time will be a bit longer (one hour several times a week) and some centers will be: playground design and construction (in the block area) experimenting with various materials for playground building (in the science area) and sculpting playgrounds (with clay or playdough) in the art area, designing of playgrounds (in the dramatic play center).
Math: I have introduced the use of the hour hand to estimate time on an analog clock. I am teaching the children about the $1 and $10 bills and reinforcing coin names, values, and exchanges. Later, the children will play “missing number” problems, and work with addition and subtraction stories.
DESPERATELY NEEDED:
CLEANING SUPPLIES - FANTASTIC, WINDEX, ETC.
GOO GONE (VERY IMPORTANT)
LARGE PLASTIC BINS WITH TOPS!!! (IMPORTANT)
SPONGES
PAPER TOWELS, PAPER TOWELS, PAPER TOWELS
ONE LARGE BUCKET
BROOM
IF ANY PARENT CAN HELP WITH A FEW OF THESE SUPPLIES...I WOULD BE SOOOO GRATEFUL.
Thank you in Advance.
More to Follow.... I am getting sadder by the day!
Fondly,
Mrs. Graham
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thank You
Dear Parents:
I want to thank you coming to today's Spring Celebration. The children did an amazing job with their poems and songs. I really loved it and hope that you did as well.
I know that you also had to be so happy reading your children's Book of Poetry. When I was putting the poems in the book, I could not believe how many poems they had written. The poems the children recited were poems from our Shared Reading for the several weeks before the celebration. They love reciting them. Copies of the poems are now in their Shared Reading notebooks. Have the children recite them to you while they point to each word. It is amazing how well they are reading.
The children just loved writing their poems. The writing unit of study on Poetry teaches children to explore, and savor language, valuing voice and repetition, sounds and onomatopoeia (even if they never heard any of these terms before). The children in Class K-207 learned to read and write with an ear, appreciating and revising the pace and rhythm of words, and they learned to care not only about their topics, but also about how they write about those topics. Poetry can teach children to deliberately craft their language, trying things on the page on purpose, hoping to create special effects.
Poetry can also encourage young children to see the world with fresh eyes. They write what the see. Children can learn to see with their hearts, to show their feelings by pretending and imagining with language. The children in Class K-207 learned to have fun with words…to be daredevils and gymnasts with language.
For any parent who was not able to come to the celebration, their book of poems is currently on display outside our classroom. Please take a moment to come by and take a look.
Thank you to for all the food and goodies. The Children were so happy to see so many of you. Also...thank you for all your support. I know that on any occasion I could call any number of you to come by and help me. You are a great group of parents! I will miss you next year.
Fondly,
Mrs. Graham
PS: Kindergarten Graduation - June 18 in Prospect Park.... More to follow!
I want to thank you coming to today's Spring Celebration. The children did an amazing job with their poems and songs. I really loved it and hope that you did as well.
I know that you also had to be so happy reading your children's Book of Poetry. When I was putting the poems in the book, I could not believe how many poems they had written. The poems the children recited were poems from our Shared Reading for the several weeks before the celebration. They love reciting them. Copies of the poems are now in their Shared Reading notebooks. Have the children recite them to you while they point to each word. It is amazing how well they are reading.
The children just loved writing their poems. The writing unit of study on Poetry teaches children to explore, and savor language, valuing voice and repetition, sounds and onomatopoeia (even if they never heard any of these terms before). The children in Class K-207 learned to read and write with an ear, appreciating and revising the pace and rhythm of words, and they learned to care not only about their topics, but also about how they write about those topics. Poetry can teach children to deliberately craft their language, trying things on the page on purpose, hoping to create special effects.
Poetry can also encourage young children to see the world with fresh eyes. They write what the see. Children can learn to see with their hearts, to show their feelings by pretending and imagining with language. The children in Class K-207 learned to have fun with words…to be daredevils and gymnasts with language.
For any parent who was not able to come to the celebration, their book of poems is currently on display outside our classroom. Please take a moment to come by and take a look.
Thank you to for all the food and goodies. The Children were so happy to see so many of you. Also...thank you for all your support. I know that on any occasion I could call any number of you to come by and help me. You are a great group of parents! I will miss you next year.
Fondly,
Mrs. Graham
PS: Kindergarten Graduation - June 18 in Prospect Park.... More to follow!
Monday, May 18, 2009
SPRING CELEBRATION - Formerly "The Mother's Day" Celebration!!!!
Dear Parents:
PLEASE JOIN CLASS K-207 FOR A CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF OUR BEAUTIFUL MOTHERS. THIS IS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS BUT WILL BE FUN. WE WILL BE PERFORMING SOME OF OUR FAVORITE SPRING POEMS.
BRING YOUR CAMERAS!!!
WHEN: Friday, May 22, 2009
TIME: 9:00 A.M.
WHERE: CLASS K-207
*Too many wonderful things going on in Class K-207 – not enough time in the day!!!!
Fondly,
Ms. Graham and Class K-207
PLEASE JOIN CLASS K-207 FOR A CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF OUR BEAUTIFUL MOTHERS. THIS IS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS BUT WILL BE FUN. WE WILL BE PERFORMING SOME OF OUR FAVORITE SPRING POEMS.
BRING YOUR CAMERAS!!!
WHEN: Friday, May 22, 2009
TIME: 9:00 A.M.
WHERE: CLASS K-207
*Too many wonderful things going on in Class K-207 – not enough time in the day!!!!
Fondly,
Ms. Graham and Class K-207
Thursday, May 14, 2009
What is Happening?????
Dear Parents:
As you know, the Kindergarten Classes will be going on a trip to the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, BMCC, 199 Chambers Street, New York, New York on Friday, May 15, 2009 to see The Paper Bag Players perform in the show “Make A Little Room For Me!” for a 10:30 a.m. performance. We will be leaving the school at 9:30 a.m. and will be going by school bus. I am very sorry that we are only allowed to take 2 parent volunteers.
This is due to the fact that there is a limited amount of room in the theatre. I have sent notices to the parents chosen for the trip. For any parent who paid for the trip and is not a volunteer, I will return your money. I am so sorry. I love having parents come with us. Since one of my children is not coming, I was allowed to take three parents. I have chosen parents who have never come on trips with our class. I think this is fair. We will return to school after lunch and I have decided that I would order and pay for pizza for the class for lunch when we return. So we will be having a pizza party!!! Therefore, do not bring lunch for your child.
Also...if the weather permits, we will be going on a walking trip to the public library on Tuesday May 19th. We will be going to the Windsor Terrace branch. We are due there 1:00 p.m. We are scheduled to have the children being read to by one of the librarians. For the children who filled out applications, we will also receive our new library cards and be able to take out books. If your child already has a library card, please bring it in. I am presently holding several library cards for the children who gave them to me previously. Please dress your child appropriately. We will return to the library in a few weeks where the children will return their books to the library. We will also visit the playground for our playground study on our way back from the library. This is a fun walking trip and if any parent would like to come, I would be happy to have them.
I am getting pretty sad that the year is almost over. As many of you know, I have two of my own children graduating from school - one from high school and one from middle school. Yet, combined with my own children moving on in life, I have become very attached to all my children in K-207. I think I am going to be a basket case at the end of June. I love your kids like they are my own so I am not only losing my first child who is on his way to college in August but 21 others..... I am emotional even thinking about it!!!
Thank you for all your support!
Ms. Graham
As you know, the Kindergarten Classes will be going on a trip to the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, BMCC, 199 Chambers Street, New York, New York on Friday, May 15, 2009 to see The Paper Bag Players perform in the show “Make A Little Room For Me!” for a 10:30 a.m. performance. We will be leaving the school at 9:30 a.m. and will be going by school bus. I am very sorry that we are only allowed to take 2 parent volunteers.
This is due to the fact that there is a limited amount of room in the theatre. I have sent notices to the parents chosen for the trip. For any parent who paid for the trip and is not a volunteer, I will return your money. I am so sorry. I love having parents come with us. Since one of my children is not coming, I was allowed to take three parents. I have chosen parents who have never come on trips with our class. I think this is fair. We will return to school after lunch and I have decided that I would order and pay for pizza for the class for lunch when we return. So we will be having a pizza party!!! Therefore, do not bring lunch for your child.
Also...if the weather permits, we will be going on a walking trip to the public library on Tuesday May 19th. We will be going to the Windsor Terrace branch. We are due there 1:00 p.m. We are scheduled to have the children being read to by one of the librarians. For the children who filled out applications, we will also receive our new library cards and be able to take out books. If your child already has a library card, please bring it in. I am presently holding several library cards for the children who gave them to me previously. Please dress your child appropriately. We will return to the library in a few weeks where the children will return their books to the library. We will also visit the playground for our playground study on our way back from the library. This is a fun walking trip and if any parent would like to come, I would be happy to have them.
I am getting pretty sad that the year is almost over. As many of you know, I have two of my own children graduating from school - one from high school and one from middle school. Yet, combined with my own children moving on in life, I have become very attached to all my children in K-207. I think I am going to be a basket case at the end of June. I love your kids like they are my own so I am not only losing my first child who is on his way to college in August but 21 others..... I am emotional even thinking about it!!!
Thank you for all your support!
Ms. Graham
Monday, April 27, 2009
Playground Inquiry Study
Dear Families,
I am sorry that I have not written in quite some time. Where does the time go? I have been actively getting ready - sadly - for the end of school and the graduation of your beautiful children from Kindergarten and the stepping up to First Grade. Believe me they are ready!!! I am so sad because I would love to keep them all in Kindergarten forever!
A couple of notes....we are in the midsts of our new unit of study in Social Studies this month. We started investigating Playgrounds! The Kindergarten teachers have worked extensively with a staff developer, Renee Dinnerstein, on using the Reggio Emilia approach to investigate new topics. We will continue to collaborate with her over the next few months.
As part of our study, the children will be visiting playgrounds, interviewing contractors, looking at blue prints of playgrounds, and designing our own maps and blue prints of playgrounds. The children will be encouraged to ask questions and think creatively throughout this study.
Some ideas we have for this unit are for the children to design their own playgrounds, visit various playgrounds in the neighborhood, and even create a family “playground memory journal.” We are also going to be comparing photographs of playgrounds and looking at playground catalogues. We will be actively using the Smartboard in the classroom to think and design our very own playground. Please let us know if you have any photographs or pictures from magazines or the internet of playgrounds. If anyone is or knows any landscapers or architects who could come into the Kindergarten classes to discuss how playgrounds are built, please let us know!
On our way to the library last week, we visited several playgrounds and played for a long time in the Windsor Playground near library. I think all the children were exhausted when we returned to school - I know that I was. Thank you to Gracie's mom and Kevin's mom for coming with us on that day. They were very very brave.
I am so excited that on Wednesday we will be visiting the studio of Tom Otterness. Mr. Otterness is an American sculptor whose works adorn parks, plazas, subway stations, libraries, courthouses and museums in New York - notably in Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City and in the 14th Street/8th Avenue subway station - and other cities around the workd. He was the first artist ever to have contributed a balloon to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - he made a giant Humpty Dumpty suspended in an upside-down tumble, as though he might have jumped from one of the swanky Central Park West rooftops. His style is often described as cartoonish and cheerful but tends to carry a political punch! I love that!!! His sculptures are filled with multiple meanings. The main theme of his work seems to be the struggle of the little man against he capitalist machine in a difficult and strange city. If you want to know more about him and view a few of his sculptures, I suggest that you view his website at www.tomotterness.net.
My main concern for this trip is that we will be going on the F train to Carroll Street. Although it is only four stops on the subway, I need my parent volunteers (I will not go without at least 10 volunteers - which I think that I have) to be very very proactive. Each parent will have and be responsible for two children - their own child and another child that I will assign to them. You need to be very focused - not only on your own child but the second child. I do not want any cuddling of your child and need complete attention on both children. You MUST be holding the hands of both children on the subway platform and throughout the trip!!!! I cannot stress this enough.... but the safety of all children is my absolute MAIN CONCERN. I am going to be extremely strict on this issue and need your complete cooperation. I know that I am being rather extreme but the volunteers need to understand that it is not only about their own children but their charges as well. I have never had an issue with my parents on trips but because this is a subway trip, I am a little more concerned than usual. I know that you would feel comfortable knowing that if you were unable to come on this trip that strict rules would be enforced. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. I am looking forward to seeing all of you.
Well...again I am still in school and was just advised that the school is about to be locked so I must leave now. Thank you all for your support.
Fondly,
Ms. Graham
I am sorry that I have not written in quite some time. Where does the time go? I have been actively getting ready - sadly - for the end of school and the graduation of your beautiful children from Kindergarten and the stepping up to First Grade. Believe me they are ready!!! I am so sad because I would love to keep them all in Kindergarten forever!
A couple of notes....we are in the midsts of our new unit of study in Social Studies this month. We started investigating Playgrounds! The Kindergarten teachers have worked extensively with a staff developer, Renee Dinnerstein, on using the Reggio Emilia approach to investigate new topics. We will continue to collaborate with her over the next few months.
As part of our study, the children will be visiting playgrounds, interviewing contractors, looking at blue prints of playgrounds, and designing our own maps and blue prints of playgrounds. The children will be encouraged to ask questions and think creatively throughout this study.
Some ideas we have for this unit are for the children to design their own playgrounds, visit various playgrounds in the neighborhood, and even create a family “playground memory journal.” We are also going to be comparing photographs of playgrounds and looking at playground catalogues. We will be actively using the Smartboard in the classroom to think and design our very own playground. Please let us know if you have any photographs or pictures from magazines or the internet of playgrounds. If anyone is or knows any landscapers or architects who could come into the Kindergarten classes to discuss how playgrounds are built, please let us know!
On our way to the library last week, we visited several playgrounds and played for a long time in the Windsor Playground near library. I think all the children were exhausted when we returned to school - I know that I was. Thank you to Gracie's mom and Kevin's mom for coming with us on that day. They were very very brave.
I am so excited that on Wednesday we will be visiting the studio of Tom Otterness. Mr. Otterness is an American sculptor whose works adorn parks, plazas, subway stations, libraries, courthouses and museums in New York - notably in Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City and in the 14th Street/8th Avenue subway station - and other cities around the workd. He was the first artist ever to have contributed a balloon to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - he made a giant Humpty Dumpty suspended in an upside-down tumble, as though he might have jumped from one of the swanky Central Park West rooftops. His style is often described as cartoonish and cheerful but tends to carry a political punch! I love that!!! His sculptures are filled with multiple meanings. The main theme of his work seems to be the struggle of the little man against he capitalist machine in a difficult and strange city. If you want to know more about him and view a few of his sculptures, I suggest that you view his website at www.tomotterness.net.
My main concern for this trip is that we will be going on the F train to Carroll Street. Although it is only four stops on the subway, I need my parent volunteers (I will not go without at least 10 volunteers - which I think that I have) to be very very proactive. Each parent will have and be responsible for two children - their own child and another child that I will assign to them. You need to be very focused - not only on your own child but the second child. I do not want any cuddling of your child and need complete attention on both children. You MUST be holding the hands of both children on the subway platform and throughout the trip!!!! I cannot stress this enough.... but the safety of all children is my absolute MAIN CONCERN. I am going to be extremely strict on this issue and need your complete cooperation. I know that I am being rather extreme but the volunteers need to understand that it is not only about their own children but their charges as well. I have never had an issue with my parents on trips but because this is a subway trip, I am a little more concerned than usual. I know that you would feel comfortable knowing that if you were unable to come on this trip that strict rules would be enforced. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. I am looking forward to seeing all of you.
Well...again I am still in school and was just advised that the school is about to be locked so I must leave now. Thank you all for your support.
Fondly,
Ms. Graham
Sunday, March 22, 2009
WOW...What a week!
Dear Families:
We have been having such a wonderful time doing our family interviews. The children's questions are amazing and some of them really stump the interviewees. The children are so comfortable asking their questions to our parents and as I look at the children during the process, I cannot believe that they are only five and six years old. It is so amazing!
I enjoyed meeting most of you during the parent teacher conferences on Thursday. I always have so much to tell you about your wonderful children and enjoyed doing so. I never think that 10 minutes is enough time but I think that I kept on schedule (give or take 5 minutes). As always, my door is always open. If you need to speak to me further, just let me know.
The culmination of our week was our Grandparent's Day on Friday. I cannot tell you how much fun and interesting this day was. The Grandparents who came were Grandparents to all the children. They talked with them. They read with them. They loved them like they were their own. It was such a wonderful sight. We had each Grandparent (and Godfather) talk about their school experiences and I asked the question - "Do you remember your Kindergarten teacher's name?) Unfortunately, only one did... Yet when I asked "Did you have a teacher who made a difference in your life?" I was so impressed and touched with their responses. I was only sorry that I did not have a video to capture the moment. It was so touching. The morning ended with Jack Bowen's grandfather - who came in from New Jersey - read the book "Grandfather and I" to the entire class. It was a real special moment. I wish you were all there to have seen it.
I want to let you know that on Tuesday I will not be in class but will be at Teacher's College to attend a Workshop entitled - Getting Kids to Grow Ideas As They Read and As They Think Across Books. For most of us, reading a book is all about coming to care for a character. Once we've finished the novel, what remains in our minds are the characters. For Kindergarten children, stories people their lives. Your children come to us already caring for and identifying with characters. The characters may come from a cartoon on television, from read-aloud books, or from pop cultures, but one way or another most children already know what it is to care about a character. From this workshop, I will be able to really teach your children to develop close relationships with more characters, and show the children that caring about characters can change the way they read, think, talk and write about books. One of comments from our Grandparents that I heard over and over again was that they could not believe that Kindergarten children were reading!! It is truly amazing how well your children are reading and as a teacher it is a joy to teach them. These workshops help me, and all our teachers, become better teachers to your children.
On Wednesday, March 25th...we are going Bowling! This trip is the culmination of our Family Study. We are going to Maple Lanes in Bay Ridge. This will be a great opportunity for all kindergarteners to play, and learn together - about bowling and each other! Bowling is a great sport to build coordination, upper body strength, patience and learn spirit. We will be leaving at 9:30 a.m. from School. We will take a school bus to arrive at Maple Lanes (1570 - 60th Street) at 10 a.m. We will play up to two games and have a pizza lunch at the alley! If you have not returned your authorization and money for the trip ($12.00), please do so immediately.
Coming up....
Trip on Friday, May 15th, to Tribeca Performing Arts Center to see The Paper Bag Players perform in the show "Make A Little Room For Me!" If you have not returned the permission slip and money for the trip ($9.00), please do so immediately. The money is due to the performers on April 3rd.
New Social Studies Unit... Playgrounds. We will be working with a Social Studies Staff Developer - Renee Dinnerstein - on this inquiry-based children-centered project. Renee was a former teacher at PS 321 and was, in fact, my daughter, Alexandra's Kindergarten teacher. She worked with the Kindergarten teachers last year on our Social Studies Unit and is a wonderful asset to P.S. 154. We will be having many trips to various playgrounds around Brooklyn...so get ready!
I think that is enough for now. As always, I love working with your children and am getting a little sad that the time seems to be going very fast.
Fondly,
Ms. Graham
We have been having such a wonderful time doing our family interviews. The children's questions are amazing and some of them really stump the interviewees. The children are so comfortable asking their questions to our parents and as I look at the children during the process, I cannot believe that they are only five and six years old. It is so amazing!
I enjoyed meeting most of you during the parent teacher conferences on Thursday. I always have so much to tell you about your wonderful children and enjoyed doing so. I never think that 10 minutes is enough time but I think that I kept on schedule (give or take 5 minutes). As always, my door is always open. If you need to speak to me further, just let me know.
The culmination of our week was our Grandparent's Day on Friday. I cannot tell you how much fun and interesting this day was. The Grandparents who came were Grandparents to all the children. They talked with them. They read with them. They loved them like they were their own. It was such a wonderful sight. We had each Grandparent (and Godfather) talk about their school experiences and I asked the question - "Do you remember your Kindergarten teacher's name?) Unfortunately, only one did... Yet when I asked "Did you have a teacher who made a difference in your life?" I was so impressed and touched with their responses. I was only sorry that I did not have a video to capture the moment. It was so touching. The morning ended with Jack Bowen's grandfather - who came in from New Jersey - read the book "Grandfather and I" to the entire class. It was a real special moment. I wish you were all there to have seen it.
I want to let you know that on Tuesday I will not be in class but will be at Teacher's College to attend a Workshop entitled - Getting Kids to Grow Ideas As They Read and As They Think Across Books. For most of us, reading a book is all about coming to care for a character. Once we've finished the novel, what remains in our minds are the characters. For Kindergarten children, stories people their lives. Your children come to us already caring for and identifying with characters. The characters may come from a cartoon on television, from read-aloud books, or from pop cultures, but one way or another most children already know what it is to care about a character. From this workshop, I will be able to really teach your children to develop close relationships with more characters, and show the children that caring about characters can change the way they read, think, talk and write about books. One of comments from our Grandparents that I heard over and over again was that they could not believe that Kindergarten children were reading!! It is truly amazing how well your children are reading and as a teacher it is a joy to teach them. These workshops help me, and all our teachers, become better teachers to your children.
On Wednesday, March 25th...we are going Bowling! This trip is the culmination of our Family Study. We are going to Maple Lanes in Bay Ridge. This will be a great opportunity for all kindergarteners to play, and learn together - about bowling and each other! Bowling is a great sport to build coordination, upper body strength, patience and learn spirit. We will be leaving at 9:30 a.m. from School. We will take a school bus to arrive at Maple Lanes (1570 - 60th Street) at 10 a.m. We will play up to two games and have a pizza lunch at the alley! If you have not returned your authorization and money for the trip ($12.00), please do so immediately.
Coming up....
Trip on Friday, May 15th, to Tribeca Performing Arts Center to see The Paper Bag Players perform in the show "Make A Little Room For Me!" If you have not returned the permission slip and money for the trip ($9.00), please do so immediately. The money is due to the performers on April 3rd.
New Social Studies Unit... Playgrounds. We will be working with a Social Studies Staff Developer - Renee Dinnerstein - on this inquiry-based children-centered project. Renee was a former teacher at PS 321 and was, in fact, my daughter, Alexandra's Kindergarten teacher. She worked with the Kindergarten teachers last year on our Social Studies Unit and is a wonderful asset to P.S. 154. We will be having many trips to various playgrounds around Brooklyn...so get ready!
I think that is enough for now. As always, I love working with your children and am getting a little sad that the time seems to be going very fast.
Fondly,
Ms. Graham
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Parent As Enrichment Partners/Family Celebration/Publishing How-To Books
Dear K-207 Families,
Boy…we are really busy in Class K-207 this month. I know how much you would like to have the children read their How-To Books to you and we missed that opportunity last Friday because of the change of date for Parent As Enrichment Partners. So.... I am having the kids read one of their famous How-To books to you this Friday, March 13th during Parents As Enrichment Partners. They are very excited about this.
As you know, we have begun our Family unit in social studies, and the children are exploring what it means to be a family. We have been preparing for family interviews, and have several interviews already scheduled. (Two interviews are scheduled on Friday AFTER Parents as Enrichment Partners.)
We have been listening to stories about a variety of families. In K-207, we celebrate the fact that each of us comes from different backgrounds and we each have unique and wonderful differences.
After our quick publishing party, we would like you to join us on Friday, March 13 for an interactive family activity. We will be making family mobiles, and we’d like you to help! We will be cutting out pictures that we drew of different family members (ie: a mom, a dad, a sister, a brother) and hanging the family on wire hangers for all to see!
We are looking for donations of wire hangers to use for these mobiles. Please send them in any time this week. Also, please let us know if you will be joining us on Friday for our Publishing Party and Parents as Enrichment Partners Family Celebration.
I will be sending home a hard copy of this letter on Monday but if you can join us in making the family mobiles, please comment on this post. Thank you for all your support.
Fondly,
Ms. Graham
Boy…we are really busy in Class K-207 this month. I know how much you would like to have the children read their How-To Books to you and we missed that opportunity last Friday because of the change of date for Parent As Enrichment Partners. So.... I am having the kids read one of their famous How-To books to you this Friday, March 13th during Parents As Enrichment Partners. They are very excited about this.
As you know, we have begun our Family unit in social studies, and the children are exploring what it means to be a family. We have been preparing for family interviews, and have several interviews already scheduled. (Two interviews are scheduled on Friday AFTER Parents as Enrichment Partners.)
We have been listening to stories about a variety of families. In K-207, we celebrate the fact that each of us comes from different backgrounds and we each have unique and wonderful differences.
After our quick publishing party, we would like you to join us on Friday, March 13 for an interactive family activity. We will be making family mobiles, and we’d like you to help! We will be cutting out pictures that we drew of different family members (ie: a mom, a dad, a sister, a brother) and hanging the family on wire hangers for all to see!
We are looking for donations of wire hangers to use for these mobiles. Please send them in any time this week. Also, please let us know if you will be joining us on Friday for our Publishing Party and Parents as Enrichment Partners Family Celebration.
I will be sending home a hard copy of this letter on Monday but if you can join us in making the family mobiles, please comment on this post. Thank you for all your support.
Fondly,
Ms. Graham
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