We just completed Week 1 of Digital Learning!  How did you do? Parents, were you able to do YOUR work? Did your student read a book, listen to a story, write something, draw something, be creative, play, move, imagine, or build…?? If so, yay for you!  You are amazing! Give yourself a pat on the back!

Op-Ed by Mrs. Sexton:

These times are hard and weird, and the biggest thing we need to be focusing on is our kids’ mental health and wellbeing. Yes, learning is important! But right now they need to know they are safe, secure and loved. Once you get into your routine, help your kids get into one. My teenagers sleep late, but they are getting their work done (they still have a lot of work to do – those Hillgrove teachers are rocking online learning!). These days are LONG! Make sure you are taking care of yourself. Remember the instructions when flying? You have to put YOUR oxygen mask on before you can take care of anyone else. I have been walking in the evenings with my husband and our high-energy dog (Ginny – your kids know about her – she’s naughty!). That helps us reconnect, get some fresh air, miss our kids a little, and remember that the world is bigger than the 4 walls of our house! Do what energizes you! Mrs. Kiger and I are here to help or support you! Please let us know if you need anything. But first, take a deep breath… relax… and remember one day this will all be a memory.  We love and appreciate you so much, and we are grateful our students have such wonderful families to help them through these difficult circumstances. <3

Reading: Shared reading focus book was Three Billy Goats Fluff – sequencing details of story; analysis and observation of illustrations; character, setting, beginning/middle/end, role of author and illustrator. Other books read in class: Ten on the Sled, The Biggest Snowball Fight, Go Away Unicorn, Ramona the Pest (chapter book – counts as 3 books on Rocket Reader form!)
English/Language Arts:  Letter Hh- correct letter formation, words that start with Hh, write around the room, CVC words, blends/digraphs (ch-, sh-).
Math: Adding and subtracting numbers within 10; number recognition and writing (correctly!), greater than/less than/equal to, counting to 100 by tens and ones, counting and comparing objects
Writing: Students have been writing opinion pieces.  They finished their Writing Assessments this week (favorite fast food restaurant), and the kids did really great!
Theme: Review of American presidents, symbols and monuments; living and nonliving

Our Voyage character word is HONESTY – Being truthful in all situations.

By the time I sit down to type up this blog post, we are all self-quarantined at home and working through digital learning. The Cheatham Hill Elementary website homepage has links posted for each grade level and also includes ideas from our amazing Specials Teachers, Counselors (including how to talk to your kid about COVID-19) and Learning Commons (library). We are all learning this process as we go! Information will be ongoing and communicated through SeeSaw and email.  If you have not gotten any emails from Mrs. Kiger lately, we don’t have a current email address on file for you! You can email her at heather.kiger@cobbk12.org  Her “office hours” for quicker turnaround of emails and SeeSaw notes are Monday – Friday from 9:00 – 10:30 am.  She will be checking these throughout the day, also, but it may take a little longer for her to reply.  We are “homeschooling” our own kids, too! 🙂

Stay home. Stay safe. Stay well. We love you and your kids (remember, we consider them OUR kids, too!) and we are here to support you during this strange and challenging time.  Please let us know if you need anything!!!

With much love, Mrs. Sexton ♥

Reading: Shared reading focus book was Hooway for Wodney Wat – sequencing details of story; analysis and observation of illustrations; character, setting, beginning/middle/end, role of author and illustrator. Other books read in class: Miss Daisy is Crazy (chapter book – counts as 3 books on Rocket Reader form!)
English/Language Arts: New groups this week. Letter Ll- correct letter formation, words that start with Ll, write around the room, CVC words.
Math: Composing and decomposing numbers within 10; number recognition and writing (correctly!), greater than/less than/equal to, counting to 100 by tens and ones
Writing: Students have been writing opinion pieces [introduction/”hook” -> opinion (using “because”) -> ending/conclusion/”bow”]. Prompts included: Would you rather explore the moon or the ocean? Would you rather live on a farm or in a castle?
Theme: Review of American presidents, symbols and monuments

Our Voyage character word is HONESTY – Being truthful in all situations.

** Wednesday, March 11 is EARLY RELEASE day! Dismissal will begin at 12:15pm.

** On Thursday, March 12, Individual spring pictures will be taken of each student. All students will also be in class pictures.

Attention Parents!
Wednesday, March 4, your student will bring home their pre-printed Student Registration form for the 2020-21 school year.
The enrolling parent (whose name is highlighted on the form) must update & sign the form.
Completed registration forms are due back to school by Friday, March 6.

Reading: Shared reading focus book was Duck for President – sequencing details of story; analysis and observation of illustrations; character, setting, beginning/middle/end, role of author and illustrator. Other books read in class: Junie B. Jones and that Meanie Jim’s Birthday, Junie B. Jones has a Monster Under Her Bed (chapter books – each counts as 3 books on Kindergarten Rocket Reader form!), Sweet Hearts for Dolly, Leo the Late Bloomer, Bear and Duck

English/Language Arts: New groups this week. Letter Jj- correct letter formation, words that start with Jj, color by sight word, write around the room, CVC words.

Math: Composing and decomposing numbers within 10; number recognition and writing (correctly!), greater than/less than/equal to, counting to 100 by tens and ones

Writing: Students have been writing opinion pieces [introduction/”hook” -> opinion (using “because”) -> ending/conclusion/”bow”]. Prompts included: What is your favorite movie? What is your favorite animal?

Science: Rocks and Soil

**The kids had fun hearing from Firefighter Scott from the Cobb County Safety Village in our in-school “field trip.” They learned about fire safety and what to do in case of fire. It is always great to see a firefighter in all his gear so the kids can see how different (and almost scary) he looks!

**Also this week, Wellstar visited our classrooms to teach us about germs, how to prevent the spread of illness (hands out of our mouths!), the importance of hand washing and how to correctly wash our hands.

Cobb County School District emailed each parent the guidelines that will be followed in case of coronavirus spread in the area.  Click HERE for the information.

Reminder that completed Rocket Reader forms are due MONDAY!

Our Voyage character word is HONESTY – Being truthful in all situations.

Reminder that the Art Show is next week!

Reading: Shared reading focus book was Abe Lincoln’s Hat– sequencing details of story; analysis and observation of illustrations; character, setting, beginning/middle/end, role of author and illustrator. Other books read in class: Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren (chapter book – counts as  books on Kindergarten Rocket Reader form!), Valentine

English/Language Arts: New groups this week. Letter Pp- correct letter formation, words that start with Rr, roll a sight word (hopefully you found your student’s sight word half sheet in his/her folder – please continue to practice old and new sight words at home!), CVC words. Sight words emphasized in class: do, be, this, who.

Math: Composing and decomposing numbers within 10; number recognition and writing (correctly!), greater than/less than/equal to, counting to 100 by tens and ones

Writing: Students have been writing opinion pieces [introduction/”hook” -> opinion (using “because”) -> ending/conclusion/”bow”]. Prompts included: What is the best part of you? What weather did you like better this weekend – the snow or the sunshine?

Social Studies: Diversity of American culture and differences in customs and celebrations of various families and communities; President’s Day (George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, Donald Trump); American Symbols (Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, White House)

Our Voyage character word is RESPONSIBILITY – Making good choices and owning your behavior.

We hope you have a very relaxing and fun Winter Break! Hopefully the weather will be nice enough so the kids can play outside!  See you on February 24th!

Reading: Shared reading focus book was Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink – sequencing details of story; analysis and observation of illustrations; character, setting, beginning/middle/end, role of author and illustrator. Other books read in class: Duck! Rabbit!, Strictly NO Elephants, Magic Treehouse – Twister on Tuesday (chapter book – counts as 2 books on Rocket Reader form!), Curious George

English/Language Arts: New groups this week.  Letter Rr- correct letter formation, words that start with Rr, roll a sight word (hopefully you found your student’s sight word half sheet in his/her folder – please continue to practice old and new sight words at home!), CVC words. Sight words emphasized in class: yes, no, did, what.

Math: Composing and decomposing numbers within 10; number recognition and writing (correctly!), greater than/less than/equal to, counting to 100 by tens and ones

Writing: Students have been writing opinion pieces [introduction/”hook” -> opinion (using “because”) -> ending/conclusion/”bow”]. Prompts included: Is it a duck or a rabbit? How do you feel about the groundhog seeing his shadow? Do you like to dance? What is your favorite morning center?

Theme: Living and non-living things (Gummy Worm vs. Earthworm!), Groundhog’s Day

The Cheatham Hill Counseling Department is sponsoring KINDNESS WEEK next week, February 10-14! It is our goal to spread kindness and emphasize to students that kindness matters.  There are themed dress up days and a kindness challenge each day. The flyer came home in your student’s blue folder on Friday and a copy is below.

Our Voyage character word is RESPONSIBILITY – Making good choices and owning your behavior.

Thank you for all the emergency snacks sent to class! Thanks to your generosity, we have a huge supply and don’t need any other donations at this time!

Please remember that changes in transportation can be sent to class in your student’s blue folder. Changes in dismissal must be in writing, for your student’s safety.

Reading: Shared reading focus book was Tacky the Penguin – sequencing details of story; analysis and observation of illustrations; character, setting, beginning/middle/end, role of author and illustrator. Other books read in class: Germs are Everywhere, Freckle Juice, Junie B. Firstgrader – Shipwrecked, Rapunzel’s Winter Adventure, Green Wilma

English/Language Arts: We finished up last week’s groups and started our new groups. Letter Ee – correct letter formation, words that start with Ee and contain e as the medial vowel sound, roll a sight word (hopefully you found your student’s sight word half sheet in his/her folder – please continue to practice old and new sight words at home!), CVC words. Sight words emphasized in class: you, have, are, was.

Math: Composing and decomposing numbers within 10; number recognition and writing (correctly!), greater than/less than/equal to, counting to 100 by tens and ones

Writing: Students have been writing opinion pieces (introduction/”hook” -> opinion  -> ending/conclusion/”bow”). Prompts included: What is your favorite color? What is your favorite subject in school? Will the groundhog see his shadow?

Theme: Living and non-living things, Groundhog’s Day

Our Voyage character word is RESPONSIBILITY – Making good choices and owning your behavior.

Please remember to send a snack to school with your student every day.

Please remember that changes in transportation can be sent to class in your student’s blue folder. Changes in dismissal must be in writing, for your student’s safety.

Reading: Shared reading focus book was The Mitten – sequencing details of story; analysis and observation of illustrations; character, setting, beginning/middle/end. Other books read in class: Not Quite a Narwhal, Hedgie the Hedgehog, The Giant Jam Sandwich

English/Language Arts: Letter Ss – letter sound, correct letter formation, words that begin with Ss, rhyming words: -ot, -op- og; listening centers book: The Giant Jam Sandwich (listen to story, draw picture of favorite part of story).

Math: Ways to make 10 (addition); number recognition and writing (correctly!), greater than/less than/equal to, counting to 100 by tens and ones

Writing: Students have been writing opinion pieces (introduction – opinion – ending/conclusion).  Prompts included: Which is stronger – the Hulk or a dinosaur? Which do you like better – McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A? Which special do you like better – Art or Music?

Theme: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our Voyage character word is RESPONSIBILITY – Making good choices and owning your behavior.

After school clubs begin the week of January 27. If your student will be attending a club after school, please send  a note to class with the club name, day of the week it meets, how your student will be dismissed afterward (ASP or car rider).

Please remember that changes in transportation can be sent to class in your student’s blue folder.  Changes in dismissal must be in writing.

We are 100 days smarter! We enjoyed lots of fun learning centers with the 100 theme!  Here are some ways we got even smarter this week:

Reading: Our Shared Reading this week was Snowmen at Night – sequencing the story details, discussing characters, setting, beginning/middle/end, comparison to Snowmen at Christmas. In class we also read The Three Little Kittens, Pete the Cat and the New Guy.

English & Language Arts: Continuation of groups from last week.

Math: Counting to 100 by ones and tens, number recognition and writing (correctly!), ways to make 10 (adding numbers to make 10).

Writing: Our next writing lesson is on Opinion Writing. We are learning how to decide between 2 different choices and write about why we made our choice. Writing prompts were: Cats vs. Dogs and which is faster: Cheetah or Race Car.

Theme: We learned several facts about Martin Luther King, Jr. and completed our Georgia Studies weekly magazine. At our super fun field trip to the Tellus Museum we learned about insects and living/nonliving things.

Our Voyage character word of the month is KINDNESS: Caring about the well being of those around you.

After school  clubs will begin the week of January 27. If you have signed up your student for an after school club, please send a note to class with the days of the week they will be attending. This makes afternoon dismissal SO much less stressful! Thank you!

And finally, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MRS. KIGER! We love you and appreciate you and hope your birthday weekend is filled with lots of love and your favorite things! ! 🙂 <3

Happy New Year, families! It sounds like the kids had a great time over the holidays! Unbelievably, we are halfway through kindergarten, and we are continuing to learn our kindergarten standards while preparing them for first grade! It seems like it wasn’t that long ago that we were meeting these sweet faces for the first time!

Sentimentality aside, it’s time to keep learning…  here is what we learned this week in class:

Reading/English/Language Arts: Letter Dd – letter sound, correct letter formation, words that begin with Dd, letter Dd book, words that begin with letter D vs. letter F. In our Daily 5 groups we started listening centers. This week’s book is Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed (listen, draw picture of favorite part of story). We were very busy with other learning activities and will be continuing these groups next week. Books we read in class this week: The Snowy Day, Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, New Year’s Eve, The Gruffalo

Math: Ways to make 10 (addition); number recognition and writing (correctly!)

Writing: Things we can do and things we can’t do YET – growth mindset writing.

Theme: New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day,

The Voyage character word of the month is KINDNESS: caring about the wellbeing of those around you.