DCS Kindergarten

March 8, 2013

Dear Kindergarten friends,

These past two weeks we:

• hung suet feeders with our second grade buddies and checked on their progress to see if they were being consumed. We practice the recording of data using the scientific method. Students explored the states of matter: solids and liquids. We took advantage of our weather related late start to identifying what causes solids-snow and ice to change into liquid-water.  
• chose a question, surveyed our classmates, and created a graph with our data; introduced the dime;  counting by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s; counting on from a given number; counting backwards from 20; review characteristics of 2-D and 3-D shapes; began collecting daily weather data in March; and said good bye to February and hello March. If you have not already returned your child's math folder, please do so this week. We will be sending Math at Home book 4 after spring break.
• continued work in literacy centers during reading. A list of Kindergarten sight words will be sent home this week. By the end of the year students should know these words. We use them during guided reading and writing workshop. Your child will bring home a book(s) he/she has been working on and can share it with you. Please return the book and signed log sheet in the plastic zipper bag the following day. 
• Our focus in writing workshop is on poetry. Students have been reading and listening to poems, created a class poem and then crafted and illustrated their own poetry.

Coming up:

• Late Start Dates:  March 20^th, April 10^th and 24^th .
• Babcock Hall Dairy, Institutes of Discovery, and Madison Children's Museum all day this Wednesday, March 13^th.  If your child is bringing a lunch from home with drink, please send it in a disposable bag.  We will be doing a lot of walking so please have your child wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and gloves or mittens. If the weather cooperates, tennis shoes will be perfect!
• This Thursday, March 14^th from 5:30-7:30 there will be a CES/DCS Art Show in the hallways at Columbus Elementary.
• Friday morning, March 15^th we will be attending a performance of Beauty and the Beast at CHS.
• CES/DCS Carnival will be held on March 21^st. A letter was sent home this week with details on this event.
• March 25-29: Spring Break. Classes resume April 1^st.
• Mark your calendars! CES/DCS all school program will be Thursday, April 11^th at 6:00 in the CHS gym.
• City of Columbus Arbor Day Celebration 9:30 @public library lawn. An Arbor Day poster contest will be a part of this event. Specific information will be sent home this week.
• FYI:  No school for kindergartners on Friday, May 3^rd. Next year's Kindergarten class will be visiting that day.
• A trip to the UW Arboretum is being planned for May.
• Labeled hand lotion and chap stick may be kept at school in your child's mailbox.

We are continuing to making good progress towards becoming first graders. Have a great week!

Mrs. First