Mrs.

Trydals
News
November 2014
Well here we are in the third month of
Kindergarten. I can never get over how
quickly time seems to pass.
I have been asking for a lot of donations
of materials from home lately. I am so
grateful to those of you who are able
to help out. I have another list of
goodies to ask for so I thank you again
in advance for your help!!

-a family picture from each family
-very clean tin cans (with no sharp
edges)
-wicker baskets of all shapes and sizes
-Christmas decorations and wrapping
-Christmas cards and envelopes


November
Events
Please refer to my
calendar on our Mother
Teresa website for the
most up to date
information:
http://motherteresa.gpcs
d.ca/view.php?action=ca
lendar&month=11&year=2
014
Nov. 6-7: Mrs. Trydal away
Nov. 11: No School
Nov. 12: All Purdys and
Poinsettia orders due
Nov. 21: Report Cards
Home
Nov. 24: Bake Sale Items
to school
Nov. 25: Parent Teacher
Interviews

kindertales.weebly.com
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November Highlights
Rel i gi on: Our main focus this month is Friendship. We will be learning about the qualities of
being a good friend and reading the story How to Fill a Bucket.
Li teracy: Our literacy program involves a few areas of focus:
A) Oral Language: When students are presenting their Name information, they are
encouraged to talk to the class by using the correct volume and by trying to look at the
people they are talking to. The other children are learning to ask questions in order to
learn something new about their classmate.
B) Readi ng: Students will be learning that there are three ways to read a book: read
the words, read the pictures, or retell the story. We are also learning that pictures in a
story match the text and can help us to learn about what the author is saying. One of our
major focuses is realizing that what we already know (our prior knowledge) can help us to
understand what we are reading. And finally, we will be learning about the very important
strategy of retelling (what was the story about).
C) Wri ti ng: This month we will continue to work on writing stories about our own lives.
We are beginning to add words to our stories. Now, we will learn to stretch out a word
as we say it so that we can listen for the different sounds. Our focus will be on the first
sound of a word and trying to write that sound down. For example, what do you hear at
the beginning of cat? c, thats right.
D) Al phabet Ski l l s: Again we will continue to work through the letter sounds with our
Jolly Phonics program. We are now learning that we can blend these sounds together to
form words and to listen to words to hear whether sounds are at the beginning, middle
or end of a word. I cant stress enough the importance of dai l y review with the sound
books! Thank you for continuing to do this homework each day.
E) Phonol ogi cal Awareness: This is the aspect of literacy where we learn about
sounds (but not connected to letters). It is the first step of reading. The three main
focuses this month are rhyme, syllables and initial sounds (the first sound in a word).
Numeracy: Numeracy will continue much the same as October. We are still doing daily
calendar activities and our main focus is still pattern and sorting. Many math researchers
state that pattern is the most important skill in all math learning. So, we will be spending a
lot of our time here this year.
Ci ti zenshi p & Identi ty: Once again we will continue with learning about what makes us
unique. This is the portion of our time where the students are presenting their name
information.
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Envi ronment & Communi ty Awareness: This month our developmental play center
changes into a Housekeeping and Grocery Store. This will allow the children time to
explore another important place in communities. I would also like to have the children
begin watering our class plants. We only have one at this time. However, if you have
any plants or clippings that you would like to donate, it would be greatly appreciated.
Physi cal Ski l l s & Wel l Bei ng: This month we will begin to work with manipulative skills
(the skills we use for throwing, catching, kicking, etc). Each class will begin with
instruction on the skill and we will then apply these skills into games. We will also be
learning about the Canada Food Guide this month and the 4 food groups.
Personal & Soci al Responsi bi l i ty: Now that we are in the third month of school, the
focus is really moving towards independence. We will spend a lot of time this month,
with the arrival of colder weather, learning not only to zip coats, put on toques, mitts,
etc., but also to take the responsibility to bring these items to school and to take care
of them. Students are also encouraged to enter the classroom according to our
Morning Routines Chart: hang up jacket and bag, put shoes on, bring agenda, homework
folder, and sound books to the table, and take out books or an activity to work on.
Important Notes for November:

1. Parent Teacher Interviews will occur on Tuesday, November 25. Because of the number
of students in our class, we will be running interviews between 2:40-3:20 and 5-8. The
sign up sheet for your interview time will now be posted on our classroom door. Please
sign up as soon as possible. If you are not able to come into the school, send me an
email with a preferred time and I will sign you up. I will also be sending home an
interview questionnaire. It is very important that you fill this form in and bring it with your
during your childs interview.

2. The second of our Kindergarten fundraisers is a bake sale that occurs during the
interview days. More information will follow but we do ask each family to contribute at
least 1 dozen baked goods. We will also be looking for volunteers to sit at the bake sale
tables. Again, more information will follow.

3. As the winter weather approaches, please ensure that everything (even toques and
mitts) are labeled with your childs name. Now that our hooks are in the hallway, this is
very important as items may fall onto the floor and end up in our school lost and found.