This is what we are working on this nine weeks:

Reading:

SKILL 1: Names letters (capital and lower case) *When you practice naming letters with your child do not practice the letters in order. This will help you to see if they really know the letters.

SKILL 2: Uses phonics and decoding skills to recognize letter sounds *Sing the letter sound song with your child, go on a sound hunt around the house to find certain sounds, and/or play sound BINGO.

SKILL 3: Identify pictures that begin with sounds made by: M, R, S, T, B, N, H, V *Draw pictures that start with the letters mentioned and ask your child what sound they start with. (Examples: mouse, rooster, seal, tiger, bear, noodles, hat, violin)

SKILL 4: Reads sight words without hesitation (I, see, a, the, can, you, we, my, like, to) *Remember that sight words are not supposed to be sounded out. They are heart words which mean they need to be known by heart. We practice every day by using one of the following methods: flash cards, making sentences, action signs, around the world games, BINGO, write sight words in shaving cream, use white boards, and/or whisper phones.

SKILL 5: Reads “short a” consonant-vowel-consonant words (examples: rat, mat, bat, hat)

SKILL 6: Discusses books with others (illustrations, opinions, predictions, characters, setting, cause and effect,) *While you are reading with your child every night ask them what they think of the book, what do you think will happen, who was in the story, what was the story about, were the characters inside or outside, etc.

SKILL 7: Draws/writes the beginning, middle, and end of story *Practice writing stories with your child. Tell them that they can write a story about our field trip but they need to tell you what they did in the beginning, middle, and end. You can also read a book with your child and ask them to respond to the literature.

SKILL8: Uses reading strategies effectively (use picture clues, make predictions, point to the words, stretch the word, does it make sense?)

SKILL 9: Speaks to adults in complete sentences (this includes statements and responses to adults) *Students are learning to speak in complete sentences. Make sure they are not answering you with one word answers but full sentences. When you ask a yes or no question...If your child says only yes or no try to extend their sentences by saying "yes you would like more" or "no you did not finish your food" etc...

Writing:

SKILL 10: Uses inventive spelling which shows letter/sound correspondence *Students must learn to write using letter sounds. If your child writes using the beginning sounds of each word this is a positive step in the right direction. Students are learning that they need to stretch out words and write every sound they hear.

SKILL 11: Writes daily (pictures or words are done neatly and legibly) *Practice writing every day. If you go to the grocery store ask your child to help you write the grocery list. Thanksgiving is coming up and your child can write about what they are thankful for. Use a calendar and have your child practice writing the days of the week.

SKILL 12: Working toward meeting the elements of the Report Writing standard (gather, collect, and share information about a topic; maintain focus, stay on topic, and exclude extraneous information when prompted)

Math:

SKILL 1: Names numerals 0-15 *Use white boards, side walk chalk, shaving cream, and different colored markers to practice writing numbers. Anytime you see a number ask your child what number it is.

SKILL 2: Places numerals in order 0-15 *Make flash cards and ask your child to put the numbers in the correct order.

SKILL 3: Matches numerals with groups of objects 0-15

SKILL 4: Counts orally 1-20 *Count in different voices. I practice counting in high voices, low voices, silly voices, opera voices, etc. The students love being able to count in different voices.

SKILL 5: Uses attributes to sort a set of objects *Students need to know that they can sort objects by the same size, color, or shape. Practice using buttons, coins, shoes, shirts, etc.

SKILL 6: Recognizes and extends patterns *Draw a pattern for your child and ask them what comes next. Think about something that your child really loves such as a monster truck and say blue monster truck, green monster truck, blue monster truck, green monster truck....what comes next? This will keep them engaged since you are using a pattern with something that they like.

SKILL 7: Identifies units within a pattern *Students are learning the difference between AB and ABC patterns.

SKILL 8: Creates a pattern *Give your child three of two different color crayons each. Ask them to make a pattern. Red, Yellow, Red, Yellow, etc...

SKILL 9: Compares two or more quantities *Ask students what weighs more (a feather or a brick), what would hold more liquid (your hand or a milk jug), and/or what is hotter (boiling water or ice).

Skill 10: Uses sets of concrete objects to represent quantities

SKILL 11: Demonstrates an understanding of “more” and “less” *Use house hold items such as cups and put them in two different groups. Ask your child which group has more and which group has less.

As the nine weeks continue the skills get harder. Please practice these skills with your child at home. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at any time. I would love to help! :)