December Kindergarten News
We have truly had a wonderful November with the weather cooperating and giving us
the opportunity to enjoy lovely fall-like conditions. The colder weather is upon us now,
so children are encouraged to practice independent dressing.
In Math, patterning was our big focus in the month of November. Students learned
that the world is full of patterns. We can see patterns in nature, in our clothes, in our
classroom, and in music. Students enjoyed creating many patterns with a variety of
materials such as linking cubes, pattern blocks and foam shapes. Many colourful
necklaces were also made with beads. Patterning activities were also enjoyed by
students on the smartbaord. We will continue to observe patterns within the month of
December as we prepare for the season of Christmas.
We have reviewed enough letters and sounds to be able to focus on some rhyming
families. Students used magnetic letters and alphabet stamps to create the “at” and
“it” word families. Please continue to help your child review alphabet letters and sounds
and practice reading sight words daily. There will not be any specific focus letter or
sight words for the month of December.
This month we focused on the virtue of “Conscience”. We remember to say “sorry” if
we make poor choices and think about how our actions make the other person feel.
In the month of November, we also stopped for a moment of silence and prayed for our
fallen soldiers. Students focused on how we could be peace makers in our classroom
and kind to all our friends. Peace and friendship were highlighted through stories such
as “The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister and “The CrayonBox That Talked” by Shale
DeRoll. Students used crayons to colour in their individual puzzle piece to form a cross.
Poppies and rainbow fish were also created as a follow-up to the literature. One of our
favourite songs about peace was in Susan Salidor’s video titled, ”I’ve Got Peace in My
Fingers”. We traced Kye and added “words in his head”, “peace in his fingers” and “love
in his heart” to reflect the messages in the song. Please search this video and enjoy
singing the song with your child.
As always, students have created many works of art and creations that are captured
with our class camera. These pictures are printed and students are asked to write
about their work. This type of documentation helps reflect what happens in our
classroom and captures all the wonderful learning that goes on as students play.
During the season of Advent, we will be focusing on how we are waiting for the joy of
Christmas- Jesus’ birth. We will be discussing and reading the Nativity story and
language activities will focus on related poems, stories and songs. Please take some
time to light the candles on your child’s Advent wreath, and pray and reflect on the
true meaning of Christmas.
Reminders:
 We will continue to go outdoors daily. Please continue to practise winter
dressing with your child and label all pieces of clothing if possible. It is a
good idea to provide waterproof mittens as they will get wet while playing
in the snow. An extra pair of mittens and socks should be kept in your
child’s backpack.
 If children come to school, they are expected to participate in outdoor
play. Please note that there is no indoor supervision for children who are
ill, therefore parents are encouraged to keep children at home until they
are well enough to go outdoors.
 Please send in extra winter clothing (e.g. long pants and long-sleeved
shirts) and spare summer clothes will be sent home.
 Indoor shoes should have velcro unless your child is able to independently
tie his/her laces.
 Thank you for returning chime-in folders by Wednesday. Thumbs-up to all
the wonderful work students have been completing!
 It is important that backpacks are checked daily for notices or completed
work that is coming home. Note totes and communication books should be
returned daily as well.
 As a Catholic community, we understand the importance of giving. Thank
you to all the families who have donated so generously to our Christmas
collections. Our school will continue to collect donations until December
11, 2015.
I would like to wish all families a blessed Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year. Enjoy the Christmas
holidays with your loved ones and thank you again for all your co-operation and support!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bagnarol