Ray's Ramblings

May 13, 2010

2010-05-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents,

Can you believe we only have 13 more get-ups!!?!! That’s it!!! Where has this year gone???
Tomorrow is our Fairy Tale Celebration. Please help your child dress as their favorite fairy tale character. We have talked about magic people, princes, princesses, bad guys, dragons, giants.
Permission Slips went home this week for our Transition Field Trip. These are due ASAP!!! By Monday the 17th. They are hot pink! If you have not returned this slip, please do so as soon as possible. No permission slip = no trip!!!
PICTURES: Last notice – Please, either return $55 to pay for the school pictures OR return the pictures to school.
LIBRARY BOOKS: We will not be checking out library books for the remainder of the year. If you have a library book that has not been returned, please make every effort to return the book or the payment for the book ASAP.
INDEPENDENT BOOK CHECK-OUT: We will not be checking out my independent books for the remainder of the year. If you still have one of my books at home, please return them to me!
JEWELRY: We are having a LOT of trouble with the little rubber shape bracelets, as well as other necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Please do not send these to school. If they stayed on and were not played with, they would be OK but this is NOT the case. They are a big distraction! We have lots of assessment during these last few days and we need to be paying close attention!!!
PLEASE NO FLIP FLOPS!!! Tennis shoes!!!!
It is very important to bring folders and backpacks everyday during our last days. I never know when very important papers will be coming from your new schools. This is very important!!!b
Next Week: Pond Week. We will be having reading groups on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. There is NO SCHOOL on Tuesday because of Election Day. Friday will be our MAE Day Celebration (Music and Arts in Education). This is our Village version of Field Day. Please coat your child in sunscreen before sending them to school on Friday. We will spend as much time OUTSIDE as possible! Wednesday the 19th is our End of Year Math Assessment. Depending on the weather, we could walk to the pond behind the school on either Monday or Thursday. Sooooo, please make sure your child wears tennis shoes for walking both of these days. Also remember TENNIS SHOES ARE REQUIRED FOR GYM DAYS (WEDNESDAY) THE REST OF THE YEAR!
Week of 24th to 28th – Monday the 24th is our Transition Field Trip to our new Elementary Schools. Parents will not be going on the field trips. However, parents ARE HIGHLY encouraged to attend the Transition Family Fun Night on
Tuesday, May 25th from 5:00 to 7:00!! Principals and first grade teachers will be here that night to meet you. They will answer any questions you have at that time. This is also the night of the Jim Gill FREE concert!!! Book Fair will be open that night as well!!! The JELV Library will be having a book fair during the week of May 24-28. This gives students a chance to buy quality books for reading over the summer. The profit for this fair will be used to buy books for the new, expanded library at the new village. The book fair will be open Tuesday, May 25 during Family Fun Night from 5:00-7:00. Thank you for your support of the village library. Lots more exciting things planned are plannedbbb. Please make EVERY effort to attend this evening!!!
Wednesday May 26 is our DIBELS End of Year Benchmark test.
Monday, May 31 – NO SCHOOL – MEMORIAL DAY!!!
Tuesday, June 1 – weather permitting, we will walk to Asbury City Park. More information will come later. I would like to have parents join us on this trip. If anyone would be willing to meet us at the park and provide a cooler with popscicles, ice cream sandwiches or juice boxes, that would be GREAT!!! Other parents are welcome to walk with us!!!
Wednesday, June 2 – WATER DAY – Weather permitting, we will have a day outside to play in the water. I have not heard if anyone has sprinklers, water toys, pools or slip and slides you would be willing to bring to school to share with us!!! Again, we will be outside most of the day so prepare your child for the sun by using lots of sunscreen!!! Please send a change of clothes, an outfit (swimsuit) for water play and a beach towel! Flip flops are fine for this day!!! 
Thursday, June 3 – Our last day together! Students must be present this day to receive report cards. If anyone is willing to send a treat for this day, please let me know!

2010-02-06T18:24:00.000-08:00

http://www.softschools.com/math/games/addition_practice.jsp

I just found the greatest online game - the link is above when you open it, you will find this page
Check NO regroup 0 decimals
First addend minimum 0
First addend maximum 5
Second addend minimum 0
Second addend maximum 5
Total 5
Any number of problems
Then go! Watch your child have fun

We have to master facts to 5 before going to first grade! What a fun way to do it!

February 4, 2010

2010-02-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings

February 4, 2010

Dear Parents,

Earlier this week I sent a note home about our Valentine party. It will be held next Friday, February 12 at 10:00 and 2:00 followed by Motor Mouth at 10:30 and 2:30. Each child should sent in a shoe box or a cereal box, decorated with their name on it. We will be using these as our “Valentine Mailboxes” to collect Valentines. The note I sent home had a request for an item for the party. Please check your child’s folder for that note. If your name was not highlighted to send something in, you may just send a bag of Valentine Candy OR a Valentine treat of some kind for the class. All children should send in Valentines to pass out the each child in the class. It is NOT necessary to address the Valentines but is IS necessary to have your child sign their Valentine. We will have fun reading the cards and seeing WHO they are from. Please DO NOT DO THIS FOR YOUR CHILD!!!

Our Cookie Dough Fundraiser has begin. Order forms are going home with your student today. The sale will end on February 19th with an expected delivery date of March 22, just in time for spring break and Easter. The earnings from this fundraiser will go towards the purchase of technology. More details will be sent home along with the sales brochure. Thank you for participating in our school fundraisers.

FEBRUARY HOMEWORK PACKET – The February homework packet went home yesterday. I have been asking for 2-3 pages of kidwriting per week. I have now included the writing pages in the homework packet. There are two pages inserted for each week of homework. Please have your child do this at least twice a week. You should have the song sheet, a copy of the sight words and a chunk song (‘or’ for orbit . . . ) I have taught your children how to use these guides in their kidwriting. If you have misplaced these ‘helpers’ and need a replacement, please let me know!! Be sure to put “adult” writing under their kidwriting.

Keep working with your child on coins!!! We have been intensively working with pennies and nickel s. They should be able to name he coins and determine the value of small groups of coins.

New skill list check-offs will be put in the hall as soon as I can get them ready. These will reflect the items on the upcoming 3rd report card (coin identification; coin names; writing last name correctly; naming ¾ of the kindergarten sight words - since we will be ¾ of the way through the year; count by 10, 5, 2; identifying all capitals; identifying all lowercase; identifying all 31 sounds (including both long and short vowels); Please be working at home on ALL of these skills! Come and check the hall to see how your child is doing! (These should be up early next week! )

100th Day collections were FANTASTIC!!! I have them displayed in the hall above their cubbies. I will begin sending them home next week in backpacks if they will fit. If you intend on picking the project up, please send me a note!

BOOK ORDERS: Must be turned in to me by tomorrow. I will place the order over the weekend.

--

January 28, 2010

2010-01-27T20:22:00.000-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings
January 28, 2010

Hopefully, by the time you read this, we will have had a wonderful day celebrating our 100th day of school! I can’t believe how quickly this year is going! Thank you to all who completed the Family 100 Project. They are displayed in the hall!

ASSESSMENT: We have spent the last three weeks working very hard on our mid-year assessments. Your child has taken the mid-year ELA (Early Literacy Assessment). I am very pleased with the scores I am seeing! You should be, too! I am sending these scores home today. Please look at the comparison to the beginning of the year scores to see how much your child is learning. This can also give you an idea of what areas your child needs to work on! Please read the explanation of the test on the back and PLEASE schedule a conference with me to answer any questions you may have. The expectation is for your child to score above a 60 and register a DRA score of 3 or above by the end of the year! In order to take the DRA test, your child must have a score on the ELA of 60 or above and know 8 or more sight words (on the word recognition section of the test). If these conditions were not met, they were not given the DRA.

TRANSITIONING: We are now more than half-way through the school year. We will be pushing very hard from this point on to get your child ready for first grade! We started going through the cafeteria line this week. We have not started punching in our cafeteria numbers yet. We will begin that on Tuesday. Our days to go through the line are Tuesday and Thursday. Please be working with your child to learn their account number!

SAFETY CONCERNS FROM THE GYM – Mrs. Rhoades would like to remind everyone that it is important to wear sneakers or tennis shoes on gym days. I have seen an increase in our kiddos wearing those “Ugg style” boots to gym class. They do not offer the support or tread that a tennis shoe does. We have had more slips and falls when our kiddos wear these types of shoes. So for the safety of our students, I’m asking that tennis shoes be worn on gym days. OUR GYM DAY IS WEDNESDAY!!! Thanks so much! - Melissa Rhoads

NOTE FROM COMPUTER LAB: Dear Parents, our Cookie Dough Fundraiser is about ready to begin. Order forms will be sent home with your student on Friday February 5th. The sale will end on February 19th with an expected delivery date of March 22, just in time for spring break and Easter. The earnings from this fundraiser will go towards the purchase of technology. More details will be sent home along with the sales brochure. Thank you for participating in our school fundraisers.

ONE-CALL: The Village has begun using the One-Call system to inform parents of upcoming events and important messages. You should have received phone calls every night this week reminding you of our daily theme for “Count Me In Week”. If you have NOT been receiving these calls, please let me know. If you have students at other schools in the district, this should not be new to you!  We are just a bit slow getting this service!

BOOK ORDERS: The January Book orders should have gone home yesterday. I am including the February Book orders in today’s packet. Please return the orders NO LATER THAN NEXT THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4!!! Please do NOT send cash!!! Send only checks or money orders made out to Scholastic Books. You may always order online using a credit card! To order online, go to the Web address below and enter our class’s personalized user name and password in the sign-in fields on the right side of the page. Note: You do not need to create your own user name and password

www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
User Name: carlaraysclass
Password: JELV

JANUARY HOMEWORK PACKETS ARE DUE TOMORROW!!! February packets will go home on Monday. Please begin to send in 2-3 evidences of kidwriting each week!!! It is very important that your child is routinely using their writing skills at home! Most students are now writing 3+ sentences at a time when we write! Have them write, putting the sounds they hear on paper. Use the phonics song sheet and the word wall words for quick reference. They know how to use these tools! After they do the kidwriting, you supply the ‘adult writing’ under the kidwriting and compare with your child. For example it could look like this:

I hav a dog. He is brn and whit. We like to pla bal aftr skul
_________________________________________________

I have a dog. He is brown and white. We like to play ball after school.

Praise every sound they hear! Some children like to count “points”. All children should have a copy of our word wall and our phonics song at home to use as a reference when writing. I am sending our Chunk Song home today. We are starting to reference this song in our writing. When they hear a chunk, they should refer to this page to find the ‘chunks’. IF YOU HAVE LOST OR MISPLACED THE OTHER SHEETS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL SEND ANOTHER COPY TO YOU.

Ray's Ramblings - 12-17-09

2009-12-16T17:49:00.001-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings
December 17, 2009

Dear Parents,

Please read carefully. I am getting a lot of questions about the Christmas program tonight and the party tomorrow. I have put this information in the last three newsletters, posted the information on my BLOG and have e-mailed it to everyone who has given me their e-mail address. If you are not receiving this information (or if you are NOT on the e-mail list and wish to be), please let me know!

TONIGHT’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: Students are to dress nicely, but not overly dressed. We will be sitting on the floor, criss cross so choose dresses carefully! There will be four performances tomorrow night. Our performances are #3 and #4. There are 20 minutes between each ‘showing’. Each class is to meet their teacher in the cafeteria prior to the performance. Parents will then go into the gym and find their seats. After the performance, I will walk the class BACK into the cafeteria where parents will pick up their students. The next group will be held in the front hall until the prior group has been picked up and exited the cafeteria. My AM class performs from 6:50 to 7:15 and PM performs from 7:35 to 8:00. It is my understanding that at 7:15, I will bring my AM class BACK to the cafeteria where parents will pick them up. PM students will be held in the front hall until all AM students are picked up. At that time, you will bring your children into the cafeteria to me and proceed into the gym to get your seats. We will be on the front row, facing the bleachers on the left side (your right as you look toward the stage). After our performance, you will pick the children up in the cafeteria, where you drop them off.

FRIDAY’S CHRISTMAS PARTY: Students are to wear their pajamas to school on Friday. Robes and slippers are fine, once they arrive at school. (Regular shoes and coats must be worn to school.) We will have our meal, as usual at 8:28 and 12:28. Once we return to the room, the students will sit in a circle on the floor with their Christmas gift bag set up in front of them. (EACH CHILD MUST HAVE A GIFT BAG TO COLLECT THE PRESENTS). Children will take turns distributing their gifts to each child around the circle. These gifts can be anything you want. There is no price limit, just so you bring the same thing to each child in the class. (AM has 24 students, PM 22) I have received everything from little boxes of nerds, to pencils, to handmade craft bags filled with goodies to homemade goodies, to personalized gifts. There is no guideline and the price limit can match each individual budget. Each child will pass out their gifts and every child receives the very same bag of goodies! It's wonderful! There is NO other gift exchange. Be sure to send in a large gift bag to collect the presents in! There is no need to put names on the presents unless they are personalized in some way. In fact, it will be easier if there are no names! Once the presents are delivered, we will sing Christmas songs while parents get the tables ready for our treats. We will eat, look through our goody bags, and then return to the carpet for a Christmas story. At 10:00 and 2:00, we will go to the computer lab where we will “board the Polar Express” for the North Pole. We will view a video of the book, The Polar Express. We will return to the room at 10:30 and 2:30 for Motor Mouth and be dismissed at 11:10 and 3:10. We will be putting our Christmas presents for our families in the gift bags, as well as our Gingerbread houses and our Christmas count-down bells.

I am very sad to tell my PM friends that we will be losing two friends over the Christmas Break. Abriel Phelps and her family are moving to New Mexico. And Gabe Hetherington will be moving to Lexington. We will miss these friends terribly but wish them both well in their moves. This will bring my PM number down to 20 but will also put me at the low end number-wise. This means that we will probably welcome any new children who move into our school!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday. We will return to school on Monday, January 4. This Friday is the end of our second nine weeks. Report cards will be going home on Thursday, January 7.

December 10, 2009

2009-12-09T19:27:00.001-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings
December 10, 2009

Dear Parents,

We are really enjoying our last days before Christmas Break! We are as busy as elves making things!

Christmas Program: Our Christmas program is next Thursday night. AM performs from 6:50 to 7:15 and PM performs from 7:35 to 8:00. Dress is casual but nice. We will be sitting on the floor criss-cross so dresses may not be appropriate. Use your discretion. If the dress covers the knees when sitting, ok. We are on the first row! If your child will NOT be at the performance, please send a note to let me know!

Gingerbread Houses: Many classes are decorating Gingerbread Houses. The class is very excited about doing this. I had originally planned for us to do this on Monday. However, I am required to give our mid-year math assessment on Monday. This gives us no time to decorate the houses. We have dress rehearsal for the program on Thursday at 10:00 and 2:00. We will be able to decorate the houses at 9:00 and at 1:00. I will need parents to help BEFORE Thursday! The graham crackers need to be hot glued onto the milk cartons PRIOR to Thursday. That way, the children can just decorate on Thursday. I need lots of volunteers. Please let me know if you are able to volunteer prior to Thursday OR on Thursday to help with the decorating.

I am officially “grounded” by Mr. Ray!!! I am overspending – on the Holiday family last week and purchasing all the craft supplies we are working on over the next week! I need your help providing the supplies for the houses. Here is a list of suggested decorating supplies:

Graham crackers (need lots!!! 6 squares per house for 48 houses!!!)
Vanilla cake frosting
M & Ms, red hots, peppermint candies, Gummi bears, small jelly beans, pretzel sticks, pretzel twists, pretzel squares (make great windows!!!), gum drops, Hershey kisses, skittles, mini marshmallows, etc. Anything else you can think of is great!

Christmas Party: The children have asked to have a pajama party on the last day. This is a great chance to show off our Christmas PJs!!! Our party will be on Friday, December 18 from 9:00 to 10:00 and from 1:00 to 2:00. At 10 and 2, we will go to the computer lab to hear the Polar Express.

All children need to send in a LARGE Christmas shopping bag to collect presents!

All children need to be sending in treats for each child in the class. You may send these in at any time if they are not perishable items.

Our Volunteers are having trouble getting to school during this holiday season. For this reason and since we need assistance with the Gingerbread Houses, we will NOT be checking out the independent books until after Christmas. After Christmas, I will be moving ALL children up a level in these books. Look for a possible challenge!!!

Assessments: It is now mid-year and we are going to be doing our mid-year assessments – (Math on Monday). After we return in January, we will be giving the Early Literacy Assessment again, and Dibels. Report cards will go home soon after we get back to work. At this point, ALL CHILDREN should be half-way through achieving goals in our kindergarten skills. The hope is that all letters and sounds are mastered by this report card and we can spend the rest of the year working on reading sight words, word families and kidwriting. Please don’t forget to work with your child over the Christmas Break!

Thank you to all the parents who helped me with the Holiday Family! This was a tremendous opportunity to help one of our own JELV families during this Holiday season!

I will have volunteer moms “spot call” to get treats for our party on Friday. We do not need much – just drinks and a treat, plates and napkins. The goodie bags will be the highlight!!! If you would like to get a gift for the classroom, we need more 8 packs of crayons and large glue sticks!!! We also need treasure box items!

Personal Update: My grandbaby is showing signs that she may be here very soon! I am excited and looking forward to possibly being a grandmother before Christmas!!! I will keep you posted!

2009-11-18T18:38:00.000-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings
November 19, 2009

Dear Parents,

Our Thanksgiving Feast will be on Tuesday, November 24 from 9:30-10:30 (AM) and 1:30-2:30(PM). We have had parent volunteer conflicts this week and have been unable to do the call list. I am assigning requests for food items for the feast. If the item in non-perishable, you may send it anytime. I would like to have all items by Monday to insure that we have what we need. Please look at the Feast sheet and send in the highlighted item. If you are unable to send this item, just send a note back to school on Friday and we will take care of it. Remember, each child should have a plain white t-shirt and/or a pillow case by Monday. We will be decorating our Feast outfits on Monday. (I will keep all extra t-shirts to decorate later for field trips.)

I am sending home the December Book Orders today. I realize the November orders just went home. Due to our short month in December, I wanted to get the orders out soon to insure delivery before Christmas break. I suggest books as Christmas presents – there is nothing better!!! If you plan on the order being a surprise for Christmas, please attach a note to me or include it in the order and I will put the orders in a bag so the children will not know.

OUR CHRISTMAS FAMILY. I asked the Family Resource Center to give us a family to help for Christmas. This is a family at the Village but NOT in our class. The family consists of 2 parents and 3 children. If you are interested in helping with this family, please send me a note and let me know. If you would like to send a donation, Mrs. Kim and I will take whatever money is collected and go shopping! I have been given a list of wishes/needs from the family. I will send this list home to anyone interested in shopping yourself. Thank you in advance to anyone willing to help a family in need during the holiday season!!!

TURKEY PROJECTS are due on Monday!!! Please work on them over the weekend!

NOVEMBER HOMEWORK PACKETS are due on Monday, November 30. Double Treasure box will be given on Friday, Dec. 4 to those students completing the November packet AND having good behavior for the week.

CHRISTMAS PARTY – Friday, December 18 is our Christmas Party. Remember, each child should bring in a LARGE Christmas shopping bag to collect the presents AND should bring 24 treats – 1 for each child in the class (PM – 22). There is no price limit on the gifts. It is entirely up to you. You may send something as simple as a piece of candy, a holiday pencil or sticker, a homemade treat or craft, a goody bag for each child or an ornament for each child. It doesn’t matter! Each child will receive a bag full of goodies! Be creative!

Christmas Program – Thursday night, December 17. Please put this on your calendar! If your child will be unable to attend, please send me a note!

Family Turkey Project

2009-11-11T18:49:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Ray’s Family Thanksgiving Project

Dear Families,
This is our second family project of the year!!! I got so many positive responses about how much fun you had working with your child on the “All About Me” project at the beginning of the year! Get ready for project #2!!!
We need your help! Attached to this letter, you will find a turkey (in 2 parts). Please help this turkey make it safely past Thanksgiving by disguising him as part of your family. Turkeys that have made it through past years have been dressed as ballerinas, hula dancers, football players, Elvis and many other family resemblances. Think of something that is unique to your family (hobbies, jobs, sports, interests, etc.) and dress your turkey.
Please remember that the idea is to have FUN and be creative!!! You may use any medium you can think of to decorate. Family turkeys have been turned in decorated with tissue papers, craft feathers, ribbon, yarn, cotton balls, dried beans, rice, clothes, material scraps and shoes/clothes cut from magazines, newspaper ads, etc.
Please follow these directions when disguising your turkey:
1. Cut out your turkey.
2. Glue him together matching up in the middle.
3. Decide how you will disguise your turkey.
4. Work together as a family and have fun!!!
5. Return your turkey to school by Monday, November 23!
The finished projects will be on display above your child’s cubby on Tuesday the 24th (Family Feast Day!)
Thank you for all your support!

Here are a couple of links to give you some ideas. OR, just google Family Turkey Project to find even more!!!

November 12, 2009

2009-11-11T18:45:00.001-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings
November 12, 2009

Dear Parents,

I need your help! It is time to begin watching the weather on a daily basis. We will make every effort to go outside every day (as long as the temperature is above 32 degrees!) When the weather is below 60 degrees, please make sure your child has a jacket!!! I would rather they HAVE a coat and NOT NEED it than NEED it and NOT HAVE it! When your child is NOT wearing their coat, they are instructed to put it IN their backpack. This helps make sure they do not leave their coats at school if it warms up during the day! We have quite a few backpacks that are NOT large enough to hold their coat. Please make every effort to purchase a backpack that is large enough to hold their winter coat AND their take-home folder. (This was the description that was on the beginning of the year supply list! Now is when that description becomes evident!) When your child comes into school, they are instructed to take off their coats and put them in their backpacks. If they have their coat on all morning, it will do them no good when we go outside. Please help them understand this. Our room is warm and coats are not needed inside. ALSO, Please make sure all coats, jackets, sweaters have your child’s name printed in permanent marker. This will help identify lost clothing!

NEW THIS WEEK: Every child should have a yellow tag attached to their backpack. Please make sure this tag remains on their backpack. In case of inclement weather and buses need to unload one bus at a time at the front door, children will be sorted by these tags and brought to their ‘home’ hall. (We live on the YELLOW hall.)

FAMILY PROJECT #2 IS GOING HOME TODAY!!! Please read the instructions carefully, have fun and return the turkeys to school by Monday, November 23!

Mrs. Ray’s Wise Tribe – In the glass case outside our door, we have put up incentive charts. Each child has a wise man or wise woman with their name on it. As they achieve academic goals in the classroom, they will receive stickers to place on their ‘person’. These goals reflect the expectations on the second report card. As you visit our hall, take a look at your child’s card to see how they are doing. If at anytime, they are ready for a challenge, they can tell me and I will recheck! This nine weeks we are working on:
• Counting to 20
• Writing numbers to 20
• Counting 20 items (1 to 1 correspondence)
• Writing first name correctly (initial capital, rest lowercase and each letter formed correctly - see handwriting guide in parent handbook!)
• Counting by 10 to 100
• Names all 26 capital letters
• Names all 26 lowercase letters
Third nine week skills: counting by 5 to 100, names coins, knows value of coins, knows addition facts to 10, knows 31 sounds (includes long vowels), correctly prints last name, identifies 18 sight word (1/2 of the total popcorn words) challenge:: counts to 50, writes numbers to 50, reads CVC words,
Fourth nine week skills: count by 2 to 20, tells time to hour and half hour, knows subtraction facts to 10, identifies 36 sight words (popcorn words) – challenge: count to 100, write numbers to 100, knows additional 1st grade vocabulary.
I am working on individual challenges for those students who have already mastered these skills! More to come, soon! For now, we are working to assess the basic goals for all 46 children!

FOOD DRIVE – don’t forget the Thanksgiving Food Drive. There is a collection box in the hall outside our room for any non perishable foods you can send!

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL PROCEDURES: Please read Mrs. Sampson’s purple note carefully. Please do not bring your child to the room before 8:00 or 11:55. If you pick your child up, please wait IN THE CAFETERIA!!! Not in the hall outside the cafeteria or in the front hall. I have been instructed NOT to release your child to you at any other place! This is for your child’s safety!
FAMILY FEAST DAY – Thanksgiving week, we will only come to school on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, we will be preparing for our feast on Tuesday. I will let each child decide whether they want to dress as a Native American or as a Pilgrim. (guess which is the favorite ) To help with this, I would like each child to send in either a solid color pillow case OR a solid color oversized t-shirt that we can cut and decorate. We will be making buckskin shirts, or dresses. THEY WILL BE CUT AND COLORED WITH PERMANENT MARKERS!! (If you wish to purchase a package of child size L or XL solid white t-shirts to share with other children, this would be appreciated! I would like to decorate a class field trip t-shirt after Christmas! Please do not send smaller sizes! After dying the shirts, they shrink!)
I am asking Mrs. Bolton (AM) and Mrs. Berryman (PM) to help me coordinate items for the feast. We will try to have ‘authentic snacks’ for our meal. We need beef jerky or slim jims, sunflower kernals (no shells), peanuts, pumpkin bread or banana nut bread, craisins, raisins, misc. fruit tray, vegetable tray, cheese tray, dips, apple juice boxes, plates and napkins. In the past, I have had parents volunteer to smoke turkey to send or prepare homemade jerky or dried fruits. If this is something you do (or want to cook something special for the class), let me know. Otherwise, I will have these mom’s call and fulfill the items on the list. They will be calling parents who gave permission to be on a phone list at the beginning of the year. If you did NOT give permission, you will NOT be called.
Our Feast will be at 9:30 – 10:30 and 1:30 – 2:30 on Tuesday the 24th. The children will go to ART at 10:30 and 2:30. (Parents are welcome to help clean up the room while the children are at ART! )
Upcoming Dates to remember:
Friday, 11-20 – pillow cases or t-shirts due for decoration.
Monday – 11-22 Family Turkey Project is due
Tuesday – 11-23 Family Feast 9:30/1:30
December 17 – Kindergarten Music Celebration (evening performance – set the date!)
December 18 – Last day before Christmas Break (we will be wearing pajamas that day, enjoying hot chocolate and cookies and celebrating!)
Heads up – For Christmas, I ask each child to bring in a treat for each child in the classroom! They are to bring in of the same item (AM-24, PM- 22 unless our numbers change). I am giving you advance notice to be thinking about this. In the past, I have had children bring in 24 holiday pencils, 24 homemade craft items, 24 christmas necklaces, 24 ring pops, 24 goodie bags, 24 christmas ornaments, 24 coloring books, 24 crayon boxes, 24 christmas candy bars, etc. These are just suggestions! Every year I am very surprised at the creative thought of my parents! Each child will be asked to bring in a large Christmas Shopping bag to collect their treats. The children will ‘pass out their treats to everyone in the class! Every child will receive the same goody bag full of treats and everyone is happy!

October 29, 2009

2009-10-28T18:49:00.001-07:00

Ray’s Ramblings
October 29, 2009

Dear Parents,

Lots of important information in today’s Ramblings! Read carefully!

Tomorrow is our Career Day Parade. Please, no Halloween costumes!

Sally Foster Fundraiser items are in. If you have not picked up your orders, please do so!

SHOES: We are spending quite a bit of time tying shoes!!! If your child is wearing tie shoes, please send them to school with double ties. This will save us a lot of time! Please work with your child on shoe tying at home!

PERMISSIONS: Last week, a form was sent home, requesting your permission to publish your child’s picture in the school yearbook, on my website, and on my blog, as well as in the Jessamine Journal on occasion and other things. I am re-sending forms to those parents who have not responded. I am receiving lots of pictures taken at the pumpkin patch and would like to post them on the blog as soon as I have permission from all students. We took group pictures of each class on the haybale steps! If anyone refuses picture access, I will not be able to post these pictures. If you went on the field trip, please e-mail pictures to me at cjlray@gmail.com. Jimmie Locker’s mom is coordinating the pictures for the school yearbook and would like to have candid shots of the class throughout the year so keep sending them in. If you can burn them to a disc, that would be great. If not, e-mail them to me and I will make a disc for her!

REPORT CARD QUESTIONS: I am having lots of questions about the report card grades. Last week, I sent home a copy of the rubric that I use to determine the grades.

I am sending home flash cards to help you help your child. I am sending alphabet cards, both capital and lowercase, pictures (for recognizing sounds, matching to caps or lc), numerals 0-20, and popcorn words. You may cut these cards apart and use them with your child. I would suggest gluing them to index cards for durability. I am also including “Oh no!” cards to put with any of the cards to make a simple game (we play this at school). For example, choose the skill you want to work on, select the particular cards you want to target (do not work with all popcorn words at one time – select a handful) and add a few “Oh no!” cards. Put them in a bag (or a bowl). Have your child draw a card and read it (or tell you the letter, number, etc. or if a letter, identify the letter and tell you something that begins with that letter). If they are correct, they may keep the card. Take turns with them and have them collect all the cards they can. BUT, if they dray an “OH NO!” card, they must return the cards to the bowl and start over.
ALL students need to be working on recognizing their popcorn words. We did not assess popcorn words during this period but we will over the next 9 weeks. See the rubric to see how they will be graded. There are 36 words. Working nightly on these words will help your child with their reading and writing. Research proves that the more words that a child knows and recognizes is a direct indicator and predictor of school success especially in the areas of reading and writing.
If your child did not receive a 4 on letter recognition and letter sounds, please continue to work with your child at home each and every night. It is essential that the child learn their letters and sounds quickly so they can work on reading and writing. **If your child did receive a 3 or 4, have your child begin sounding out words. When they are writing at home, have them to try and sound out words and write down any letters that they hear in the word. With the November Homework Packet, I am requiring 1 kidwriting page per week from each child. They will need to draw a picture, then write at least 1 sentence about the picture. If they do well with one sentence, have them write another sentence. Encourage them to use describing words like size, color, and number.
If your child did not receive a 4 on counting, and/or writing their numbers to 20 keep working on writing their numbers to 20, and counting up to 20. They also need to work on recognizing their numbers from 0-20. **If your child has mastered these skills, then we need to help students practice writing their numbers up to 50 by the end of the year. We also need to practice counting up to 100, and we need to practice skip counting by 5s to 100, 10s to 100, and 2s to 20. I will send home a number writing sheet for writing up to 30 and then up to 50 when they are ready.
Name Writing has prompted many questions. Your child will NOT receive a 4 unless they are writing them name AND forming the letters correctly. Refer to the letter formation guide in the green Parent Orientation manual for letter formation.
If your child is on writing level 3 or lower, then they really need to practice writing sentences each and every day at home. If your child is on level 4 or above, they still need to write each and every day, but we need to focus on writing great sentences using details like color words, and number words, and also describing words. For example,
The cat is big.
The big, black cat likes to play with his fuzzy mouse.

They also need to be encouraged to write more than one sentence about the same subject. They can write 2 sentences about the cat. I demonstrated kidwriting at the Parent Orientation and provided everyone with copies of our Phonics Song (our ABC song) and a popcorn word chart to be used as reference when kidwriting. I sent these home (with the green Parent Orientation booklet) to all parents who were unable to attend the Orientation. We use these at school each and every time we write. I am sending another copy of these today. Many children are telling me they don’t have these at home to use. PLEASE DO NOT THROW THESE AWAY. USE THEM NIGHTLY WHEN DOING KIDWRITING. EACH CHILD SHOULD BE DOING THIS REGULARLY!!!
I am also sending home a copy of verse TWO of our phonics song. We call this the “chunk” song. It is sung to the same tune as the Phonics Song. It includes the chunks: or, sh, ch, ir, er, ur, th, ow, ou, ew, ar, aw, au, ing, ang, ong. Use this sheet as a reference in kidwriting as well.
We also assessed graphing items, and that is a skill that we will work on all year so do not be concerned. We create graphs at school then assess (read) the graph and answer questions. After creating the graph, your child is asked to identify the item that has the most and the least. That is how we teach and assess this item. Please work on this vocabulary at home (more, less, most, least, fewer).
Patterns were also assessed. We work on this at school and you can work on patterns at home by having the kiddos use items like candy or different items from the kitchen like spoons and forks to create 2 part patterns, and they can use spoons, forks, and knives (plastic, of course) to create 3 part patterns. They can use beans, or pasta as well. They could also use colors and stickers. They will need to be able to recognize and create 2 and 3 part patterns.
I am happy to schedule a school conference with you to discuss your child’s progress on an individual basis. I am also trying to schedule home visits as well. Remember my conference times at school are on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 and 2:30. Let me know if you are interested in a conference or a home visit.
COUPON BOOK FUNDRAISER: Our newest fundraiser was sent home this week. The coupon books cost $20 each. If every child in our school sells TWO books, our school can make $17,000 for new technology for the Village!!! If you need more coupon books, let me know. Checks may be made out to JELV. The fundraiser ends November 6. Remember, the books are NOT FREE. If you do not want to purchase the book, it must be returned. Please send a note letting me know that you do not want it. I can’t tell if you haven’t seen it, or if you don’t want it.
ABSENCES: When you send in parent notes (or doctor notes) regarding your child’s absences, please include a description of their illness. The district is trying to document the illnesses that are going around. Please tell me if they are diagnosed with Swine Flu or flu-like symptoms. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
Today, you are receiving a yellow paper asking if your family (or groups of families or other groups) are willing to sponsor a family for Christmas. I always choose 2 families from our Village families who need assistance at Christmas – one for my AM class and one for my PM class. When the families are chosen, I will let you know what is needed by these families and you may send in items or $$ and Mrs. Barnhardt and I will go shopping to fulfill their wishes!!! Just wanted to give you a heads up on this! 

October 22, 2009

2009-10-21T17:37:00.000-07:00

Ray’s Ramblings
October 22,2009

Dear Parents,

Our trip to Patterson’s was FANTASTIC!!! We couldn’t have had a better day to go – the weather was amazing! Hope you enjoyed your pumpkins!

REPORT CARDS – are going home today. Please read over each area of the report card carefully. In most areas, there is a section marked showing what your child has demonstrated in that area. For example, “identifies numbers” to 20. __/20 will show the number of numerals your child correctly identified out of 20 numerals. Then the score of 1 to 5 reflects the overall score. If your child has scored 1’s or 2’s in any area, I would consider that an area of concern and definitely an area that needs work!

Writing Stages: I have made an error in the assessment of writing stages. I received the insert for writing stages yesterday. The assessment I used was based on the pages in the Parent Orientation Handbook that lists levels 1 to 7. (The insert you are receiving is on the previous page in the orientation handbook.) The levels do NOT correspond to the stages on the insert. Use this table to see the level of writing correlation.

If Report card shows: Report card SHOULD show:
Level 1, 2, 3 Stage 1
Level 4 Stage 2
Level 5 Stage 3
Level 6 Stage 4
Level 7 Stage 5

I will use the insert for the next reporting period. I am sorry for the confusion.

You may keep your copy of the report card and all the inserts. I suggest you post it on the refrigerator or in your homework box so you can refer to it when doing nightly homework.

Please sign the envelope and return it to me tomorrow.

Next week: Community Helper Unit

Wednesday, October 28 is our first Early Release Day. AM students will come to school normally. PM students will NOT attend school that day. I will be making home visits Wednesday afternoon. I am currently scheduled to visit the following homes: Brianna Bigam, Troy Brock, Jadon Lapasnick, Alexandria Ramirez-Buck. If these visits are no longer ok, please drop me a note so I can re-schedule.
Friday, October 30, Community Helper Costume Parade (Your child should come to school dressed in their favorite community helper attire. Be creative! These do NOT have to be purchased costumes. Last year I had a President, a principal, a teacher (complete with coffee mug, badge and pointer) and a veterinarian (with stuffed animals and stethoscope!
October Homework packets are due next Friday. Once again, double treasure box will be given for those students who turn in completed homework packets on Friday!

September 24, 2009

2009-09-23T16:46:00.001-07:00

Ray’s Ramblings
September 24, 2009

Dear Parents,

INDEPENDENT READERS: Today, we had our first volunteer moms. Each child brought home a little reader and a book slip. Please follow this procedure with the books.

1. Read the book TO your child. Point to each word as you go.
2. Have your child read the book WITH you 1-2 times.
3. Have your child read the book alone, pointing to each word.
4. Play a game with the book. Have your child close the book, then play “find a word/letter”. Have them find the word in the book.
5. Take the repetitive pattern in the book and have your child create their own page using that pattern. Illustrate and send to school the next day (be sure name is on paper!)

I only have 2 mothers in each class who have volunteered to come and help check out the books. If anyone else is willing PLEASE let me know. I completely depend on volunteers to help with this process. I cannot guarantee that your child will get a book every night. If a book does come home, please read it, sign the paper and send any work you did relating to the book to school the next day. If I have a parent, your child will get another book the next night. THEY WILL NOT RECEIVE ANOTHER BOOK UNTIL THE PREVIOUS BOOK IS RETURNED. Remember, there is a $5.00 replacement cost for lost books. Keep them in your child’s folder when you are not reading. Keep them away from pets and younger siblings. The children are told NOT to get the books out of their backpack on the bus or at daycare.

HOMEWORK: September homework packets are due by Wednesday, 9-30. (If the packets are complete on Friday, I will take them home to grade over the weekend.) Children turning in complete homework packets will receive an extra treasure box treat next Friday. October Homework packets will go home on Thursday!
I sent home the field trip permission slips for the Patterson Pumpkin Patch last week. I have not received many slips back. I need the permission slips as soon as possible. The money is not due until the Friday before Fall Break (October 9). If you are able to help pay for another child, please check that on the slip so I can see where we stand. Do not send extra money at this time, I will let you know if we need it. When you do send money, make checks out to JELV, please.

BOOK ORDERS are due tomorrow. Remember, one check to Scholastic Book Clubs can pay for all book orders.

Upcoming Themes:

September 28 – October 2 - PUMPKINS
October 5 – 9 The Farm
October 19 – 23 The Farm
October 26 -30 COMMUNITY HELPERS

Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Friday, September 25 – Fall Comprehension Assessment
Thursday, October 8 – JELV Family Fun Night “Hoe Down” 5:00 to 7:00
October 10 – 18 – FALL BREAK
October 20 – Field Trip to Patterson Pumpkin Patch
October 28 – Early Release – AM comes to school; PM does not!
October 30 – Community Helper Costume Parade (all children dress either as their favorite community helper OR what they want to be when they grow up! NO HALLOWEEN COSTUMES OR SUPER HEROES. (Parade time will be announced later)

September 3, 2009

2009-09-02T18:49:00.001-07:00

Ray’s Ramblings
September 3, 2009

Dear Parents,

We have had a very busy week. Initial screening and assessment of all children is complete and we will begin ELF Groups (reading) next week. ELF stands for Early Literacy Friends. Whenever I say ELF it refers to our reading groups.

NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY: Everyone enjoy your three day weekend!

PARENT ORIENTATION: Thursday night is Parent Orientation. Please come at the time you signed up for. Remember to be prepared to come either 30 minutes early or stay 30 minutes after the session in my room. Remember, this meeting is for adults only!

TAKE HOME FOLDERS: Some of our folders are getting quite full! Please make it a habit to go through your child’s folder each night. When you return the folder the next day, it should ONLY contain homework, note to me, or envelope with money! Please remove work that has been completed! Remember to send folders everyday.

HOME WORK PROJECT: I am very pleased with the projects that you completed at home. They will be on display Thursday night at Orientation!

TREASURE BOX: Please continue to send items for Treasure Box. We will be drawing from this each Friday! Thank you so much for your donations!!!

BEHAVIOR: The children seem to be settling into our routine. Thank you for your support from home. Continue to talk with your child about “making good choices” and “stop and think”.

HOMEWORK: All children should be practicing writing their name correctly! As they write their name, have them SAY the name of each letter. I am finding that many children cannot spell or recognize the letters in their name! Also practice writing numbers 0 to 10, using the following rhymes:

SEPTEMBER HOMEWORK PACKETS: Our first “OFFCIAL” homework packet will be given out at Parent Orientation.

1
Straight line down
Then you’re done.
That’s the way
To make a one!

2
Around and back
On the railroad track.
Two! Two!
Two! Two!
3
Around a tree,
Around a tree,
That’s the way
To make a three!

4
Down and over,
Down once more,
That’s the way
To make a four!

5
Straight line down,
Then around,
Hat on top
And five’s a clown!
6
A stick and a hoop
Do the tricks
That’s the way
To make a six!

7
Across the sky
And down from heaven
That’s the way
To make a seven!

8
Make an ‘S’
Do not wait
Come back up
And that’s an eight!
9
A hoop and a line
That’s a nine!

14
Straight line down
Then around with a grin
That’s the way
To make a ten!

b

August 20, 2009

2009-08-20T17:26:00.000-07:00

Ray’s Ramblings
August 20, 2009

Dear Parents,

Many important things are included in your child’s Take Home Folder Today. Please read carefully!

FOLDERS: I am very pleased that you are being so diligent in sending the Take Home Folders to school daily. Please check the folder each night and return it to school either EMPTY or put lunch money, book orders or notes to me in the folder. Please take out all work that is sent home.

ABSENCES: Remember, if your child is absent, you must send in a doctor note if they have been seen by a doctor OR you may write a Parent Note explaining the absence within three days! I am sending in a sheet with 4 sample parent notes for you to use. Please keep these handy. If your child is absent, please cut one of these off and send it in. Of course, you may write your own note. This is just an attempt to help you out! Remember you may only have 8 (eight) parent notes for the entire year! (Read the Parent Handbook).

BEHAVIOR: We have started our Apple Chart for good behavior. When your childcomes to school, they will have a green apple. As long as they are following the Five Steps without reminders, their apple will remain green. If they have a problem, they will be given a warning. At warning #2, they should STOP AND THINK about what is going on and stop the behavior. This usually works for most children. However, if the behavior continues and they get a third warning, their apple will be changed to YELLOW. They will spend 5 minutes at recess walking laps and discussing the behavior with me. Hopefully it will not happen again. If a child has another episode of behavior problems in the same day, their apple could move to RED. At this point, you will get a note home (or a phone call). If the behavior warrants, we will go to the office and you will be receiving a phone call from Mrs. Sampson or Mrs. Schlafer. At the end of the day, all children who still have GREEN apples, will receive a sticker to show you that they had a good day. I realize these stickers may not make it home. I keep a record of behavior. If behavior becomes a problem, I WILL LET YOU KNOW! No news is good news!

TREASURE BOX: I would like to be able to reward the students who stay on GREEN ALL WEEK with Treasure Box. I currently have nothing for treasure box. If you have extra McDonalds or Happy Meal toys, these make excellent items for treasure box. Last year, many parents had their children clean out toy chests for small items that may be a treasure to another child. On the supply list, you were supposed to send in a $10 class fee. I have only received two fees!!! If you send the class fee in, I can use the money to purchase some party toys OR you may purchase party items and send them in! ( I also need Play-Doh!!)

CAR LINE: The carline for parents picking up and dropping off their children will begin on August 24. If you are ONLY planning to drop your child off, you do not need to do anything. If you plan to pick up your child in the carline, you must let me know. I will send home a form for you to fill out and you will receive a special tag to put on your child’s backpack and a matching tag to place in your window.
SHOES: Please read through your Parent Handbook carefully. Particularly the part about shoes. It is highly recommended for every child to wear tennis shoes to school. We have lots of trouble on the playground with children tripping on flip flops and stepping on wood chips. We have even had children step on them and get splinters. Be sure to remember that WEDNESDAY is our GYM day and tennis shoes are required on that day.

JEWELRY: We are having a problem with girls wearing jewelry. I know this is a neat thing to do. If the child can wear the jewelry and leave it alone, that is fine. If they continue to take it off and play with it, it becomes a toy. Toys are not allowed at school and will be taken away and put in backpacks.

HOME VISITS: It is the Jessamine Early Learning Village policy for kindergarten teachers to make 1 home visit with each child at some point throughout the year. Home visits are very important to your child. It allows me to see “their world”. I do realize that sometimes home visits are not possible and I am willing to make different arrangements if needed (meet at school, McDonald’s, etc.). Please fill out the enclosed Home Visit form and return it to school as soon as possible. I currently have 48 children on my class list. Please be patient as I work through scheduling these home visits in my ‘outside’ time. We will have one day in first semester designed for home visits for PM students (October 28) and one day second semester for AM (March 16) students. Keep these days in mind.

SALLY FOSTER FUNDRAISER: It’s time for JELV’s annual Sally Foster Fundraiser for technology! Last year we raised approximately $9000.00 and we look forward to another successful year. This fundraiser features quality gift-wrap, unique gift items, gourmet chocolates, edibles, and much more. And, everything is value-priced at $20 or less! The fundraiser will begin on Tuesday September 1 and end on Tuesday September 15. Order packets will be placed in your students backpack. Please return them in your child¹s backpack by Tuesday September 15. Orders will be received the week following fall break. As always, we keep the children¹s safety in mind, and encourage the students to only sell to familiar adults and with the assistance of an adult. We appreciate your help in helping your child¹s school raise money for technology.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS: The Welcome Back to School book orders are going home today. I will send book orders home once each month. There are two ways to order. You may check on the book order the items you wish to purchase and send a check made out to SCHOLASTIC BOOKCLUBS. Put the order form and the check in an envelope marked book orders with your child’s name and put it in your child’s take home folder. You may also order online using a credit card. I am sending these instructions on a separate paper for you to keep for future reference. You can also find the directions on my website: www.carlaray.net. I am sending the orders home today. Please return orders to me by next Thursday. I will place the orders online over the weekend next week. If you are making online orders, please have these placed by Friday. The online orders will come to school with the rest of the orders about 7 days after placing the orders. If you choose to order from both book orders, you may still make ONE check out to Scholastic. I recommend item #37 in the Scholastic order for everyone. This is a set of High Frequency Readers that we will be using in ELF groups.

PARENT ORIENTATION NIGHT: Please remember to put September 10 on your calendar. This night is for PARENTS. Try to make arrangements to leave your children with a sitter. There are four sessions for parents in my room. Be prepared to stay at school for 1 hour. Thirty minutes will be in my room. The second 30 minutes will be in the cafeteria. If you have a 4:30 time slot, you will go to the cafeteria at 5:00. If you have the last time slot, please go to the cafeteria BEFORE coming to my room. If you have one of the two middle sessions, you may choose to go to the cafeteria either before OR after the session in my room!

Welcome to a New Year!!!

2009-08-13T18:24:00.000-07:00

Ray’s Ramblings
August 14, 2009

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Kindergarten! We have had a very good beginning to what I know will be a fantastic year! I hope your children are coming home and telling you all about our day!

Ray’s Ramblings is my weekly newsletter. I will send it home every Thursday. I will also try to hold any important papers to send home on Thursday so you know that will be the day for important things! This week (due to phase-in) I have waited to send the letter home on Friday. In the future, look for my letter on Thursdays.

Many of you have asked about the internet/acceptable use policy form I indicated in my handbook. This form will be coming at a later date. It is being revised.

So far, we have practiced our daily routine. Please talk with your child about this and make sure they know it. When they come in, they are to go directly to their cubby, unzip their backpack and take out their Take-Home Folder. The folders are placed in the wire basket outside my door. Then they are to find their name on the sign-in chart and place it in the can. Then they come into the room and sit on the carpet. Please remember to put any important papers, notes, lunch money IN THE Take Home folder.

We are also learning the Five Steps to Success. These are our classroom rules. We have learned a song that teaches these steps. It is sung to the tune of “The More we Get Together”.

What are the five steps, five steps, five steps?
What are the five steps, five steps to success?
1. Safe hands and safe feet
2. Try your best
3. Express yourself
4. Play nice with others
5. Stop and think!

Next week, we will be having hearing screenings and beginning of the year Early Literacy Testing. We will continue to learn the classroom routine and meet our specials teachers. We will have Music (Mrs. Dolive) on Monday and Art (Mrs. Gilpin) on Tuesday. We have already met Mrs. Rhodes, our gym teacher.
We will be working next week on writing and recognizing our names, assessing pencil grips, cutting and gluing. We will be going over our colors and learning some color words. We will be practicing counting and recognizing numbers to 10. Please be practicing these skills at home.
If your child cannot write his name, please put this skill at the top of your homework list! We write our name on every paper we do! We will begin homework packets in September. It is important that you have a “school box” of supplies on hand at home for your child to use for homework. They will need pencils, scissors, glue sticks and crayons. It is very important that you practice the skills we are learning at home.

My classroom is a very diverse group of students of varying abilities. I have some children who are already reading and some children who are just beginning to learn their ABCs and some who are in varying stages between. I will be introducing the letters in whole group and introducing the “Phonics Song”. After Labor Day we will begin our ELF Groups (Early Literacy Families or reading groups) and will be individualizing for each child’s level. If your child already knows their letters, just consider this a review time for them. ALL children should be practicing writing their name using an initial capital letter and the rest in lowercase.

If you have not already done so, please send in all the paperwork by Monday. I will be sending home checklists next week to let you know what forms you are missing.

Next week: I will be sending August book orders.

Remember, your child is required to bring their backpack and their Take-Home folder EVERYDAY! This is a MUST!!! If you have any questions, please send a note in your child’s folder. You are also welcome to e-mail me at: cjlray@gmail.com

I am e-mailing my newsletter to parents who have given me their e-mail AND I am posting the newsletter on my classroom blog at: : http://www.clray.blogspot.com/

If you were unable to attend Open House, you will need to sign-up for one of the three remaining sessions of Parent Orientation that will be held on Thursday, September 10. There are three remaining sessions for you to choose from: 4:30 to 5:00, 5:15 to 5:45, 6:00 to 6:30. The 6:45 to 7:15 session has already been filled. Please cut the following form off and send it back to me! It is very important for every parent to attend this orientation. I will be demonstrating correct handwriting procedures, going over expectation for homework and the kindergarten curriculum. I will explain our day, what we do and why we do it! This night is for PARENTS! If at all possible, please make arrangements not to bring children.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Child’s Name: ______________________________

Parent’s name(s) ____________________________

I prefer to attend the following session:

____ 4:30 to 5:00
____ 5:15 to 5:45
____ 6:00 to 6:30

100th Day Collections

2009-04-05T14:12:00.001-07:00

Spring Break

2009-04-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

Wow! Where have I been?? I can't believe how fast this year is passing! Spring Break is over! We will begin our final countdown on Monday! We have a lot to do in the time that is left.

I want to post this slideshow. It is of the 100th day project. Enjoy!!

February 26, 2009

2009-02-26T16:19:00.000-08:00

Next week is “I Love to Read” week. I am planning lots of fun activities based on our favorite Dr. Seuss books!!

Today I am sending home the printout report of the mid year PAS Predictive Assessment Series) test that was recently given to your child. Below are some examples of what each skill assesses:

Consonant ¬ ³House, which of the following begins with the same sound as house? Pencil, kite, or hear²

Vowel ¬ ³Find the picture that has the sound /e/ as in see. bend, van, peach.²
Phoneme ¬ ³Find the picture of the word that rhymes with lake: fountain, car, bake.²
Letters ¬ ³Find the lowercase letter, F V g²
Syllable ¬ ³Find the word bad: sit, bag, bad²
Vocabulary ¬ ³Find the picture that shows the sock under the bed.²
L: Main Idea ¬ ³What is this story about?²
L: Story Elements ¬ ³In this story, where does the family live?²
L: Strategy ¬ ³The writer wanted us to learn ________________ from this
story.²

Spring is in the Air!!! Actually, Spring has arrived in our classroom a bit early. This is the time each year when I have to have a ‘boy – girl’ talk with the class. There is lots of giggling and talking about body parts, etc. The choice activity on the playground becomes chasing! I don’t allow chasing for the following reasons – when they try to ‘catch’, someone usually gets hurt or something gets torn. Running together is fine, as long as they don’t try to ‘catch’ someone!  Another problem right now is clothing with my little girls. We spend time each day sitting criss-cross on the carpet. It seems that our pants styles are not meeting the end of the shirt. Things are being exposed that should NOT be!!! The little boys are having a hard time not noticing this. I am having to call down someone daily for pointing out or giggling at a little girl’s ‘gap’ between the bottom of her shirt and the top of her pants. Check at home to see if, when seated on the floor, if their shirts cover ALL skin!!!

March 18th – OUR NEXT ½ DAY: This time AM students do NOT come to school but PM comes as usual.

SKIP COUNTING GUIDE: I am having a number of parents asking for tips on counting by 2’s. See if this helps – this is how I demonstrate at school!

The children need to count by 2's to 20 - but quickly. They cannot obviously be counting the odd numbers in their head. Have them practice this:
2
4
6
8
0

Write these numbers like this (vertical). Have them say 2-4-6-8-10 over and over quickly til they have that memorized. When they gets to the zero that’s 10, they holds up one finger (for 1 ten). We repeat this at school: (like a cheer)
2-4-6-8-10
Now go back and say it again!
Have them say this until they have the pattern down, then go on to 20!
Then show them how if they just put a 1 in front of each number is makes 12-14-16-18-then the zero becomes the next 10 . . . 20! (Pop up the second finger for 20). Then they can do the 20's - (which will be easy - 22, 24 26 28, then bingo - third finger is . . . 30). Then do 30's. They only have to count by 2's to 20 but if they can truly get to 20 and understand the pattern, they can go all the way to 100! If they lose their place in the tens, when they pop up the next number, count their fingers by 10!
MONEY: Here are the rhymes I am teaching to help the children learn the money names and values. Please be practicing at home!
Penny, penny, easily spent -- Coppery brown and worth 1 cent!
Nickel, nickel, thick and fat -- You’re worth 5 cents, I know that!
Dime, dime, little and thin -- I remember, you’re worth ten!
Quarter quarter, big and bold -- You’re worth 25 cents I’m told!

HOME VISTS/Conferences – By the end of this week, I will have met with parents of each child at LEAST one time. At this point, I will only schedule conferences if needed or if requested. If you would like to meet with me, just send me a note to school in your child’s folder or send an e-mail! cjlray@gmail.com
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: We are experiencing technical difficulties with our volunteers. Things beyond our control have caused some parents to either have to change their schedules or not be as consistent with volunteering in the classroom. I totally understand that things come up. I appreciate all the wonderful help that I receive. I depend on my parent volunteers to check homework daily and maintain the independent book check-out system. If I do not have volunteers, the books will not go home and the homework may not be checked.
Currently in AM, I have regular volunteers on Mon. Tue. and Wednesday. I have no one on Thursday or Friday for the time being.
In PM, I have moms on Tuesday, and Thursday. I have floating moms that may come on Monday or Wednesday.
If anyone is able to fill in the gaps, let me know. You will need to fill out the volunteer papers and get trained.
SPRING MUSIC PROGRAM: Mrs. Dolive, our music teacher is preparing the children for our program for parents on Thursday night, March 19. Please make plans now to be here that night. Our scheduled times are 5:30 – 5:50 for AM and 6:10 – 6:30 for PM classes.

1-26-09 Update!!!

2009-01-25T17:45:00.001-08:00

I want to make sure everyone know, WE DO HAVE SCHOOL TOMORROW, JANUARY 26 - unless it is called off due to snow.

I have mentioned before that I get our homework packet offline from kellywkindergarten.com. I usually check it carefully and adjust it for our needs. Evidently, I overlooked the fact that THEY have a conference day on the 26th. WE DO NOT!!! I didn't catch this when I ran the copies. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Remember, this week is Count Me In week. We are aiming for perfect attendance. If we have 100% attendance for 4 out of 5 days, we will earn a hot chocolate/cookie party!!! We also have special days planned to encourage attendance!

Monday is kick off day
Tuesday is BLUE and WHITE day (to support the CATS!!)
Wednesday is CRAZY SOCKS DAY ( I bought a new pair and am ready!!!)
Thursday is "Wear your hall color day". We are on the GREEN hall!!! Be looking for GREEN!
Friday, the entire Village will wear PJs to school! We are really looking forward to this!

Please make every effort to have your child at school everyday. However, if your child has to miss, be sure to send in a doctor's excuse or a handwritten parent note. This will count the day as present for the purposes of the contest!

Last week, Mrs. Areaux did a count and compared our days in school with the other elementary schools. My count was off. Officially, last Friday was our 95th day of school. If we have no snow days this week (???!!!?!?!?), our 100th day will be on Friday - along with our pajama party!!! I will still accept the 100s day projects until next Friday, February 5.

We will celebrate the 100th day on the 100th day of school (that makes sense! hahaha). So, I need the collection of 100 things to count and the 100 things to eat for our 100 mix ON the 100th day. I will attempt to keep you up to date on this. Just remember, 100th day is Friday, January 30 if we have no snow days!!! If it snows, just keep adding on days.

Is this clear as mud???

Let me know if you have any questions!!

January 22, 2009

2009-01-21T19:33:00.000-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings
January 22, 2009

Dear Parents,

We have been enjoying our study of Inuits and the Arctic!!! Please ask your child what they have learned!

Tonight is our first Family Fun Night of 2009! I hope you all can come and have lots of Family Fun!!! Our Snowman projects are on display in the Library!!! Be sure to stop by and see them!!!!

We are off and running in 2009!!! Report cards have already gone home and we are almost finished with our mid-year testing. The mid-year math assessment is complete. By Friday, we should have completed our PAS testing! It has been a rough week but we are surviving!!! I am very proud of your children. Bubbling in circles is something we have certainly never done before!!!

I am attempting to make my last home visits/conferences. I am down to single digits. If I have not yet completed a home visit or school conference with you and have not been in touch with you, PLEASE drop me a note and I will schedule you ASAP. Once I have completed first visits on all 46 children, I will begin 2nd rounds for those who request!

COUNT ME IN WEEK – Next week is “Count Me In” week at the Village! This is the week we push for 100% attendance from all children. If we have at least 4 days of perfect attendance out of the five, we earn a hot chocolate and cookie party!!! Help us earn our party! If your child is sick and has to miss school, please bring in either a doctor’s note or a handwritten note explaining the absence and we can still count it as being present! You received a YELLOW sheet that details this day and the special activities! To encourage attendance we are having the following special activities each day:

Monday 1-26th – First day of competition
Tuesday 1-27th – Blue and White day – everyone wear UK colors!!!
Wednesday 1-28th – Crazy sock day – wear the craziest socks you can find!!!
Thursday 1-29th – Wear your hallway color – We are on the GREEN hall so try your best to wear GREEN!!!
Friday 1-30th – ENTIRE SCHOOL WILL WEAR PAJAMAS!!!

Join me in celebrating the inauguration of our new president, Barack Obama!!! What a historic day!!!

BOOK ORDERS: We had an unexpected 4 day weekend last week!!! Book orders were supposed to be ordered on Sunday but I waited to see if any orders were coming in for Friday (there were!!) So they will be a bit late. Should be in next week!

REACH FOR THE STARS!!! If you come in to school, please be sure to look at our door. Each child has a mitten on the door. They are earning stickers as their knowledge grows! We are earning stickers when we:

• Count to 20
• Write to 20
• Count by 10
• Count by 5
• Count by 2
• Know all 26 capitals
• Know all 26 lowercase
• Know all 31 sounds
• Can write first name correctly with initial capital letter
• Can write last name correctly with initial capital letter
Help us earn our stickers!!!! We are going to be working hard to correct our backwards letters, form letters correctly and try to write on LINED paper. I have had a few questions about what I mean by lined paper. I mean top line is solid, midline is dotted, bottom line is solid. This is NOT regular notebook paper. You can find nice pads of handwriting paper at Wal-Mart!!!

I am sending another copy of correct formation of letters. Please use this when practicing handwriting. ALL LETTERS START AT TOP AND COME DOWN!!!

1-9-09

2009-01-07T17:38:00.000-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings
January 8, 2009

Happy New Year!!! We are officially half way through kindergarten and on the way to first grade!!! Hopefully, your children are telling you about our transitions. Before Christmas, the children began being dismissed by their drivers at the bus and they are walking on their own into the building and to the classroom! That was our first transition! This week, we began going through the lunch line on Tuesdays. We will do this (like first graders) for the rest of the year (on Tuesdays). In about a month, we will begin punching in our cafeteria account numbers at the end of the lunch line. I will be sending these numbers home soon. You will need to work with your child to help them learn their 4 digit number. This number will stay with them through the Jessamine County school system (high school).

REPORT CARDS are going home today. Again, please look over each item very carefully. ALL I NEED BACK IS THE SIGNED YELLOW ENVELOPE! You may keep the report card and all other pages included. At this point in the year, your child should have mastered (or be very close to) ALL capitals, lowercase and sounds. They should be counting, and writing to 20. We will spend the rest of the year building vocabulary and developing our writing stages. Hopefully, all will be at a stage 5 or 6 writing by the end of the year. We will be doing much more addition and subtraction. Numbers and letters should be formed correctly. I will begin to be much more picky about this. All writing should be done with LOWER CASE letters except for the beginning of a sentence or a name. Please help your child with this at home. Spaces should be put between words. We will be focusing on lined paper and will be ‘correcting’ our mistakes. You may see papers going home to be corrected for homework.

CONFERENCES/HOME VISITS: I have almost had a chance to meet with all 45 families!!! I believe there are only 6 left for me to have 100%!!! I am sending home request forms for my remaining students. Please indicate whether you prefer a school conference or a home visit. Send these back and I will contact you to schedule a time. Anyone who would like to schedule a conference to discuss the report cards or any other concerns, please just send me a note! I would be happy to meet with anyone. Remember, my planning times are on Monday, Thursday and Friday at either 10:30 or 2:30.

JANUARY BOOK ORDERS: Are going home today. Please have them turned back in by next Friday, January 16 (or complete online ordering by Sunday, the 18th.)

TESTING: For the next two weeks, we will be testing. We will, once again, have a team of teachers giving the DIBELS test. We will also be taking a PAS test. Both of these tests will measure their achievement for mid-year. They will be given again at the end of the year. Because of testing, individual check out books will NOT go home until testing is over (last week in January). I WILL still need my parent volunteers to assist with testing. I now have openings both AM and PM on Wednesday for a volunteer. If you are interested, please let me know.

SNOWMAN PROJECT: The snowman projects that were sent home on December 19 are due tomorrow – January 9. These projects are being displayed in the library. You will need to make a point to go and see them if you are in the building! What we have so far are FANTASTIC!!! All children who have returned this project will get an extra prize from the treasure box on Friday!!!

UPCOMING DATES:

Week of 1-12 to 16 – PAS testing
Week of 1-19 to 23 – DIBELS and MATH Assessments
January 19 – NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Day

A few shots of our AM Party

2008-12-18T17:32:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Taunya for the great pictures!!!

Here's the Link!!!

2008-12-10T20:10:00.000-08:00

Oops!!!

http://www.google.com/ig/adde?moduleurl=http://www.labpixies.com/gadgads/norad/norad_new.xml&source=imag

Santa Tracker

2008-12-10T20:06:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Trina Eller (Julie's mom) PM for this post!!!

Hello, I found this Santa Tracker online and the kids can watch where he's at. Here is the link:

I thought some of the other parents might like that. I think google maps is also tracking Santa on Christmas Eve.

December 11, 2008

2008-12-10T20:04:00.001-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings
December 11, 2008

Dear Parents,

I cannot believe we have only 6 days left until Christmas Break!!! I have a lot of fun things planned in this time. We also have our end of second nine weeks assessment to complete!!! Report cards will go home on Thursday after we start back in January!

HOLIDAY CENTRAL – I have to say a tremendous “Thank You!!!” to everyone who was able to give to the Holiday Central fund! Our class collected PLENTY of money to make a very special Christmas for two families in our school!!! I knew you guys would come through. This is my very favorite part of Christmas! You guys are the BEST!!!

Here are the highlights for the next six days:

Monday – Polar Express kick-off. We will go to the computer lab, board the train and watch “the Polar Express” (reading of the book, not the feature movie, sorry – no time!)

Deadlines: I need each child to send in their gifts for the class AND a large shopping bag (to collect their presents) by Wednesday. (This will give me time to see who needs assistance with gifts or bags!) Many children have used the bag to send in their presents. If you happen to have extra shopping bags (Macy’s; Dillard’s, etc.) please send them in. I have some children who are unable to locate a bag. These DO need to be big enough to hold 24 gifts. Some children’s may send a party bag for each child. Some may send party rings. We never can tell. Just be prepared

Please send me a note tomorrow If you are planning on sending a treat for the party – by note tomorrow or via e-mail – cjlray@gmail.com We will need juice boxes, cookies OR cupcakes, plates, napkins.

Thursday - Our Christmas Parties will be at 9:45 and 1:45. The students will go to Music at 10:30 and at 2:30.

Friday – All children will wear pajamas to school. Just like our last PJ day, children must wear regular shoes for outside but may bring slippers to wear at school. They may bring a stuffed ‘buddy’ to share the day. If anyone wants to donate a large canister of cocoa mix, I need enough for both classes. Marshmallows, cookies. (I have a cookie volunteer for the AM!) Also cups for cocoa – Styrofoam. We will have a ‘somewhat’ regular day on Friday. We will have ELF groups but lots of storytime! Parents are welcome to come but should wear their PJ’bbs!!!

I will be sending home my second FAMILY HOMEWORK activity next week. This will be due on the Friday after we come back to school. More about this next week!

December 4, 2008 Newsletter

2008-12-04T17:34:00.000-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings
December 4, 2008

Dear Parents,
It is so hard to believe that we only have 11 days of school left before our Christmas Break!!! Where is this year going?

Our Christmas Party will be on Thursday, December 18 at 9:30 and 1:30. At 10:30 and 2:30, the children will go to music. Remember, all children need to send in a SHOPPING SIZED Christmas bag to collect all their presents. Make sure your child’s name is on the bag! Many children have already sent in their presents. Each child will pass out their gifts that day. The big entertainment will be looking in our goody bags. However, if someone wants to send in juice boxes and/or a treat, let me know. We won’t need much! If you have not sent in presents, remember, each child is to send in 24 like things to give 1 to each child.

Friday, December 19 – we will end our Polar Express Week with a pajama/hot chocolate party. We will re-read the story and take it easy!!! If you want to help with the hot cocoa and maybe cookies, let me know.

Holiday Central – We have received $50 so far to shop for 4 children. We need more money! If you are able to send in a dollar or two, please do so.

Next week: Gingerbread Week (stories and activities related to the Gingerbread Man/ Gingerbread Baby/ Gingerbread Girl)

Week of 12-15: Polar Express Week (stories and activities related to the Polar Express!) Remember, party on Thursday – Pajamas on Friday!

HOMEWORK: Since we were not in school the last Friday of November, all children turning in their November homework packet will receive double treasure box tomorrow. I had a number of children who did not complete or turn in this packet. If you have it at home, please do so tomorrow. I would like to have the December homework packets turned in on our last day – 19th if possible. New January packets will go home after Christmas.

December 19 is the end of our second 9 weeks. Report cards will be going home the first week after Christmas. Remember, this 9 weeks, we will be assessing more things. Those items that were grayed out last time but are white boxes this time will be the new assessments: skip counting by 2, 5, 10, one to one correspondence, more/less, This marks our half-way point in the year. This means your child should know ½ of the vocabulary!!!! Don’t wait until the last nine weeks to start work on this! Letters and sounds should be pretty much under their belt. We will test writing numbers to 20 as well as recognizing the numerals 0-20. These are all things that you should be working on nightly!!!!

We wrote letters to Santa this week (using kidwriting). These letters will go in our portfolio and on to first grade AND, they will be published in the Jessamine Journal!!! Look for the special Santa Letter edition of the paper!!!

BOOK ORDERS: I sent the orders home on Monday (AM) and Wednesday (PM). Please send orders to me by tomorrow or you may order online through Sunday in order to receive the orders by the 19th. Let me know if the orders are for Christmas and I will ‘conceal’ them before sending home!!! 

November 20, 2008

2008-11-19T20:22:00.001-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings
November 20, 2008

Dear Parents,

We are still learning a lot about Native Americans and are looking forward to our FEAST on Tuesday! I am sending out a very special THANK-YOU to Taunya Turner tatdynamite@aol.com 885-7905(AM) and Mary U’Wren 858-3474(PM) for organizing the feasts! If you have questions, please contact them or send a note to me at school. I have the greatest volunteer moms in the world!! All of them!!!

Picture Retakes are tomorrow (Friday 11-21). In last week’s letter, I instructed that if you want the free retakes, to send in the old pictures and I would send you another envelope.

Christmas Gifts are already coming in! That’s great. Jamie Tippey’s mom, Amanda, has offered to get together a group order for oriental trading company. This is a great idea for those of you who haven’t already come up with an idea. There are many items you can purchase for the entire class for as little as $3 – 10. Go to www.orientaltrading.com to see what they have. If you are interested, you can e-mail Amanda at amanda.tippey@gmail.com or call her at 421-3503 to give her your order.

In lieu of teacher gifts for Christmas, I would appreciate more treasure box stuff!!!

Don’t forget Holiday Central. I have ‘adopted’ two families for our two classes to sponsor. This includes four children: two boys and two girls. We need enough money to provide a gift for each child and an outfit for each. Any money over and above that will be put on a Kroger gift certificate for food. I know it is early but I have only had 2 donations so far. I have 46 children. If each child could bring $1, that would go a long way!

In the next few weeks, I am planning a number of craft projects and activities for Christmas. Check e-mail and my blog as I will be posting things I need. Right now, I would like you to be saving toy ads and inserts. We will be cutting pictures and making ‘Christmas lists’. Send me your Sunday inserts from Toys R Us, Wal Mart, Target, etc.
Conferences: I have set a personal goal to conference or home visit with every child before our Christmas break. I am trying to schedule 4 visits each week. When I send you a request, please reply quickly so I can schedule with you as soon as possible.

Next Week:
Monday – we will be creating our costumes to wear to our feast. Children will choose between Native American dress and Pilgrim. We will be viewing videos of Native Americans in the Computer lab.
Tuesday – We will have a special story, a writing activity and our feast. The Feast will be at 9:45 and 1:45. Parents are welcome! We will have Motor Mouth at 10:30 and 2:30, then dismissal at 11:10 and 3:10, as usual.
No School on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday next week!!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!

Charles Schultz Philosophy

2008-11-16T18:25:00.000-08:00

Here's a quiz I received in e-mail. This one really hit me and I decided to pass it on to you! See how you do:

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions.? Just ponder on them.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.?

How did you do?
The point is , none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies..
Awards tarnish.
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners?

Now try answering these questions:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.?
Easier?
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials..
the most money...or the most awards.
They simply are the ones who care the most.?
''Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!'??

Christmas Gift Ideas

2008-11-12T19:30:00.000-08:00

This is a list of items that have been popular in years past: Every child brings 24 gifts. These should be all alike or same for girls/boys. There is no price limit - it is entirely up to you. The beauty of this plan is that every child gets the same thing!!! A Big grab bag of Christmas goodies from their friends!!! These are just suggestions! Be creative and have fun! Fancy pencils, stickers, fancy erasers, candy bar, Little Debbie Xmas cakes, party toys, gift certificates to Frisch's/ McDonalds, coloring books, markers, headbands for girls, gloves for boys, craft items - ornaments, candy, quarters, 50 cent piece, pencil grips, playdoh, books, etc. I have had children make necklaces for their classmates, make ornaments, bookmarks, doorknob hangers, etc.

November 13, 2008 Newsletter

2008-11-12T19:27:00.000-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings
November 13, 2008

Dear Parents,

PICTURE MAKE-UPS: Make-up picture day is November 21. If you wish to have remake pictures made of your child, send the old picture packet back in order to get free make-ups and I will send home a new order envelope for you to fill out.

HOLIDAY CENTRAL: I have chosen two families for my classes to help sponsor for Christmas. The families each have 2 children. If you are able to help sponsor these families so they can have a special Christmas, please send me a donation of $1 or more. I have parents who have volunteered to ‘shop’ when the money is in. We will choose an outfit for each child and a couple of toys. Any extra money received will be used to purchase a Kroger gift card for the family. Put any money for this cause in a special envelope marked Ray’s Xmas.

THANKSGIVING FEAST: We will have an ‘authentic’ Native American feast on Tuesday, November 25. I would like the children to experience foods that may have been served /gathered at the first Thanksgiving. These include: raisins, nuts, breads, jerky, fry bread, vegetables. If you have something special you would like to prepare (pumpkin bread, jerky, etc. drop me a note. Otherwise, I will have my parent volunteers call and randomly ask for donations. Be looking for their call. We will also need plates, napkins, cups, drinks.) Our feast should be at 10:00 and 2:00. Parents are invited.

A WORD ABOUT CHRISTMAS: For the past several years, I have had a very successful plan for Christmas. I ask each child to bring a gift for each child in the classroom!!! This is very simple and entirely up to you. You may choose to do something as simple as purchasing 24 pencils, or 24 pieces of bubble gum, or 24 stickers, or 24 Little Debbie Christmas cakes, or you could be as extreme as hand crafting 24 handmade ornaments. I ask each child to send in a Christmas shopping bag size bag with their name on it. When it’s party time, we will sit in a circle with our bag in front of us and each child will go around the circle and pass out their treats. Every child gets the exact same thing – a total grab bag full of goodies. A good place to shop is a party store!!! Be creative! I’m giving you advance notice so you can be on the lookout for just the ‘right’ gift to give. If you need more suggestions, I will be posting successful treats from the past on my blog. http://www.clray.blogspot.com/

INDEPENDENT BOOK CHECK OUT - PM Class – we have had 2 days this week with no parent volunteer. When the parents are unable to come in, we usually don’t get books checked out. Hopefully, we will be back on target next week. I am moving ALL children up a basket. As they move up, there is a wider variety of difficulty levels in the basket – especially once they reach ‘C’ level and above. If your child gets a book that is a little more difficult for them, just do your best and make sure they have fun with the book. Note this on the book sheet and hopefully, the next one will be a better fit.

COAT REMINDER: As the weather gets colder, it is important that you send your child with the proper outer wear. Remember, we will make every attempt to go outside for a few minutes each day. If the weather is in the 30’s, your child must wear a COAT – not a sweatshirt, sweater or light jacket. If you do not have a winter coat for your child and need assistance, let me know and I will see what I can do! Just let me know. Also, if you have outgrown ‘gently used’ coats, we have children who could use them!!

HOMEWORK: I’m seeing lots of good homework!!! Keep up the good work!! I love seeing the kidwriting come in! If you could get a pad of primary lined paper and begin helping your child learn to write on the lines that would be greatly appreciated. I would like to see you doing 2-3 kidwriting exercises per week, practicing sounding out what they hear.

Native American Sites

2008-11-12T19:24:00.000-08:00

I am having a lot of trouble realizing that we only have 9 school days left before Thanksgiving. I am not getting in as much Native American studies as I would like. Our time just doesn't allow it!

I just found a fantastic site! Check this out and explore it with your child. There is a lot of information and great pictures. They will love it!!!

http://www.nhusd.k12.ca.us/ALVE/NativeAmerhome.html/nativeamhome.html

Veteran's Day

2008-11-09T17:29:00.000-08:00

http://www.va.gov/kids/k-5/games_activities.asp

Check out this linkfor interactive activites to play online with your child pertaining to Veteran's Day. We will be talking this week about Veteran's Day and writing letters to Veterans saying "Thank You" for their service to our Country!

Finally!!!

2008-11-06T15:37:00.000-08:00

After being at home all week in bed, I finally got around to going through the pictures I have received, deleting those with no picture permission and getting them posted! Enjoy! We had a great time - both classes!!!

Pumpkin Patch 2008!!!

2008-11-06T15:31:00.000-08:00

November 6, 2008 Newsletter

2008-11-05T15:43:00.001-08:00

Ray’s Ramblings
November 6, 2008

Dear Parents,

I am writing this from my bed. I have been hit with the stomach flu – and BAD!!! I hope to be back on my feet and well enough to be back to school on Friday. The class has been in great hands with Mrs. Chrissi Polson who has been subbing for me and Mrs. Jump.

SCHOOL PICTURES: The word is that the pictures should be delivered to school on the 7th. This means they should go home on Monday, the 10th. Make up day for pictures is November 21.

MUSIC WALK: Monday we will be taking a walking field trip to Asbury College for a demonstration of their piano, harpsichord and pipe organ. This is always an exciting trip for the children. They will get to play each instrument. Any parents wanting to go with us are welcome. I don’t know the time for the walk. I’m assuming Mrs. Dolive, the music teacher will send something home or you can contact the school to find out.

HOLIDAY CENTRAL: The deadline for a family to apply for Holiday Central Christmas assistance is November 21. I am planning to sign up to sponsor two families this year -- hopefully one for my AM class and one for the PM class. As soon as the family is chosen, I will let you know what is needed. Anyone interested in helping me with this charitable project is welcome. Just send me a note and let me know if you are willing to shop, send money or whatever!!!

CLOTHING NEEDED: Whenever a child has an accident or a spill at school and receives a change of clothes from our clothes bank, we need to have the clothes laundered and returned to school. We are running out of pants sized 7-16 for boys and girls. If you have ‘gently used’ clothing that you could donate for this cause, please send them in!

10-31-08

2008-10-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

Boy have we had fun this week!!! I hope your child is telling you all about what we are learning about Native Americans. We have been focusing, so far, on the Ojibwe Tribe, because Kara, in my afternoon class has Ojibwe ancestors. Her father came to school to get us started and shared a lot of his heritage. He brought deer skins, drums, deer hooves, flutes, music and LOTS of information!!! This was a great incentive to get us started. We have been working with Mrs. Barb Greenlief and Jessie Owens from the computer lab this week. We have learned about smudge pots, Native American pictographs, medicine men, and we made medicine wheels!!! Ask your children about the meaning of the medicine wheel. (It is divided into 4 parts – the Native American magic of four- and represents many things: the 4 seasons, the 4 directions, the 4 winds, the 4 stages of life, the 4 groups of people (white skin, yellow skin, red skin and brown or black skin), and the 4 major parts of nature – animals, fish, birds and plants – where the Native Americans got everything they had!!!) Morgan’s grandfather shared many of his Native American artifacts with us, too! Thank you so much to Mr. Ostroske and Mr. Staton!!!

We will continue our study of Native Americans, leading to the Pilgrims at Thanksgiving through the month of November. Lots more to come!!!

TOMORROW: Don’t forget our career day parade!!! Children are to dress to show what they want to be when they grow up. This is NOT a HALLOWEEN parade!!! No HALLOWEEN COSTUMES, PLEASE!!! The parades will be in the gym at 10:30 and 2:30. Parents and cameras are welcome!

REPORT CARDS went home last week and I am getting lots of requests for conferences. Remember, my planning time is on Monday, Thursday and Friday at either 10:30 or 2:30. If you want to schedule a school conference, send me a note!!!

NEWS::: I am going to begin posting my newsletter on the class blog as soon as I have completed it. I am posting more items on the blog. Please read it. I give directions as to how you can subscribe automatically. Also check my website. www.carlaray.net I am not posting new entries to my website because it is just so much easier to blog!!! However, the website has lots of resources that I put there for parents to use!!! Have fun!!!

Remember, NO SCHOOL on Tuesday! Everyone, be sure to go vote!!!

Pictures are supposed to be here by November 7. Make-up picture day is Friday, November 21. This is for anyone who is dissatisfied with their pictures or who missed school on October 3. Re-takes may be done (free of charge) if families are not satisfied with the original picture. If you want pictures made on this day, let me know and I will send a new payment envelopes to you.
Sally Foster Fundraiser Items are here and ready to be picked up!!! They are in the computer lab.
HOLIDAY CENTRAL Applications have gone home. If your family needs assistance with Christmas this year, please let us know. I plan to draw a family for our class to help. I will let you know what is needed when I choose the family! If you are able to help, it would be greatly appreciated!!
HOMEWORK PACKETS: Completed October Homework packets are due tomorrow in order to receive the October Pizza Hut Book-it certificate. November packets are going home today!!
INDEPENDENT CHECK-OUT BOOKS: As we progress in our reading groups, I will be moving the class up in the level of their check-out books. A and B books are pretty much the same. If your child is moving into the C-D level, there is a lot of difference in the books. You may get an easier one then a more difficult one. Do your best and have fun with them. Praise your child for progressing in reading levels! I am very proud of the progress of ALL students!!!

Great Links

2008-10-28T18:42:00.000-07:00

I am getting requests for websites to help with homework. Don't forget to go to my website!!! I am not updating the website since I started the blog! Blogging is much easier! BUT, the links on the website are extensive and are a good resource for you! Check it out!

www.carlaray.net

The most requested site is the handwriting help site:

http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/print-k/make-pk-all.htm

Right now, the kids would really love to be using the Native american abc flash cards. The link is on the site! Actually there are lots of different sets of flash cards!

www.kellyskindergarten.com is a wonderful site. Many of the games I use in the classroom come from this site. You can print out your own copy and use it at home.

Here's one more tip. I don't mean to push Google over any other site but this is just what I am familiar with. If you set www.google.com as your home page, you can create/design your own homepage with igoogle. You can add things of interest to you. One add-on is Google Reader. This is where you can put my blog address in. Then whenever I post a blog, it will show up in your googlereader box like "you have mail". I use this to keep up with the blogs I subscribe to. This way, whenever my friends post a new entry, it automatically notifies me. I'm sure other providers have something similar - I just use google.

Let me know how it works!

Fundraiser

2008-10-28T18:39:00.000-07:00

Fundraiser items have arrived and may be picked up in the computer lab! Thanks for your help and support for our school!

Letters and Sounds

2008-10-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

Today at home visits, I was asked by most all, "What is the one thing I should be working on with my child." If your child did not have all their letters and/or sounds, this is the answer. I want all students to have a firm foundation in sounds! Vocabulary will come!

If you have misplaced or lost the vocabulary cards I sent home, please let me know and I will send another set! The same goes for the Phonics Song Page. These are the two most important things for you to work on EVERY NIGHT until they have learned the letters and sounds. The report card told you the number of capitals out of 26, the number of lowercase and the number of sounds out of 31. ___/26 ___/26 ___/31

There are 31 sounds because vowels have two sounds!!! Check the number in front of the slash to see how many your child knew. Many of the children know all the names of the letters but really need to work on the sounds.

Remember, I gave the suggestion at Parent Orientation to get two lunch bags. Mark one with a smiley face. Put the letters/sounds your child knows in this bag. Go over this bag each night (for reinforcement). Then try to add 2-3 new letters from the 'don't know' bag. Keep this up until the smiley face bag is full!

Cut up the cards and put them in a bag or bowl. Have your child draw a card. If they draw a letter, have them tell you the name of the letter and the sound that letter makes. Then see if they can tell you something that begins with that sound. If they draw a picture, have them name the picture and tell you the letter that makes that sound.

Get an empty egg carton. With a magic marker, put the letters that your child needs to work on. Get M & Ms, Trix cereal, or something your child likes. Put one in the carton. Have your child shake the carton. If they tell you the name of the letter and something that starts with that letter, let them eat the treat. Then put in another!!

Work with the song sheet nightly. Don't just have your child sing the song. They all know the song. They need to be able to USE the sheet as a resource. After they have finished the song, give them a sound: /m/ make the sound and see if they can point to the picture/letter that makes the sound (Monkey). When playing the letter games, the first thing that should come to their mind is the song picture. Drill them on these pictures. Once they have these down (and many already do), they will be able to transfer to other objects : mouse, moon, etc. But 'monkey' should be where you would begin if they don't know.

I hope these suggestions have helped. Let me know if you need another set of flash cards or song sheets!

News and Updates

2008-10-28T18:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents,

I have been a bit distracted by Fall Break and report cards. I haven't been very good with the blog. I have decided that I will start posting my newsletter on the blog every week as soon as I type it. That way, it will insure that everyone gets it.

About 2 weeks ago, I mentioned in my newsletter that today would be a half day and if anyone was interested in a homevisit this afternoon to let me know. I had a great response and had a full afternoon of visits. In the meantime, report cards came out and I have had a flood of new home visit/conference requests. I had some parents call to let me know they would not be available today for a home visit but I had not scheduled one! I promise, I will never 'drop in' on you without scheduling a visit with you in advance!!! If you have not talked or corresponded with me directly, don't worry about me just 'showing up'.

Now, just to remind you all, my planning times are Monday, Thursday and Friday at 10:30 and at 2:30. Any time you want to schedule a conference at these times, just let me know. This would be the easiest way to conference with me. There are so many of you who only indicated times after 6:00 at night for home visits. This is very difficult for me. I don't mind doing this on occasion but can't do it for all!

I want to keep my communication lines open and am here for you whatever your need - conference, home visit, e-mail, etc.

I hope that being more regular with the blog will help as well.

9-25 Ray's Ramblings

2008-09-24T18:22:00.000-07:00

Ray’s Ramblings
September 25, 2008

Dear Parents,

Lots of important things coming up at the Village! Read carefully!

Picture Day will be Friday, October 3. We are scheduled to have our pictures made at 10:30 and at 2:30. Remember, pictures are to be prepaid. If you have not sent in your payment and need another picture order envelope, please let me know and I’ll send another home.

IMMUNIZATION DEADLINE: The date for turning in immunization records has passed. I have a number of students who have not turned in a current immunization form. These names have been given to me by the office. You will be receiving notices very shortly (if not with this letter). Your child will not be able to return to school without a current immunization form. If you know you are one of these students, please make an appointment with your physician as soon as possible.

LIBRARY BOOKS: The computer in the library was down yesterday, therefore, we are unable to send library books home this week. We are keeping them in the classroom since we have no records of check-out. Next week we should be up and running as normal.

FIRE SAFETY: This week, the specials teachers have had lots of exciting activities surrounding fire safety. Next week, we will follow this up in the classroom.

HANDWRITING: Please continue to work on the letters we have been practicing in class. We have covered:
• the “c” family: c, o, a, d, g, q
• the “down” family: l, i, j, t, f
• the “slant” family: v, w, x, y, k
• the “bounce” or “trampoline” letters: r, n, m, h, p, b
Next week, we will spend time reviewing these letters. As you practice them at home, remember to have your child say the name of the letter as they write. Letters ALWAYS start at the top and come down.
I have had questions about how we are learning all letters at one time, yet the homework packet is taking the letters in order. Please use these letters as a chance to practice the handwriting. Remember, I did not design this packet. It is the best overall packet for ‘across the board’ practice at multiple academic levels. You are always free to do activities NOT in the homework packet. Additional practice in handwriting or kidwriting practice would be great!
VOCABULARY WORDS and ABCs: I gave everyone a copy of the popcorn words. I am sending ABC flash cards home today. As your child brings home the little independent reading books, find the vocabulary words that are found in that particular book. Work with them on these words. Get two paper lunch bags. Label one: “Words I know” and the other one “Words I need to Know”. As you work on the words, put them in the “I know” bag. The next night, add the words from the next book. Review the words from the night before. If they remember them, keep them in the “I know” bag. Continue this through the year and they will quickly build a sight word vocabulary! (Do the same with letters!) I have checked all children on capital and lowercase letter recognition. I am very pleased that almost half of the class already knows all the letters! If your child does not know the letters, please be working on these nightly. We will be targeting letter sounds and letter sound assessment next week.

FIELD TRIP TO PUMPKIN PATCH: Thank you for all the quick responses with the permission slips and payment. Remember, if you are willing to pay for a child who is unable to pay, please note that on the permission slip or send a note (if you’ve already sent the slip in.) Any adults planning to accompany the class on the trip MUST be registered as a volunteer in the Family Resource Center.
Be reading upcoming school newsletters for upcoming activities in October. We have a Book Fair coming soon, as well as one of our most popular Family Fun Nights of the year – the Hoedown!!!
Thank you to all my WONDERFUL volunteers! I depend on you to help with the independent book check-out. I am fortunate enough to have enough volunteers so that we can check out books every night of the week. As far as I know, I am the only classroom at the Village who is able to do this! Your children will benefit greatly from this program!!

Book Orders

2008-09-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

Book orders are in the mail!!! I am so impressed. I just turned in what is probably the biggest book order in my entire 26 years of teaching. You guys are awesome. This is truly a good thing - not because you're big spenders, but because you recognize a tremendous bargain and are interested in your child's education! I am very pleased with the number of students who ordered one or both of the sight word sets that I recommended. These are excelent books and will really help your child learn to read!

Thank you for participating in our Scholastic Book Clubs! I will send the October Book orders home at the end of this month!

News News News!!!

2008-08-28T15:59:00.000-07:00

I sent a very big packet home with your child today. Lots of important things for you to read and some to respond to! I'm sending the first book orders home today. Please read the directions carefully. If you wish to order online by credit card, there are advantages. There are more selections online. I have placed two other club orders on the website. If you are reading this, you have access to internet! I seem to have a much more technologically savvy group of parents than ever before. Online you will find the CLICK order - it's full of Nintendo DS games, Wii games, and computer software, all at very reasonable prices!

Sally Foster Fundraiser packets went home today. Do your best to collect orders help raise money for our technology at the Village.

Read the newsletter carefully.

NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY!!!

All the Color Word Songs

2008-08-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

Color Word Songs

by Frog Street Press

RED

(Tune; ARE YOU SLEEPING?)

R-E-D, red.

R-E-D, red.

I can spell red

I can spell red.

Fire trucks are red,

Stop signs are red, too.

R-E-D,

R-E-D.
BLUE

(Tune: THE FARMER IN THE DELL)

B-L-U-E SPELLS BLUE

B-L-U-E SPELLS BLUE

HI-HO DID YOU KNOW

B-L-U-E SPELLS BLUE?

THE BIG SKY IS BLUE

THE OCEAN IS TOO

HI-HO DID YOU KNOW

B-L-U-E SPELLS BLUE?

ORANGE

(Tune: THE WHEELS ON THE BUS)

O-R-A-N-G-E,

O-R-A-N-G-E,

O-R-A-N-G-E

ORANGE IS WHAT THAT SPELLS

JACK-O-LANTERNS ARE ALWAYS ORANGE

CARROTS ARE ALWAYS ORANGE

ORANGES ARE ALWAYS ORANGE

O-R-A-N-G-------E!
WHITE

(Tune: LITTLE BROWN JUG)

W-H-I-T-E

THAT SPELLS WHITE, SING WITH ME

MILK IS WHITE, AND SO IS GLUE

GHOSTS ARE WHITE

AND THEY SAY BOO!

W-H-I-T-E

THAT SPELLS WHITE, SING WITH ME

THE CLOUDS ABOVE, THE SNOW BELOW

SANTA’S BEARD, HO, HO, HO!

PINK

(Tune: JINGLE BELLS)

COTTON CANDY, FAT PINK PIGS,

GIRLS WITH SOCKS AND BOWS

P-I-N-K, P-I-N-K THAT IS HOW IT GOES

BUBBLE GUM, VALENTINES

THESE ARE ALL PINK TOO

PINK ICING AND PINK BALLOONS

WE CAN SPELL CAN YOU?

COTTON CANDY, FAT PINK PIGS,

GIRLS WITH SOCKS AND BOWS

P-I-N-K, P-I-N-K THAT IS HOW IT GOES

BUBBLE GUM, VALENTINES

THESE ARE ALL PINK TOO

PINK ICING AND PINK BALLOONS

WE CAN SPELL CAN YOU?
BLACK

B-L-A-C-K, SPELLS BLACK

B-L-A-C-K, SPELLS BLACK

FLYING BATS ARE BLACK

SCARY CATS ARE BLACK

JELLY BEANS ARE BLACK

I LIKE BLACK.

B-L-A-C-K, SPELLS BLACK

B-L-A-C-K, SPELLS BLACK

SUNDAY SHOES ARE BLACK

SANTA’S BOOTS ARE BLACK

B-L-A-C-K SPELLS BLACK.

BROWN

(Tune: BINGO)

THERE IS A COLOR WE ALL KNOW.

CAN YOU GUESS WHAT IT IS?

B-R-O-W-N.

B-R-O-W-N.

B-R-O-W-N.

THAT’S HOW YOU SPELL BROWN.

TEDDY BEARS AND SQUIRRELS ARE BROWN.

AUTUMN LEAVES ARE TOO.

CHOCOLATE CANDY IS ALWAYS BROWN.

CHOCOLATE CAKE IS ALWAYS BROWN.

CHOCOLATE MILK IS ALWAYS BROWN.

I LIKE BROWN, DON’T YOU?
PURPLE

P-U-R-P-L-E, PURPLE, PURPLE

P-U-R-P-L-E, PURPLE’S WHAT THAT SPELLS

PURPLE GRAPES ON THE VINE

PURPLE KOOL-AID'S FINE

P-U-R-P-L-E, PURPLE’S WHAT THAT SPELLS

P-U-R-P-L-E, PURPLE, PURPLE

P-U-R-P-L-E, PURPLE’S WHAT THAT SPELLS

PURPLE GRAPES ON THE VINE

PURPLE KOOL-AID'S FINE

P-U-R-P-L-E, PURPLE’S WHAT THAT SPELLS

GREEN

(ROW, ROW ROW YOUR BOAT)

G-R-E-E-N, G-R-E-E-N

I KNOW HOW TO SPELL GREEN, G-R-E-E-N

CATERPILLARS ARE GREEN

AND GRASSHOPPERS, TOO

I KNOW HOW TO SPELL GREEN, G-R-E-E-N
YELLOW

(IF YOU’RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT)

Y-E-L-L-O-W SPELLS YELLOW.

Y-E-L-L-O-W SPELLS YELLOW.

LIKE THE EARLY MORNING SUN

WHEN THE DAY HAS JUST BEGUN.

Y-E-L-L-O-W SPELLS YELLOW.

DAFFODILS AND BABY DUCKS ARE YELLOW.

LEMONADE AND SCRAMBLED EGGS ARE YELLOW.

I LIKE THE SMILEY FACE THAT’S YELLOW.

HE IS SUCH A HAPPY FELLOW.

Y-E-L-L-O-W SPELLS YELLOW.

Number Rhymes

2008-08-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

Straight line down
Then you’re done.
That’s the way
To make a one!

Around and back
On the railroad track.
Two! Two!
Two! Two!

Around a tree,
Around a tree,
That’s the way
To make a three!

Down and over,
Down once more,
That’s the way
To make a four!

Straight line down,
Then around,
Hat on top
And five’s a clown!

A stick and a hoop
Do the tricks
That’s the way
To make a six!

Across the sky
And down from heaven
That’s the way
To make a seven!

Make an ‘S’
Do not wait
Come back up
And that’s an eight!

A hoop and a line
That’s a nine!

Straight line down
Then around with a grin
That’s the way
To make a ten!

Color Word Songs

2008-08-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

RED

r-e-d, red r-e-d, red
I can spell red!
I can spell red!

Firetrucks are red!
Stop signs are red, too!

R-e-d r-e-d

(tune of Frere Jaques or Are You Sleeping)

BLUE

B-l-u-e spells blue!
B-l-u-e spells blue!
High ho! Did you know?
B-l-u-e spells blue!

The big sky is blue
The ocean is, too!
High ho!, Did you know?
B-l-u-e spells blue!

(tune of A Hunting we will go!)

8-21-2008 Newsletter

2008-08-20T18:14:00.000-07:00

Ray’s Ramblings
August 21, 2008

Dear Parents,

This is the first official copy of Ray’s Ramblings, my weekly newsletter. I will be sending it home every Thursday. This way, if anything needs a response, you can send it back to me on Friday in your child’s take-home folder.

FORMS – I am sending home a notice of any forms that have not been returned to me. Please send these back as soon as possible. Even if you feel the form does not apply to you, just check the box that tells me that, sign and return. We have to have these forms on file.

Upcoming Fundraiser!!

Each year the technology team helps organize a fundraiser to keep our school on the cutting edge by purchasing new technology for the students and teachers. Once again we will be selling Sally Foster gift-wrap and products. This year we are excited to announce we will earn a 50% profit. Look for packets to come home on Friday August 29. The sale will end on September 12th, and the merchandise should arrive around November 19th for pick up on Family Fun Night. We will let you know more later. Thanks for your support.

Box Tops for Education

We are collecting the Box Tops coupons off General Mills products. Go to this website to see a complete list of items bearing these coupons. http://www.boxtops4education.com/Downloads/Global/products.pdf

Assessment

We are still getting to know each other and things are going well! The kids are already getting comfortable and learning our routines and rules. I hope you are hearing about these at home. I have been giving my initial assessment called the Early Literacy Assessment. This gives me a baseline on where we need to begin in our reading groups. I already have some children bringing in homework. I will be giving you the first homework packet at the Parent Orientation night and going over how to use it. Until that time, I would like everyone to practice writing their name. We encourage using an initial capital letter and the rest lowercase. Many of the children are still using all capital letters. Please help them with this. We have already learned the correct way to form the numbers 1-7 (8 tomorrow). I am sending home a sheet with the rhymes we use to form these numerals. Practice these at home as well. We have also learned the color word songs for red and blue. I’m sending home a song sheet. Please create a folder or a binder to keep my handouts at home for reference. I’ll be sending things home regularly. I will also post them on my blog and on my website.

http://www.clray.blogspot.com/
www.carlaray.net

I am sending home a handwriting guide. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! Please take the time to really look at this guide to see the CORRECT formation of letters. This is what I will be teaching. With our very limited time in a half day session, I depend on you to spend time at home reinforcing school work. Every letter should begin at the TOP and come to the bottom. We NEVER start at the bottom and go up. If your child has already developed these bad habits, please help me break them!

Parent Orientation Night (September 11, 2008)

At Open House, I had a sign-up sheet for the parent orientation night. I really need at least one parent represented at this meeting. I will be going over our handwriting and demonstrating many other things you will need to know in order to help your child at home. We will be going over kindergarten curriculum and expectations and the kindergarten report card. Those of you who were unable to come to Open House night or who did not sign up, I need a note telling me which session you would like to attend. This night is for parents only. Please make childcare plans. Each session is only 30 minutes long. Sessions are: 4:30-5:00, 5:15-5:45; 6:00-6:30; 6:45 – 7:15. If you have not signed up, I am sending a reminder home today. Please send in your choice for sessions.

Parent Orientation Night:

Child’s Name: ________________________________

Parent(s) attending: __________________________________________

Please put me down for the following session:

_____ 4:30 – 5:00

_____ 5:15 – 5:45

_____ 6:00 – 6:30

_____ 6:45 – 7:15

The Star Polisher

2008-08-18T19:49:00.000-07:00

"My job is to take the stars in, and shine them and buff them and then send them out into the sky" by Leah Becks

I have a great job in the universe of occupations. What do I do? I am a "star-polisher". It's a very important job. If you want to know how important, just go out at night and look up at the stars twinkling and sparkling.

You see, I'm a teacher. The stars are the children in my class. My job is to take them in - in whatever shape they come - and shine and buff them and send them out to take their places as bright little twinkling beacons in the sky.

They come into my room in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes they're bent, tarnished, dirty, crinkly, and brokern. Some stars are cuddly, soft and sweet. Some stars are prickly and thorny.

As I buff, polish, train and teach my little stars, I tell them that the world cannot do without them. I tell them they can do anything they set their minds to do. I tell them they can be the brightest, shiniest stars in the sky and the world will be a better place because of them.

Each night as I look at the sky, I'm reinded of my very important job and awesome responsibility. I go and get my soft buffing cloth and my bottle of polish in preparation for tomorrow and for my class of little stars.

August 18, 2008

2008-08-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

I am working hard to get ready for our first full week of kindergarten!!! I have many exciting things planned for your children this week. As we are still getting to know each other and the routine, we are not truly following the schedule I gave you at Open House. We will be working this week on writing and recognizing our names, assessing pencil grips, cutting and gluing. We will be going over our colors and learning some color words. We will be practicing counting and recognizing numbers to 10. Please be practicing these skills at home.

If your child cannot write his name, please put this skill at the top of your homework list! We write our name on every paper we do!

I did not send a newsletter home on Thursday because I felt like I had given you enough paperwork for this week!

We will begin writing in our writing journal this week. If you have not sent one in, please do so soon. We will go to the computer lab and to Art on Monday, Tuesday our Occupational Therapist, Julie Wells, will come in and have a lesson/assessment on pencil grips. Wednesday we will not have a special but I have an art project planned. Thursday is Music and Friday is Gym.
We have new wood chips on the playground. Many of the children who were wearing flip flops last week complained about getting stuck. There are some fixtures on the playground that the children are not allowed on if they do not have on tennis shoes. If at all possible, tennis shoes would be the best choice in footwear for school.

I am getting a tremendous amount of response via e-mail. I am thrilled that I have such a tech savvy group of parents. This will make communication much more effective!

We have a great week planned! You have a good one, too!

Exciting Times

2008-08-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

It's almost time!!! I have been working very hard to get our room ready for Open House on Monday. It's just about ready. I will have an information packet for you. There are some forms that you will need to fill out on Monday night and leave with me. Please come prepared with all emergency names, phone numbers and driver's license numbers. You will need this information for anyone you list as a person to call in an emergency. Other forms, you may take home and fill out. Please complete the forms and return them to school with your child on their first day.

Monday night, please come in, help your child find their cubby in the hall. Find their name on the bulletin board. Find their seat at a table. Put their supplies in their chair pocket.

AM children will have names printed in red and will use the TOP chair pocket and the TOP cubbyhole. They will also use red folders. I have used ladybugs to designate AM class.

PM children will have names printed in blue and will use the BOTTOM chair pocket and the BOTTOM cubbyhole. I have used bees and/or flowers to designate the PM class.

There will be a sign-up sheet for you to choose the time you will attend the Class Night on September 11.

I look forward to seeing you all on Monday Night.

It's In the Mail!!!

2008-07-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

My welcome letters went out on Wednesday this week to my new 'family'. I am already receiving e-mails from my new parents. I got to thinking that since I gave you the address of my blog, I would post a new entry.

First of all, let me give you a tech tip. I, personally, use google as my home page on my computer. If you do this, you can set up a google account. It's free! You can use the classic home page that just has the google search box AND you can click on the igoogle link and create your own individualized home page. There is an 'add stuff' link to add different components to your page. One of these is "google reader". This is a blog reader application. You can copy the link to this blog and add it as a subscription. Then, whenever I post a new entry to the blog, it will show up in google reader, just like getting new e-mail in your mailbox.

There may be other ways to do this, but I am most familiar with Google!

NICKNAMES: I am already getting responses telling me your child goes by a nickname. This is fine. I just need to know what name you want them to be called in the classroom and what you want them to write. I will use this name to label their cubbies, nametags, etc.

Please get this to me as soon as possible via e-mail: cjlray@gmail.com since I will be spending the next few weeks preparing name tage, cubby tag, desk tags, bus tags, etc. Tags, tags, tags,.

It would be great to begin having your child practice writing their name now. I will quickly begin to have them write their name with a beginning capital letter and the rest lowercase. No time to begin like now! We will do papers on the very first day of school and we always start by writing our name!

This is a very exciting time of the year! I'm getting excited and I know your little ones are, too!

See you soon!

Getting Ready

2008-07-18T19:34:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it's getting to be that time of year! Next week, I will pick up my new class lists. I can't wait to find out who my new friends will be this year!!! My Welcome Letter should be in the mail by next Friday. My parents should be receiving their letters by the 29th.

I am working hard on getting our room ready. This is always an exciting time for me! I will be posting our supply list on this blog shortly. (I don't have a copy with me right now!) I will not need everything on the list. I have many supplies stockpiled from the past few years. I basically need each child to purchase a zippered cloth pencil bag and fill it with: 3-4 sharpened pencils, 8-pack crayons, fiskar scissors, 1 large glue stick and 1 pack of colored pencils. I will post the additional items needed later.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am getting excited and hope you are, too!

My Zoo Favorites!

2008-05-18T14:21:00.001-07:00

I have to post my favorite pictures. Enjoy!

This guy was so serene! He wasn't paying any attention to us at all!

I love the orangutans! They are my favorite. I could watch them for hours! I will never forget a little girl from years past! When we went into the orangutan house, she didn't like them at all! She said, "I don't like that man looking at me!" I tried to explain that it wasn't a man. It was an animal. She insisted, "No, there's a man inside there!" I tell the class that this is my husband's twin brother!

Eric Carle

2008-05-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

Prior to our trip to the Louisville Zoo, we used many Eric Carle books to learn about the animals we would see. We also studied Eric Carle himself and the style of art he uses to create his books. We went to his website and viewed videos of him creating his pages. We saw his studio. The children were inspired and decided to create our own book. We had read Eric Carle's book, Do You Want to Be My Friend. We decided to use this as our basic idea. We did a study of Africa and it's three main regions: desert, rainforest and grasslands. We learned about many animals that live in each region. We then selected the animals we wanted to put in our book.

To create our book, we began by creating our pages. We needed background pages (blues), rainforest trees, vines (greens), water (deeper blues), tree trunks (browns), grasslands (brownish, yellowish, green), and the different colors and patterns of the animals. Then we divided into groups to create the pages. Some children worked on the backgrounds of the pages (rivers, rainforest, grasslands, coast) and some chose to create animals, either alone or working with a friend. I gave very little assistance! I was amazed at the product we created!

We had to decide on who our main character would be. In Do You Want to Be My Friend, the main character was a mouse who traveled around looking for a friend. He finally found another mouse, just the right size! We had to find an animal that would be able to travel to all the regions of Africa. We decided a bird could do this easily! We wanted a tropical looking bird, similar to the colorful birds we would see in the Lorakeet house at the zoo.

Author's note: One of the most popular animals at the zoo are the peacocks who roam freely. We included one in our book, although it probably wouldn't be found in Africa!)

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-05-18T12:27:00.001-07:00

Our Final Week!

2008-05-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

The week of June 2 to June 5 will be our last week of school. Report cards will go home on the 5th. We will spend this week enjoying a study of PIRATES! We will make treasure maps and search for treasure. Weather permitting, our search may lead us to the pond behind the school or to the Wilmore City park. It would be good for children to be prepared to walk any day this week! This means tennis shoes!!!

We will begin by reading about our favorite pirate - Peter Pan!!!

Then we'll enjoy some other pirate literature. I hope this will be an enjoyable end to your child's kindergarten experience!

Three Little Pigs

2008-05-17T18:26:00.000-07:00

The week of May 26 to May 30 will be Three Little Pigs Week. As in the Cinderella week, we will begin with the familiar Disney version (the happy one) of the three little pigs. We will read a few other versions as well.

Last 3 Weeks of School

2008-05-17T18:02:00.000-07:00

We have three weeks of school left - all are four day weeks.

Next week, May 19 to 23 (No school on Tuesday the 20th). This will be Cinderella week! We will read the traditional Disney version of Cinderella. But, we will enjoy some not so traditional versions as well.

ZOO Trip

2008-05-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

Our field trips to the Louisville Zoo were a tremendous success! I was a bit worried about the weather - for the PM trip, but all turned out well. Tuesday (AM trip) was perfect! Great day! Great kids! Great parents! Wednesday was 'iffy'. It poured on us the entire way to the zoo. But, just like magic, it stopped just as we entered the zoo parking log. No sunshine but NO RAIN!!!! The crowds were small on Wednesday, too! I am posting some pictures from the AM trip that Alyssa's mom sent to me. If anyone else has any other pictures, please e-mail them and I'll post them as well!

First Grade Prep

2008-04-16T19:44:00.001-07:00

We are on the final downhill slope to first grade! Can you believe it?? As we prepare for our transition to first grade, I am expecting much more of your children. Their first grade teachers will expect them to know how to write on lined paper. They will not want to see reversals. They should know that a sentence begins with a capital and ends with a period. It's time to 'crack down' on these skills. When doing homework, it is important that you look over their work. If they are making letters or numbers backwards, point this out and have them correct their mistake. Be sure they are writing on lined paper correctly. Practicing something over and over incorrectly is not good. Show them their mistakes as they make them. Read my notes on homework. I try to give you pointers.

Pictures from AM field trip to Patterson's Pumpkin Patch

2008-04-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

This slideshow is composed of pictures sent to me by AM moms. Thanks! Enjoy!

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-04-16T14:48:00.001-07:00

More Pictures

2008-04-16T14:26:00.001-07:00

These were taken at Open House in September. Thanks Victoria's mom for the pix!

100s Day Projects

2008-04-14T14:22:00.000-07:00

Since I've been inspired to blog, I decided to post some of our pictures from throughout the year. Enjoy! There is more to come . . .

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-04-14T14:21:00.001-07:00

Big Update

2008-04-12T17:36:00.001-07:00

Well, anyone who reads this knows that blogging has not been my forte' this year! I would like to change that.

As of today, we officially have 37 days of school left! We are on the downhill slide. That is very exciting but it's a little sad for me, too. I truly enjoy watching your children grow. I remember the very first day they came in - all excited, some scared (very few tears this year!) When I look back at the beginning days pictures, they seem so small!

In the next 36 days, we have a lot to cover. On April 21, we begin our end of year testing. The best way to prepare for this is to have your children well fed and well rested during this time. The testing is a culmination of everything they have learned this year so it's impossible to 'cram' for this test. I don't want them stressed about it, anyway. I am confident their scores will show much growth over the year.

You can be reviewing our popcorn words and practicing their kidwriting.

I'll try to keep the posts coming. I'm inspired!

HOMEWORK

2007-10-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

I seem to have confused many of you with homework. Remember, the packet I send home each month contains 'suggestions' for homework. You are free to work with your child on whatever you feel is best for your child. Use these as a guideline. The packet is designed with each work page representing one week of homework. Some parents are keeping the packet in the folder. I am able to check these pages daily. If you choose NOT to do it this way, you may send the week's page in on Friday for the whole week. This counts, too. The point is for everyone to spend a short period of time each night working with your child. (10-15 minutes!!) In addition, the nightly check-out books go home daily through the week. Please spend 5 minutes with your child reading these books. Send the book and the signed response slip back daily and they will get a new book. These books go home nightly Monday through Thursday. They do not go home on weekends.

If this is still clear as mud, just send me a note and I'll give you a call. Thanks!

ENJOY

2007-10-05T16:03:00.000-07:00

New postings. Remember, I am a mom, as well as a teacher. Of course, my kids are now 23 and 20 but it hasn't been that long . . . When I saw these videos, it still struck my funnybones. I thought of all of you when I saw these!

Pachelbel Bedtime

2007-10-05T16:02:00.001-07:00

The Dad's Song

The Mom Song Sung to William Tell Overture with Lyrics

2007-10-05T16:01:00.001-07:00

Testing is over!!!

2007-09-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

OK - I haven't been doing a good job keeping my blog up to date. I have, however, been keeping my website current which is a major job!!! In case you haven't found it, go to http://www.carlaray.net/ and check it out!!!

Parent Night was wonderful!!! I had a tremendous turnout and all the response I have heard was great. It was a great chance to let parents know just what goes on in kindergarten!

Test results should be going home on Thursday - Be on the lookout!!

Book Orders arrived today so they should be going home in backpacks tomorrow. Also look for our first take-home books. Be sure to write comments and sign the take-home slip for each book. Put them back in your child's folder to come back to school the next day:)

Reminder: Try to send all money to school in a sealed envelope and be sure to put your child's name on it and what the $$ is for.

Fund Raiser is due Sept. 18.

I'll try to do better keeping up the blog!

Getting Ready for 2007-2008

2007-07-26T20:03:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone is getting excited about the new school year. I have been working hard to get our classroom ready. I have lots of things planned for us this year. My welcome letters with supply lists and information about our "Meet the Teacher" night on August 13 are in the mail! There is also information about the school phase-in (children come either the 15th OR the 16th. Then everyone comes on the 17th and everyday thereafter.)