News from the Kindergarten Class

This Week in Kindergarten

Mrs. Vodicka’s Voice

December 15^th-19^th

We have made it to the week before Christmas break! I can’t believe how fast Christmas has snuck up on us this year! This week we will be preparing for the holiday’s with Christmas themed activities. Here is a look at our week:

Bible- Last week we learned about the birth of Christ. This week we will be talking about the Wise men’s visit and Joseph and Mary’s flight into Egypt.

Phonics- In phonics we are working on hearing vowel sounds in words. The students will be asked to fill in the missing vowel sound that they hear in a word. We are also working on hearing and writing blends. This week I will start to introduce long vowel sounds. We will spend more time on long vowels when we get back from break.

Math- In math this week we are working on counting by tens, addition, and number recognition. The students will also be introduced to counting and recognizing dimes.

Social Studies- We will be studying about our country. We are also working on developing good character traits. This week we are talking about being well-mannered and attentive.

Handwriting- The students have finished learning the proper formation for all the letters. We will now go back and refine their handwriting. You will notice that the lines that they write their letters on are smaller. This week we are working on the vowels.

Reading Bags

We had a wonderful first week of reading groups. I am so appreciative of all the time and effort you have spent, helping your child with their reading homework. The class enjoys reading group time. I am excited to watch them blossom into readers. I do ask that you only work on the pages that are assigned for homework. You are welcome to go back and review with your student, but we ask that they don’t get too far ahead. I am doing my very best to make sure your child is getting the best instruction at an appropriate pace. Make sure your bag is taken care of and returned to school each day! Thanks for all you do J

Volunteers

I have had several people volunteer to help during reading groups. I am still looking for anyone who might be interested in helping on Mondays. I will attach a schedule on the back of who is scheduled to come in when. Thanks!

Class Party

Our class party is on Friday, December 19^th, at 10:15 a.m.

«««««««« Star of the Week: GREYSON RANKIN ««««««««««

Greyson’s Birthday is December 15^th

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

This Week in Kindergarten

Mrs. Vodicka’s Voice

December 1^st-5^th

It’s hard to believe that December is here! We are almost half way through Kindergarten already!! Now that it is December, Bethlehem Revisited is in full swing and we will be out of the building most of this week. Here’s a reminder of what our schedule will be like:

*Monday- Regular school day. We will have Bible, Phonics, Math, Handwriting, Social Studies, and Calendar.

*Tuesday- We will take a field trip to the Hummell Planetarium at Eastern Kentucky University. Mrs. Walton will be our parent chaperone. We will leave at 8:30 a.m. and return by 11:30. Full-day students will need a lunch packed like they normally would.*Wednesday- We will be going to see If You Take a Mouse to the Movies at the Lexington Opera House. We will leave WCS at 9:15 and return at 1:00 p.m. Students will be eating lunch at the Chik-Fil-A on Nicholasville Road.*Thursday- We will be going to King’s Way Church to play games, do holiday crafts, and watch a movie. We will leave at 10:00 and return at 1:00. Full-day students need a lunch. Remember half-day students can be picked-up at 11:15 if you wish. Just let me know. Right now I have Shannon Walton and James’ Aunt B. scheduled to drive on that trip.

*Friday- We will be back to our normal school day. Students that earned the Abundant Funds Reward Field Trip will be gone from 10-1. The rest of the class will be doing review activities.

Our Bible Verse for this Week is for the Letter G.

Thank you for bearing with us this week as we take so many field trips and have so many changes in the schedule. I appreciate everyone’s flexibility and willingness to make this week go smoothly. We will get back to our regular routine next week, and we will be starting reading groups as well. Have a great week! J

This Week in Kindergarten

Mrs. Vodicka’s Voice

November 10^th-14^th, 2008

It’s hard to believe it’s already the second week of November. We have a lot planned before Thanksgiving break! This newsletter will contain a lot of pertinent information of the happenings of our class/school for the rest of the month. Here’s a look at what is happening in the classroom this week.

Bible- This week we will be learning the story of Jacob’s Ladder. We will also be learning the story of God blessing Jacob. This week we will have no memory verse. We will continue to practice Psalm 100 in preparation for the school Thanksgiving Feast. As of right now, I have had all but four students say Psalm 100 by memory. If your child still needs to say it, I will send home an extra copy so you can practice with them for Friday.

Phonics- This week will learn the sound for the letter V. We will also be practicing reading CVC words. These next few weeks of phonics are critical in preparing for reading groups. Make sure you are going over the papers we do in class and that you are working on areas that might be difficult for your student.

Math- This week we are working on writing the time to the hour, reviewing the numbers 1-20, and recognizing number in the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s family.

Social Studies- In social studies we are wrapping up our study of community helpers. We will learn about the nurse, the farmer, and the police officer. On Friday, Officer Cole Evans will come talk to our class about being a police officer and about safety. He will be bringing his police car too!

Handwriting- During handwriting this week, we will be working on the letters k, w, and y.

Conferences

Thank you all for making my fall conferences successful. It has been a joy to meet with each and every one of you to discuss your child’s progress. It is easy to see why I have such a nice class this year.

Remember to share your child’s report card with him or her and then send it back with the 1^st line signed.

Physics Is Fun

On Monday, we will have an in-school field trip to learn about physics. So that half-days are not missing too much instructional time we will participate in the whole school lesson from 8:30-9:15. Full-day students will visit the Physics stations from 1:30-2:15. Monday morning we will have Bible, Circle Time, Handwriting, and snack/recess following the presentation at 8:15.

Open House

Just a reminder that on Tuesday, November 11^th, I will be having an open house at 6:30 p.m. I will be discussing reading groups, reading homework, and the sight word folders. I will also be sharing some at home reading strategies. Please plan to attend.

Scholastic Book OrdersOn Friday I sent home 5 different Scholastic Book Order Forms. You are by no means obligated to order any books from Scholastic. I thought that these particular orders would let you choose a few books for your child for Christmas. This is the last book order we will do before the holidays. If you are interested in ordering books please send back your order by Friday, Nov. 14^th. Remember you just need to write one check. If you would like suggestions let me know and I can tell you what books are relevant to what we are thinking about in class. J

Book It!

I wanted to let you know how impressed I was that EVERYONE me their Book It! goal for the month of October. I appreciate the parent involvement in helping your child meet that reading goal. I have sent home November’s pizza sheet and you will have till November 25^th to turn it in. Remember if your child completes the Book It! program all six months they will receive a free pizza party lunch in May. Keep up the good work!

Scholastic Classroom Cares

I want to thank the students that took the time to help read 100 books for the Scholastic Classroom Cares Program:Connor Hibbard

Greyson Rankin

Abbey Bleuel

Joey Fulcher

Korry Blankenship

Thanks for helping kids in need!

Thanksgiving Potluck

The Woodford Christian School Thanksgiving Potluck will be Friday, November 21^st, 2008 at Versailles Baptist Church. The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $6.00 a person and children 3 and under are free. There is a $30 maximum per family. Remember our class will be reciting Psalm 100 that night. I encourage all of you to come. This is one of the most special events are school does during the school year. I hope to see everyone there J

Class Thanksgiving Party

Our class Thanksgiving party will be one Tuesday, November 25^th. We will celebrate Thanksgiving as a class by sharing stories, a meal, and by doing a craft. Mrs. Walton will be contacting each family about what they can send in to make are party a success. Remember that you are invited to come too! J

Important Dates

ê     Monday, November 10^th- Physics is Fun

ê     Tuesday, November 11^th- Reading Group Info. Night 6:30 p.m.

ê     Friday, November 14^th- Psalm 100 Due

ê     Friday, Nov. 14 Book Order Due

ê     Friday, November 21^st- Thanksgiving Potluck at Versailles Baptist Church 6:30 p.m.

ê     Tuesday, November 25^th- Class Thanksgiving Party

ê     Wednesday. November 26^th Thanksgiving Break begins

ê     Monday, December 3^rd, School resumes and Reading Groups begin!

Have a Great Week! J

Remember to check out my blog at

http://kentuckyclassroom.org/kvodicka/

This Week in Kindergarten

Mrs. Vodicka’s Voice

October 27^th- 31^st, 2008

We’ve made it to the end of the first nine weeks. We will take this week to review the concepts that we have learned so far in Kindergarten! Here’s a look at what is going on:

Monday- We will review the story of Abraham and Isaac. In phonics today we will learn the letter F. We will also be practicing blends. In math we will be reviewing pennies. The community helper for today is a farmer. In handwriting we will be working on the letter G.

Tuesday- Today we will begin the Bible story called a Bride for Isaac. In phonics we will be taking a test. Following snack, the children will have their reward party for reading 100 books for the Scholastic Classroom Cares Program.

Wednesday- In Bible we will continue to talk about Isaac and Rebekah. For phonics we will play letter sounds bingo. During math we will review number recognition, pennies, and shapes. Handwriting will be a review of the letters we have been learning.

Thursday- We will review the story of a Bride for Isaac. In phonics we are working on reading blends and CVC words. In math we will play a number recognition basketball game. We will read about bats today! The handwriting page is for the letter F.

Friday- We will read about the upcoming election and go to chapel. Our day will end with the class fall party. Remember that it is Community Helper Dress-up Day!

The Bible verse for this week is for the letter “D.”  PLEASE make sure you are practicing Psalm 100 with your child at home. It was on the back of last week’s newsletter. If you need another one to practice with, let me know ASAP. While we practice it in class, there is simply not enough class time for them to learn it. All students are required to say Psalm 100 by memory by Nov. 14.  Don’t wait till the last minute! J

Halloween

Just a reminder, our school does not recognize any part of Halloween. To respect our school family we ask that you send your child to school as if it is a regular day. Also please be mindful of the clothing your children wear this week. While kindergarten does not have a dress code, clothing with ghosts, witches, and jack-o lanterns are not appropriate. Thank you J

Conferences

I have sent home a paper last week with your conference time highlighted in green. I will re-send it home today. If something has come up and you cannot make your time let me know. I look forward to meeting with each of your this week.

Community Helper Dress-up Day

Friday is community helper dress-up day. Please send your child to school dressed as their favorite community helper. Remember NO Halloween stuff.

 Star of the Week  ISAAC CUSIC

Isaac’s Birthday is today, October 27.

Field Trip Guidelines For

Boyd’s Orchard on October 24^th.

* If you have not returned your permission slip and money, please return it ASAP. If I do not have the form and money your child will not be able to participate. * We will be at the pumpkin patch from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Half- Day students will need to bring a sack lunch. Because of time issues students will not be permitted to go get lunch from the café at Boyd’s. Students who ordered pizza will receive their lunch that they ordered. Half-day students and full-day’s students who did not order hot lunch will need to bring a lunch in a brown paper bag. * If you are planning on coming to the field trip I need to know. Also, parents attending the trip will be responsible for their own child. I will need all parents coming to Boyd’s to meet us up in the kindergarten room at 10:00 a.m. Students who parents will not be attending will be placed with another parent or myself. Parents that are coming will have the chance to take a group around.  * Please make sure you know of your child’s/groups whereabouts at all times. This is includes any younger siblings that might be coming on the trip. We will do the group education, hayride, pumpkin picking, petting zoo, and lunch as a group. There will also be a time for recess on the playground at the pumpkin patch. Again, make sure you are watching your child and the children that might be assigned to you. *Make sure your child is dressed for the weather! As of right now it is supposed to be in the low 50’s. Tennis shoes are must! I encourage your child to wear the WCS spirit day clothing if they have it, or to wear purple or gold! * I appreciate all that you do to make our year a success. I appreciate the parent involvement and the interest of the families that are coming with us! If you are unable to come this time, we will have several more field trips throughout the year!* FYI: If it rains on Friday, we WILL NOT go on the field trip to the pumpkin patch. A credit will be made to your account should the field trip be cancelled. 

Thanks Again and Have a Wonderful Time!Love,

Mrs. Vodicka 

We will learn this for the school Thanksgiving Potluck 

 Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving thanks.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness,

Come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are His people the sheep of His pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations

Welcome back from Fall Break! I hope all of you had a restful and relaxing time. I was able to spend a week in Dallas, Texas with my in-laws! J We have a lot to come back to, as this is the last week before the grading period ends. Here’s a look at the week:

Bible- This week we will finish up talking about Abraham and Lot by learning the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. We will then move on to the story of Abraham and Isaac. Since I was out on Friday 10/10 I will be testing that week’s bible verse this Friday on 10/24. It will be for the letter card C. If you have misplaced your bible memory card please let me know so I can get you a new one. This week we will begin Psalm 100.

Phonics- This week we will continue to review consonant vowel blends. I am going to take this week to review the concepts we have learned during the first grading period. I will be doing individual assessments this week as well.

Math- This week we will be reviewing counting, especially the teens family. We will also be doing a following directions activity on Thursday.

Social Studies- This week we will study Christopher Columbus. On Wednesday and Thursday we will be reviewing the Community Helpers.

Handwriting- In handwriting this week we will learn to form the letters D, G, and R. I am so proud of the great handwriting habits that I am seeing develop!

Field Trip to Boyd Orchard- This is a reminder that our field trip to the Orchard is on Friday October 24. We will leave after chapel. Please return your field trip form and money ASAP!

Report Cards and Parent Conferences- Just an FYI that you will receive your child’s report card during our parent conference. I am sending home a conference sign-up sheet today. I will be holding conferences on Thursday October 30^th and on Friday the 31^st.

Cold Weather- Now that the weather is beginning to cool off please send your child to school with the appropriate outerwear. We will go outside for morning and afternoon recess everyday unless it is raining. Thank you!

Full Day- We will have library and bookmobile.

Wish List- If anyone wants to send in candy or small toy items for the treasure box, it would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!

Upcoming Events:

*Tuesday, October 28^th- End of the grading period

* October 30^th-31^st- Parent Conferences

*Tuesday, November 4^th- PTO Meeting at 3:00 p.m. 

I felt that the retreat to the Bluegrass Christian Camp was absolutely wonderful. I am so proud of how well the kindergarten students did. It was amazing to see God working in the hearts of each child as they worked together to accomplish a larger goal. I hope to have pictures up soon!

Class Newsletter: October 6 Newsletter 

On Friday October 3^rd we will be going on a school wide retreat to the Bluegrass Christian Camp. I must have your child’s permission slip to go by Wednesday, October 1^st. While this is an all day trip, half-day students are encouraged to go. This week you will be receiving your child’s WCS spirit shirt. Please make sure they where it on Friday for the field trip. Also make sure they are in comfortable shoes, as we will be playing team-building games.

Buses leave at 8:00. Please be on time!! We will arrive back at 2:00 p.m.