Where are our gingerbread men???

Oh what fun we had today, families!
I was covered in flour and your children had a wonderful time decorating all of their gingerbread men.  You can see the children in the side bar slide show.
Many of our well behaved little ones simply could not focus today, they could imagine the taste of  gingerbread cookies throughout our lessons.  During lunch, our cafeteria manager informed us sadly, that although our friend Ms. Jennifer had secured the oven (we even have pictures of her closing the oven door!!), the gingerbread men leaped out of the oven.
Ms. Robin said they tried to chase them through the cafeteria.
All the ladies in the lunchroom heard was, "Run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man!"
But there is no way the resilient hearts of our youngsters can be downtrodden.
No sir!!
We will be searching for those gingerbread men all through the school tomorrow.
Stay tuned, families....
Sweet dreams,
Mrs. C.

Homework

I am grading assessments and it occurs to me that I would like to try adapting homework to the learner instead of sending home a general, one size fits all packet of worksheets. I will have a label affixed into the planner indicating what extra practice can be beneficial to your learner.  I do not want homework to become a source of stress for you and the family.  Nor will I impose when it should be done.  All I ask is that you utilize the individualized tools sent home to keep what was learned in class fresh in your learner's mind.  I am not asking for anything to be turned in, just that time be spent going over the suggested assignments.

You can expect to see coming home:

• Sight words (words to know by sight)
• Emergent readers
• Math homework
• Flashcards (for number and letter recognition) 

As ever, I am grateful to be your partner in your child's success.  Please contact me if you have any questions.
Mrs. C.

Rubric

You may notice a number circled atop some of your learner's classroom work.  I use a general rubric. Rubrics specify the level of performance expected in an assignment/project.  Along with specific comments provided by me, the use of rubrics will (in time) help your learner judge and revise their own work before handing in an assignment.

4- Perfect score, can’t ask for more.  Look at me, I am a four!

3- Almost perfect, look at me.  Doing great, I am a three.

2- Still much to do, makes me a two.  But I can do it, I’ll show you.

1- I have just begun.  with hard work, I’ll get it done, but for now, I am a one.

Poppin' into Science

We explored the scientific method this week.  I explained to the children that science is change and we observe those changes through our five senses.  I used a common shared experience to integrate writing into the lesson.  I had the children draw what the bag of popcorn looked like before popping and using their background knowledge they drew what it would look like after it was heated and changed.

 

 

 Then the children waited anxiously to eat their popcorn!

 Yummy!!

 Next week, we will continue to explore the scientific method through color.  Just can't wait!
Warmly,
Mrs. C.

First full day of kindergarten!

Wow, families!
We made it through our first day as a class!  There were a few tears today (me included) and so much activity!  Everyone got home the correct way and I am most grateful to have really begun our journey.
I don't know how your children are faring, but, I know my son did not make it past 7:10 this evening before finally surrendering to sleep.
Today was very busy, I cannot believe I remembered to take out my camera.
The children learned about position and location in mathematics this afternoon.
We were having so much fun, I forgot to take them to the library!  Yikes!
I started by introducing the vocabulary to the children by saying the word, "inside".  Then, I clapped out the word in syllables.  The children then turned to a neighbor and whispered the word.  When I wrote the word on the whiteboard the children said, "inside!"  I almost dropped my dry erase marker.
I took out hula hoops (thanks, Coach!) and demonstrated jumping inside the circle.  By then, all the children were ready.  Upon returning to our seats, the children had a blank paper with a rectangular box.  They drew themselves jumping inside the circle.  We had practiced writing and reading the sight word "I" today so the children were able to write a beginning sentence in their math journal.

We finger spelled L-O-V-E today (as a way of creating a hook into long-term memory), we learned more ASL (American Sign Language) for signs that are useful in class management, we read Dr. Seuss, learned some of our friends names and whew, what a day!
Oh, the things we will learn tomorrow!
Good night, families.
Warmly,
Mrs. C.

Bucket fillers

Be a bucket filler

Rymfire has embraced a bully prevention program called Bucket Fillers.  Students fill their invisible buckets with good thoughts and feelings.  If a student is choosing to be mean, we teach the children to "use their lid"to avoid someone "dipping in their bucket".  This program encourages positive behavior.  Children see how very easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation and love on a daily basis.  We will be reading our book on Tuesday as it will be the first day we are all together. 
Yay!!
The children earn "Bucket Bucks" when they are caught demonstrating traits of being a bucket filler.  The bucket bucks are collected and drawn during lunch every other Friday by an administrator.  If your child's ticket is pulled, he/she wins a prize of their choice.
I feel our classroom color clip chart compliments the school-wide initiative to create an atmosphere of caring perfectly.  It is all about choice.  Please count on me to be an extension of the labor of love you have begun with your child in guiding toward good choices and positive behavior.

Warmly,
Mrs. Caronna

 No more negative connotations about the corner, this is our Character Station.

 

Color clip chart

Staggered start

Staggered start allows your child to get accustomed  to our classroom routine with only 30% of the class.  Staggered start will be the first three days of school:  Thursday, August 16th, Friday, August 17th and Monday, August 20th.

• Only students with last names that begin with  A-I attend on August 16th
• Only students with last names that begin with J-Q attend on August 17th
• Students with last names that begin with R-Z attend on August 20th

All children will begin their second day of school on Tuesday, August 21st.

Our school hosts a "BooHoo Breakfast" of coffee and donuts to ensure that all parents feel comfortable after dropping off their child to Kindergarten.  On Tuesday, August 21st from 9:00 am - 9:45 am, you can enjoy coffee and donuts in our Media Center.  At this time, you can meet with the principal and kindergarten guidance counselor to ask any questions you may have.

 Together, we are going to make this year wonderful!

Warmly,
Mrs. Caronna

 

Munchies!

We will have a designated snack time every day in the classroom.  Please send a small snack with your child daily.  I ask that you pack their healthy snack in a separate Ziploc bag (not in their lunch box).  The children are usually hungry by snack time and starving by lunch!  Thank you in advance for providing your child with a snack to help them stay focused on learning.  Students can keep a half-pint water bottled (filled with water only-no juice or flavored drinks, please) in their desk and refill during the day.  Please do not send them in frozen as they will sweat and make our papers wet.

Warmly,
Mrs. C.

Transportation

Please be sure I know how your child will be getting home.  On the days when your child will be going home a different way than usual, a note must be written in the planner.  For the safety of your child, I cannot change your child's dismissal routine without a note from home.

Extended Day
Students will be walked to the cafeteria at the end of the day.

Walkers
Students walking home will be escorted to the south side of the building.  Two staff members will walk the students down the path and to their parents.  Kindergarten students will only be released to a parent.

Car riders
Car riders are picked up using a number system.  Please help your child learn his or her number; it will make the car rider process move along smoothly.

Please be sure to contact me if you have any questions!

Warmly,
Mrs. C.

Dress code-Updated

Dear Kinder Families,

Many of you have already sent in extra clothes int he event your little one has an accident at school. 
I will send these back home to you.   We have been asked to communicate the extra clothing brought in must be in accordance with the new dress code policy.
Thank you so much for your help in keeping us compliant with this new procedure.
Mrs. Caronna




Flagler County Schools has adopted a Uniform Dress Code policy. Rymfire Roadrunners colors are burgundy and beige (khaki).  White, gray and black are district colors which are also acceptable.

Shirt style

• Short or long sleeve collared shirts or button up dress shirts
• School spirit shirts purchased at our school store may be worn on Fridays

Bottoms

• Colors:  Khaki, navy blue and black
• Style: Slacks, shorts, skirts, skorts, jumpers
• Black or blue jeans may also be worn, must be tatter-free (no rips or holes)

Shoes

• Colors:  Any color is fine
• Style:  Enclosed shoes such as sneakers/athletic shoes or Mary-Jane style 
• Heely's/sneakers with wheels, sandas or flipflops are not allowed

Outerwear

• Colors:  Solid burgundy, khaki, white, black, gray
• Style:  "Over the head" sweatshirts or sweaters with uniforms worn underneath

For a complete outline of the policy, you can visit the Flagler County School District website:
www.flaglerschools.com

Mrs. Caronna

Classroom management color clip chart

Honoring the honesty, innocence and beauty of childhood are some of the reasons why I teach.
I am so grateful to be a part of your child's educational experience.  What we (you, your child and I) will accomplish in a brief period of time is nothing short of miraculous.  You have the great fortune of examining the scope of your child's development through the lasting lens of time. You have expectations of the obvious educational curriculum I will deliver.  There is another implicit directive I feel responsible for and that is also to guide the children to self-discipline, conflict resolution and critical thinking skills. An elemental part of mandated character education is the backbone of my classroom management. I wish to promote positive behavior in the classroom through choices. I will use a color clip chart concept originated by Rick Morris to manage conduct throughout the day.

Thanks to fellow blogger Janis over at Caffeniated Conclusions, this is the poster we will use:

Everyone begins the day on "Ready to Learn" and move up and down the chart throughout the day as the children make choices.  I will report what color your child finishes the day on in the planner.  Examples of rewards for meeting expectations are:  praise, Bucket Bucks, and passes for the Golden Chair, Buddy Table, and Lunch Line Fast.  Consequences for not meeting expectations can be expected to be logical and respectful.

Please consider me a true partner in your child's academic and just as important social development.
Warmly,
Mrs. C.

Lunchtime!

Families,

There are so many things your child will experience and need time adjusting to this year.  Here are a couple of ways to help your child become familiar with the lunch procedures and routines.

• The cost of lunch is $1.60.
• Students are asked to make their own healthy choices at lunchtime.  If possible, review the menu before hand in order to help them make good choices.  
• Snacks such as ice cream, cookies and chips are offered on Fridays.  Prices of the snacks range from $.50 to $1.00.  If you would like your child to purchase a snack ticket on Friday, please ensure there is enough money in their account to purchase a full lunch or send additional funds for the snack in a sealed envelope.
• Students who purchase lunch must memorize their lunch number.  

  I will be assigning numbers when they are available the first few days of school.

Thank you for your support!
Warmly,
Mrs. C.