Welcome to Mr. Lechman's Classroom Site!

5/3/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home your child's Field Day info and tee shirt color.  I am also sending home an order form if you would like to order your child a shirt.  Please note that it is optional.  Field Day Shirt Order Form

I am also sending home today's letter z dictation.  

I'd like to thank our Star of the Week's family for coming in and doing the hockey activity with our class.  

Have a great weekend!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

5/2/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home Guided Reading books tonight.  Please be sure to return them tomorrow.  I am also sending home a letter X craft.  

Tomorrow is pajama day.  Everyone can wear pajamas, but please do not send in stuffed animals.  

Lastly, there is a notice from the PTA about our next book fair.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

5/1/24

Dear Parents,

The class had a fun trip to the Emerson Public Library today.  Please make sure you return the correct book back the that library.  

I am also sending home a book of Nursery Rhymes today.  

As the weather gets warmer and more humid, I will be turning on the classroom air conditioner.  Please allow your child to bring in a zip up sweatshirt that they can keep in their locker in case they get cold.

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

4/30/24

Dear Parents,

I have a few extra group photos of our class.  I wanted to make sure that everyone received one earlier in the year.  Please contact me if you did not.  If anyone would like a 2nd copy, I can send one home (as long as everybody already has one.)

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

4/29/24

Dear Parents,

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I am sending home Monday night writing homework.  Our field trip to the library is this Wednesday.  The school will be having a pajama day this Friday.    Have a great day!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

4/24/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home Guided Reading books today because of Bring Your Child to Work Day tomorrow.  You can send back the Guided Reading books on Friday.  

We are about to begin a unit on Non Fiction reading and writing.  I tried to initiate a conversation along the lines of "what do you know all about."  I told them that I know all about fish.  I talked about different things that I know about fish.  Some of the class jumped right in and talked about everything that they know about.  I emphasized that it did not need to be about something they learned in school.   Please try to spark this conversation at home.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

4/23/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home our Small Moment writing from this past month.   Please allow your child the opportunity to share their stories. 

Our Class Trip will be on the the Wednesday, May 1st.  If your child does not need a library card, please put a small note on the application.    Please return the permission slip as soon as possible.   

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

4/22/24

Dear Parents,

Welcome back!  I hope everyone had a great Spring Break.  I am sending home Monday night writing homework and a field trip permission slip today.  Have a great day.    

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

4/12/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home today's dictation, letter V practice, and a red word worksheet.  The class enjoyed our math lesson on playing tic tac toe today.  A few student were asking if they can play during playtime.  

I'd like to thank our Star of the Week's family for coming in and doing the "stuck in goo" activity.  The class loved it.  

I hope that everyone has an awesome Spring Break.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

4/10/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home Guided Reading Books today.  Please be sure to return them tomorrow!  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

4/8/24

Dear Parents,

The class was definitely interested and curious about the eclipse today.  They asked so many great questions and many answers were hard to explain.  I have to include another funny quote from this morning though.  As soon as the class was finished unpacking, I started our Morning Meeting.  I asked the class in anyone knew something special that was happening today.  I called on one student who raised their hand and they said "The Apocalypse!"  It was hard to keep a straight face!  

While it was unfortunate that we had so much cloud cover at dismissal, there were definitely a few opportunities to see the partial eclipse.  

I am sending home our Monday night writing homework, please be sure to return it by Wednesday.  Have a great night.   

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

4/5/24

Dear Parents,

It was a interesting start to the day with the earthquake shaking the room just at the start of snack time.  I asked the class if anyone felt the shake immediately afterward and they all said felt what... We did see the projection on the screen shake a little and that was part of a morning and afternoon long discussion about earthquakes.  One student said they thought earthquakes were not real...

I do have glasses to give out for dismissal on Monday.  They will allow the students to look at the sun to see the eclipse.  We spent so much time talking about earthquakes that we did not leave much time to discuss the eclipse on Monday.  

I'd like to thank our Star of the Week's family for coming in and sharing the measuring activity with the class.  I think we measured every toy our room during playtime today.   

Have a great weekend!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

4/4/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home guided reading books today, please be sure to return them tomorrow.  The class had a great time building 2d and 3d shapes using marshmallows and toothpicks.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

4/2/24

Dear Parents,

I hope that everyone enjoyed the long 4 day weekend.  I am sending home letter y practice and a weekly reader that we completed together.  

Please remember that we have a one session day tomorrow, please send in some extra snack.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/28/24

Dear Parents,

Our class was full of excitement today with the long weekend and fun activities coming.  Many students were excited about various egg hunts, including one in our class this afternoon.  I am sending home today's dictation as well as a bunny that we made with our buddies.  

Have a great long weekend!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/27/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home Guided Reading books tonight instead of Thursday because of the long weekend.   Please be sure to return the books tomorrow.  

I'd like to thank our Star of the Week's family for coming in and reading the Great White vs Killer Whale Battle book.  I think I enjoyed it as much as the class.  They also enjoyed the project.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/25/24

Dear Parents,

Our class had a fun filled morning playing with some soft plastic worms as well as some real worms as soon as they came in the door.    I told them that I had a surprise for them on Friday and they were convinced that the Easter Bunny was coming...

I sent home some Monday night writing homework, please have them return it by Wednesday.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/22/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home today's /th/ dictation.  I am also sending home a /th/ sort.  

We have been working on surveys this week.  The students worked in pairs and came up with an idea to ask their peers.   They collected the data and today they worked on showing the results of their surveys.  This was the first time they created something like this.   We ended the day with a wide range of displays to show their information.  

I'd like to thank our Star of the Week's family for coming in, reading a story, and making Balloon Poppers with the class.  

I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/21/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home guided reading books today, please be sure to return them tomorrow. We have been doing surveys in class this week.  The class loved coming up with questions to ask everyone.  We will be working on how to represent the "data" tomorrow.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/18/24

Dear Parents,

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  So many classmates were excited to be at the parade yesterday.  

I sent home Friday's dictation, tonight's writing homework and a digraph th worksheet today.  Please return the homework by Wednesday.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/15/24

Dear Parents,

The class had such a blast discovering leprechaun foot prints, gold, shamrocks, and an overall big mess in the classroom this morning.    They did a great job helping to clean up the room after.  

I am sending home report cards today.  

I am sending home a shamrock "sh" craft from today as well as a Saint Patrick's Day graph.  I am also sending home matching game red word cards for our 3rd red word book.  Please practice these red words at home.  

I'd like to thank our Star of the Week's family for coming in and bring their pet hermit crabs.  The class was so excited to see them!

Have a great weekend!  Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/13/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home guided reading books as well as a Write the Room from today.  Please be sure to return the guided reading books tomorrow.  We have been talking about solid or 3D shapes over the last few weeks.  See if you child can identify them around the house.  

Please remember that we have a one session day on Friday the 15th, Monday the 18th and Tuesday the 19th.  Please be sure to send in an extra large snack that day.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/12/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home a letter S book as well as a red word unscramble that we completed in a small group in centers.  I am also sending home the rest of the 3rd Red Word books today.  As on now, our class has learned 30 red words.  Please be sure to practice them at home.  I will send home the matching cards soon.  

I will be sending home  guided reading books on Wednesday this week.

Please send the Monday night homework back tomorrow.  Remind them that they need to add a background and color their picture.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/8/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home today's dictation for the letter S.   I am also sending home a bee project from this week's Star of the Week.   

I'd like to thank both of our Star of the Week families for coming in, sharing books, and doing fun projects with the class.  

Have a great weekend.   

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/6/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home Guided Reading books today because we have a morning assembly tomorrow with the Harlem Wizards.  Please be sure to send the books back to school tomorrow.  

Thank you for sending in the great pictures with their writing folders.  The class has really enjoyed sharing their memories from the picts.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/4/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home a new type of Monday night homework called a Draw and Write.  Your child will copy a step by step drawing, then color it in and add a background.  When they finish the drawing they can begin writing 1 or 2 sentences that go along with the picture.  You can encourage them to start with a upper case letter, use punctuation, use finger space between words, and to write neatly.  Please do not spell for them.  Encourage them to sound out the word and write the sounds that they hear.  I am also attaching a list of Red Words.  They can copy the Red Words off of the list if they need it.  We completed a Cat in the Hat sample together today.  I am sending it home along with tonight's homework which is a penguin draw and write.  You do not need to return the step by step directions page, just the writing page.  Please return it on Wednesday.  

Please click on the following link to sign up for our Parent Teacher Conference Spring 2024.

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

3/1/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home your child's  yellow writing folder.  Please print out 5 photos of your child and tape or glue them to their writing folder.  Please make sure the photos are from something that your child has a strong memory of.  I want to use them to build discussion and to begin writing.  Please return them on Tuesday.  

Please click on the following link to sign up for our Parent Teacher Conference Spring 2024.

Have a great weekend!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/29/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home a 1-30 number writing assessment and our 2nd writing assessment. I included a letter with the number assessment plus a page to copy and practice at home.  You do not need to return it to me.   Their writing has improved significantly since the beginning of the year.  I am also sending home Guided Reading books.  Please be sure to return them tomorrow.  

Please click on the following link to sign up for our Parent Teacher Conference Spring 2024.

I'd like to thank our Star of the Week's family for coming in and doing the experiment showing how soap works on germs.  The class really enjoyed it!!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/28/24

Dear Parents,

Please click on the following link to sign up for our Parent Teacher Conference Spring 2024.

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/26/24

Dear Parents,

***I am sending home some extra writing papers from your child's writing folder.  These are papers that are old or stories that were started and not completed.  We are beginning a new writing unit called Small Moments.  They are writing about something that happened to them in real life.    

I will send out the Spring Parent Teacher Conference signup in the middle of the week.  I need to coordinate my bus schedule before posting.  If you need to have a conference after 7:00PM, or if you can conference in the morning between 6:00AM and 6:45AM  please email me directly.  

This week is Read Across America week.  Have your child wear a shirt with words on today.    

We are finishing up our Memorial School food drive next week.  Please send in your donations by next Thursday.  Memorial Food Drive

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/23/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home a bunch of clean pennies.  The class enjoyed cleaning them in lemon juice.  If you want to do this at home you can also use vinegar.  

I am also sending home a George Washington project that we finished today.  

Next week is Read Across America week.  Have your child wear a shirt with words on Monday.    

We are finishing up our Memorial School food drive next week.  Please send in your donations by next Thursday.  Memorial Food Drive

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/22/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home guided reading books today.  Please be sure to return them tomorrow.  

I am also sending home your child's published how to writing book.  We have been working on different parts step by step for weeks!  Please allow them the time to share their how to with you.  

We are beginning to work on subtraction in Math.  First, we began playing a simple game called Disappearing Train.  Today we played a dice game where we rolled a pair of dice and subtracted the smaller number from the larger number.  

Next week is Read Across America week.  Please take a look at the attached schedule.  

We are finishing up our Memorial School food drive next week.  Please send in your donations by next Thursday.  Memorial Food Drive

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/21/24

Dear Parents,

I hope that everyone had a great long weekend.  We did centers and reading groups in class today and hope to meet again tomorrow.  Please be sure to send in 20 (dirty) pennies tomorrow to be ready for Friday's experiment.  

We are finishing up our Memorial School food drive next week.  Please send in your donations by next Thursday.  Memorial Food Drive

We are not reviewing any new letters or red words this week.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/16/24

Dear Parents,

This week was wave of energy with 100th day celebrations, snow day, and Valentine's Day.  We did guided reading on Thursday and Friday this week, so I'm sending books home today.  Please be sure to send them back on Wednesday as we will be going right back into guided reading when we get back after the long weekend.  

I'm sending home today's letter N dictation today as well.  

Please send in 20 dirty pennies for an experiment by Thursday.  

Remember that Wednesday is a one session day, please pack an XL sized lunch for your children.  

Have a great long weekend!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/14/24

Dear Parents,

Happy Valentine's Day

The class was so excited to celebrate Valentine's Day and excited for our party.  Thank you to our class parents for coming in and helping organize the party.  

I'm sending home some Letter n practice as well as red word practice.  

Have a great night!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/12/24

Dear Parents,

The kids were so excited about the 100th day of school today!  We made gumball machines with 100 gumballs, fruit loop necklaces with 100 fruit loops, had 100th day pencils, stickers, and glasses.   I'm sending home the necklaces in a Ziploc bag.  They were not allowed to eat them at school, I told them that they need to ask you at home.  

One or two of them still think today is the last day of kindergarten...

They were also so excited to see our class flower in full bloom this morning.  

If you have any great pictures from the family celebration, please share them with me via email.    

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/9/24

Dear Parents,

I was great to see everyone at our Family Celebration!  The class did a great job!  It was so nice to have a chance to talk to so many of you.  The class was so happy to see everybody!

I am sending home today's dictation and letter f practice.  

I wanted to repost the class name list for Valentines Day.  Please remember that we cannot give out candy with Valentines.  

James

Wyatt

Adriana

Emily

Christian

Mollie

Emma

Madison

Charles

Alex

Luke

Easton

Cassie

Dante

Alexander

Piper

Eloise

Evan

Everett

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/8/24

Dear Parents,

We look forward to seeing you at tomorrow's Family Celebration.  Please be seated and ready by 11:05, we will begin promptly at 11:10.

Please bring in the food items you would like your family to eat. We will provide paper products and water bottles.

***Please also send in morning snack!!! Our class usually has snack around 10:15.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/7/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home guided reading books today instead of Thursday.  Please send them back tomorrow.  The kindergarten will be doing a rehearsal tomorrow morning for our Family Celebrations on Friday.   

We continued to work on chunking words in writing again today.  If your child is trying to write a large word at home.  Please encourage them to clap out the syllables and write the letter sounds that they hear.   Please remember that the goal in kindergarten is to have them spell words phonetically correct.  Except the red words, they should all be spelled correctly.  

I'd like to thank our Star of the Week's family for coming in and sharing the book about first responders.  The class was so excited for our mini field trip inside of the ambulance.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/5/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home our last Nursery Rhyme, Wee Willy Winky.  Please color and return it by Wednesday.  I am also sending home our letter F handwriting practice and letter F crowns.  

With much of the class strong with their letter sounds, I taught a new method to write difficult words.  I call it chunking.  We have been learning how to clap out words into syllables.  First, they clap out the first syllable, then write the sounds they hear, then then clap the next syllable, write the sounds, then the last syllable, and write the sound.  Today we practiced the words banana and hamburger.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/2/24

Dear Parents,

I sent home today's dictation.  Please look out for a few notices from the PTA.  

After lunch today, I read the book Red Riding Hood.  We were talking about the book and one student brought up the discussion of strangers.  That lead into a class discussion of not talking to strangers, staying away from strangers, and not taking candy from strangers (except on Halloween).  I definitely think its a conversation to be continues and discussed at home.  

I hope that everybody has a great weekend!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

2/1/24

Dear Parents,

First, I think the class had a GREAT time cheering and chanting at yesterday Girls Basketball game.  It was fun sitting with all of the kindergarteners.  They kept asking me if we were winning....

I'm sending home guided reading books, a red word search, and a few groundhog activities for Groundhog Day.  

I'd also like to thank our Star of the Week's family for coming in and doing the Valentine's Day Project!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

1/30/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home the Nursery Rhyme Hickory Dickory Dock today.  Please coor and return it on Thursday.  

It's great to hear that some families are attending tomorrow's game.  Kindergarten B-Ball practice is following the game, so come early and cheer on our Cavos!

To celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day, the Emerson Girls Basketball Team would like to invite all young female (and male)  athletes to our home game on January 31 at 4:15PM vs. Wood Ridge. All girls are encouraged to wear their rec or travel jerseys for any sport, or a women's professional jersey! I hope to see many children from our class there!  Please let me know if you plan on coming to the game.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

1/29/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home our letter b dictation from Friday and our letter r handwriting practice from today.   

To celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day, the Emerson Girls Basketball Team would like to invite all young female athletes to our home game on January 31 at 4:15PM vs. Wood Ridge. All girls are encouraged to wear their rec or travel jerseys for any sport, or a women's professional jersey! I hope to see many children from our class there!  Please let me know if you plan on coming to the game.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

1/26/24

Dear Parents,

I'd like to thank our Star of the Week's family for coming in and sharing the Little Mermaid story and making the TVs with the class.  

Please be sure to send in the decorated heart on Monday.  

I hope that you have a great weekend.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

1/25/24

Dear Parents,

I am sending home guided reading books today, please be sure to return them tomorrow.  

I always bring in a bunch of different plants for our class during the winter.  This year, I brought an Amaryllis.  The bulb sprouted over the weekend and class has been coming in each morning so excited to see how much it grows every day.  It's really fun to see their reaction every morning.  

I sent home red word matching cards, please keep them at home for practice.  

With Valentines day around the corner, here is a list of names for our class.  Please remember that we cannot give out candy with their Valentines.  

James

Wyatt

Adriana

Emily

Christian

Mollie

Emma

Madison

Charles

Alex

Luke

Easton

Cassie

Dante

Alexander

Piper

Eloise

Evan

Everett

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

1/19/24

Dear Parents,

What a week of changing schedules and excited classes!  I hope that we can get back to the regular schedule next week.  I'd like to thank our Star of the Week's family for coming in, reading a story, and a doing the dinosaur project.  I never knew how many dinosaur experts we had in our class.  

Next week, we will have a visit with Marc from the Closter Nature Center, I know the class is excited.  

Have a nice weekend!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

1/17/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home Guided Reading books today because we will be having an assembly on Thursday morning.  Please be sure to send the books back tomorrow.  

I love to see the decorated hearts coming in, all of the pictures and decorations look great.  You can send them in as soon as they are done.  

Please let me know by Monday, how many family members will be coming to The Family Celebration.  

***I sent home the 2nd Red Word book today, so far the class has learned 20 red words.  Please continue to practice them at home.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

1/12/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home a family art project.  The direcrtions are rolled up inside of the heart that I'm sending home.  I suggest you unroll it and let it flatten out overnight before you decorate it.  Please return it by the 29th, or earlier.  I am not sending home the dictation today.  Have a great weekend.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

1/10/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home a number grid from class today.  We color coded it to help the class with skip counting.  They also loved learning a few tricks to count by 11s and 9s.    

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

1/8/24

Dear Parents,

Please keep an eye out for on important letter about our Family Celebration that will be held on February 9th at 11:10AM.   I also sent home the nursery rhyme Baa Baa Black Sheep.  Please color it and return it by Wednesday.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

1/5/24

Dear Parents,

I'd like to thank our Star of the Week's family for coming in and doing the sports project with the class.  The class enjoyed it! I'm sending home the letter P dictation today.  I am also sending home our group class picture today.  Have a great weekend.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

1/4/24

Dear Parents,

I'm sending home guided reading books today.  Please be sure to return them tomorrow.  I will be sending home our group class pictures tomorrow.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

1/2/24

Dear Parents,

I hope that everyone had some time to enjoy and spend with your families during our break.  Our class jumped right back into the groove from the moment they came in today.  I'm sending home some letter P practice and a connecting cube activity about ways to make a number 5.  There is no nursery rhyme for this week.  Have a great night!

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

12/22/23

Dear Parents,

The 2023 part of this class is over,  these first 71 days have flown by.   I absolutely enjoy all of your children in this class, they are such a great blend of personality, ambition, fun, curiosity, and caring.  Even durign the heightened excitement surrounding the holidays, this class has been great.  I thank you for all of your kind words and generous gifts.  I'm looking forward to working with your children in 2024.  I hope that everyone has a Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

12/21/23

Dear Parents,

I am sending home guided reading books today.  We practiced this book on Tuesday and again today.  They should be able to read their book to you with a little guidance.  Please return these book tomorrow.  If your child is absent tomorrow, please try to drop off the book at the main office.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

12/19/23

Dear Parents,

Please keep an eye out for a special hand made gift from your child.  They are taking it home in their folders.  We are also sending home a wreath that just finished drying.    

I have to compliment this class that despite their heightened excitement levels, they are still working hard every day.  They figured out 6 different ways to make a hexagon today and they are wrapping up their last page in their personal narrative books that will be going home tomorrow.  

Tomorrow is our Holiday Gift Exchange, we are going to meet our partners in the cafeteria and sit with them for snack while we exchange our gifts.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

12/18/23

Dear Parents,

I hope that everyone enjoyed the beautiful Saturday and 1/2 of Sunday...   I sent the Nursery Rhyme Fuzzy Wuzzy home today.  Please have your children color and return it by Wednesday.  We are reviewing letters and red words this week.  

Thanks,

Kris Lechman

12/13/23

Dear Parents,

Please be sure to send in the Holiday Gift exchange gift tomorrow.  I am sending home a letter J practice for class today.  We need a little more practice with the lowercase j.  

Kris Lechman

12/11/23

Dear Parents,

I sent home report cards, Friday's dictation, and Library books today.  If you finished your Holiday Gift Exchange gift, you can feel free to send it in.  

Kris Lechman

12/8/23

Dear Parents,

I did not send home the paper copy of your child's report card today.  I apologize, I will send them home on Monday.  You can view your child's report card on the portal.  

I am sending home a few red word worksheets as well as  a snowman from their Holidays around the World trip to Mrs. Felice's class.  I am not sending home dictation today.  I hope that everyone has a great weekend.   

Kris Lechman

12/7/23

Dear Parents,

I sent home Guided Reading books today.  The class has been doing a great job of working hard to sound out words.  They are excited to read them to you.   Please be sure to return them tomorrow.  

In the beginning of the school year I asked many of you to send in tissues and Ziploc bags.  I have plenty of Ziplocs left, but we are blowing through the tissues.  I would appreciate if you can send in an extra box of tissues at some point this winter.  

Kris Lechman

12/6/23

Dear Parents,

I am sending home the interview sheets for the student gift exchange. Please do not buy anything.  There are suggestion for a homemade gift on the attached pink sheet.   Please send in the gift on or before 12/14/23.  Please email me if you have any questions.  

In the beginning of the school year I asked many of you to send in tissues and Ziploc bags.  I have plenty of Ziplocs left, but we are blowing through the tissues.  I would appreciate if you can send in an extra box of tissues at some point this winter.  

Kris Lechman

12/4/23

Dear Parents,

I am sending home today's Nursery Rhyme Polly Put the Kettle On along with letter J practice.  All of the class is also bringing home Letter J crowns and a Kwanza book that we completed in class.  Throughout the rest of this week, our class will be visiting other classes to celebrate holidays around the world.   

I'm also sending home a Holiday gift shop envelope.   if you want your child to purchase items from the gift show, please return the envelope by Wednesday.  

I updated a new SOTW schedule in a pdf format.  You should be able to view it on a tablet or a phone now.  

Have a great weekend!

Kris Lechman

12/1/23

Dear Parents,

Thank you to everyone for returning the Guided Reading books today!  I am sending home you child's first Red Word book.  Please keep it at home until they master those words.  I am also sending home a few red word cards for playing a matching game and to practice spelling them.  

I also sent home today's dictation.  They wrote their first dictation sentence today.  I modeled exactly how and were to write today's words.  Next week, they will attempt it on their own.  

I updated a new SOTW schedule in a pdf format.  You should be able to view it on a tablet or a phone now.  

Have a great weekend!

Kris Lechman

11/30/23

Dear Parents,

We finished our first book in Guided Reading groups this morning.  Each child is bringing their Guided Reading book home in their bag.  Please allow them the opportunity to share their book with you.  I included a small guide to help you along.  

Please do not read the book to them, they should be able to read their book to you.  They WILL be using the pictures on each page for help.  Encourage them to point their finger under each word when they are reading. If they are stuck on a word, encourage them to sound it out.  If they are still stuck, give them the first letter sound.  Let them do the hard work.  Try to encourage them to make a connection to the book.  Get them thinking!  You can also model a connection to the book.  

Lastly, please be sure to return the book tomorrow.  

Please reach out with any questions.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

11/28/23

Dear Parents,

I introduced the class to Guided Reading groups this morning.  We will begin a new book on Tuesday mornings, then we will revisit it on Thursday morning.  I will be sending home the Guided Reading book on Thursday's.  Please be sure to return it the very next day.  

If you have not already sent in your child's headphones, please send them in by Thursday.  

23/24 SOTW Schedule

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

11/27/23

Dear Parents,

I hope that you and your families had a Happy Thanksgiving and a few wonderful days off.  I appreciate everyone's flexibility with planning the Star of the Week schedule.  

23/24 SOTW Schedule

I'll be emailing you one week in advance.  You will be receiving  a small poster board to fill in about your child when he/she was younger.  I would like for you to plan a day to come in, read a short story, and do a small project.   Plan on 30 minutes.  You may want to do an art project, science project,  or something about your career.  Keep it fun and engaging.   If you have a certain day that works for you, we will figure out a good time.  If a certain time of day works better for you, we will figure out a good day.    

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

11/15/23

Dear Parents,

I added a few later conferences on Tuesday, November 21st.  If you need to make a change, please email me.  2023 Fall Conference Schedule

Please remember that we have one session days this Friday through Wednesday.  Please send in an extra large snack on those days.  

I made a short, 3 minute, video about how to write numbers.  I'm teaching them, just like letters, to start from the top.   We have been practicing 1 through 8 so far.   

How to Write Numbers

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

11/13/23

Dear Parents,

I hope that everyone had a great long weekend.  I sent home letter H practice, this week's Nursery Rhyme "To Market," and a red word coloring page.  

We are continuing to work on personal narratives in writing.  

Please reach out to me if you are having any problems getting on Raz Kids.  

I made a short, 3 minute, video about how to write numbers.  I'm teaching them, just like letters, to start from the top.   We have been practicing 1 through 4 so far.   

How to Write Numbers

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

11/8/23

Dear Parents,

I made a short, 3 minute, video about how to write numbers.  I'm teaching them, just like letters, to start from the top.   We have been practicing 1 and 2 so far.   

How to Write Numbers

I am sending home a Scholastic reader about Veterans Day as well as a Red Word is coloring page.  

Have a great weekend!

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

11/6/23

Dear Parents,

I am sending home today's Nursery Rhyme, One, Two, Buckle my Shoe.  Please return it on Wednesday.  I am also sending home a free write on why we like the Fall.  I wrote on the board "I like Fall because" and they finished my sentence.  

Please note this about Fall Conferences:

Over the last few years, we have added the component of having students share their learning in the conferences in an age appropriate way. During this fall's conference, you will be able to see and hear about your child's transition into school this year, their progress thus far, and their goals to further develop their skills. With much to share and discuss in a short amount of time, we have decided that only elementary teachers and parents will meet together during this conference. At the spring conference, students will be included to share their progress in an age appropriate manner.

Please take a look at my 2023 Fall Conference Schedule.  If any of the available times do not work for you, please contact me for an alternate time.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

11/3/23

Dear Parents,

I am sending home today's letter l dictation.  I was able to conference with each student and I left notes on what we discussed.  You can go over this again at home.  

Please check out the Reading A-Z program that I sent home earlier in the week.  Each child has their own password that is on the letter.  You can sign up for parent notifications within the program.  

Please take a look at my 2023 Fall Conference Schedule.  If any of the available times do not work for you, please contact me for an alternate time.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

11/1/23

Dear Parents,

I am sending home a bunch of writing papers from the beginning of this year.  They are about people, places and things that they know a lot about or things that they love. We will be moving on to Personal Narrative writing topics for the next month.  

Please be sure to send back the Star of the Week (SOTW) form at your earliest convenience.  

I kindly ask that you do not send in candy for morning snack or lunchtime.  Please send in a healthy snack or sides.

Please take a look at my 2023 Fall Conference Schedule.  If any of the available times do not work for you, please contact me for an alternate time.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10/30/23

Dear Parents,

***Please send in your child fully dressed in their Halloween costume.  If you child's costume includes a mask that covers their face, they can wear it outside.  Our parade is outside at 2:30pm.***

***Star of the Week*** please keep an eye out for your child's Star of the Week letter going home today.  

I set up our online reading program Kids A-Z.  This reading program helps gives your children access to leveled readers.  Students will begin at the lowest level.  First they listen to a book, then they read the book, finally as they level up, there will be some comprehension questions.  Your child will level up after they complete all of the books in the level.  Each student has a unique access code that I am sending home today.  You will need to assist them the first time they use it, but they should be able to use it on their own after that.  

You do not have to fill in the bottom of the form, you can go online and put in your email to receive parent access.  

Here is a link to this year's Red Word list.  

Please take a look at my 2023 Fall Conference Schedule.  If any of the available times do not work for you, please contact me for an alternate time.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10/27/23

Dear Parents,

Please keep an eye out for a yellow Halloween Dismissal notice that is going home today.  Please return it on Monday.  

I am sending home today's dictation with some notes from conferencing.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.   

Please take a look at my 2023 Fall Conference Schedule.  If any of the available times do not work for you, please contact me for an alternate time.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10//23

Dear Parents,

Please take a look at my 2023 Fall Conference Schedule.  If any of the available times do not work for you, please contact me for an alternate time.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10/25/23

Dear Parents,

Please take a look at my 2023 Fall Conference Schedule.  If any of the available times do not work for you, please contact me for an alternate time.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10/23/23

Dear Parents,

I can honestly say that driving that school bus through this weekend's Trunk or Treat event was one of my most nerve-racking experiences ever.  I did appreciate the DJ's shout out and I enjoyed seeing so many smiling faces!   

I'm sending home the dictation from last week.  I wanted to conference with each student before sending it home.  The class is doing very well with the letter sounds.  The most common mistake is using capital letters instead of lowercase.  

I also conferenced with a few students that continue to use improper letter formation particularly with a, d, and g.  Please remind them to start their letters at the top and to keep their pencil on the paper the whole time.  

Lastly, I am sending home the Nursery Rhyme Old Mother Hubbard, please complete it tonight and return it tomorrow.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10/20/23

Dear Parents,

Big thank you to all of the families that helped out with the Fall Festival.  Our class had a great time.  Your child will be bringing home their decorated pumpkin today.  

I am also sending home school pictures.  I am carefully placing them in your child's folder while instructing them to not take them out.  If you want a retake, please send your pictures back to me.  The retake day will be on 11/15/23.

One last note, we've been discussing fire safety in school and at home.  I asked the class to ask you to discuss what to do incase there is a fire in your own home.  Their homework is to discuss it with you and come up with a safe meeting place in front of your house.  

Have a great weekend!

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

Good morning Parents,

We just wanted to let you know that our Fall Festival on Friday will be a rain or shine event.

In the event of rain, we will have the activities in the gym.

Looking forward to a fun-filled event.

Have a good day,

The Kindergarten Team

10/18/23

Dear Parents,

We are currently on our 5th letter and this class is going an excellent job with the letter sounds.  My goal is to have the students produce the individual letter sound without adding a vowel sounds to the letter.  For instance, students often add the /uh/ sound to the letter d to make the /duh/ sound.  This makes a big difference when the students decode words on their own.  

I am also trying to build consistency with letter formation.  As I noted before, our first five letters are c, o, a, d, and g.  They all begin at the same starting place, just below the dotted line.  They all curve up and to the left, then down, etc...  The pencil should always stay on the paper the whole time.  G is our first sinker and so far our biggest challenge.  

Please note that our Fall Festival is this Friday.  I'm hoping that the weather holds up for us so we can have the event outdoors.  We will be on the field, going for hay rides, making scarecrows, picking pumpkins etc.  Please have your child dress appropriately.  

We accidentally sent home the purple "cat hats" without making them into hats yesterday.  Please feel free to make the hat at home or return it to school.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10/13/23

Dear Parents,

I am sending home our first dictation.  I begin by saying a word.  Then I break up the word into individual sounds.  Lastly, they write the sounds that they hear.  I go very slow and deliberate for our first dictation.  We review the letter sounds before beginning.  As the year goes on we will add one letter each week.  Keep practicing the letter sounds at home.  

If you haven't already, send in your child's library book on Monday.  

Have a great weekend!!!

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10/12/23

Dear Parents,

Our class met with their 2nd grade buddies for the first time.   They are  bringing home a paper with some "All About Me"  info from their partner. 

Be sure to send in the Fall Festival $ tomorrow.

You can send in your child's library book tomorrow if you'd like, but it has to be here on Monday.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10/9/23

Dear Parents,

The class took out their first Library books today.  Please remember that they need to be returned every Monday or else they cannot take out another book.  You can send them back in on Friday if you would like.  

I am sending home today's Nursery Rhyme, Diddle Diddle Dumpling.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10/6/23

Dear Parents,

I am sending home the Letter A practice, a Letter A craft, as well as a Weekly Reader.  We have learned C, O, A and next week will be D.  Please continue to practice letter sounds at home.  We will begin our dictation next week after learning the /d/ sound.  We also will be starting our first red word "can" next week.  

Have a great weekend!

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10/5/23

Dear Parents,

I am sending home an important and awesome notice from our class parents.  I am also sending home a letter from the PTA about our book fair.  

We also learned a new math game named Top It.  It is just like the card game War.  We do not use the face cards, just 2-10.  They love playing this game, please play with your child at home.  

Friday is the last day for our Week of Respect.  Wear Cavo colors tomorrow!

RED, BLACK, AND WHITE!!!  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10/4/23

Dear Parents,

Quick Reminder:  Today is School Picture Day

This week is the Week of Respect.  Please click on the link and go over the week.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

10/2/23

Dear Parents,

We introduced Letter A this morning.   I sent home the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty.  

This week is the Week of Respect.  Please click on the link and go over the week.  Be sure to wear an outfit that reminds you of your family.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

9/29/23

Dear Parents,

We completed some Letter O practice that I sent home as well as an Octopus project.  I hope it makes it home...

This week I focused on writing their first names.  I'm encouraging them to start with an uppercase letter and use lowercase for all of the rest.  I sent home an additional name practice for you to use at home, you do not need to return it.  

Lastly,  next week is the Week of Respect.  Please click on the link and go over the week.  Be sure to wear blue on Monday!

Have a great weekend!

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

9/27/23

Dear Parents,

I am sending home a letter O book.  We colored the pages together and read the book together.  Please encourage them to point their finger at each word when they read it.  You can model it first and have them repeat after you.  

In writing today, each student made a chart of animals and events that they know all about or that they love.  Tomorrow we will make a chart of places and people that they know all about or that they love.  Please discuss these topics at home to get their ideas flowing.  I'm trying to avoid the class just copying what I model.  

Have a great night!

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

9/26/23

Dear Parents,

I am sending home our letter O practice from this mornign.  When you practice the letter O sound with your children, please include the long and short sounds.  We also worked on a Pete and I Can Rock at School book that we have been working on since last week.  We are working on number representation posters in Math, I am hanging them on the wall.  

Please click on the link in the top left corner for the Weekly Calendar.  

There is no nursery rhyme for this week.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

9/22/23

Dear Parents,

With two full weeks under their belt, the class is really feeling more comfortable, understanding routine, and working hard.  

I'm sending home a letter C handwriting practice page as well as a Letter C "cat" craft from this morning.   

Have a great long weekend!   

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

9/19/23

Dear Parents,

This week's Nursery Rhyme is Old King Cole, I'm sending it home today.  Please review it with your child.  Have them color it with crayons, please do not use markers. Send it back to school tomorrow.  

Tomorrow is a one session day.  The students will be dismissed at 12:50.  Please note that we do not have lunch on one session days.  I always recommend that you send in an XL sized snack for these days.  

I am sending home a letter C practice page, a letter C book, and a Making Good Choices book today.    

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

9/18/23

Dear Parents,

I hope that everyone had a great weekend!  

I introduced the letter C today.  The class came up with words that began with the /c/ sound, we completed a letter C crown, and a letter C sort. We will begin working on forming letter C tomorrow.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

9/13/23

Dear Parents,

I added an addition page to our site to show our Weekly Calendar.  You can click on the top left corner to access it.  

Yesterday, our class practiced our first fire drill.  Today, our class practiced what to do for a lockdown.  They did a great job in both.  

I am sending home a little hand print activity that we made on the first day of school.  

I look forward to seeing everyone on Back to School Night.  

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

9/12/23

Dear Parents,

Our classroom website is up and running. I will be posting our class updates here.  

We finished sharing our last "Me" bags this afternoon and I am sending the last few home today.  

Please send in your child with a light sweatshirt or sweater for the classroom incase they get chilly.  

Please feel free to contact me at any time at klechman@emersonschools.org

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman

9/7/23

Dear Parents,

The children had a fantastic first day of school.  Lots of smiles, very few tears.   I'm looking forward to tomorrow.  I'm not sending anything home today. If your child brought in their own notebook, pencils, or crayons, I asked them to bring them back home.  

I want to share our Special schedule for the year:

Monday:  Library

Tuesday: Art

Wednesday: Health and Wellness

Thursday:  Music

Friday:  Phys Ed

Thanks,

Mr. Kris Lechman