This page will be used for all posts on what we are working on this week and what materials will be needed.
This page will be used for all posts on what we are working on this week and what materials will be needed.
Families please complete the Student T-Shirt Survey that Principal Adams sent out in the Principal’s October Newsletter. This is so that your child gets their annual t-shirt in the correct size.
10/ 26 - 30: Scholastic Book Fair & Spirit Week
10/26: Pumpkin book report project due
10/30: October book log due
10/30: Quarter 1 Assembly; Halloween Parade; LLP Trunk or Treat Event
11/2: Quarter 1 Parent Teacher Conferences
11/3: No school- Election day
Quarter 1 Parent Teacher Conference- Signup
Option 1: Virtual Sessions- 11:50-2:40 Quarter 1 Conference- Virtual Signup
A personalized Google meets link will generate for you once the time is booked. Use that link to log into your child's conference.
Option 2: In person Session- 2:50-5:50 Quarter 1 Conference- In Person Signup
You will come to Lenart and chat with me in Room 216- Kinder Room.
Option 3: Nov. 2nd does not work for my family. E-mail Ms. Flaherty and we can set up a date/time that works best for you. We can do a phone call, after school meeting, Google meets- whatever works best for you : )
Scholastic Book Fair Prep
Dates: Monday, October 26 – Friday, October 30, 2026 Location: Lenart Regional Gifted Center Library
Our Scholastic Book Fair is always an exciting time for our students, families, and school community. To make this year’s Book Fair as amazing as always, we are asking our wonderful parents and guardians to volunteer throughout the week.
Our Book Fair homepage is also your one-stop shop for fair information. Visit the page to learn more about our Book Fair, preview what’s coming, and access eWallet information.
VISIT LENART’S SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR HOMEPAGE
Halloween Logistics- classroom and schoolwide
We are so excited to continue the Lenart tradition of the Fall Festivities (Halloween) parade! Additionally, we are adding on a Fall Spirit Week allowing students the opportunity to dress up all week encouraging school spirit.
The Halloween parade will take place on Friday, October 30th at 1:30 pm. The parade will take place outside, weather permitting, so layers are advised. Families are invited to watch the short parade outside. After the parade, students will come back into the building to resume our daily schedule until dismissal.
Costume Contest
Students are invited to come to school on Friday, October 30th, dressed in costumes. Students will vote on the best costume for their class and the winners will be announced at the parade.
Students are permitted to the following on Friday, October 30th, 2026:
Wear a costume or fall-themed accessories to school. Please be sure that your student's costume does not prevent them from walking or obscure their vision.
Invite parents, caregivers, and other family members to watch our school-wide parade at 1:30 pm
Bring treats for peers to be distributed during dismissal. This is one of our days we allow treats although we strongly encourage non-edible options due to food allergies and individually wrapped. This is completely optional.
Students are not permitted to the following:
Bring weapons/lookalikes or obscene objects to school
Wear masks inside the school building
Students that do not wish to participate in the costume parade (religious reasons, sensory break, etc.) will have alternative activities in the library with our school counselor, Ms. Daley.
Fall Spirit Week
Monday 10/26 - Mix ‘n’ Match
Tuesday 10/27 - Everything Pumpkin Day
Wednesday 10/28 - Wear Pink
Thursday 10/29 - Sweater Weather
Friday 10/30 - Costume Day
Classroom Celebration-- Fall themed learning stations and some fun Fall themed games will be played during this day of fun- and I will have a moment to pass out items. Bring treats for peers to be distributed during dismissal. This is one of our days we allow treats although we strongly encourage non-edible options due to food allergies and individually wrapped. This is completely optional. During the day I will allow students to pass out- but nothing will be eaten until they go home.
Word Study: We will with i_e this week.
Long vowels with the rule CVCe. Magic e loves to spread a little magic on the vowel in words to make it say its name. For example- CAP now become CAPe. Magic e not only chages the long vowel sound, but can change the meaning of a words. Next week, we will work on blending, read, writing, and building words with the CVCe- magic e rule.
Read Aloud: We are looking into different "sources" of information to learn from. We will begin to compare information from videos, articles, and books, while learning about comparing and contrasting information.
Writing: Lets learn about question and exclamation marks- along with some more practice on adjectives.
Math: This week we will learn how numbers are made up of tens and ones. They will practice building and breaking apart numbers like 14 into one ten and four ones, recognizing groups of ten, and understanding the value of each digit. Students will also learn to compare two-digit numbers using the symbols greater than and less than symbol.
Families please complete the Student T-Shirt Survey that Principal Adams sent out in the Principal’s October Newsletter. This is so that your child gets their annual t-shirt in the correct size.
10/ 21: Unity Day - Wear Orange in Support of Anti-Bullying
10/ 26 - 30: Scholastic Book Fair & Spirit Week
10/26: Pumpkin book report project due- if you are done early feel free to turn it in.
10/30: October book log due
10/30: Quarter 1 Assembly; Halloween Parade; LLP Trunk or Treat Event
Word study: Long vowels with the rule CVCe. Magic e loves to spread a little magic on the vowel in words to make it say its name. For example- CAP now become CAPe. Magic e not only chages the long vowel sound, but can change the meaning of a words. Next week, we will work on blending, read, writing, and building words with the CVCe- magic e rule.
Reading: We will continue to learn about text features and how to use them to locate information, while identifying and collecting details on a topic that help us understand the main idea.
Math: We began to work with place value today. Next week, we will explore numbers to understand how their value, what they are "made up of"- tens and ones and how tens and ones represent that specific number. For example: 46 is 4 tens and 6 ones. We know this by counting 4 groups of 10 and its leftover 6 ones.
Writing: Writing complete sentences with a naming and telling part. Focusing on sentence types and knowing when to use the correct punctuation.
Science: For the next two weeks, students are starting an exciting science project to learn how plants and animals protect themselves from being eaten.
Discovering Defenses: Partners are reading a book together to see how living things use their body parts (like spikes or shells) to stay safe. Building Clay Models: Students are getting hands-on! They are using clay, combs, and craft supplies to build their own models of animal and plant defenses. Drawing Like Scientists: Your child is learning how to draw and label their creations in their science notebooks, just like real scientists do.
Social Science: For the next two weeks, we are exploring why communities have rules and what it means to be a responsible community member. But we aren't just talking about following rules—we are also learning how to spot unfair rules and looking at history to see how brave people changed them.
Here is a breakdown of what we are covering:
Why Rules Matter: We will look at different places (like home, school, and neighborhoods) to talk about why we have rules and how they keep us safe and happy. Fair vs. Unfair: Students will learn that not all rules in history were fair, and we will talk about how people peacefully challenged them. History Spotlight (The 1963 Children’s March): We will look at photos and stories from the Birmingham Children's March. Your child will see how an entire community empowered kids just like them to stand up against unfair laws.
Morning Meeting Focus( continued) We are learning about the power of our words! We will talk about how "cottonball words" are kind, soft, and make people feel good, while "sandpaper words" are rough, hurtful, and can scratch someone's feelings. We are practicing choosing soft words to build a kinder classroom community! Check out the book--> Taste your Words to support this lesson Taste your Words
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn two ways to help themselves feel calm when they encounter strong feelings: asking for help and slow breathing.
Try This at Home
Ask your child to tell you some ways they’ve learned to feel calm when they get upset. Have them teach you how to use slow breathing to feel calm.
10/12: NO SCHOOL
10/16: Picture Retakes (PROOFS WERE PLACED IN YOUR CHILD'S FOLDER ON 10/9 TO VIEW)
10/ 21: Unity Day - Wear Orange in Support of Anti-Bullying
10/ 26 - 30: Scholastic Book Fair & Spirit Week
10/26: Pumpkin book report project due- if you are done early feel free to turn it in.
10/30: October book log due
10/30: Quarter 1 Assembly; Halloween Parade; LLP Trunk or Treat Event
Scholastic Book Fair Prep:
Dates: Monday, October 26 – Friday, October 30, 2026
Location: Lenart Regional Gifted Center Library
Our Scholastic Book Fair is always an exciting time for our students, families, and school community. To make this year’s Book Fair as amazing as always, we are asking our wonderful parents and guardians to volunteer throughout the week.
Our Book Fair homepage is also your one-stop shop for fair information. Visit the page to learn more about our Book Fair, preview what’s coming, and access eWallet information.
VISIT LENART’S SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR HOMEPAGE
Word study: Long Vowel Land! We will spent quite a bit of time here learning long vowel patterns. Our first pattern follows the rule for long e- spelled /ee/
Reading: Non-fiction text is our major focus in Unit 2. This week will explore how text features in informational text help organize information and assist in comprehension.
Math: Check out what we are learning in Unit 3: Problem Solving
Writing: Writing complete sentences with a naming and telling part. Focusing on sentence types and knowing when to use the correct punctuation.
Science: For the next two weeks, students are starting an exciting science project to learn how plants and animals protect themselves from being eaten.
Discovering Defenses: Partners are reading a book together to see how living things use their body parts (like spikes or shells) to stay safe. Building Clay Models: Students are getting hands-on! They are using clay, combs, and craft supplies to build their own models of animal and plant defenses. Drawing Like Scientists: Your child is learning how to draw and label their creations in their science notebooks, just like real scientists do.
Social Science: For the next two weeks, we are exploring why communities have rules and what it means to be a responsible community member. But we aren't just talking about following rules—we are also learning how to spot unfair rules and looking at history to see how brave people changed them.
Here is a breakdown of what we are covering:
Why Rules Matter: We will look at different places (like home, school, and neighborhoods) to talk about why we have rules and how they keep us safe and happy. Fair vs. Unfair: Students will learn that not all rules in history were fair, and we will talk about how people peacefully challenged them. History Spotlight (The 1963 Children’s March): We will look at photos and stories from the Birmingham Children's March. Your child will see how an entire community empowered kids just like them to stand up against unfair laws.
Morning Meeting Focus: We are learning about the power of our words! We will talk about how "cottonball words" are kind, soft, and make people feel good, while "sandpaper words" are rough, hurtful, and can scratch someone's feelings. We are practicing choosing soft words to build a kinder classroom community! Check out the book--> Taste your Words to support this lesson Taste your Words
Second Step: Lesson 8: Sometimes We Feel Mad
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels mad. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation.
Try This at Home
Encourage your child to notice when others around them feel mad. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling mad.
It is sniffle central in room 216. I am going to keep an eye on your littles as many have said they aren't feeling great followed by a big sneeze. I hope everyone can get some rest this weekend.
iReady reports were e-mailed Friday morning. If you did not receive your child's report e-mail so I can send it over. Happy to chat about the scores and what they mean.
Kiddos, did great during the lockdown. I know it can be a scary thing, but they knew that I would keep them safe and we worked together as a team to stay calm and make everyone feel okay.
Sniffle central-- if your little is feeling crummy I will run through my checklist and work alongside Nurse Burns. We start with water, bathroom, rest, and snack if needed- along with a temp check. If symptoms escalate- Nurse Burns will call to arrange a pickup and provide you with an update.
10/6-8: Hearing/Vision Testing Prek-3rd
10/12: NO SCHOOL
10/16: Picture Retakes
Check out: EdTeach Learning at home- tips/tricks
Fall -Halloween celebrating- it is the season for all things Fall, pumpkins, and maybe even a fright. I lean more towards a Fall/harvest theme to ensure all students can participate in activities. I do read some stories that may include a witch, ghost, and have a Halloween theme. If anyone is VERY opposed to this- please e-mail me directly. For Halloween- we have a mini-celebration/dress-up/walk in our parade- I can have a plan in place for your little for those who do not celebrate.
NEW: Pumpkin Book Report- template is coming out on Monday with directions and due date.
Word Study: Assessment week- no need to study! We will do a quick check on how we can blend and identify spelling patterns. Students will work on reading words around the room to then match with the picture they found.
Read Aloud: We are wrapping up Unit 1 with some brain checks on how to retell with main idea and key detiails, identify characters and setting, while understanding what makes a community. Check out what we are learning in Unit 2: Plant and Animal
In this unit, students will learn about how plants and animals protect themselves and what they need to survive. We’ll read books, watch videos, and explore different ways plants and animals stay safe, including camouflage and special body parts. Students will also practice finding important information in books and using what they learn to write about plants and animals. At home, you can encourage your child to look for examples of plants and animals protecting themselves in your neighborhood, at the park, or even in books and shows.
Some major standards we will cover are: Reading for information: Students will ask and answer questions about what they read and find the important details in a text. Using text features: Students will learn how to use headings, pictures, captions, labels, and other features to help them find information. Writing about what they learn: Students will use facts from books and other sources to write and explain what they have learned about plants and animals. Writing conventions: Students will practice using capital letters, punctuation, and correct spelling in their writing.
Math- Week 2: Keeping with the theme of composing and decomposing we will review many of the same strategies as last week, but working our way to numbers within 20. We will also explore how to solve when we have the whole (sum/total)- but need to solve for a part- example: 12 + ___= 20, or ____ + +8= 20.
Morning Meeting focus: Students will learn the difference between playful teasing and teasing that is hurtful or becomes bullying. Through scenario activity, students will practice identifying when teasing crosses the line. They will also learn that people may react differently to the same words or actions. Students will understand the importance of thinking about how their words and actions make others feel.
Second Step lesson: Lesson 7: Sometimes We Feel Sad
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn to use body language and context clues to figure out when someone feels sad. They’ll practice looking at the person’s face and body, as well as thinking about what’s going on in the situation.
Try This at Home
Encourage your child to notice when others around them feel sad. Have them practice using body language and context clues to figure out when family members, friends, or characters in books, movies, or on TV might be feeling sad.
Hello cooler weather and Ms. Flaherty's favorite season! What is your favorite thing to do in Fall?
10/1 Lockdown Drill- Kinder will participate in the school wide lockdown drill. We will learn about what a lockdown is, why we have them, and what is our job during one-I want to ease any nerves.
10/2- Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade September Incentive. For the month of September, K-2 is working on quick and quiet transitions in the hallway. If each class earns 30 tally marks by the end of September they will earn "Popcorn & a Show"- at the end of the month for their hard work moving in a busy spaces. Max show time- 25/30 minutes. Opt out forms will be sent home on Monday, 9/28.
10/2-iReady data will be sent home.
Progress Reports were sent home Thursday, 9/24- please review and if you have any questions reach out.
Cooler weather means extra layers and the season of losing items. Label your child's sweaters/jackets to support finding them easily. Kiddos are responsible for their own items. If something gets lost- I will look with your little when there is time.
Word Study: I can use my knowledge of letter-sounds to help read and spell words with tricky consonant sounds. (RF.1.3) This week we are adding independent spelling to our word study time using our whiteboards. Kiddos will also take their Word their Way assessment so I can place them in their spelling stages to provide differentiated word study work groups.
Read Aloud: Lets talk words and vocabulary within a story- this week we will explore how to ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words in a text. (RI.1.4)
Writing: Adding labels to our illustrations and beginning sentence writing. We will look at how to start a sentence with a capital letters and end a sentence with punctuation- and begin to use our phrase, "capture the sounds" when we get stuck on an unknown word.
Math: Keeping with the theme of composing and decomposing we will review many of the same strategies as last week, but working our way to numbers within 20. We will also explore how to solve when we have the whole (sum/total)- but need to solve for a part- example: 12 + ___= 20, or ____ + +8= 20.
Morning Meeting Focus: Is something or someone "bugging" you and you "wish" they would stop? This week I will introduce the kiddos to a "bug and a wish"- a phrase and strategy they can use when they are interacing with others. Instead of yelling "sttooooooop" to a friend, we can identify what is "bugging" you and provide a suggestion/"wish" on the behavior they would like to see. For example: It bugs me when you take my crayon box- I wish you would ask to borrow it. Check out the book we will be reading on this topic-A bug and a wish
Second Step Lesson: We are so proud to finish Unit 1 of Second Step- check out what we are learning in the next few lessons in Unit 2: Emotiona Management. Unit 2: Emotions Management
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE BIRTHDAY LOVE! I sure felt so special this week. The kids just wanted to party all day, so sweet and kind. They definitely had some fun guessing my age.
RAZ Kids- You will see a Flight Check posted- find a quiet spot and start reading. Directions on how to record and send to Ms. Flaherty will be on the screen. Complete by 9/18. Log in 4 times this week to listen, read, and record a book. You can use those 4 times to also work on the Foundations planet.
IXL- we are still learnng our platform, but log in and check out the From my Teacher section. Work on 3-4 skills this week at home.
9/14- Beginning of the Year- Assesembly. Kindergarten-8th will spend sometime learning about all the fun and exciting school year expectations and get excited about iReady!
9/15-iReady Math- 8:30-9:30
9/16- iReady Reading- 8:30-9:30
No need to prep for our beginning of year diagnostic- this is a guide on how I can support and enrich your little with tailored instruction. You can help by making sure your little is well rested, has a yummy breakfast, and given an extra pep talk/love in the morning so they can try their hardest : ) also- arriving on time! Testing begins at 8:30.
9/17- Office of Student Protections Video with Ms. Daley. An opt out form(white paper) was sent home - titled- Request to OPT-out of Erin's Law Presentation. Please email if you need a new copy - only send back if you wish for your child to NOT participate.
9/18- Fall Picture Day! Kinder typically goes in the morning- we try to avoid any recess/lunch mishaps!
9/18- Ms. Flaherty is out of the building- detailed plans will be left for our guest teacher
Looking ahead: No school, Friday- September 25th.
Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade September Incentive. For the month of September, K-2 is working on quick and quiet transitions in the hallway. If each class earns 30 tally marks by the end of September they will earn "Popcorn & a Show"- at the end of the month for their hard work moving in a busy spaces. Max show time- 25/30 minutes. Opt out forms coming soon.
Word Study: I can use my knowledge of letter-sounds to help read and spell words with tricky consonant sounds. (RF.1.3)
When your child is working on this skill, it just means they are learning that some consonants can be "tricky" because they don't always make the sound you expect. In first grade, this usually means learning that letters like C and G have two different sounds (a hard sound and a soft sound), and that letters like S can sometimes sound like a Z. For example, the letter C makes its regular sound in "cat," but sounds like an S in "city." This standard helps your child notice these patterns so they can read and spell words correctly instead of getting stuck when a letter flips its sound.
Reading: Lets talk characters and events- this week we will explore describe characters and major events in a story. (RL.1.3)
Practice Activities: You can use these three simple discussion strategies while reading together. Start with the "Step in Their Shoes" Talk, where you focus on a character's feelings and actions by asking, "If you were them, would you have done the same thing? Why or why not?" and follow up with, "How do you think they felt when that happened, and what makes you say that?" Next, try out the "Before and After" Chat to explore how a character changes due to major events by asking, "How did they change from the beginning of the book to the very end?" and "What was the most important thing that happened to make them change?" Finally, wrap up with the "What If?" Rewrite to show how major events drive the whole plot by asking, "What if that big event never happened? How would the story change?" and "What do you think the character would have done instead?"
Math: Unit 2: Sums and Differences- Home Connection Letter- Next week starts a new unit, check out what we will learn over the next few weeks.
Science: Continued- We helping a sea turtle named Spruce figure out how to survive when it is time to return to the ocean. Through a fun survival game and reading Tortoise Parts, the kids will explore how different body parts help plants and animals get the air, water, and food they need. We spent some more time talking about survivial than intended- the kiddos know A LOT on this topic, which will help me plan some new and fun experiments for this unit.
Social Science: Continued- We are learning that anyone can be a change-maker. For this weeks lesson we will...Ask Big Questions: We are learning to ask thoughtful questions about what a neighborhood needs to be a safe, healthy, and happy place to live. Be History Detectives: We will look closely at books (like Wangari’s Trees of Peace) and historical pictures to see how people in the past worked together to fix local problems. Connect Needs to Goals: We are exploring how noticing a community's needs helps people set goals for the future. We will even investigate how schools have changed over time! Learn from Local Heroes: We are gathering information from different sources to learn about real-world heroes—including right here in Chicago—who have worked hard to improve their communities.
How you can help at home? Ask your child, "What is something our own neighborhood needs, and what is a goal we could set to make it even better?"
Morning Meeting Focus: Being solutions oriented. The time has come! The kiddos are realizing I am not assisting with everything- their independence is going to be asked to shine a little more. If something goes wrong- we need to- "stop, think- and ask ourselves- can I try this alone or do I still need more help?"
Second Step Lesson: Lesson 4: Practice Makes Better
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that it’s important to practice and keep trying in order to get better at something they want to learn.
Try This at Home
Encourage your child to choose something they want to get better at (such as, tying their shoes, adding or subtracting, writing their name, dribbling a ball, or snapping their fingers). Set aside a few minutes each day for them to practice the skill, and highlight the progress they’re making.
9/7- No school, Labor Day
9/15- 9/16, iReady testing- for English Language Art and Math
Return red folders each night and homework will be collected on Fridays.
Set up Edtech learning tools- RAZ kids and IXL- play around with the dashboards to support your child's learning at home.
Headphones- please send in if you have not already. We will begin to use them next week.
Word Study: I can practice reading one-syllable words to build my reading and spelling skills. (RF.1.3)
How to practice at home: Word families share the same ending sound and spelling. They make it easier for children to read and spell new words.
-at family: cat, bat, mat, rat, sat, pat -an family: can, man, pan, ran, tan, van -et family: get, jet, met, net, pet, wet -ip family: dip, hip, lip, pip, sip, tip-op family: cop, hop, mop, pop, top
Practice Activities- Word Building: Write individual letters (like c, m, r, t, a, p) on small paper cards. Have your child mix and match the first letter with the family ending -at to make new words like cat, mat, or rat. Sound Blending: Point to a word like sun. Ask your child to say each sound slowly (/s/ - /u/ - /n/), and then blend the sounds together fast to say the whole word. Read and Find: Write three words on a paper (like hop, top, hot). Ask your child to point to the word you say out loud.
Reading Skill: I can ask and answer questions about key details in a text. (RL.1.1). I can retell a story with key details. (RL.1.2)
Practice activities: Ask your child these questions while reading- Who is the main character in this story, and where are they? (RL.1.1) What was the big problem in the story, and how did the characters fix it? (RL.1.1) What happened at the beginning, the middle, and the end of the book? or just retell events from the story. (RL.1.2) What do you think will happen next if the story keeps going? (RL.1.2)
Math: I can connect addition and subtraction to counting on or counting back, describe the relationship between addition and subtraction, demonstrate strategies to accurately count a set of objects and represent a quantity using a written numeral.
Practice Activities: Counting On and Counting Back: Instead of starting from one every time they add or subtract, your child learns to "catch" the starting number in their head and count forward or backward.Try this: If they have 5 blocks and you give them 2 more, they start at 5 and say, "5... 6, 7!" instead of counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The Link Between Adding and Subtracting: Your child will learn that addition and subtraction are opposites that belong to the same "fact family." Try this: Show them that if 3 + 2 = 5, then 5 - 2 = 3. It is like a math triangle where the three numbers always stay together. Counting Objects and Writing Numbers: This means your child can touch a group of items one by one to see exactly how many there are, and then correctly write down that total number. Try this: Have your child count the snacks on their plate by moving each one to the side as they count, and then have them write the total number on a napkin.
Social Science: We start Social Studies this week- in our current social studies unit, our class is exploring how communities grow, change, and improve over time. We are learning that anyone can be a change-maker. For this weeks lesson we will...Ask Big Questions: We are learning to ask thoughtful questions about what a neighborhood needs to be a safe, healthy, and happy place to live. Be History Detectives: We will look closely at books (like Wangari’s Trees of Peace) and historical pictures to see how people in the past worked together to fix local problems. Connect Needs to Goals: We are exploring how noticing a community's needs helps people set goals for the future. We will even investigate how schools have changed over time! Learn from Local Heroes: We are gathering information from different sources to learn about real-world heroes—including right here in Chicago—who have worked hard to improve their communities.
How you can help at home? Ask your child, "What is something our own neighborhood needs, and what is a goal we could set to make it even better?"
Science: We are kicking off our new science unit by helping a sea turtle named Spruce figure out how to survive when it is time to return to the ocean. Through a fun survival game and reading Tortoise Parts, the kids will explore how different body parts help plants and animals get the air, water, and food they need.
Morning Meeting focus- Now that we know who shares our classroom, we are diving deep into what makes each of us unique! This week, we will explore our individual likes, dislikes, and opinions, celebrating the fact that our differences make our community strong. We will also discover how we learn best—whether through looking, listening, or moving. By the end of the week, students will take everything they've learned about themselves to set their own personal goals, hopes, and dreams for a successful and special school year ahead.
Since it a shorter week- I thought to keep the same theme as last, but add in some goal setting as we prepare for iReady and 1:1 conferences. I noticed as settled in some new things popped up that need some more focus on who we are as learners.
Second Step lesson of the week:
In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. They’ll practice encouraging their classmates (and themselves) while the class learns and practices a skill together: snapping their fingers.
Try This at Home
Remind your child that everyone makes mistakes and that mistakes help us learn. Point out when you make mistakes or tell them a story about a time you learned something from making a mistake.
What do I do when I am done with a task?
Ms. Flaherty is working with a group- how do I find help? I will introduce the "ask 3 before me" strategy
What does a learner look like? We are doing our best work, focused and working on our "whisper voices"
How to visit and use our writing station- what do we do during writers workshop?
How to use our chair bag and what to keep inside of it.
What is my “ketchup” folder? What do I keep in it and how to keep it organized?
How to follow along on a paper with Ms. Flaherty- we will work on tracking and be able to look at the board and go back to our paper at the same time. I do this for being able to take an assessment or when we do a shared reading- it is tricky looking up and going back to your place on a page.
Send in a small snack and water bottle. FILL UP WATER BOTTLE AT HOME.
Dress lightly- it does get pretty toasty! I will have the AC running so a light sweater can be kept in cubbie for the year.
Wear gym shoes for safe running outside.
Breakfast is an option if your child wish to grab from breakfast table as they walk in.
Know the difference between home lunch vs. school lunch and snack. Suggestion: Pack snack in a different spot of backpack- many times they will think the snack you packed is their lunch and will only eat that.
Back to School Night- Join us on September 3rd from 4-6pm to have more time with me and to learn about your child's classroom.
Pack a small snack each day. Thanks to those who donated to the emergency stash for September. Click here- if you wish to double up on a month. Extra snacks never hurt! Classroom Snack Donation Signup
Are you able to help on a trip or in the classroom- sign up and complete the volunteer steps. Volunteer Steps (link) All families must re-complete the volunteer application process to be approved at the beginning of each school year. If we have a copy of your ID, we will approve you in the system once you submit your application. Questions- see Clerk Fleming. I AM IN NEED OF SOME HELP SETTING UP JOURNALS AND FOLDERS FOR CLASSROOM STATIONS--> if you are set to go on this process please send me an email and I would love to have some extra hands.
Complete the application: https://chicagopublicschools.civicore.com/
Select Level 1 volunteer or Level 2 volunteer
Level 1- Attending overnight field trips or working with students 1:1. This level status will trigger a background check and TB test.
Level 2- Attending day trips and in the building for less than 10 hours a week.
If you are a returning volunteer, click returning volunteer
If you have never completed an application, click new volunteer
Bring your ID to the main office to make a copy or email a copy to lenartrgc@cps.edu
Wait for a confirmation email from CPS volunteers
It may take up to 48 hours to be approved
I have added a third mini-break for the first couple of week. I also reminded the kiddos to not chug their water bottles- but take small sips throughout the day.
If your little one has birthday coming up in September you are welcome to send in a little trinket. We celebrate with fun- not food! I will give the birthday friend a little time with their friends to celebrate their special day.
Send in a small snack and water bottle. FILL UP WATER BOTTLE AT HOME.
Dress lightly- it does get pretty toasty! I will have the AC running so a light sweater can be kept in cubbie for the year.
Wear gym shoes for safe running outside.
Breakfast is an option if your child wish to grab from breakfast table as they walk in.
Know the difference between home lunch vs. school lunch and snack. Suggestion: Pack snack in a different spot of backpack- many times they will think the snack you packed is their lunch and will only eat that.
What do I do when I am done with a task?
Ms. Flaherty is working with a group- how do I find help? I will introduce the "ask 3 before me" strategy
What does a learner look like? We are doing our best work, focused and working on our "whisper voices"
How to visit and use our writing station- what do we do during writers workshop?
How to use our chair bag and what to keep inside of it.
What is my “ketchup” folder? What do I keep in it and how to keep it organized?
How to follow along on a paper with Ms. Flaherty- we will work on tracking and be able to look at the board and go back to our paper at the same time. I do this for being able to take an assessment or when we do a shared reading- it is tricky looking up and going back to your place on a page.
RED FOLDERS Your child will be expcted to bring their red folder back each day. Feel free to keep their homework packet at home for the week- or in their folder. I will not take out homework until Friday.
First homework packet will include: weekly journal and practice with telling time.
During week 1 we did a few informal writing, cutting, name practice, and coloring activities. You may see an enrichment activity in your child’s folder pertaining to these skills- please keep this work at home and work on developing those skills each night.
do I have my lunch, snack, and water bottle ready to go? (bonus point if your child did this task independently or assisted you with choices)
is my backpack in a spot so I don't forget it?
do I know what I want to wear so I can get dressed on my own?
am I going to bed on time? is the family alarm set to arrive at school by 7:40/45
Welcome to Kindergarten! This week we will focus on what is Kindergarten life all about? : ) As we begin to learn "school" we will focus on learning about our environment- what is in it? how do we move around it?, but most importantly who is in our environment- our new kindergarten friends! Through activities like a friend scavenger hunt, animal names, and a silly game of would you rather the kiddos begin to learn about who they will spend each day with. As their curious eyes wander around the room the students and I will play a game of "I spy"- where they will help me label parts of the room with their drawings and writing. We will take a class tour of Lenart learning where all the classrooms and bathrooms are- and maybe even pop in to see Principal Adams and AP Stewart in the main office. We will also focus on skills and routines like how do we safely move around the room- working at tables, walking to the rug, and going up the stairs. All very important things that will ensure a safe classroom.
Students have recess from 10:00-10:30 and lunch from 10:30-11:00.
Lunch time- Ms. Flaherty advice: maybe pack a school lunch for the first week. Kids are still eyeing what the school lunch looks like and feeling it out. The pattern is they won't eat if they get something they are unsure about it. I would like for them to have a little something in their belly for the day, but if your kiddos loves everything then school lunch it is : ) So lets make this week a trial week- as they scope out the lunches. Menu is linked here: CPS K-8 Lunch Menu
We will visit the bathroom as a whole class two times a day- 8:45 and 11:30, but as we get into our routine I will adjust based on the kids needs and they can go whenever they need- I do not say no to a bathroom break. JUST to be safe- please pack those extra clothes. As they settle into a new routine, space, and build their confidence- accidents do tend to happen and it is okay! I just need those extra clothes on day 1 in case.
Door 4 on Perry is our special spot. We will always arrive and dismiss from this door. Look for the letter K near the black fence. I will be out by 7:45 to grab the kids.
Dismissal: I will not allow any child to leave my line until I see an adult. Thanks for being patient with me during this time as I learn faces. No child will be dismissed to a double parked car- you MUST PARK and come retreive your child. I would rather you be a few minutes late waiting for a spot.
Pick a month and send in emergency snacks for the classroom. I ask that all snacks are nut free. Favorites: fruit snacks, applesauce pouches, crackers, fruit bars, chips, etc. Snack Signup
how to move about our space safely- i.e walking to the rug- giving a friend space
lining up, how to walk in the hallway, how to walk up stairs safely
where do we put all our stuff?!
how to find the bathroom- lunchroom- our classroom
who can help me in the building when I am not with Ms. Flaherty
where is my spot in the classroom? how do I work at my space at my table? what table do I sit at again?
This week may sound simple- but these are very important steps to our day that if not taught right away or with exact modeling by me will eat up a lot of learning time. So your little may come home saying we practiced walking to the rug a lot- as cool as ninja kicks and somersaults are- I can't have that happening as we prepare for a math lesson : )
If any urgent information pops up or something changes -I will email the news directly to you all. Same for you- send me an email if something pops up on your end.
Send in a small snack and water bottle.
Dress lightly- it does get pretty toasty! I will have the AC running so a light sweater can be kept in cubbie for the year.
Wear gym shoes for safe running outside.
Breakfast is an option if your child wishes to grab from breakfast table as they walk in.
Know the difference between home lunch vs. school lunch and snack. Suggestion: Pack snack in a different spot of backpack- many times they will think the snack you packed is their lunch and will only eat that.
No academic homework week 1. Our main focus will be getting into the routine of school for students and families.
Back to School Routine Homework:
do I have my lunch, snack, and water bottle ready to go? (bonus point if your child did this task independently or assisted you with choices)
is my backpack in a spot so I don't forget it?
do I know what I want to wear so I can get dressed on my own?
am I going to bed on time? is the family alarm set to arrive at school by 7:40/45
Missing home and my family- leaving my loved ones for a little.
It is hard to let your little one go into such a big school and I appreciate the trust you have in me each day to take care of them- with your help we can build brave little ones who walk right into the building each day. I have areas in the room to assist with some "distracting" and allow your child time and space to gather themselves. I will set up a buddy for them to be with for the day so they feel they have someone- and will alert any staff if your little is having a hard time to keep a close eye and give extra attention if needed.
My favorite books on the topic: The Invisible String and The Kissing Hand (available on Amazon, youtube- & maybe local library) At home connection with The Invisible String-->linked in weekly update e-mail to print out at home. You may see your little come home with a heart drawn on their hand- it is my little distraction strategy to remind them they are with you-- the marker is washable.
Ms. Flaherty suggestions:
set a morning routine- set a timer or have a special "drop off spot" where your little will leave you at drop off
set up a sticker/goal chart- for each awesome drop off they get a sticker and by the end of the week they can do something fun with you or work towards something special
remind them that you are with them in their hearts and in special memories they can think of during the day when they are feeling sad
daily affirmations: "I am brave, I am strong, I can do it"- make up a special one with your little to say each day
A link from a site I found helpful- how you can assist your little with drop off and the long day away from you Separation Anxiety Article - Check it out
Pack a small snack each day. Thanks to those who donated to the emergency stash for September. Click here- if you wish to double up on a month. Extra snacks never hurt! Classroom Snack Donation Signup
Need your help with a little life lesson- how to use a urinal. Just remind your little one of the steps needed to use the urinal for their privacy. Reminders to flush- our building is old, but good to us so they may need to push a little harder on the handle. With that, no other wipes will be used flushed down the toilet. Depending on the situation- regular toilet paper will need to be used. Please reach out if you child needs an additional bathroom plan.
If your little one has birthday coming up in September you are welcome to send in a little trinket. We celebrate with fun- not food! I will give the birthday friend a little time with their friends to celebrate their special day.
Send in a small snack and water bottle.
Dress lightly- it does get pretty toasty! I will have the AC running so a light sweater can be kept in cubbie for the year.
Wear gym shoes for safe running outside.
Breakfast is an option if your child wish to grab from breakfast table as they walk in.
Know the difference between home lunch vs. school lunch and snack. Suggestion: Pack snack in a different spot of backpack- many times they will think the snack you packed is their lunch and will only eat that.
What do I do when I am done with a task?
Ms. Flaherty is working with a group- how do I find help? I will introduce the "ask 3 before me" strategy
What does a learner look like? We are doing our best work, focused and working on our "whisper voices"
How to visit and use our writing station- what do we do during writers workshop?
How to use our chair bag and what to keep inside of it.
What is my “ketchup” folder? What do I keep in it and how to keep it organized?
How to follow along on a paper with Ms. Flaherty- we will work on tracking and be able to look at the board and go back to our paper at the same time. I do this for being able to take an assessment or when we do a shared reading- it is tricky looking up and going back to your place on a page.
RED FOLDERS came home this week- they are empty coming home today, but wanted to stick with the routine of packing/unpacking. Your child will be expcted to bring their red folder back each day. Feel free to keep their homework packet at home for the week- or in their folder. I will not take out homework until Friday.
First homework packet will include: weekly journal and practice with telling time.
During week 1 we did a few informal writing, cutting, name practice, and coloring activities. You may see an enrichment activity in your child’s folder pertaining to these skills- please keep this work at home and work on developing those skills each night.
do I have my lunch, snack, and water bottle ready to go? (bonus point if your child did this task independently or assisted you with choices)
is my backpack in a spot so I don't forget it?
do I know what I want to wear so I can get dressed on my own?
am I going to bed on time? is the family alarm set to arrive at school by 7:40/45