News From The Honeybee Hive

May 12-16, 2008

Our classroom is crawling with learning!  This week we began a unit on insects.  We learned that all insects have 6 legs, 3 body parts (head, thorax, and abdomen), and a pair of antennae.  The children discovered that some insects are helpful, such as the honeybee and the ladybug.  Insects like the flea, termite, and mosquito are harmful.   We also studied about the life cycle of the butterfly (egg--caterpillar--chrysalis--butterfly).  Next week we will learn about other insects including ants, honeybees, and ladybugs. 

The honeybees' Five Fantastic Days begin next week!

• Monday is Game & Puzzle Day.  Please label all items. Remember, no Gameboys or Nintendo DS games. 
• Tuesday is Outdoor Day!  We will be participating in many fun games planned by our room mothers.  Be sure to have your child dress in appropriate clothing and footwear for the morning's activities.  Sunglasses and hats are optional. 
• Wednesday is build an Ice Cream Sundae Day! 
• Thursday is Popcorn & Movie Day!  We will be watching Finding Nemo and enjoying popcorn and juice boxes with our 3rd grade Book Buddies. 
• Friday is P.J. Day! 

Important items to note:

• Thank you for coming to our "Under The Sea" program this week.  The children did an outstanding job and were very proud to perform for their families!
• The honeybees had a wonderful time at Field Day!  Thanks to our many honeybee parents who volunteered to help with this school event.
• There are a limited number of yearbooks available.  Copies may be purchased from the school store Tuesday morning on a first-come, first-served basis.  The cost is $25--cash only.
• Please remember to send a nutritious snack each day.
• All student work will be sent home before Friday.  There will be no papers or take-home folders on Friday as students are not allowed to bring backpacks.  If your child brings lunch from home, please pack it in a disposable bag.
• Specials on Friday will be P.E.

Enjoy the weekend. . . only 5 more school days!

Janie Hutcherson

May 5-9, 2008

We have been rehearsing each day for our "Under the Sea" program.   It has been quite an undertaking practicing with 110+ kindergarten students!  The final preparations are underway for next week's BIG event -- we have been singing the songs as a grade level and working on the dancing/movements in small groups.  Our dress rehearsal is Monday morning, so please make sure you have sent in your child's labeled costume (swimsuits or shorts). 

This week we continued to improve our writing by taking a close look at quotation marks and where they are used in text.  The children did word work with the -ig word family, changing the initial letter to make a set of rhyming words.  We reviewed the strategies that good readers use when encountering unknown words:  looking at the pictures, using letter sounds, looking for words inside a word (sand = s + and) and skipping the word and listening for context clues (what word would make sense?).  We began our math unit on subtraction, using manipulatives and pictures to illustrate the concept of "taking away" from a given set.  We enjoyed hosting the upcoming kindergarten students during Kindergarten Visitation Day this week--it was great fun to be the "big kids" at GM!  Today we participated in Career Day.  Our class learned about the jobs of an aircraft maintenance coordinator and an audiologist.  Next week we will begin a unit on insects, looking at characteristics and life cycles.  We will continue practice with subtraction.  There will be no new sight words; however, please continue to review the MANY words we have covered this school year.

Teacher Appreciation Week was fabulous!  Mrs. Jann and I would like to say thank you for the MANY ways you made us feel special.  Our room mothers had the children create a class book thanking us for the ways we help them--everything from giving out cheer stickers to taking the lunch count!  On Wednesday we were surprised with beautiful flowers.  Today we were treated to homemade dinners for our families. . . a thoughtful and most appreciated gift at the end of a hectic week!  Thank you Mrs. Briggs for preparing the meals for us on behalf of the class.  We are very thankful for our honeybee families and the support you give to our classroom and school.

Important things to know. . .  

  We wish all our mothers a wonderful Mother's Day! Thanks for all the ways you nurture your children to become happy and productive individuals!  Moms, don't forget to "cash-in" your coupons. . .  especially the ones for hugs and kisses!

• Please return all library books ASAP.
• Our "Under the Sea" musical is Tuesday, 5/13.  Please make sure that your child is on time that morning as we have many preparations for our program.  We are asking parents to go directly to the cafeteria--we will see you on stage at 8:30 a.m.!  Parents will be invited to stop by our classroom after the program to congratulate your children on a job well-done!
• Field Day is Wednesday, 5/14.  Opening ceremonies begin at 8:35 a.m.  Please have your honeybee wear his orange class t-shirt and tennis shoes for the day's activities.
• Specials next week will be Art.

Happy Mother's Day!

Janie Hutcherson

April 28-May 2, 2008

Under the sea is a fun place to be!  The class has enjoyed sharing our research projects this week.  I am proud of each child's work and his ability to present information to the class.  We worked on communication skills such as using a clear speaking voice, making eye contact with the audience, and repeating important facts to the group.  Ask your child to tell you about the animals researched by their classmates (where it is found, its diet, its physical appearance, and one "cool" fact): the leatherback turtle, the hammerhead shark, the blue whale, the man-of-war, the swordfish, the manta ray, the killer whale, the great white shark, the octopus, the manatee, the walrus, the sea lion, the dolphin, and the salmon.  All projects are on display in our classroom--thank you for helping your child with this activity.

Our end of the year assessments show just how much the children have learned!  The Georgia Kindergarten Assessment Program (GKAP) has been completed and sent to the state for scoring.  You will receive these results (along with the final report card) in the mail during the last week of May.  We have completed assessments for GM's writing, math problem solving, and number writing goals.  I will soon begin assessing reading levels with the DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment).  It is exciting to see the progress your children have made--we should be very of their accomplishments.

We  have continued work with addition this week, using manipulatives and pictures to solve story problems.  Next week we will complete this chapter and begin our final unit, subtraction.  We will begin daily grade level practice on our musical, "Under the Sea".  Our new sight words will be no and they.

We enjoyed having our moms visit today for Muffins for Mom/Author's Tea.  The honeybees worked hard preparing for this event!  We had a wonderful time performing for you and sharing our spring journals.  Moms, we think you are really GOOD dancers!  Thank you for making arrangements to be a part of this special day with your child.

Please note:

• Every student earned a "MATH RULES!" button today for writing the numbers 0-30 in five minutes or less.  Way to go honeybees!
• GM's Garage Sale is tomorrow, 5/3 from 8:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. 
• The final book order is due by Tuesday morning, 5/6.  If you choose to place an order, please make checks payable to Scholastic Book Clubs.  I will be submitting the order on-line Tuesday so that we will receive the items before the end of the year.
• The Retirement Party for Mrs. Wilson is Thursday, 5/8 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in the Media Center.
• Career Day is Friday, 5/9.  Our class will hear about the jobs and responsibilities of GM parents in various careers.
• The Volunteer Brunch is next Friday, 5/9 from 8:30-11:00 a.m.  Please plan to attend if you have served as a volunteer in any capacity this school year.
• All library books are due Friday, 5/9. 
• Specials next Friday will be P.E.

Have a nice weekend!

Janie Hutcherson

April 21-25, 2008

The honeybees have been busy learning about life under the sea--our classroom is swimming in fish, sea horses, crabs, octopi, starfish, jellyfish, and more!  We have read many fiction and non-fiction books about the distinguishing characteristics of many ocean animals and how they protect /defend themselves.  Listening to and reading a variety of literary and informational texts (to gain knowledge and for pleasure) is one of our reading standards.   Your child will get additional practice with this standard by completing the research project on his assigned sea animal.  Information about this homework was sent home earlier this week--this is a creative activity that will require some assistance from you.  Remember that your child should be able to present information about his animal to the class.  All projects are due on Wednesday, 4/30.  Practice for our kindergarten musical, "Under the Sea", has begun!  We are learning 9 songs for this program--I am sure you have already heard parts at home!  The assignments for our musical were given today.  Please check your child's take-home folder for important information regarding costumes.

   This week we have been working on refining our writing skills, remembering the things that "good writers do".   We are currently working on a special journal to be shared with Moms next Friday--the children are excited about their work and are anxious to share their stories with you!  This week we added to our word wall with the words get and what.  Next week we will be adding all and there to our sight word list (this will be 60 words to date!)  Please continue to review all words at home. . . as a challenge, see if your child can begin to learn the correct spelling of these words--this will help tremendously with his/her writing skills.  In reading we worked on the -un family and practiced writing and reading words by changing the initial sound.  Additionally, we focused on identifying the /sh/ digraph at the beginning, middle, or end of a word.

We began a new math chapter this week--Addition to 10.  Kindergarten standards state that students will build number combinations up to ten (ex. 4 and 2, 3 and 3, 5 and 1, 0 and 6 all equal the number 6).   We have used various manipulatives and picture representations to practice this math concept.  Next week we will continue with addition, using objects, pictures, numbers and words to create, solve, and explain story problems. 

Important things to note . . .

• Muffins for Mom/Author's Tea is Friday, 5/2 from 8:30-9:15 a.m.  Moms, please make every effort to have a special guest in attendance if you are unable to attend.
• GM's Foundation is having a Garage Sale on Saturday, 5/3.  Please refer to the information sent home regarding drop off times for donations.
• All Honeybee volunteers are invited to the Volunteer Brunch on Friday, 5/9 from 8:30-11:00 a.m.  If you have served as a volunteer in any way this year (centers, computer lab, reading parent, field trip chaperone, holiday party), please plan to attend.
• Our musical, "Under the Sea", is Tuesday, 5/13 at 8:30 a.m. in the cafeteria.
• Specials for next Friday is Music.

Have a great weekend!

Janie Hutcherson

Garage Sale

If you need to schedule a large item pick-up to be donated to the Foundation Garage Sale,

Please call Patti Lavender:  770-552-1162

We are planning to schedule pick-ups for Sunday afternoon, April 27^th, but we may be able to make other arrangements.

GME Foundation

Garrison Mill has recently established a Foundation whose purpose is to provide resources above and beyond what the County and the Garrison Mill PTA is able to provide.  Please visit their web page to find out more about who they are, what they do, and help support their first fundraising event.  You can visit them at:  GME Foundation.

March 31- April 4, 2008

• Things are really growing in our classroom!  This week our pumpkin seeds sprouted and began stretching their stems toward the light.  Leaves appeared and the root systems became more extensive.  What a perfect opportunity for your child to see the parts of a plant and discover the essential job each has for the plant's development and growth.  We worked on labeling plant parts (roots, stem, leaves, and flowers) and explaining each part's importance to the plant (the roots hold the plant in place and absorb water, the stem moves the water from the roots to the leaves, the leaves make the food for the plant, and the flower produces seeds).   Your child brought home his pumpkin plant today--please be sure to find a sunny spot for it!

Reading groups this week focused on letter and sound review as well as the word family -an.  We made a rhyming word list by changing the initial letter before -an.  This word work with the -an family provided practice for students to identify and produce rhyming words (a Kindergarten reading standard).  We completed our math chapter on Measurement and began chapter 10, Data and Graphing.  This unit focuses on the Georgia Kindergarten math standards involving data analysis and probability--the students will pose questions, collect data, organize, and record results using objects, pictures, and picture graphs.  When we return to school, we will be studying about Ocean life, and we will begin working on our musical, "Under the Sea".  The new sight words will be will and that and the word family will be -en.

Important items to note:

• Happy birthday to Mrs. Jann who will celebrate her birthday during Spring Break!  Our class enjoyed a special birthday snack together.
• If you have not already returned your child's registration form for the 2008-09 school year, please do so as soon as possible.  All paperwork is due on Tuesday, April 15th.
• We are in need of hand sanitizer for our classroom--any donations would be appreciated!
• Save the dates: Friday, 5/2 is Muffins for Mom (8:30-9:15 a.m.).  Tuesday, 5/13 is the kindergarten musical "Under The Sea" (8:30-9:30 a.m.).
• Specials on Friday, 4/18 will be Art.

     I hope that your family has a safe and relaxing Spring Break together.  I will see your honeybee back at Garrison Mill on Monday, 4/14!

Janie Hutcherson

March 24-28, 2008

The honeybees began our study of plants by looking at the things all plants need to grow: light, water, soil, and air.  We compared many different types of seeds and dissected lima beans to identify the exterior seed coat, and the food  & plant inside.  We planted seeds from our Halloween jack-o-lantern in cups and are eagerly awaiting their sprouting!  Observing lima beans in plastic baggies will give us the opportunity to see how the seed coats split and the roots and shoots emerge. 

This week we completed our final letter of the week--Zz.  We learned that the letter Ss sometimes copies the /z/ sound when it is found at the end of words (ie. boys, girls, dogs).  Our writing skills are improving daily as we discuss and demonstrate habits of good writers:  beginning sentences with a capital letter, ending sentences with a period (some students are even using question marks and exclamation points!), spacing between words, and spelling sight words correctly.  Additionally, the children are being encouraged to stretch their stories by writing 3+ sentences.  We began sticker stories this week--drawing a picture using a sticker and then writing about it.  The honeybees' enthusiasm for this form of creative writing is very exciting!  Next week we will be looking the -an word family and will have 2 new sight words: did and with.

     In math we continued our unit on Measurement, looking at comparing and ordering objects based on height and capacity.  Next week we will finish up this chapter as we look at comparisons by weight, a math Kindergarten standard. We continue to improve our number writing (0-30) with almost everyone mastering this school goal.  Please use the practice sheets sent home to correctly write 0-30 in 5 minutes or less.  Handwriting reversals are acceptable(a backwards 7), but a switch in place value (42 instead of 24) is not. 

 

Items to note:

• Happy birthday to Jack who celebrated his birthday on the 27th.  Our class enjoyed the special  birthday treats!
• PTA provided a delicious lunch from Texas Roadhouse for all GM teachers today--Mrs. Jann and I would like to thank Mrs. Briggs and Mrs. Suarez for their help in our classroom during our extended lunch time!
• If you have not already done so, please complete and return your child's registration form for the 2008-09 school year. 
• Registration for upcoming Kindergarten students is Wednesday, 4/2 from 8:30-11:00 a.m.
• The PTA and Art Show is Thursday, 4/3 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Spirit Day is Friday 4/4--wear your GM t-shirt.
• Specials next Friday will be Music.
• Spring Break is April 7-11!!!! 
• Save these dates: Friday, 5/2 is our Mothers' Day Tea (8:30-9:15 a.m.) and Tuesday, 5/13 (8:30-9:30 a.m.) is the kindergarten musical program "Under The Sea".  Please mark your calendars now for these important events!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Janie Hutcherson

March 17-21, 2008

Happy Spring!  Monday morning began with a visit from a leprechaun who trashed our classroom and left treats for us all.  The children loved writing about the experience and spent the remainder of the day in search of the little visitor! We welcomed the arrival of Spring by learning about eggs.  We discovered that many animals other than birds hatch from eggs--can your child name a few?  On Friday we held our Egg Drop.  Not everyone's egg survived the drop from the roof, but it gave us the perfect opportunity to analyze the various packaging and discover what worked and what did not.  We discovered that trial and error is a part of the scientific process.  Thank you for assisting your child with this family homework project--we had some very creative ideas!  Our class also enjoyed the Spring Egg Hunt and centers.  I appreciate everyone who volunteered to help with these special activities for our class.

     The letter of the week was Yy.  The children learned that Yy can be a consonant as in the word yogurt, or a vowel as in the word my.  We continued to work on blending sounds together to read simple words--we also practiced stretching out the sounds in words to break down its phonetic components (ie. bag = /b/+/a/+/g/).  Please help at home by reviewing the individual letter sounds, keeping in mind that vowels have both a long and short sound.

We began a new chapter in Math this week--Measurement.  During this unit, we will be working on many Georgia Kindergarten Math Standards where students will explore length, height, capacity, and weight.  Currently, we are comparing and ordering objects on the basis of length and height.  Language arts and literacy skills will include the final letter of the week, Zz, and the new sight words was and have.

 

Please note:

• Report cards were sent home this week--please return the signature card and envelope if you have not already done so. 
• GM's Student Council is sponsoring a Spring Can-A-Thon to benefit MUST Ministries.  Donated canned goods should be sent in by Wednesday, 3/27.
• Specials next week will be P.E.

Have a safe and happy weekend!

Janie Hutcherson

March 10-14, 2008

    Life on the "Honeybee Farm" has been busy this week!  We learned about the many different jobs on a farm--everything from slopping pigs to plowing fields and milking cows.  The honeybees learned about farm equipment such as milking machines, tractors, plows, and combines and special farm structures like barns, silos, pens, and farm houses.  We had a wonderful Farmers' Breakfast this week!  We discussed how the eggs and bacon came from chickens and pigs, how the wheat and fruit grown on farms was used to make the biscuits, jelly, and juice we enjoyed, and how the cream from cows was used to make our butter.  We even talked about how the farmer would have to use money from his crops and/or livestock to purchase the plates, cups and utensils that are needed for meal time.  The week ended with our field trip to Cagle Dairy Farm.  The students were able to see a cow being milked by a milking machine, tour the milk bottling room, feed baby calves and goats, and watch a shepherding dog round up the cows.  It was a fun and educational day for everyone--thanks to Mrs. Nichols and Mrs. Briggs for helping to chaperone this trip!

      The letter of the week was Xx.  We discussed the /ks/ sound and discovered that few words begin with Xx, but rather have the letter in the middle or at the end of the word.  We worked on the use of quotation marks in reading groups, learning to position them around the words/sounds that are being spoken.  We discussed the difference between a speech bubble and a thought bubble.  The honeybees continue to improve their reading skills each day and look forward to sharing guided reading books at home.  Thank you for spending time with your child as he shares these appropriately leveled books with you.  Be sure to discuss the text, asking questions about content and/or story sequence.  Georgia Kindergarten Standards say that your child should be able to ask and answer questions about story elements (such as the setting, characters, and events of a story).  Reading comprehension is just as important as word attack skills!  Sight word cards were sent home today--please add these cards to your earlier set and practice reading them on a regular basis. 

     This week in Math we looked at telling time using the calendar and seasons.  Math standards state that students must know the names of the days of the week, the months of the year and the four seasons.  Next week we will study the letter Yy and the new sight words will be am and do.

   

  Please note:

• Happy birthday to Marcelo who celebrated his birthday this week.  Our class enjoyed the football cupcakes!
• As a reminder . . . our school day begins at 7:55 a.m.  Students who arrive in our classroom after that time are tardy.
• As warmer weather approaches, our administration has asked that we remind you of our school dress code.  No midriffs, spaghetti strap tops or tank tanks are allowed.  For shorts and skirts--students must be able to have fingertips touch the hem when standing up straight.  Finally, no flip-flops (Crocs are fine).
• Thanks to those families who donated chalk and bubbles for our recess time.
• There are several items needed for Spring activities next week: three hard boiled eggs (one specially packaged for the ""Egg Drop" and 2 for dying at centers) (due Thursday), 12 plastic eggs for the Egg Hunt (due Thursday), and a basket/container for the Egg Hunt (on Friday).  Please refer to the notes sent home this week regarding specific details for these activities.
• Bingo Night is tonight at 6:00 p.m.
• The 3rd quarter report card distribution is Thursday, 3/20.
• Friday, 3/21 is a BUSY day: class picture retakes, "Egg Drop", egg hunt, and Spring centers!
• Specials next Friday will be Art.

See you at Bingo Night tonight!

Janie Hutcherson