Announcements
Update Overnight Voyage Chaperones: Thank you for all the interest in chaperoning for Camp Elim. We have more volunteers than we will need. Please send in all the paperwork items to Ms. Ashley, and we will move forward with the approval process and lottery selections of volunteers. We will confirm chaperones in early April.
Crew Pictures: On March 25th, we will be taking our Crew Picture. This is the first day back after Spring Break. Picture order forms went home in Take Home Folders a few weeks ago. Please return the form and check on picture day, if you are interested.
Mandatory Camp Elim Informational Meeting: On How exciting that our kindie voyage will be here before we know it! We will send out paperwork after Spring Break. In the meantime, please take a look at the gear list, be sure that your child has all the necessary items (and they fit!) Kindergarten - Spring Voyage Gear List.pdf Our voyage is on May 15-16th to Camp Elim. Also please note that our “Day of Rest” is Friday May 17th, and there will be no school for kindergarten on this day.
Save the Date: We will have a Mandatory Camp Elim Informational Meeting on April 24th from 4:30-5:30pm in one of our kindie classrooms. There will be a lot of great information presented at this meeting and a time to answer questions. One parent or guardian per household must attend. No children please. Returning families will have the opportunity to share their previous experience and perspective.
Additionally, there will be a Mandatory Chaperone Meeting immediately following our general information meeting, approximately 5:30-6:00. Please mark your calendars. We will confirm chaperones in early April.
Repeated for Reference
REMS Auction, Save the Date!
When - Saturday, March 30th
Theme - Red, White, and READ
Where - the Philip and Jerry Library (in Castle Rock)
Time 6 - 10:30 pm
We'll have food and drinks to enjoy while you bid on awesome items and experiences in the Silent & Live Auctions including Teacher Time, Crew Art, theme baskets & more!
Enjoy this adults-only event to visit with other Renaissance parents and our teachers and staff.
Buy your tickets today!
Calendar
Mar 11-22: Spring Break
Mar 25: Crew Picture
May 15-16: Overnight Voyage to Camp Elim
May 17: Day of Rest (No school for kindergarten)
Crew Highlights:
In phonics, we were working on the letter W. New sight words this week included are and have. For reference, here is a list of what students should have mastered, as well as a look at what is coming up next. Also, I sent home flashcards for the sight words we have been working on. I encourage you to keep phonics practice fun and light, in order to prevent any frustration or resentment. Extra repetition (especially over a two week break) is encouraged. Here is the flashcard digital file if needed. Please note we have not worked on said or two yet.
In reading, we have begun learning about Holidays and Celebrations. Our first mentor text was Celebrating Earth Day. Students LOVED learning about this, and we are looking forward to celebrating in April. Have your child tell you a fact learned about Earth Day. We discussed reading strategies about using captions, comparing key words with opposites, and monitoring reading (noticing if you are not understanding) to help with reading comprehension.
We have done a variety of writing this week! In the beginning of the week, we were working on personal narratives. Students created an idea page of stories they would like to write about. Then on Wednesday, our crew did some of their BEST writing to their 4th grade buddies to congratulate them on their performance of the Colorado History Musical. At the end of the week, we did some fun "I am lucky because..." for our shamrock craft. These went home in Take Home Folders, so check them out!
In expedition, we learned about two new simple machines. For the first one, Mr. Ken did a demonstration of how he uses a PULLEY to raise and lower the flag. Students were able to make connections to how we use pulleys in the gym for belaying when we climb. Also, we learned about a SCREW. Through books and videos, we learned that a jar, nut & bolt, and a car jack are examples of a screw.
In math, we have been working on number pairs to 10. We used counters and picture models to fill in the blank of a number pair to 10. Example: 6 plus what equals ten. Also, we have been working on using the word equation. Students are learning that both sides are equal to the same amount. We can write an equation as 10=7+3 or 7+3=10.
In Crew Skills, Ms. Halle read the book Hands Are Not for Hitting. Students traced their hands and then completed the prompt:
"My hands are for ......."
Examples included helping, hugging, playing, riding my bike, and so on.
These went home in Take Home Folders.
A highlight of our week was watching the 4th graders perform the Colorado History Musical. Then, our Crew did some of their best writing yet in their notes of congratulations.
Wondering about the red & white bracelets?
They came from Ms. Erin, who shared a Greek tradition with our Crew during library.
Mr. Ken did a demonstration of how a pulley is used to raise or lower a load (or in this case, the flag).
With 4th grade buddies, we made butterflies. This connects to our expedition because you can push or pull the tabs to flap the wings.
Ms. Liesl gave a lot of praise this week for our Crew being first time listeners. Hooray!
Today they got to use boomwhackers to play a song.
The "I am Lucky Because" shamrocks turned out beautiful! Lift the clover leaves to reveal four things your child is feeling lucky about.
"I feel lucky because I can ...."
"I feel lucky because I am ..."
"I feel lucky because I have .."
Happy Birthday Everett!
Wishing you a FANTASTIC Spring Break!
With love,
~Ms. Lauren
