Week 33 Last Week of Kindergarten :(

“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”

What an amazing year we have had together! Your little ones have grown so much in so many ways.  It will definitely be a year I won't forget! I give thanks to God for the privilege to teach along side you. I pray that you all have a safe, relaxing, joy filled summer. I am going to miss your precious children more than you know! I love them with all my heart!

We look forward to a fun last day together on Wednesday. We will be having our traditional (although slightly different) Rock Ceremony during our Wednesday morning Webex call. Instead of an afternoon Webex call, we are doing a Drive Thru Goodbye at the school!  This will be the time for us to say our goodbyes and for me to give your student their Character Rock (that was "presented" to them during our meeting) as well as some other End of the Year Goodies.  Feel free to make it even more exciting for your kids by letting them make a sign to show while they go through the line, decorate your car with shoe polish, or honk as you drive thru!


Now that we are at the end of the school year, many parents have wondered what they can do to keep skills and knowledge up over the summer. Here are some optional suggestions for the summer months, but remember to have fun, enjoy your family time, and relax over the break!

• READ, READ, READ...have your student read passages from the OPG book as well as books on their reading level.  
• Read aloud daily. Choose a story that the whole family would like to listen to. It is great to read a few levels above your child's personal level so they are exposed to rich vocabulary. Have your child read to you as much as possible!
• Reading - First grade will pick up where we left off in Ordinary Parent's Guide to Reading next year. Review the lessons that we covered this year and have your child read on a regular basis.
• Spelling -Keep reviewing the phonogram cards AND key cards.  They will forget them if they don't review them for 3 months!  Make it fun by having them jump, squat or do a jumping jack for each sound.  
• Dictate words, phrases and simple sentences that cover the spelling rules we have covered this year. Use dry erase boards, chalk on the sidewalk, handwriting paper, etc. Write more complex sentences on handwriting paper and have them copy it using proper spacing, punctuation, and letter formation.  Have them copy scripture straight from the Bible if they are ready!
• Math  - Continue oral counting and reading and writing numbers to 100 with gentle correction on backwards numbers. Count large groups of items by making groups of 10. Work on place value - tens and ones (p.143). Tell number stories - "John has 7 cats and 3 birds. How many pets does John have?"/ "Sam has some puppies. His mom gave him 3 more. Now he has 11. How many puppies did Sam have to start with?" Encourage them  to use their addition and subtraction skills, as well as the tools we have introduced (number bonds, number lines, ten frames). Have them count objects by 1's, 2's, 5's and 10's.  Practice ways to make 10. 1st grade will start the year with this.
• Review all of the geography songs that we have done this year, especially Continents and Oceans and how to "blob" them.
• Dig deeper into those science units we covered (weather and planets). Go outside and enjoy God's beautiful creation!

You have all been so amazing to work with!  

Love, Mrs. McKethan

K week 33	5/11/2020	5/12/2020	5/13/2020	5/14/2020	5/15/2020	Co-Teacher Notes
Discipleship	Webex meetings: Monday 10:40 and 1:40. Wednesday 10:40 ONLY with the Drive Thru Goodbye anytime between 4:00 and 5:00!
Bible	Lesson 8	Lesson 9
Math	EM-B p157-158	Play Kindergarten Yahtzee with a parent or sibling!	Rock Ceremony during Morning Webex Session!			HERE are some fun ways to practice math this summer!
Spelling	AAS-Step 24 p113-114 "Spell on Paper" and "Dictate Sentences" 1-3 in spelling journal.	Page 114 of AAS: Dictate sentences 4-6 for your child to write in Spelling Journal.	No Afternoon Webex: Join us at school instead! Drive Thru Goodbye anytime between 4 and 5! Ways to make it more fun: make a sign, decorate your car, honk as you drive through!			These last few lessons have been a bit more challenging. Please review them as well as blue key cards 1-16
Writing	CB pg74-75	CB pgs 76-77	CB pgs 78-79
Reading	OPG L88 and 15 minutes from a leveled reader.	Review book: In the Pet Shop	Kindergarten Memories Book!			The review book uses words with the "double e (ee)", which says the long e sound. We have not introduced this in class yet, but I think they will pick up on it quickly!
History
Geography	United States: Pacific States - Can be presented during any Webex meeting if your child is still wanting to present.
Science	Lesson 19: Forecasting Weather	Here is a link to a cute hat to wear to the parade on Wednesday!	Here is a link to the "Last Day of Kindergarten" sign to use for last day pictures!
Memory Work	Above the Bright Blue Sky can be presented during any Webex meeting if your child is still wanting to present.

Week 32 5/4-5/8

To save some teacher tears, there will be no mention in this blog post about how many days of school we have left. :) 

This week we will begin scheduling time for your child to meet with me online to do end of the year assessments for reading and math.  I am going to try to do it all in one session, but we may need to do it in 2 short sessions depending on your child's attention span.  Please use this LINK to see the Sign-Up Genius!

WEDNESDAY we will be playing BINGO during our morning Webex meeting!  Please click on this link to print a BINGO card.  Make sure your child has some counters (unifix cubes, mini erasers, small pieces of construction paper, etc) to use to cover the squares on their game board.  I am hoping that we will have time to play a couple of times so please do not allow them to mark directly on their board.  In class we have played BINGO several times, but not using the column names (B-3, I-24, O-16, etc) as well as the numbers. If you have time to explain how to play before the Webex meeting that would be helpful!

Math

Objectives:

1.  To count to 100 in tens and ones

2.  To count by 5's to 50

3.  To count by 2's to 20

4.  To understand even and odd numbers.
5. To identify equal parts.

• This week we are learning about the terms even and odd. Please make sure that you complete the lesson at the bottom of the page and extend it by using other numbers/scenarios.

• We are working on counting by 5's (to 50) and by 2's (to 20). Please work on this orally with your student.

Reading 

Objectives:

1.  To review reading and accurately blending words and sentences with long vowel/silent e pattern.

2.  To begin reading and accurately blending words and sentences with the vowel pairs ai, ay, ea, ei, and ey.

3.  To continue to grow in reading fluency.

• READ, READ, READ! Have your child read to you at least 15 minutes a day! 
• Remember to begin the lessons by reviewing our current sight words and reading over words/sentences from previous lessons. *Reviewing and repetition is key!
• This week we will introduce the vowel pairs ai, ay, ea, ei, and ey as long a.
• Please follow up each lesson and mini book review, by having your child read to you, a book at their appropriate level. This should be done at a separate time of the day from their OPG lesson. 
• Mini books can be found here:  L85, L86, L87.

Writing 

Objectives:

1. To be able to form all upper case letters properly on handwriting lines.

2. To be able to form all lower case letters properly on handwriting lines.

3. To be able to  write first and last name properly on handwriting lines.

4. To be able to accurately copy a sentence (using handwriting lines) correctly

• Keep monitoring proper pencil grip and correct letter formation! Have your student self-correct any backward letter or number! They should be gaining speed and accuracy in their copywork, by this point in the year.
• Optional copywork can be found HERE.

Spelling

Objective

1.  To be able to spell plural words by adding s or es.

• The lessons are getting a bit more challenging now. Please make sure you are spending extra time making sure your child is confident and secure in the lessons. You may do this by spending extra time dictating More Words and additional phrases (aside from the ones assigned), until you are confident your child is grasping the concept.
• Please introduce Key Cards 11, 12 and 13 this week. Continue to review them, along with phonograms at the beginning of each lesson.

Science

Objectives:
1. To help children understand what tornadoes and hurricanes are and how they are created.

• Lesson 17: Read the Tornadoes mini book and do any activity that looks interesting to you and your child. Lesson 18: Do the Read to Children sections and demonstrations. Lesson plans can be found HERE.

Geography

Objectives:

1.  To be able to sing the names of the Pacific states of the US.

2. To begin learning to draw the world map.

K week 32	5/4/2020	5/5/2020	5/6/2020	5/7/2020	5/8/2020	Co-Teacher Notes
Notes	Webex Meetings at 10:40 and 1:40 - Please schedule an End of Year Assessment meeting time with me via the Sign Up Genius.					*Print a Bingo card for Wednesday's Webex meeting!
Bible	Lesson 4:  The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace	Lesson 5:  The Shield of Faith	Lesson 6:  Helmet of Salvation	Lesson 7: The Sword of the Spirit
Math	EM-B p 149:  This week please send in a video of your child counting by 2's to 20, 5's to 50, and counting to 100.	EM-B p 150-152	EM-B p153	EM-B p154-155	EM-B p156	*We are done with math journals now!
Spelling	AAS-Step 23: Write words using sidewalk chalk or shaving cream.	AAS-Step 23 p106-107 "Spell on Paper" and "Dictate Phrases" 1-3 in spelling journal.	AAS-Step 23:  Dictate and illustrate:  "Bob can pack dishes and snacks."	AAS-Step 24 p109-113 through "Spell with Tiles". Key Card 14, 15, 16
Writing	CB pg67	CB pgs 68-69	CB pg 70-71	CB pgs 72-73		*Link to optional copywork can be found in notes above.
Reading	OPG L85 and 15 minutes from a leveled reader.	OPG L86 and 15 minutes from a leveled reader	OPG L87 and 15 minutes from a leveled reader.	OPG L87 and 15 minutes from a leveled reader	Review as needed.
History
Geography	United States: Pacific States - Due 5/6
Science	Lesson 17/18: Severe Weather.  Link in notes above.

Week 31 4/27-5/1

This week is Fortis Academy Virtual Spirit Week!  See email for details!  Don't forget to post pictures to the Fortis Facebook Page!

Monday:  Pajama Day (Wear your pajamas and post a pic of you in your coziest spot!)
Tuesday:  Crazy Socks Day (Wear your craziest socks and help do some laundry!)
Wednesday:  Spirit Day (Wear your Fortis shirt and do something active that you enjoy!)
Thursday:  Super Hero Day (Dress like a superhero and do a random act of kindness!)
Friday:  Share a pic doing something you love to do!

Have a great week as we celebrate our AMAZING school!


With such a short time left in our school year, I pray that you are able to find the energy and motivation to finish up the year with a bang. Do not become weary, for you are doing Kingdom work by pouring your time, love and energy into your children.

Bible (optional): 
In class we would have started a unit on the Armor of God now that we have finished the Jesus Storybook Bible.  I will provide some lesson plans for you to use if you choose.  Pick and choose which parts of the lesson plans you would like to do with your child. Lesson 1 can be found HERE.  Lesson 2 can be found HERE.  Lesson 3 can be found HERE.  

Math  

Objectives:

 1.  To count to 100 in tens and ones

2.  To count by 5's

3.  To count by 2's

4.  To understand ways to measure time

5.  To tell time to the hour

• This week we will focus on Numbers to 100. We will focus on making groups of 10 when given a large number of items to count. Students will be identifying and writing numbers through 100.
• Please continue to review time to the hour at home. Remind your student what each hand stands for (short= hour, long=minutes)
• We are working on counting by 5's (to 50) and by 2's (to 20). Please work on this orally with your student.

Reading 

Objectives:

1.  To read words and sentences with s added to the ends of words.
2. To review reading and accurately blending words and sentences with long vowel/silent e pattern.

3.  To begin reading and accurately blending words and sentences with the vowel pair ai. 

4.  To continue to grow in reading fluency.

• READ, READ, READ! Have your child read to you at least 15 minutes a day! 
• Remember to begin the lessons by reviewing our current sight words and reading over words/sentences from previous lessons. *Reviewing and repetition is key!
• This week we are reviewing soft and hard c/g. We are also focusing on long vowel words where /s/ stands for the /z/ sound.
• Please follow up each lesson and mini book review, by having your child read to you, a book at their appropriate level. This should be done at a separate time of the day from their OPG , Lesson. 
• Here are minibooks for this week's lessons.  L81, L82, L83, L84

Writing 

Objectives:

1. To be able to form all upper case letters properly on handwriting lines.

2. To be able to form all lower case letters properly on handwriting lines.

3. To be able to  write first and last name properly on handwriting lines.

 4. To be able to accurately copy a sentence (using handwriting lines) correctly

• Keep monitoring proper pencil grip and correct letter formation! Have your student self-correct any backward letter or number! They should be gaining speed and accuracy in their copywork, by this point in the year.

Spelling

Objective

 1.  To be able to spell compound words

2.  To understand and explain what a compound word is.

• This week we are focusing on spelling compound words. Sometimes this can be tricky for our students. They might want to leave a space between the two words (ex: sun set). If you see this happening, remind them that the two smaller words have joined to make a brand new word, therefore a space is not necessary.
• Remember to begin each lesson by going over yellow phonogram cards and blue key cards.  
• Please make sure to reinforce proper letter formation using the handwriting lines.

Science

Objectives:

1. Help children understand how snow and hail are created and what a blizzard is.

• HERE is the link to this week's science lesson.  Do the read to children sections and activity sections.  Read the minibook as well!  It seems a little strange learning about snow and hail when it is gorgeous outside, but it is still fascinating!

Geography

Objectives:

1.  To be able to sing the names of the Pacific states of the US.

2. To begin learning to draw the world map.

K week 31	4/27/2020	4/28/2020	4/29/2020	4/30/2020	5/1/2020	Co-Teacher Notes
Notes	Webex meetings at 10:40 and 1:40.  Items in pink are optional.
Bible	Discuss: A Dream of heaven. What do you think heaven will be like? What does our poem say about heaven?	Armor of God:  Lesson 1:  How to Win Against Sin	Armor of God:  Lesson 2:  Belt of Truth	Armor of God:  Lesson 3:  Breastplate of Righteousness
Math	EM-B p139-140	EM-B p141-143 and math journal	EM-B p144-146	EM-B p147-148 and math journal
Spelling	Parent call out each word and have child do a jumping jack for each letter as they spell the word!	AAS-Step 22 p100-101 "Spell on Paper" and "Dictate Phrases" 1-3 in spelling journal.	AAS Step 22: Dictate and illustrate: "The bobcat cannot get in the pigpen with his backpack on!	AAS-Step 23 p103-106 through "Spell with Tiles". Key Cards 11,12,13
Writing	CB pg 61	CB pgs 62-63	CB pg 64	CB pgs 65-66
Reading	OPG L81 and 15 minutes from a leveled reader.	OPG L82 and 15 minutes from a leveled reader	OPG L83 and 15 minutes from a leveled reader.	OPG L84 and 15 minutes from a leveled reader	Review as needed.
History
Geography	United States: Pacific States - Due 5/6.  Can be presented on Monday during our afternoon Webex meeting.
Science	Lesson 16: Snow, Hail, and Blizzards
Memory Work	Above the Bright Blue Sky Poem Due 5/6. Can be presented on Wednesday Afternoon's Webex meeting.