We have had a busy couple of weeks! To catch everyone up to speed with what has been going on in class here are the highlights:
-we are reading and decoding words like crazy
-the students are learning to have an "ear" for ending and middle sounds in words
-we are writing in our journals and have talked about punctuation, capitalization and finger spacing between words
-our class loves books and we have been looking at different art techniques in stories that illustrators use...we have even tried a few
-we are rhyming real and nonsense words
-the kids have started learning about time
-we are studying and celebrating Black History Month
-it is Dental Health Month so we enjoyed a great presentation today about keeping our teeth healthy...thanks Dr. Goates!
-we can count to 100 by ones, fives and tens
-daily we are receiving our Flat Stanley's in the mail...the kids love it!
-we have made it through 6 of the Flat Stanley chapter books during our read aloud time after lunch...there is no stopping us now!
-we enjoyed our Valentine card exchange
-we are looking for signs that spring and warm weather is on its way
So in all, we continue to have fun with and while we are learning. Your kids are doing great and I look forward to bragging about each of them during our spring conferences in March. Without your support and involvement, their success would not be as grand as it is so...THANK YOU!
Mary Wolters
Hi! My name is Mary Wolters. This is my seventh year teaching at Simonton. I taught second grade for four years and this is my third year teaching Kindergarten. I have 3 children; ages 22, 20 and 17. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Reading Endorsement and an ESL Endorsement. I am looking forward to an awesome year with your children!
Trisha Wright
Welcome to kindergarten students and parents. It is my pleasure to introduce myself to you. My name is Trisha Wright and this is my sixth year teaching kindergarten at Simonton. I am a graduate of Arizona State University with my bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. Kids and teaching are my passion and I look forward to working with each and every one of you. I am excited to start a fun filled school year with your child and would like to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s first year in school.
Kelly Trowbridge
Welcome to Kindergarten! My name is Kelly Trowbridge and I was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. I graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Elementary Education in 2006, a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education in 2008, and a Masters degree in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement in 2009. This will be my third year of teaching at Simonton. This is my second year of teaching kindergarten but my first year of teaching an am/pm session. Teaching is my passion and I cannot imagine doing anything else. I am very excited and enthusiastic about getting the opportunity in helping your child start or continue his or her educational career.
Joline King
Welcome Kindergarten at Kathryn Sue Simonton Elementary School. We are so excited to be your partner in educating your child. My name is Joline King and this is my twenty-first year teaching, my eighth for the J.O. Combs District. I am a fourth generation Arizonian and have made the East Valley my home with husband, three children and our beloved dog Salvador for the past twenty-three years. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood after completing an Associates Degree from Eastern Arizona College. I also have a Master's Degree in Adult Education and Distance Learning. My children, both at home and at school are my greatest joy! I have three children that are almost grown: Matthew 24, Jennifer 20 and Bryant 18. I look forward to a great year full of fun and lots of learning.