Happy Monday! Today we started chapter 9 in math...readiness for addition and subtraction. I can not believe how ready the kids are to start these math skills. Most of them are already doing mental math and that is great. Please practice these skills at home and ask your child what they learned today. We also started our insect and plant unit. The kids learned what a plant needs to grow. Quiz them to see if they remember the 4 essential elements (air, sun, soil, water). We all continue to do super with our reading. AR is going well and we have almost half of the class going on those quizzes. As you are reading books with your child, please ask comprehension questions after and during reading to make sure they are understanding the main topic etc... This will be helpful to them when they begin AR. This is the last month you have to earn a Pizza Hut coupon. Please try to help your child reach the April goal.
Homework packets went home today. I apologize for the delay. If you need an extra weekend to catch up and complete the activities, please feel free to turn in the packet on Monday, May 3rd. Progress reports will be going home on Friday. Your kids are right on track for first grade, however, if you have any questions about the progress report contact me ASAP. In your child's folder I sent home the last round of Scholastic Book Orders for the year. There were three order forms and I encourage you to look through them to see if there is something that you can purchase to keep the kids engaged in reading over the summer. Some of my picks would be:
SeeSaw April:
What's That Mittens?
Bugs, Bugs, Bugs Pack
Get Ready for First Grade Items (page 2)
Sight Word Readers Library
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
SeeSaw May:
Get Ready for First Grade Items (page 2)
Phonics Fun Set
Biscuit Pack
Disney Princess Flashcards (addition/subtraction)
Firefly April:
The Tiny Seed
Sight Word Game
Phonics Friends
Our Earth
Most of the books listed above are leveled readers appropriate for kindergarten students. Any of them would be great for the kids to utilize this summer to enhance their reading skills. Some of the books are priced as low as $1.00 and many of the games or kits are under $15.00. That is money well spent! Please feel free to order on line or send the paper order in. Orders will be due by April 27th. Check out the selections today!
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.