Bible Study:  This week we talked about our task now in life is to communicate the love of Jesus to each person we come in contact with.  We have studied the Word of God through the Bible chronologically and we have studied prayer.  We have learned many songs and Bible verses as well as acting out many of the accounts in the Bible beginning with the creation of the world through the birth of Jesus, his life, death and resurrection.  Now, “Go into the world and tell the Good News.” 

Science/Social Studies: This week we finished our projects in the classroom and sat back to reflect on the whole school year!  We have learned so much and have grown in so many ways.  We spent some time looking back through our JOURNALS from the very first day of school to the present and noticed how our skills and knowledge have grown.  We also spent time sharing some of our favorite moments and activities of Kindergarten as well as some projects we didn’t enjoy and would not recommend for next year’s class.  What an enjoyable time to “debrief” and talk.  Thank you for sharing your children with me this school year.  I have learned so much and have enjoyed the time together!  Your children are TERIFFIC!!

Math: The children have been using their math skills all week in many different ways.  We have noticed all the times we use math.  We remember when we were not able to do many of these math skills at the beginning of the year.  We have been looking at the clock more, noticing calendar numbers as the days count down, we have been measuring, counting, building, adding and subtracting, using fractions and simply noticing how math affects every aspect of our lives.  It is very important that the learning never stops especially over the summer.  We know that math is everywhere and is lots of fun too. All the skills are built upon in First Grade so keep THINKING MATH!!!

Language Arts:  We finished LETTER-BOOK “Z” and we are so excited!!  We learned one sound for each consonant and the short vowel sounds for: a, e, i, o, and u. We learned to blend these sounds to form words and to read many stories featuring the characters: Doll, Tig, Ed, Ted and Flit. Beginning readers need constant reinforcement of the skills they have learned.  To help your child maintain these reading skills and to instill good reading habits, please consider some of the following suggestions in your summer routine:

• Weekly review a letter-book and ask your child to point to the letter on the front cover of the letter book and tell it’s name and sound.  Re-read the stories.
• Play simple games using the letters and sounds.  Use the games suggested on the back cover of each letter-book.
• Write letters and notes to family and friends.  Practice the proper form of each letter and punctuation.
• Read!  Ask questions before, during and after the stories to check for comprehension of the story.  Write your own stories.  Illustrate them too.
• Visit the library often!  Look for old favorites and new ones too.  A library card is a wonderful gift for a beginning reader!  Your child is off to a good beginning.  Summer is a perfect time to review skills and to foster a love of reading to your child.  From a good beginning comes a good end.

It’s amazing all the skills we have learned this year!  We have learned: jump-rope, hula-hoop, basketball, soccer, hockey, rhythm sticks, running, aerobics, basketball, scooters, bowling, gymnastics, SPEED STACKING, badminton, volleyball, kickball, Frisbee, catching, throwing and relay races!  So, Get Moving and Have Fun!! 

READING LOGS!!  Remember, keep reading all summer long. Reading must be a daily habit as well as something adults must continue to model the children.  Just for fun, keep track of all the books you read over the summer with the Summer Reading Log.  You will be amazed at all your child can do!  ENJOY!

NEXT WEEK:   Monday is our Zoo trip, Tuesday we will clean our classroom, Wednesday is our Pool Party, Thursday is Track ’n’ Field Day and Friday is Kindergarten Graduation and Closing Chapel.  Very fun!!

         REMINDERS . . . . . .                    

• CHECK THE WEBSITE:  NEW photographs: http://www.stpaulannarbor.org.
• BED-TIME:  The children are quite tired.  Please make sure they get to bed early.  Rest is very important for healthy growth for body and mind.
• SCHOOL CARNIVAL:  Friday, May 30^th.  Sign-Up to help!
• FIELD-TRIP: Toledo Zoo on Monday, June 2^nd. We leave promptly at 8:30.
• FIELD-TRIP:  Pool Party on Wednesday, June 4^th.  We leave St. Paul at 9:20 and return around 12:30.  Come join us.
• TRACK ’N’ FIELD DAY:  Thursday, June 5^th, all day!  Wear sunscreen!
• KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION: Friday, June 6^th, 9:00 in the BIG GYM!  A small reception will follow and then closing CHAPEL @ 10:30.  COME!
• CLEANING CLOSETS:  Always looking for donations of books, puzzles, and games, etc. for next year.  Thanks.
• PROGRESS REPORTS:  These will be mailed to your home the week after school is out for the summer.  

**Have a FANTASTIC summer!  I’ll see you around!