Family Project!

We are starting a new theme called “We’re a Family!”  I am very excited about our new theme as we will discuss, learn about and explore families and their relationships.  I am sending this note to tell you about an exciting project I have planned for your family!  This family project will be due in 2 weeks (November 5th).  Here is the outline of the family project:
You will be creating a family tree.  You may use whatever you want to create the tree (paper, video, poster, pictures, etc.)

• Your family tree must contain AT LEAST your immediate family, or members of your household.
• Your family tree must contain AT LEAST the names of family members (you can also include pictures, or drawings)
• Please put your family members in an order that demonstrates each generation. See below:

• What I want is for the kids to understand  that they are connected to people who came from other places and  lived in the past where life was somewhat different. 
• Students will be presenting their projects to the class (if you are not comfortable with that please let me know and I will just view it myself and give it a grade).
• I'm looking forward to seeing the creative projects that you will be doing!

New Theme in Room 2!

Hello!  I hope everyone is having a great weekend!  Well we are going to begin our new Theme called Colors All Around!  In this theme we will read stories that discuss colors and we will discuss COLORS all around!  We will be doing a very special homework activity where each day we will bring an item from home that is a specific color for that day and the students will share their items.  This will be a great way to talk about colors and have students talk about the things they decided to bring.  So parents here are the assignments:

On Monday, October 1, 2012- Red item
On Tuesday, October 2, 2012- Orange Item
On Wednesday, October 3, 2012- Yellow Item
On Thursday, October 4, 2012- Green Item
On Friday, October 5, 2012- Blue Item
On Monday , October 8, 2012- Purple Item
On Tuesday, October 9, 2012- Brown Item
On Wednesday, October 10, 2012- White Item
On Thursday, October 11, 2012- Pink Item
and Friday, October 12, 2012- Gray item
Monday, October 15, 2012 Mrs. Hinchen will do black, so you don't have to worry about that color.

Remember if it is assigned on Monday the child will bring the item the following day... they will share it on a Tuesday....  For each color day I send home a paper bag with a clue.  The kids find something from home, put it in the bag and write a few hints.  Here is an example:

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call... this is going to be so much fun!

Thanks for your support!

P.S. We need snacks, plastic baggies and paper baggies!

Mrs. Hinchen

Apples, Apples Everywhere!

If you know me, you know that I LOVE apples!  I love eating them, smelling them, picking them and decorating with them.  So, every year I love September rolling around because we get to do fun apple activities!  So, this week we will be doing two apple projects, one of them is making and labeling an apple with it's parts (stem, leaf, core, seeds, etc.) and the other is a project based off of the story Ten Apples On Top... be watching for these cute ideas, and pictures to come!  Here is a sneak peek at one of the projects.  Also, this week we will really be focusing on rhyming!  Please work on rhyming with your child at home, in the car, at the park, or anywhere you can fit it in.

We are also starting counting to 5... so we start off really slow, but this is essential to the students' understanding of numbers and how they work.  

Also, be watching for the new math homework pages that will be sent home this week.... DON'T throw them away at the end of the week, the topic may run longer than 5 days, so leave the pages in the homework folder until the topic is completed!  If you have any questions, please ask.... we are going to have an AWESOME week!

Welcome Letter

Hello Room 2 Parents!  I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself.  My name is Tara Hinchen and I am in my 10th year teaching at Valley View School!  Not only am I a teacher here, but I also went to this school as a little girl.  I am married to Curtis Hinchen and we have 3 beautiful dogs!   I am from Albuquerque, New Mexico but have lived here in the Coachella Valley most of my life.  I love this community and I love teaching Kindergarten!

You will notice that your child got a brand new folder (that contains this letter).  This folder will be our communication bridge all year.  I also am pleased to announce that we now have a class blog!  I will be communicating a lot on the blog as well.  Here is the blog address: http://mrshinchen.blogspot.com or if you have a smartphone you can scan this code to access the website:

I have set a few goals for us this year.  First, I want to provide your child with the best Kindergarten Learning Experience ever!  Second, I want to incorporate technology in our classroom as a means to communicate and learn effectively.  Lastly, I want to prepare my students to be ready for first grade by incorporating the new Common Core Standards as a course of study that will help students to become learners in real world situations.

Your child will be getting homework nightly.  I do not do a weekly packet as I want your child to get into the habit of doing homework and setting aside a nightly routine that helps make students responsible.  

I have provided all the supplies your child will need (as far as school supplies) so please have your child leave pencils, crayons, scissors, etc. at home.  Your child will need a backpack however so that they can take home finished work and their homework folder.  Also, please make sure your child does not sneak toys to school in their backpacks, they end up getting lost and playing with them at inappropriate times.

This letter is just a few of the important things that I think you should know.  You will be getting a lot more information however at our back to school night.  Please feel free to meet with me at anytime, we are in this together as a team for your child!  I look forward to getting to know each of your children as well as each of you parents! If you child requires a special diet, or religious accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible!  

Let’s have a great year

Love,

Mrs. Hinchen

I recently added a profile to edmodo.com  Please check it out... edmodo is an awesome tool to use in the classroom with students as well as with colleagues.  It is a secure social learning site... where teachers can create assignments, quizzes, as well as share things with colleagues.  I'm just learning how to use it, so bear with me while I figure it out!

Pinterest Addiction

I have been scouring Pinterest all summer for some great ideas for the upcoming year, I also already went to some teacher stores and bought some cute things to add to my classroom decor for this upcoming year.  I am nervous about the school year beginning, and can't wait at the same time.  I'm going to figure out how to add pictures of what I'm learning on Pinterest to add to my blogs... I'm excited to learn.

My goal for this year

I am making a goal this year of keeping a class blog and website.  Please keep up with our posts and information as it comes available!