December 17

 Friday, December 18, 2010

I want to thank everyone that came out to our performance of Beauty and the Beast. I was so proud to see the students perform on the big stage and do such a wonderful job. Furthermore, it was great to see the entire school come together and put on an amazing show. When parents ask me about their child being able to speak fluent English the performance was a perfect example in showcasing what to expect in the future.

Christmas is just around the corner and I find with all of the commotion of the performance it snuck up on us. This past week we have been busy getting ready. We wrote our letters to Santa Claus and the responses along with the letters will be sent home on Friday. Make sure you take a look at them and see how much your child’s writing has improved.

On a different note the Pre-K class is growing again and our new student is Noah. So let’s welcome him to the Pre-K family. He is from Australia and just came to Hsinchu.


I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and I will see you all in 2011. It’s going to be a great year and I am looking forward to all of the fun we will have together.

What we did in our centres this week.


Literacy Centres
1. Christmas wish list book and letters to Santa Claus.
2. Sight words matching and writing.
3. Computer story “The Night Before Christmas”
4. Silent reading and guided reading.

 Math Centres
1. Reindeer counting book.
2. War card game.
3. Sorting toys, blocks, dolls by sizes.
4. Pattern sheets.

Like always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.
Cheers
Braedon

And So This Is Christmas;

And What Have We Done?

Another Year Over; A New One Just Begun;

And So Happy Christmas;

I Hope You Have Fun;

The Near And The Dear Ones;

The Old And The Young.

John Lennon

Christmas Cookies

Beauty and the Beast

Gingerbread Man Scavenger Hunt

Map to the Science Park Theatre

View Hsinchu Science Park Theater in a larger map">

December 3

Friday, December 2, 2010

One week until our big performance and it looks like it is going to be amazing. Keep brining in the black clothing (black shirt, pants or shorts and socks) so the students will be able to do dress rehearsals next week. We will be rehearsing Wednesday and Thursday at the Science Park Theatre. Please read the email that Mrs. Lines will send out Friday with all of the specific details of when and where the students need to be. It is important to read the email and be aware where and when students need to be. Below is a link for the map.

The pictures below are of our Goldilocks and Three Bears house or Gingerbread house or Little Red Riding House.  You are more then welcome to come see them.  We spent a lot of time making them and the students are very proud of them.

There are some students that have some overdue library books. Could you please return them because each student is only allowed 4 books out at one time.

For the Christmas lunch potluck each family will be required to bring in some food. Mrs. Willis, Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Vicky and I will bring in the juice and cutlery. Could you please let me know what you are planning to bring so I can get an idea in what to expect.

Map to the Theatre
http://maps.google.co.za/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=24.781718,121.005896&spn=0.007237,0.009645&z=17&iwloc=lyrftr:m,18200838884626117839,24.78166,121.005918&msid=102177011504186316552.000496413bd7060da2b1b


Listen to your child read
As your child learns to read, listen to him or her read aloud. Reading to you gives your child a chance to practise and to improve his or her reading skills.
As you listen to your child, remember that your reactions are important. Above all, listen without interrupting. Be enthusiastic and praise your child as often as you can. If possible, be specific with your praise so that your child knows what he or she is doing well.
• Show your child that you are enjoying the story by indicating interest and by asking questions.
• Give your child time to figure out tricky words, and show your child how he or she can learn from mistakes.
• Try to have your child read aloud to you at times when there will be no interruptions.
• Make sure that your child selects books that aren't too difficult. Don't worry if the books your child chooses are a little easier than the ones he or she reads at school.
• Encourage your child to "listen" to his or her own reading. Listening will help him or her hear mistakes and try to fix them.
• Take turns reading with your child, especially if he or she is just beginning to read, or try reading together.
• Talk about a story after your child has read it, to make sure that he or she understands it.
Don't forget to encourage your child to read on his or her own!

Reminders and Notices

1. “Aa, Bb etc” books need to be brought back to school.
2. There will be Christmas potluck lunch party December 16th.
3. Beauty and Beast performance will be December 10th at 7:00 (more details will follow)
4. Bring in black clothes for Beauty and the Beast (black shirt, pants or shorts and socks)


What we did in our centres this week.

Literacy Centres
1. Christmas wish list book.
2. Sight words matching and writing.
3. Computer story “3 Little Pigs” “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Three Brown Bears”
4. Silent reading and guided reading.

Math Centres
1. Little Red Riding Hood board game.
2. Gingerbread Man matching.
3. Gingerbread Man game.
4. Pocket chart numbers 1-20 sort and write.

Like always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.

Cheers
Braedon

When you want to win a game, you have to teach. When you lose a game, you have to learn.

Tom Landry

Greeting card made with Smilebox">

Clothing needed for Beauty and the Beast

Hello All,

The students need to be wearing all black for the performance and could you please start bringing in the appropriate clothes.  Make sure to label every piece with your child's name.  We will be starting dress rehearsals next week at the Science park theater so start bringing in those clothes!

thanks
cheers
Braedon

November 29

Monday, November 29, 2010

            

So the Pre-K’s escaped the virus that affected the Kindergartens.  We have been very busy this week practicing and preparing for Beauty and the Beast performance.  Make sure you that you are free the night of December 10^th.  This week we will be finishing off our Nursery Rhyme unit and starting our Christmas unit.  Since we lost a few days this week and rehearsal for the performance has taken us out of the classroom a few times I am extending the unit one more week.  Also, since December is a shorten month and very hectic there will be no homework assigned this month.  It will start again in January. 

            

Seeing as our Thanksgiving party was cancelled we are now going to have a Christmas potluck.  It will be December 16^th and each family will be required to bring in some food.  More details will follow but         mark it on your calendar!

Reminders and Notices

1. “Aa, Bb etc” books also need to be brought back to school.
2. There will be Christmas potluck party December  16^th.
3. Beauty and Beast performance will be December 10^th at 7:00 (more details will follow)
4. Students need to bring in black clothing for the Beauty and the Beast costumes
5. December 10th is lunch dismissal at school so the students can get ready for the night performance
6. Please bring back to school the word rings!

What we did in our centres this week.

Literacy Centres

1.  Sight words game.
2. Pocket chart poems.
3. Computer story “3 Little Pigs” “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Three Brown Bears”
4. Making sight words using blocks.

Math Centres

1. Little Red Riding Hood board game.
2. Gingerbread Man matching.
3. Gingerbread Man game.
4. Puzzles and dominos.

Like always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.

Cheers

Braedon

You don't understand anything until you learn it more than one way.

Marvin Minsky

A movie Mrs. Vicky made of the Pre-K's and Kindergarten's (the music is Mrs. Vicky playing the piano!!)

November 23

Hello

As I am sure all of you are aware the Pre-K class will be closed until further notice.  Therefore, our American Thanksgiving party will be postponed until next Thursday December 2nd.  If you have questions or concerns you can contact myself or the office.

Take care

Braedon

November 19

Friday, November 19, 2010

            

Time just keeps flying by and soon we will be getting ready for our Christmas break.  We have been busying this week making porridge and acting out Goldilocks and Three Bears.  The students have really enjoyed the nursery rhyme unit so far.  

I have completed my second reading observations and I am so happy with all of the progress that the students have made with regards to literacy.  Keep reading as much as you can to your child and as I said during the parent teacher meetings, it doesn’t matter if you are reading English or Chines; reading is reading.  I prefer English of course but reading in Chinese will transfer over to English.  Also, when reading with your child, try to get them to help you read by saying the sight words they already know.  They love helping and showing how they can read as well. 

            

This week I sent home Ii and Jj books.  I didn’t have time for the students to color them so if you have time at home could you help them complete the coloring.  I also sent home the word rings.  Could you please quiz your child on the sight words and praise them on already knowing so many words.  These word rings took a lot of time to make so try to be kind to them and could you bring them back to school early next week.

Reading Tips

Tip 5 –  Talk About Books

Talking about the books you read is just as important as reading them. Discussing a story or a book with your child helps your child understand it and connect it to his or her own experience of life. It also helps enrich your child's vocabulary with new words and phrases.

Here are some ways to help your child acquire skills in comprehension, reasoning, and critical thinking:

·         Ask your child about the kinds of books he or she would like to read.

·         Talk to your child about your favourite books from childhood, and offer to read them.

·         Encourage your child to ask questions and to comment on the story and pictures in a book – before, during, and after reading it.

·         Look at the cover and the title of a book with your child, and ask your child what he or she thinks might happen in the story.

·         Encourage your child to think critically about the story. Does he or she agree or disagree with the author? Why?

·         Think out loud about the story as you read, and encourage your child to do the same. For example, ask, "Does this make sense? Why or why not?"

·         Give your child time to think about the story, and then ask him or her about it again a few days later.

Reminders and Notices

1. “Aa, Bb etc” books also need to be brought back to school.
2. There will be an American Thanksgiving party on Thursday November 25 at 11:30 and parents are welcome to join us.
3. Beauty and Beast performance will be December 10^th at 7:00 (more details will follow)
4. Word rings need to be brought back to school early next week.

What we did in our centres this week.

Literacy Centres

1.  Cut and Paste sight words game.
2. Pocket chart poems.
3. Computer story “The Paper Bag Princess.”
4. Making sight words using Lego.

Math Centres

1. Little Red Riding Hood board game.
2. Gingerbread Man matching.
3. Gingerbread Man game.
4. Puzzles and dominos.

Like always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.

Cheers

Braedon

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. 

Chinese Proverb

November 12

Friday, November 12, 2010

I just want to thank the parents that came in this week to meet with Vicky and me. It was great to sit down and discuss all of the progress that your children have accomplished thus far in the school year. If you couldn’t make it this week or you want to meet again I can always find time to have a meeting.

This week we have begun to speak only English when sitting on the carpet. This is the first step in our goal to only speak English when inside the classroom. Could you please go over this rule with your son or daughter and stress the importance of it to them.

I have started word rings in the class. They are all of the sight words that the students learn put onto a ring. Since we learn one or two new words every week the word ring will grow and grow. On occasion these word rings will go home and could you please quiz your child on the words. High frequency words are essential to know and use in both reading and writing. When children have a number of high frequency words under control they can read them in text and then focus their attention on solving new words. The same occurs in writing.
Also this week we have begun practicing for our Christmas performance. The entire elementary school is performing Beauty and the Beast. The Pre-Ks will be involved in one song and dance. More information will follow regarding to times and costume but it’s very exciting for our class to be in something that the entire school will be performing.

Reading Tips
Tip 4 – Set an Example
As a parent, you are your child's most important role model. If your child sees you reading, especially for pleasure or information, he or she will understand that reading is a worthwhile activity.
You can also share many daily reading activities with your child. Here are some ideas:
• Read recipes, food labels, schedules, maps, instructions, and brochures.
• Read traffic signs and signs in stores and restaurants.
• Look up information in cookbooks, manuals, phone books, atlases, and dictionaries.
• Read greeting cards, letters, and e-mail messages to and from relatives and friends.

Reminders and Notices
1. “Aa, Bb etc” books also need to be brought back to school.
2. Any art activities or paper put in the plastic folder can be kept at home.
3. There will be an American Thanksgiving party on Thursday November 25 at 11:30 and parents are welcome to join us.

What we did in our centres this week.

Literacy Centres
1. Cut and Paste sight words game.
2. Pocket chart poems.
3. Computer story “The Paper Bag Princess.”
4. Making the alphabet using the big blocks.

Math Centres
1. Math text activity books.
2. Math sequencing cut and order sheets.
3. Creating towers and drawing them.
4. Puzzles and dominos free play.

Like always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.

Cheers
Braedon

There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.

Willa Cather

November 5

Friday, October, 22, 2010

Thanks to all the parents that came out for our Halloween party last Thursday. It was great to see everyone dressed up and in the Halloween spirit. After the parade and singing the students participated in many different activities put on by the teachers in the school. It was a wonderful day for everyone in the school!

Time just keeps passing and we are now already into November. This month our unit is nursery rhymes and we will be covering Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs and the Gingerbread Man. In Math we are studying sequencing, one to one correspondence and representing whole numbers to 10.

We have also grown in the Pre-K class and our newest student is Jerrick. Please welcome him and his parents into the Pre-K family.

This month I have started to implement English inside the classroom. We are going to start very slowly and gradually build up our stamina. Could you please talk to your son our daughter about speaking English when inside the classroom. At lunch and recess or anytime outside the classroom I will allow them to speak their native languages. This is a very important step in learning English and it will benefit the students immensely.

Reading Tips
Read Every Day
Children love routine, and reading is something that you and your child can look forward to every day. By taking the time to read with your child, you show him or her that reading is important and fun for you too.
Try to read with your child as often as possible. It's the best thing you can do to help him or her learn at school! It also allows you to spend time together in an enjoyable way and to build a strong and healthy relationship.
• Start reading with your child when he or she is very young.
• Set aside a special time each day when you can give your full attention to reading with your child.
• Choose a comfortable spot to read, where you can be close to your child. Make it your "reading place"! Set aside a special shelf in that area for your child's books.
• Choose a variety of books.
• Vary the length of reading time according to your child's age and interests. For young children, several short sessions (of 10 minutes each) may be better than one long session (of 30 minutes).
• Read slowly so that your child can form a mental picture of what is happening in the story.
• Praise your child for his or her ideas and participation!
• When you and your child are away from home, take along books, magazines, and books-on-tape for your child to read and listen to.
• Keep reading to your child even after he or she has learned to read. By reading stories that will interest your child but that are above his or her reading level, you can stretch your child's understanding and keep alive the magic of shared reading.

Reminders and Notices
1. “Aa, Bb etc” books also need to be brought back to school.
2. Any art activities or paper put in the plastic folder can be kept at home.
3. There will be an American Thanksgiving party on Thursday November at 11:30 and parents are welcome to join us.

What we did in our centres this week.
Literacy Centres
1. Cut and Paste sight words game.
2. Putting our poems in the pocket chart.
3. Computer story “The Paper Bag Princess.”
4. Making the alphabet using blocks.
Math Centres
1. Math text activity books.
2. Math sequencing cut and order sheets.
3. Creating towers and drawing them.
4. Puzzles and dominos.

Like always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.

Cheers
Braedon

I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma.
Eartha Kitt

Make a digital scrapbook

October 22

Friday, October, 22, 2010

            

              It’s almost Halloween and we have been getting ready in the Pre-K class.  We have made scary skeletons, ghost necklaces and a few Halloween banners.  We also made our leaf print t-shirts.  They turned out really well and I can’t wait to see the students wear them.  Next Wednesday the 27^th will be our Halloween party.  From 9:00-9:30 you are welcome to come by watch the festivities. We will be singing some songs and having a short parade.  So if you have some time come by and enjoy the party with us! 

            

             Just to clarify some things - if I send home an art project, math sheet or anything else it can stay at home.  Only the letter books (Aa, Bb, Cc etc) need to be returned.  Also the homework can stay at home until Friday.  So if you see some paper in the clear folders your child takes come daily then you can take keep it.  You could always ask your child about it or get them to explain it to you.  This is always a good chance for them to share what they did in class with you. 

Reading Tips

Make Reading Fun

Reading aloud can be a lot of fun, not just for parents but for all family members. Here are some ways to get the most out of reading to your young child:

·         Read with drama and excitement! Use different voices for different characters in the story. Use your child's name instead of a character's name. Make puppets and use them to act out a story.

·         Re-read your child's favourite stories as many times as your child wants to hear them, and choose books and authors that your child enjoys.

·         Read stories that have repetitive parts and encourage your child to join in.

·         Point to words as you read them. This will help your child make a connection between the words he or she hears you say and the words on the page.

·         Read all kinds of material – stories, poems, information books, magazine and newspaper articles, and comics.

·         Encourage relatives and friends to give your child books as gifts.

·         Take your child to the library and look at interactive CD-ROMs and the Internet, as well as books.

·         Subscribe to a magazine for your child. He or she will love receiving mail!

·         Read books in your native language, it doest always have to be in English. 

           The more you enjoy the reading experience, the more your child will enjoy it!!!!

Reminders and Notices

1. Library books need to be returned to school by Wednesday.
2.  “Aa, Bb etc” books also need to be brought back to school.
3. Any art activities or paper put in the plastic folder can be kept at home.
4. There will be a Halloween party the Wednesday October 27^th and parents are welcome between 9:00 and 9:30am.
5. There will be no school October 28^th, 29^th and November 1^st.
6. Report cards go home Wednesday October 27^th.

What we did in our centres this week.

Literacy Centres

1.  Guided reading with our letter books.
2.  Halloween activity books.
3. Computer story “Tooth Fairy Witch.”
4. 5 Little Pumpkins poem, fill in the blanks.

Math Centres

1. 1-10 ordering with objects.
2. Computer pattern game.
3. Pattern books.
4. Dice and sand game.

As always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.

Cheers

Braedon

The most important thing about education is appetite.
~Winston Churchill

Oct 15

Friday, October, 15, 2010

            

The Pre-K class has been busy this week with apples, leaves and Halloween activities.  We have now finished our apple unit and have started our leaves and Halloween theme.  During the week of October 25^th the Kindergarten class will be having a Halloween party.  Details will follow shortly but now is a good time to start making or go out and start looking for a Halloween costume for your children.  Homework is going really well and the students are very eager to tell me how they love completing it.  Also Treasure Bag has been a big success and its something that we all look forward to during the day.

Reading Tips

What tips can I use to help my child learn to read?

Tip 1 –  Talk to Your Child

Oral language is the foundation for reading. Listening and speaking are a child's first introduction to language. Talking and singing teach your child the sounds of language, making it easier for him or her to learn how to read.

Here are some things you can do to help your child build an appreciation for words and language:

·         Tell family stories about yourself, your child's grandparents, and other relatives.

·         Talk to your child as much as possible about things you are doing and thinking.

·         Ask your child lots of questions.

·         Encourage your child to tell you what he or she thinks or feels.

·         Ask your child to tell you about his or her day – about activities and games played.

·         Be patient! Give your child time to find the words he or she wants to use.

·         Sing songs, such as the alphabet song, and recite nursery rhymes, encouraging your child to join in.

·         Play rhyming and riddle games.

Reminders and Notices

1. Library books need to be returned to school by Wednesday.
2.  “Aa, Bb etc” books also need to be brought back to school.
3. There will be a Halloween party the week of the 25^th.
4. On Monday I will send home some pattern sheets; please review and this can stay at home.

What we did in our centres this week.

Literacy Centres

1.  Guided reading with our letter books.
2.  Halloween activity books.
3. Computer story “Tooth Fairy Witch.”
4. Sequencing, seeds to apple trees.

Math Centres

1. 1-10 ordering with objects.
2. Making pattern necklaces with string and paper.
3. Sorting pasta by shape, size and numbers.
4. Making pattern necklaces.

Like always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.

Cheers

Braedon

Learn from the masses, and then teach them. 
Mao Tse-Tung 

Kristopher's Birthday Party

Oct 7 with Pictures

Friday, October, 8 2010

            

          Another exciting week in the Pre-K class has passed.  Last Friday we had a great time making our apple crisp and it was fun to see the students in the class that have a sweet tooth!  This week we did more activities with apples.  We used apples and carrots to decorate a big apple for our classroom and we also learned and labeled the inside and outside of an apple. 

I hope the homework is going is going smoothly.  Just a reminder that you can keep the homework package during the week and it only has to be returned by Friday.  Also library books only have to be returned by Wednesday.  Children at this age love re-reading books over and over again.  The repetition helps with comprehension and overall enjoyment of the book.  I could read some books every day for the entire year and the students will never get tired of them. 

Starting this Monday we will be starting Treasure Bag.  Treasure bag is a version of show and tell.  Every night the treasure bag will go home with a student and they will have a chance to bring something special to them to school the next day.  Instructions will be enclosed in the bag and they are in English and Chinese. 

Reading Tips

How can I help my child?

As a parent, you are your child's first and most important teacher. When you help your child learn to read, you are opening the door to a world of books and learning.

Reading aloud to children is the best way to get them interested in reading. Before long they will grow to love stories and books. Eventually they will want to read on their own.

With the help of parents, children can learn how to read and can practice reading until they can read for their own enjoyment. Then they will have a whole world of information and knowledge at their fingertips!

Reading can be a family activity. Spending time with word games, stories, and books will help your child to:

·         gather information and learn about the world

·         learn how stories and books work – that they have beginnings, endings, characters,     and themes

·         build a rich vocabulary by reading and talking about new words

·         learn how to listen and how to think

·         learn the sounds of language and language patterns

·         fall in love with books

It's natural to want to compare your child's reading abilities with those of other children of the same age, but not all children develop reading skills at the same pace. What's important is that you are aware of your child's reading level so that you can choose books and activities that will help him or her improve.

Reminders and Notices

1. Library books need to be returned to school by Wednesday.
2. Keep brining in those white t-shirts for our fall leaves project.
3. “Aa, Bb” books also need to be brought back to school.
4. There is no school this Monday October 11^th as it is a professional development day for teachers.

What we did in our centres this week.

Literacy Centres

1.  Guided reading with our letter books.
2. Play dough recreating scenes from the story “10 Apples Up On Top”.
3. Computer story “Tooth Fairy Witch.”
4. A-Z floor puzzle

Math Centres

1. Finishing Math apple books.
2. Making patterns using toys in the classroom.
3. Sorting pasta by shape and size.
4. Making pattern necklaces.

As always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.

Cheers

Braedon

We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading. 
B. F. Skinner