The Spirit of the Season

Christmas means many things for different people. Here's what it means for us!

A free picture slideshow by Smilebox

'Tis the Season,

The special 'K' t-shirts will be distributed tomorrow. Before wearing it, place a thin cloth over the design and iron for about 30-40 seconds to set the design. Turn the shirt inside out and repeat the ironing. Make sure your iron is set on the wool/cotton setting, and that you don't use the steam setting (no water).

Our Winter Program will be full of holiday cheer with singing and dancing. Consider arriving early, well before 9am, due to the limited parking at the Social Hall.  All Kindergarten students should wear the bright yellow t-shirts with dark shorts/pants/skirts to school.

A few dates to remember:

• Friday, December 13th - myON Reading assignment due.
• Wednesday, December 18th - If you wish to share Holiday Goodie bags, kindly bring them in by this date.
• Thursday, December 19th - Holiday Goodie bags and classwork to be distributed. 
• Friday, December 20th - Winter Program in the Social Hall beginning at 9:00. After the Kindergarteners' performance, everyone will return to class for photos. Please advise if you plan to sign your child out early, otherwise, dismissal is at 11:30am.

As the Holiday Season is approaching, may your homes be filled with lots of love, laughter, and yummy smells!

Looking forward to an exciting 2014! Keep them reading as they are making good progress in developing their reading skills.  Practicing their skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s are also encouraged!

Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau`oli Makahiki Hou!
Mrs. Lee

The Polar Express

We hear the silver bell at Christmas time because we believe in Santa, the elves, and the North Pole?  Do you hear it too?


The Polar Express - slideshow

Holiday Greetings,

Children love Christmas, that's for sure! There are so many fun holiday activities to do with the students in class. So far, everyone enjoyed listening or watching videos of Christmas stories, made a gingerbread glyph,painted a Polar Express scene, and tore paper to create Santa.  Math games included skip counting with snowmen or reindeer and practiced even/odd numbers with mittens.
Since keiki and Christmas go together like bread and butter, they can be sure there are many more fun things to do at this time of the year!

Skip counting is an important skill the keiki need to learn.  This will help them to count a large number of items quickly and to count money. Please encourage them to practice skip counting on a regular basis. Most of them are comfortable skip counting by 5s and 10s, but need to work on the 2s. 

Please have your child bring in a 7"x10" piece of Christmas gift wrap (foil or paper) by Thursday, December 12th for an activity. Mahalo.

Please remember:

• Wednesday, December 11 - Library books due
• Thursday, December 12 - Piece of Christmas wrap due
• Friday, December 13th - Ornament for 3rd Grade Buddy due
• Friday, December 13th - December myON Reading assignment and Book Share due
• Wednesday, December 18th - If you wish to share Holiday Goodie Bags, please bring them in by this date. Distribution will be on Thursday, December 19th.
• Friday, December 20th - Winter Program, 9:00 in the Social Hall.  Please advise if you plan to sign your child out before the 11:30 dismissal.  There will be no Afterschool Care.

Have a nice weekend,
Mrs. Lee

I am Thankful for....

What are you thankful for at this time of year?  Listen as we share our thoughts.

This free digital slideshow customized with Smilebox Aloha Parents, The students have begun practicing Holiday songs for the Winter Program. Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten students will perform in the Social Hall beginning at 9:00am. Grades 1-8 will begin their Winter Program at 10:00. All Kindergarten classes will return to their classrooms for photos.  Early dismissal is scheduled for 11:30am. Please notify me if there is a need to take your child home earlier. The keiki will be wearing special Kindergarten screen printed t-shirts (with dark pants, shorts, skirts, etc.) made for this occasion and future school events. Please note the following dates as we approach the busy holiday season: Wednesday, December 4th - Library Books due. Friday, December 6th - Bodhi Day Service. Buddhists celebrate Gautama's attainment of Enlightenment on this day while he was under the Bodhi tree in North India. Please dress your child appropriately for this Temple Service. Friday, December 13th - myON Reading assignment and December Book Share due. Friday, December 13th - Holiday Ornament for your child's buddy due. Please wrap and label it. Wednesday, December 18th - If you wish to share Holiday Goodie Bags, please bring them in by this date. Distribution will be on Thursday, December 19th. Friday, December 20th - Winter Program in the Social Hall at 9:00am. As a teacher, I am grateful for the Kindergarten students I have in my class and the parents who support their education.  I wish that all teachers would enjoy the same level of support  that I have at Hongwanji Mission School. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Mrs. Lee  

Kuakini Hale Pulama Mau

Singing and sharing happiness brought smiles from the residents at Kuakini Hale Pulama Mau. We really enjoyed performing so many songs for them.

Create a picture slideshow   Aloha Parents,   Please remember the following dates: Monday, November 25th - Book Orders due Wednesday, November 27th - Library books due Thursday, November 27th - K-1 and 3rd Grade Buddy Lunch. Your child's lunch contribution can be brought in either Wednesday or Thursday. Thursday, November 27th - Thanksgiving Service in the Temple. Please dress your child appropriately. One canned good donation requested from each Kindergarten student. Thursday and Friday, November 28th-29th - Thanksgiving break Friday, December 13th - December myON reading assignment  Friday, December 13th - December Book Shares due Malama pono, Mrs. Lee 

K-1 Weather Report

Weather is the changes in the air around us. We want to learn more about it so we can plan our clothes and our outdoor activities.

Picture slideshow made with Smilebox         Aloha kakou,   Thanksgiving will be here soon!  To prepare the keiki for this annual holiday, they have been busy creating pictures with  descriptive sentences about the first Thanksgiving. All the directional art pictures will be similar to a flow map to show what happened centuries ago.  They will share their 'First Thanksgiving' booklet and learning with the first grade class in a few weeks.   Dates to remember: Wednesday, November 20th - Library Books due Friday, November 22nd - November myON Reader assignment due Friday, November 22nd -  November Book Shares due.  Please advise when your child is ready for his/her Book Share. Friday, November 22nd - Kuakini Hale Pulama Mau visit.  Attire - HMS t-shirt and shorts/pants/skirt. Malama pono, Mrs. Lee 

Everything Math

Yippee for Math Games! That is the best way to learn about numbers, shapes, and  everything Math!


Everything Math on PhotoPeach



Aloha kakou,

Just a reminder regarding the Snack Card policy for Kindergarten students effective Tuesday, November 12th.  Items selected (one drink and/or one food item per child) from the Cafe will be charged on the $20 Snack Card. You may purchase the Snack Card at the Office and the cards will be kept at the Cafe.

Please remember:

• Monday, November 11th - Veterans Day, No school
• Wednesday, November 13th -  Library books due
• Friday, November 15th - Parent Teacher Conferences in K-1.  Your child is invited to attend.
• Friday, November 22nd - November myON Reader and Book Share assignments due

Have  a nice Veterans Day weekend,
Mrs. Lee

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. -John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Halloween Fun 2013

What do you like about Halloween?  Most of us admitted we like the candy the best, but dressing up and seeing people get scared are other reasons why we like Halloween!

This picture slideshow created with Smilebox

Aloha Parents,

Everyone was in the Halloween spirit on Thursday and had loads of fun!  The parade was the best ever and the Pizza Hut lunch was a hit too.  Mahalo for those who shared goodie bags with their peers! There was enough goodies/treats for them to last a long, long time.

The Kindergarten classes will celebrate the 100th day of school (January 17th) which is literally the 100th day of the school year. From the very first day of school, they began keeping track of the number of days they've been in school in anticipation of the 100th day. More importantly, it is a wonderful way for the keiki to celebrate the various mathematical concepts that they have learned using the number 100.

It has been a tradition for the students, with their parents, to work together and create something that will be shared on our 100th day of school! So........the 100th Day project is...... a 100th Day T-Shirt to be worn on our 100th day of school! Brainstorm with your child so s/he can pick 100 objects to decorate a t-shirt with. Objects that could be used include ribbons, sequins, buttons, etc.  They can be glued, drawn, tied, painted, or sewn on. For added educational value, encourage your keiki to practice counting by 5's and 10's while laying out 100 objects; this will help boost their counting skills.

Please note the following dates:

• Wednesday, November 6th - Library books due
• Wednesday, November 6th - Recycle bags due
• Thursday, November 7th - School Preview Performance of Little Mermaid Jr.,1:00pm
• Friday, November 8th - Kuakini Pulama Mau consent form due
• Friday, November 22nd - myON Reading assignments (minimum of 5 books) and Book Share due

A hui hou,
Mrs. Lee

Big Monsters!

Halloween is on the way so we listened to many different and funny monster stories.   We collected data such as the monster story we liked the best, our age, favorite color, and created not quite so scary monsters!

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Aloha Parents,

Book Sharing was a wonderful experience this month.  Your child's point of view was offered with a visual aid.  This was an opportunity for everyone to practice their speaking in front of the class, as well as developing other skills. Their presentation involved making eye contact with  the audience and preparing how to show something in a way that was understandable and enjoyable to their peers. It was exciting for everyone.

This Book Share activity will continue through most of the school year. Incentive Pizza Hut coupons will also be distributed as a 'carrot'. I'm sure you are having as much fun coaching your child at home as s/he is presenting it to the class! You are all fabulous speech coaches!

Dates to Remember:

• Friday, October 25th - Fire Safety Guides, Recycle Bags, Book Shares for October due
• Monday, October 28th - Return of the Menehune consent forms and payment due
• Tuesday, October 29th - Return of the Menehune performance, Social Hall beginning at 1:00pm
• Wednesday, October 30th - Library books due
• Wednesday, October 30th - If you plan to share Halloween Goodie bags, please bring them in by this date
• Thursday, October 31st - Halloween Parade (Social Hall) and Luncheon
• Kindergarten start time is 8:40
• Come to school dressed in costumes
• Change of clothes needed.  You are welcome to assist them in changing and taking the costumes home.
• Kindergarten Grade Level Pizza Lunch
•  Friday, November 1st - Flu shots

Have a fun and safe weekend,
Mrs. Lee

Aloun Farms

Aloun Farms was alot of fun to visit and find super big and orange pumpkins. Now our moms and dads will love to help us carve them just in time for Halloween!



Aloha Parents,

Mahalo to the brave, strong, and helpful chaperones, Mrs. Lessary, Mrs. Takara, Mr. Keanu, and Mr. Hasegawa for your time spent with us at Aloun Farms and Kapolei Regional Park.  It was greatly appreciated.

Those massive pumpkins were sent home in your keiki's recycle bags.  Could you kindly have your child bring in another recycle bag by Friday, October 25th?

If your child wishes to share Halloween treats with his/her peers, please have them brought in by Wednesday, October 30th.

Dates to remember:

• Wednesday, October 23rd - Library books due
• Friday, October 25th - Fire Fighter Safety Guides due
• Friday, October 25th - Book Shares and myON monthly reading assignment due
• Friday, October 25th - Recycle bags should brought in for Halloween
• Monday, October 28th - Payment for The Return of the Menehune play due

Have a safe weekend,
Mrs. Lee

Apples, Apples

Our Presentation of Learning was the best ever because our moms, dads, and relatives were in K-1 to listen as we told them all about apples.


Apples, Apples - slideshow

Aloha kakou Parents,

Mahalo for attending our Presentation of Learning this morning. The students were so excited that you helped them slice the apple, listen to their explanation of the parts of the apple, and its growth throughout the seasons. Not only was it a valuable learning experience but they had lots of fun.

Please remember we are a peanut free school.  Per the administration, it is also preferred that other nuts - almonds, walnuts, nut spreads, etc. be eaten at home or off campus.  Mahalo.

If you have any of the following, it would be greatly appreciated. I'd need about 16 of each item.

• Metal cans, Campbell Soup size, 10 3/4 oz. size  (For a Christmas project)
• Yogurt cups (To hold students' crayons in their tool box)

Please remember:

• Wednesday, October 16th - Aloun Farms Learning Trip 
•  HMS t-shirt with shorts or pants and covered shoes
• Sunscreen rubdown
• Labeled disposable water bottle
• Students with home lunch - Use disposable containers/bags
• Thursday and Friday, October 17th-18th - Teacher Inservice, no school
• Wednesday, October 23rd - Library books due
• Friday, October 25th - Book Shares due. Please advise when your child is ready to present their book.
• Friday, October 25th - Fire Safety Guides due
• Thursday, October 31st - Halloween Parade and Pizza Luncheon
• Social Hall, 8:30-9:00am
• More information to follow

"Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire." —William Butler Yeats

Have a nice weekend,
Mrs. Lee

Grandparents' Day

We hope our Grandparents and family members who joined us at our Grandparents' Day Program enjoyed our singing, hugs, and kisses!  Arigato gozaimasu to Tamayo Sensei who planned this event!

Make your own free digital slideshow     Dear Parents,   October is National Fire Safety Month.  Each student received  a Fire Fighter's Safety Guide (FFSG)so you can review the fire safety concepts with them. Students who return the signed pledge sheets (on the last page of the FFSG ) by October 25th will be awarded with a coupon sheet good for a complimentary McDonald's Happy Meal, Slurpee, Pizza Hut breadsticks, and much more.   A collection of free writes written and illustrated by your little authors has been sent home. This type of writing helps them to explore their thoughts and share ideas with others.  It also encourages them to learn, think, share an opinion, dream, and connect their knowledge with new information.  Students progress from journal writing as they get over their fear of writing and build more confidence, especially if they read often.  Have a dialogue about the writing pieces with your keiki as they trust you to read their thoughts.   Please remember: Tuesday, October 8th - Scholastic Book Orders due Wednesday, October 9th - Presentation of Learning RSVP due Friday, October 11th - Presentation of Learning - 'Apples, Apples', 8:30-9:30 in K-1 classroom.  Please bring a small knife (not plastic) strong enough to cut an apple. Wednesday, October 16th - Aloun Pumpkin Patch Field Trip.  Attire - HMS t-shirt, shorts or long pants, disposable water bottle (with name), and sunblock rub down. Thursday and Friday, October 17th-18th - Teacher Inservice ~no school   A hui hou, Mrs. Lee   

Celebrate Our Presentation of Learning

Moms and Dads,
Hope you'll be able to share time with us at our first Presentation of Learning because we want to tell you all about apples!

This invitation card created with Smilebox

Aloha kakou Parents,

Arigato gozaimasu for your donations to our Give Aloha PTO Fundraising Project! It is greatly appreciated!

Mahalo for the pictures emailed this past week. I can't believe the variety of photos received! They are all incredibly fun to view and priceless. The children are customizing the color of their page and adding their thoughts as we prepare our first digital classbook!

Reading with your child can be one of your best parenting experiences.  It will create a lifetime of memories if you make reading aloud a daily habit.  Literature will open countless doors for your child too.  Research has shown that it:

1. Boosts their imagination
2. Contributes background knowledge in other subject areas
3. Increases their vocabulary and grammar, and has the potential to improve writing skills
4. Stimulates creativity

I want your child to keep turning pages all year long so our class has been enrolled in the Book It! 'read your heart out' Program, sponsered by Pizza Hut.  This program has been motivating children to read for many years.  It runs from October 1, 2013 - March 31, 2014.

Through Book It!, your child has the opportunity to earn a Reading Award Certificate by meeting a monthly reading goal. The Reading Award Certificate can be redeemed at Pizza Hut for a free, one-topping Personal Pan Pizza to celebrate the reading accomplishment.  On the first visit, they will also receive an official Book It! Passport to Reading and sticker to track their reading progress.  On subsequent visits, they will get another free Personal Pan Pizza and sticker to add to their passport.

The monthly reading goal to receive this Pizza Hut Certificate is simple.  Students will be required to make one oral book share per month to their peers. Modeling will be done in class so they can observe some strategies such as maintaining eye contact, good posture, and projecting their voice.  For some students, sharing a book is not an easy mission. However, if their presentation is practiced at home, they will feel more at ease. This will be an exciting and useful experience for everyone as it is a fun way to build confidence and allows them to express their own opinions.

Oral book shares should include:

1. Bring the book to show everyone
2. Read the title and the name of the author and illustrator
3. Explain one part they liked about the book through an illustration

Please contact me via email or  note at least one day before your child plans to share his/her book with the class. Reading Award Certificates will be issued by the last day of the month. Mahalo!

Dates to remember: 

• Wednesday, October 2nd - All Library books due
• Wednesday, October 2nd - Grandparents' Day Program in the Temple Annex, 10:00-10:30am. Please have your child wear casual party attire.
• Wednesday, October 9th - Presentation of Learning RSVP due
• Friday, October 11th - Presentation of Learning 'Apples, Apples' in the K-1 Classroom from 8:30-9:30am.  Please remember to bring a knife as you will be cutting an apple for your child.  (Apples will be provided.)
• Friday, October 25th - October Book Shares to be completed

Warmest Aloha,
Mrs. Lee

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

We've been learning about Johnny Appleseed, graphing, and dots this week.  Watch us in action!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
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Aloha kakou Parents,

Plans are to Skype with Mrs. Koch and her Kindergarten-First Grade class in Kansas City, Missouri in October.  Prior to our class' initial conversation, we decided to share a bit of our environment with each other.  They'll gather and send some fall colored leaves, seed pods, and pine cones, along with a collection of autumn pictures of Missouri .  We'll send some dried flowers that are native to Hawaii as well as some seashells. Our keiki will share photos of their favorite local places to visit. Their pictures, with an explanation (typed by me) why they enjoyed this particular  place will be compiled into a digital 'Classroom Book' emailed to our new Mainland friends. This is a wonderful learning opportunity for an interactive exchange and collaboration even though they are living thousands of miles away. These real time conversations will expand our classroom walls.

I will need your assistance to email a photo of your child's favorite local place to visit.  It could be their grandparent's home, a park, beach, toy store, etc.  Your child has the option to be included in the photo. Please email the photo to wendy.lee@hongwanji.us by Wednesday, September 25th.   A copy of the book will be emailed to you. Mahalo.

October is National Apple Month! Learning about our favorite fruit is exciting and will be filled with numerous activities.  An upcoming lesson is graphing their favorite type of apple.  Is it Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious, or Granny Smith?  They are asked to bring one of those types of apples  to class by Wednesday, September 25th. Arigato for your help!

Dates to remember:

• Wednesday, September 25th - Digital photo of your child's favorite place to visit in Hawaii due.
• Wednesday, September 25th - One apple (Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, or Granny Smith ) brought to school.
• Wednesday, September 25th - Grandparents' Day RSVP due.
• Monday, September 30th - myON Reader assignment due. (Minimum of 5 books read)
• Wednesday, October 2nd - Grandparents' Day Program, Temple Annex, 10:00-10:30am.

Please email me if you have any questions.

Warmest Aloha,
Mrs. Lee

A Korean Cinderella

Our first learning trip was to see the HTY play A Korean Cinderella.  It  was like the Cinderella story except this was about a kind and beautiful girl named Kongji who lived in Korea. This is what we liked best about the play.

Aloha Parents,

International Dot Day, is a global celebration  of creativity, courage, and collaboration. This day was inspired by author/illustrator Peter Reynolds of The Dot, who encourages students to 'make their mark' and see where it takes them. This is an opportunity to help our keiki 'open their eyes to the world of creativity and be brave in whatever they do'. 
It has become a special day at HMS and seems to grow a little more every year. Our school will celebrate International Dot Day on Monday, September 16th.  All students are encouraged to wear dots, spots, polka dots, and beauty spots! A watercolor dot design activity is planned to encourage them to use their talents and creativity. We want the students to 'make their mark' in new and exciting ways.

Please remember:

• Monday, September 16th - International Dot Day.  Come to school dressed with dots!
• Tuesday, September 17th - Peace Day Temple Service at 9:00.  Please dress your child appropriately.
• Wednesday, September 18th - Library books due.
• Thursday, September 19th - Aloun Farms Learning Trip Parent Consent Forms and payment due.
• Friday, September 20th - Dance for Peace in the Social Hall, 12:30-1:00.  Your child is encouraged to wear comfortable purple clothing for this event as they will be dancing.  They will not need to wear the P.E. t-shirt for P.E. class.
• Monday, September 30th - myON reading assignment (minimum of 5 books read) due.

Malama pono,
Mrs. Lee

Is Everyone Ready for Fun?

Is Everyone Ready for Fun? is a funny story about a chicken who has some cow visitors who jump, wiggle, and dance on his couch. After listening to this story we learned about verbs. We thought of other actions the cows could do on the chicken's sofa. Look at our action words and cow creations!

 

 

Is Everyone Ready for Fun? - slideshows

Aloha Parents,

Picture Taking is scheduled for Monday, September 6th, at 8:30am.  Please have your child dressed appropriately for this event when they arrive at school.  There will be a group photo taken this year. Yeah! The keiki will change into P.E. clothes before first recess.  Kindly submit payment for the pictures if you haven't done so.

Please remember:

• Sunday, September 1st - Monday, September 30th - Foodland's Give Aloha Program
• Wednesday, September 11th - Field Trip to Tenney Theatre for A Korean Cinderella with lunch at Hawaii State Art Museum. A reminder will be in your child's school folder on Tuesday.
• Wednesday, September 18th - Library books due

A hui hou,
Mrs. Lee

What is It?

Seven Blind Mice  is story about six blind mice who touch one part of 'Something' by the pond.  Each one has their opinion about what it is.  Then, the seventh blind mouse explores the entire 'Something' and sees the whole truth.

We had an activity to learn how to 'see' the whole truth, too.  Can you guess what our 'Something' is without seeing the entire picture?




Aloha Parents,

The children have been really excited about myON reading program, which is wonderful.  Reading has such a positive effect on academic success!  It helps the keiki see the connection between speech and the printed word, as well as aids in listening, comprehension, vocabulary, and thinking skills. We know that the children need to develop a good attitude toward  reading and learning. 

Beginning in September, one of the monthly assignments will be to read a minimum of 5 myON books.  Most of the K-1 students have already read a wealth of books on various topics.  Please continue to encourage them to read, read, read!

Dates to remember:

• Monday, September 2th - Labor Day, Federal Holiday
• Friday, September 6th - Flu Vaccine and Spray Forms due
• Monday, September 9th - Picture Taking Day

FYI....K-1's classroom has a new phone number  #380-4907.  You may contact me via phone or through email as needed.

Enjoy the weekend!
Mrs. Lee

We've Bloomed!

We are just like flowers.  We bloom when we are ready!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
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Aloha kakou Parents,

Looking for an iPad or iPhone app for your keiki to learn about animals and laugh at the same time? The app is called Animals 360. It is perfect for viewing animals in high-definition pictures, real sounds, tours of their habitat, and quizzes to test their knowledge. Try it!

I hope you had an opportunity to view Symbaloo, (located under 'Websites for the Keiki' on the left side of the blog) which is a webmix your child will enjoy. All they need to do after opening Symbaloo is click on a tile and immediately start using that particular website. Among those listed are two favorites - Starfall and Build Your Wild Self. They are quite fun and engaging.

Week(s) at a Glance:

• Tuesday, August 27th - HTY Production of A Korean Cinderella and lunch at the Hawaii State Art Museum Field Trip - Parent Consent Form with payment due
 
• Monday, September 2nd - Labor Day (Holiday)

• Friday, September 6th - Flu Vaccine forms due

Have a fun weekend,

Mrs. Lee

 

 

What is a friend?

Listen to our thoughts about what we think a friend is. Do you agree with us?

Personalize your own free digital collage   Aloha Parents, Your children always mention how they enjoy listening to and reading stories. When you help your child learn to read, you open the door to a big, exciting world for them. I encourage you to read to your children 10 minutes a day so they develop a love of stories and poems and will want to read on their own, for pleasure or information. When children become readers, their world is forever wider and richer. myON reader, a personalized literacy program was introduced to the HMS families on Orientation Day.  myON stands for myChoice, myBooks, and myGrowth.  Our wish is to engage students to read more and love it, increase fluency, and build confident readers that take ownership in their reading growth.  K-1 students and families have the opportunity to be connected to engaging, interactive digital books 24/7 and make reading fun. The URL is http://www.myon.com/ . Happy reading!!!! In Social Studies we will be discussing special things that families and friends do together, such as celebrating the birth of a baby, a grandparent's birthday, etc. I'd like to encourage all the keiki to bring in a photo of a special time or event they have shared with family and friends.  They will be asked to describe why the special time was important.  Photos should be brought in by Wednesday, August 21st.   Please remember: Friday, August 16th - Statehood Day (No school) Wednesday, August 21st - Photo of your family and/or friends celebrating an event due Thursday, August 22nd - 'A Poppin' Social in front of the Kindergarten classrooms from 4:15-4:50pm  Thursday, August 22nd - PTO Meeting, Social Hall, beginning at 5:00pm Friday, September 6th - Flu Vaccine forms due Enjoy the long weekend, Mrs. Lee       

Hello Kindergarten! We're Here!

What a GREAT first week of Kindergarten! We spent time getting to know each other, learned the classroom rules, placed 'Wiggles' in different spots in the classroom, tore paper for the Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom Trees, and had lots of fun with other activities. The best part was just being a Kindergartener, at last!

Hello Kindergarten! We're Here! on PhotoPeach



Aloha Parents,

Mahalo for attending the Orientation on Monday, August 5th.  I hope you got a glimpse of what will be  happening in Kindergarten. 

A few tidbits to remember:

• Your child is welcome to bring in one item to share on Show and Tell Mondays and Fridays.  The students will be sharing round robin style in groups with four or five students. Please practice with your child so they'll have an idea what to tell their peers.
• Friday, August 16 - Statehood Day - State Holiday
• Tuesday, August 20 - Scholastic Reading Club flyers will be distributed on Monday, August 12th.   Please submit your child's book order by the August 20th deadline.
• Monday, September 9th - Kindergarten Religious Education will begin lead by Reverend Hojo.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Mrs. Lee

Summer Plans

We love to do different things in the summer. It is fun to have 'fun'.

This free photo collage customized with Smilebox

Aloha Parents,

It has been a terrific summer teaching your keiki. They were anxious to learn and willing to explore new ideas. I hope this positive energy lasts a lifetime.
Report cards and completed work were sent home today.  Please email me if their report card is missing.

Wishing you and your family a safe and delightful summer. 

Aloha,
Mrs. Lee

Jack and the Beanstalk

This week was spent learning about contractions, putting words in alphabetical order, and antonyms. The students practiced these skills through games with a partner, lessons on the IWB, and cut and paste worksheets. 

There was also many read alouds with writing activities that were shared.  The keiki especially enjoyed 'This Plus That: Life's Little Equations'.  In this collection, the author put together unexpected combinations that always added up to something special. The students created their own equations about life.

Measuring things are quite important in life.  The students had an opportunity to practice this skill with rulers this week. Graphing and learning about fractions were also concepts taught which can truly benefit them as life long learners. 

Create your own digital slideshow

Learning Together

 

This week was spent continuing to enrich the keiki's exposure to literature. Some stories they enjoyed were Where the Wild Things Are, Miss Rumphius, and Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale. After the stories were discussed, everyone was involved in a writing assignment and fun activity.

 

Shapes (solid and plane) and Lines of Symmetry were the Math topics for the week.  The students were engaged in cool math games and activities. Look at these creations using shapes to form 'Jungle Animals' and 'Scenes of Symmetry' which were really quite awesome. Don't hesitate to visit our classroom filled with more of their treasured work.

 

What did your keiki enjoy the best during this summer school session so far? This Wordle explains it in a 'cloud'. Click to enlarge.

 

Have a restful weekend,
Mrs. Lee

Bright Skies are Ahead of Us

How can we get the keiki interested and involved in school?  Well, by planning many fun, collaborative, and critical thinking activities! That's what happened this week. 

Literacy lessons included a craftivity and some sort of writing.  Visit our classroom to view the vast array of beautiful work on display.

Coins and Time were the topics covered in Math.  Children learn best through active involvement with real objects. So our room is normally filled with 'learning' noise which is great because they are participating and working together with a partner.  Some of the games they played were Cup of Coins, Coins in the Piggy, and Human Clock.

Ask your child what skill they were learning as you view the slideshow together!

This picture slideshow customized with Smilebox

Busy Keiki

Learning and playing go hand in hand, and that is what the keiki are doing everyday in K-1. It is an exciting experience for them as they share ideas, collaborate, and stretch their creativity. Activities are planned so they can be successful and build their confidence.

This week, Literacy continued to focus on books written by Ezra Jack Keats, an American writer and illustrator of childrens' books. He is known for his multicultural characters who faced dilemmas and held friendships, and lived in the city. Some of the books we enjoyed were: Jennie's Hat, Whistle for Willie, Apt 3, and Hi Cat!

Everyone was engaged in learning and playing games in Math about the place value of numbers to 100 and comparing the size of numbers.

Your child will enjoy explaining their activities shown in this short video.  Please share your interest with your keiki.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Mrs. Lee

Summer's Here

Summer School is in full swing.  Each day this week, your keiki listened to a different picture book written by Ezra Jack Keats.  Following the story, class discussion focused on the problem that the main character faced and the related solution that the character chose.  After each read-aloud and discussion, the keiki compared the different stories and plots using a graphic organizer on the IWB. As a  daily culminating activity, the students wrote their own problem-solving story and included an illustration.

This week's focus in Math was on patterns, addition, and subtraction. Numerous games were played which were great for review, practice, and enrichment.

Summer is a wonderful time to continue to encourage your child to read because:
1.  It improves their vocabulary.
2.  Reading saves energy. Isn't it better than watching television or playing video games?
3.  Reading helps with the skill of visualizing!
4.  They will learn interesting, and useful information for an assignment or for fun.
5.  Reading helps them to write better!
6.  Reading provides characters as role models and teaches them about social situations.
7.  It sets an example for other students so they'll read too.

Please remember:

• Swim Classes are scheduled on Mondays.
• Snacks and a water bottle should be brought daily as the keiki become hungry and thirsty.

                            

 

 

 

Aloha,

Mrs. Lee

Final Thoughts

Dear  K-1 Ohana,

It was wonderful to receive the K-1 Memory Book with each page filled with photos, notes, and love from your keiki.  It will be treasured forever! Arigato gozaimasu!

I give you back your children, the same children you confidently entrusted to my care last summer. I give them back pounds heavier, inches taller, months wiser, more responsible, and more mature than they were then.

Although they would have attained their growth in spite of me, it has been my pleasure and privilege to watch their personalities unfold day by day.

I give them back  reluctantly, for having spent nine months together in the narrow confines of a crowded classroom, we have grown close, have become a part of each other, and we shall always retain a little of each other.

Ten years from now if we met on the street, your children and me, a light will shine to our eyes, a smile to our faces, and we shall feel the bond of understanding once more, this bond we feel today.

We have lived, loved, laughed, played, studied, learned, and enriched our lives together this year. I wish it could go on indefinitely, but give them back I must. Take care of them, for they are precious.

Remember that I shall always be interested in your children and their destinies, wherever they go, whatever they do, whoever they become. Their joys and sorrows I’ll always be happy to share.

 
Aloha and Mahalo,

Mrs. Lee

 

Kindergarten Memories

Memories are meant to be shared.  Listen as we explain what we liked best in Kindergarten.

This free picture collage customized with Smilebox

Aloha K-1 Ohana,

Here we are at the last week of school  It seems as if school just began!  But I'm happy that the children have come this far and we're all proud of them.

I've added a few important tidbits as we wind down the school year:

• Monday, May 20th - Please be sure all Library books are turned in.
• Monday, May 20th - Kindly return the blue recyclable bags as the keiki will need them to carry more items home.
• Tuesday, May 21st - Last Kindergarten Lunch! Pizza, drink, and cookies, provided with my compliments. 
• Tuesday, May 21st - Goodie bags due
• Wednesday, May 22nd - 'Stories at Sunrise' Kindergarten grade level plays in the Dojo, 10:00-10:30am. Short program in K-1 to follow. If you wish to take your child home, you may sign them out at the office.  Otherwise dismissal is at 11:30am. Report Cards will be mailed home.

The Kona Ice Truck will be coming to campus starting at 10:00. The Preschool keiki will be having a fun activity eating the cool stuff  from 10:00-11:15am and after that everyone else is welcome to buy shave ice. The cost is $3.00 and the truck will stay for a little while after school is dismissed (the owner of the Kona Ice Truck is aware that it is our last day of school and will be ending at 11:30am).

A hui hou,
Mrs. Lee

Time to Celebrate

The Honolulu Zoo was a great place to visit the animals and spend time with our 7th grade buddies.  They always take good care of us and we had lots of fun.

It's About Animals on PhotoPeach


You are invited to watch our slideshow and listen to a special song just for you. Please read the invitation below.

Make a free invite card Aloha K-1 Parents, Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms. Hope you have lots of fun with your family, especially the little ones under 4'6".   Wasn't it fun watching your keiki show off their swimming skills at the Showoffs?  Hope you took many photos and/or videos!   Between Thursday, May 16 through Tuesday, May 21st, please expect completed masterpieces,  school supplies, mats, etc. to be brought home.    Here is what's happening in the next few weeks of school: Monday, May 13th - Bring in all Library books for Mrs. Okamura.  Tuesday, May 14th - Gotan-e Service. Gotan-e celebrates the birth of Shinran Shonin (1173-1272), the founder of Shin Buddhism. Please dress your child appropriately: boys-collared shirt and long pants, girls-dresses, tops with skirts/pants. Friday, May 17th - Book Share and myON Reader assignment due. Friday, May 17th - Free Swim for all Kindergarten classes. Tuesday, May 21st - If you want to share Goodie bags for the end of the school year, kindly bring them in by this date. Tuesday, May 21st - Pizza lunch and a drink will be provided. Wednesday, May 22nd - 'Stories at Sunrise' Kindergarten plays in the Dojo, 10:00am.  'Kindergarten Farewell' program in K-1 to follow.  You may take your child home at this time after signing out at the office. Otherwise school dismissal is at 11:30am. See you next week, Mrs. Lee           

We've Got the Spirit!

Our Field Day at Ala Moana was the best!!! We can't decide which was our favorite: the Bounce Houses, blowing bubbles, the school relay, the Backyard Cleanup game, or eating shave ice.  The most important thing was having fun in the sun with our friends and families!

We've Got the Spirit - slideshows

Aloha Parents,

It has been a busy HMS Spirit Week for everyone! Your keiki really got into the swing of things!!!

Thank you for coming to our Field Day and a special arigato to the parents who donated their time and equipment to help make this event a success!

Mahalo for the generous donations collected by the Seventh Grade Paramita Promoters for the Honolulu Zoo. It will be greatly appreciated. These items will be taken to the Zoo on Wednesday when we go there on our learning trip.

A few things to remember for the coming weeks:

• Monday, May 6th - Library books due
• Tuesday, May 7th - PTO meeting, 5:30pm in the Social Hall
• Wednesday, May 8th - Honolulu Zoo learning trip, 8:30-11:30am. Lunch will be eaten when we return to school. Please wear 'K' t-shirt and sport shoes. A reminder will be sent home on Tuesday.
• Friday, May 10th - Parent Showoffs at the Pool, 12:00-12:30pm
• Friday, May 17th - May Book Share due
• Friday, May 17th - myON Reader assignment due
• Wednesday, May 22nd - 'Stories at Sunrise' Kindergarten performances in the Dojo, 10-11:15am.

Have a fun weekend,
Mrs. Lee

Earth Day Every Day

We had the most fun learning and sharing how to save our Earth for everyone else!
Earth Day is Every Day!!

Personalize a digital collage Aloha kakou Parents,   Thanks to everyone for making the Spring Program and Learning Showcase  a fantastic and fun day for the children.  The keiki were real troopers in adjusting to a different schedule to suit the events of the day. I am sure you are proud of your child for a wonderful performance and especially the Learning Showcase.   The Student Council presents HMS Spirit Week from April 29th - May 3rd. Listed below are the daily activities: Monday - The Future's so Bright I Gotta Wear Shades! Find your super-fly shades and wear them with your flashiest brightest clothes, shoes, and accessories! Tuesday - Sports Fanatics - Sport your uniform or a jersey and cap of you favorite team! Wednesday - Mustache May Day is Lei Day - Dance your way to class with lovely hula hands in Aloha attire and flash a stylish 'stache! Thursday - Throwback Thursday - Deck yourself in your best from the 70's, 80's, and 90's! Friday - Dolphin Pride - Rock an HMS shirt or your class shirt at Field Day! Represent! Reminders for this upcoming week: Monday through Thursday, April 29th-May 2nd - Donations for the Honolulu Zoo accepted Tuesday, April 30th - myON Reader assignment due Wednesday, May 1st -Swim class (rescheduled from April 26th) Friday, May 3rd - No Swim class Friday, May 3rd - Field Day at Ala Moana Beach Park from 8am-1pm. Be in school by 7:45am.  The bus will leave school at 8:00am. The large grassy area, Sites 11 and 12,  Ewa of the concession and changing rooms/restrooms across from Magic Island has been reserved for HMS.  Please wear the special 'K' t-shirts and sport shoes.  All students are responsible for their own home lunch (in disposable bags and containers, please), drink, and water bottle.  You may bring it for them if you plan to have some fun with us on Friday. Look for the K-1 ohana under one of the shady trees.You are welcome to bring a lawn chair as well as lunch. All are invited to join HMS. See everyone on Friday for some fun in the sun, Mrs. Lee   

Kualoa Petting Zoo

Kualoa Petting Zoo was the best learning trip we  had.  We got close to and touched a horse, goat, pig, sheep, chickens, and several other animals. It was fun feeding the animals which was a ticklish or sore hands-on experience we will never forget!

Here's what I enjoyed the most at the Petting Zoo:

E.F. - The guinea pig with the red eyes and tan hair cause it was cute
B.S. - The place where the tree branches grew crooked making it like a tunnel since it looked foresty
E.K. - Feeding the chickens grass
T.N. - Feeding the fish in the pond
L.S. - Petting the two bunnies and one hamster
D.M. - The three chicks cause they were fluffy and soft
R.Y. - Petting the three soft chicks
S.H. - Petting the three chicks because they were soft, big, fat, and fluffy
A.K. - Feeding the fish cause they were splashing

Kualoa Petting Zoo on PhotoPeach


Aloha kakou,

Our special 'K' t-shirt, screen printed by the Kindergarten teachers under the guidance of Mrs. Tamayose, will be distributed on Wednesday, April 24th. Please have your child wear this 'K' t-shirt on: Friday, April 26th (Spring Program) and Friday, May 3rd (All School Field Day).
 

You may want to iron, using a medium setting for about 3 minutes with a cloth over the 'K' design before you wash the t-shirts, to set the design.
 

For the Learning Showcase, K-1 students are asked to wear 'school attire' for 'An Earth Day Story' play. Please pack a different set of clothes so they can change after the Spring Program.

 

Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the Spring Program or Learning Showcase.

 

Important dates to remember:

• Monday, April 22nd - Honolulu Zoo Learning Trip consent form and payment due
• Monday, April 22nd - Wear your Earth Day t-shirts and celebrate Earth Day!
• Wednesday, April 24th - 'K' t-shirts distributed
• Thursday, April 25th - Book Share due
• Friday, April 26th - Spring Program in the Social Hall and Learning Showcase in K-1 classroom
• Fridays, April 26th and May 3rd - NO swim class
• Tuesday, April 30th - myON Reader assignment due

There is a great need for the introduction of new values in our society, where bigger is not necessarily better, where slower can be faster, and where less can be more.

-- Gaylord Nelson

Until next week,
Mrs. Lee

Recyclable Treasures

Earth Day is just around the corner and celebrated on April 22nd. It is a special day for everyone to remember to protect our Earth.

With the help of our 7th grade buddies, we used recyclable items brought from home to make these art treasures which remind us that it is good to reuse things.

Customize a digital slideshow Aloha Parents, Mahalo to everyone for sharing a mountain of recyclable items.  Not only were they used for Math lessons in subtraction and graphing, but for the fantastic 'Recyclable Treasure' activity and the upcoming 'An Earth Day Story' play. Topics in Math have been focusing on Addition and Subtraction.   It would be helpful if you could reinforce these basic math operations in their normal daily lives. For example, just keeping score in some sports requires math skills.  Also, shopping takes some math knowledge if they are comparing prices of toys or candy. Please continue to encourage your keiki to practice skip counting by 2's, 5's, and 10's on a regular basis.  Working on skip counting enables students to visualize the number relations with respect to all the four operations of math, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.   Dates to remember: Monday, April 15th - Recyclable Graph due Thursday, April 18th - Kualoa Petting Zoo Field Trip Friday, April 19th - Kuakini Health Center Open House Friday, April 19th - Spring Program/Learning Showcase RSVP due Thursday, April 25 - April Book Share due Friday, April 30th - myON Reader assignment due A hui hou, Mrs. Lee  

When I Grow Up....

We like being kids, but sometimes we wish we were grown ups.  We'll show you what we would like to become when we get bigger.


When I Grow Up... - slideshows

 Aloha Parents,

The keiki enjoyed their Spring break and returned full of energy.  There are only about 2 more months of school before we head into Summer Vacation. There is so much to do in such a short period of time, but I am certain they'll be up to the challenge.

Mahalo to those who donated recyclable items for our 'Recyclable Treasure' (sculpture) activity with our 7th grade buddies planned for Wednesday.  However, to prepare for this event, it would be nice to have everyone bring in some recyclable items.  Encourage your child to help find some around your home or even a relative's home. 
Items could include: old greeting cards, CDs, bread twist ties, plastic bottles, wrapping paper, cardboard, packaging material, etc. Your imagination is encouraged! All items should be brought to school by Tuesday, April 9th.

Please remember:

• Monday, April 8th - Buddha Day, School is closed.
• Tuesday, April 9th - Recyclable items due.
• Friday, April 12th - Swimming will be 1 hour long because class on April 19th is cancelled.
• Thursday, April 25th - Book Share due.
• Friday, April 26th - Spring Program in the Temple Social Hall 8:30am  
•   Learning Showcase 11:00am -2:00pm in classrooms                                     
• Tuesday, April 30th - myOn Reading assignment due. ( Read a minimum of 6 books)  Encourage your child to read as much as possible using this fabulous reading site. Remember: you have the power to boost your child's learning potential simply by making books an integral part of their lives.

"Education is nothing more, nor less, than learning to think!" —Peter Facione

Warmest regards,
Mrs. Lee