Somewhere Over the Rainbow

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

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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!

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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