Kindergarten Hammond Hawk Talk

Kindergarten End of the Year Party A Huge Success

2016-05-25T12:37:00.002-07:00

Kindergarten Rocks!

Hammond Kindergarteners had a fantastic time today at Old Woodlands Park! Thank you to all of the parents who helped and provided food. It was a blast!

Let The Countdown Begin!

2016-05-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

We are excited about our end of the year party at

Old Woodlands park next Wednesday, May 25 at 10:30.

Lunch will be provided for each student.

We would love to have any parents join us, but we ask that you please make arrangements for any siblings so that our kindergarteners can enjoy all of the fun together.

Classroom Materials Needed

It's that time of year when all classroom materials must be counted for inventory lists. It is hard to believe that the end of the school year is approaching. So we need your help in locating various items. Please search your homes and your cars for the following materials and send them to your homeroom teacher as soon as possible.

All yellow word cards. Please put the cards in alphabetical order before returning!
Blue and Purple sight words are for you to keep. They do not need to be returned.
Book buddy Books
Library Books
any other classroom materials you may have borrowed

Proud To Be A Hammond Skyhawk

2016-05-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

Hammond Lower School Fun Day A Huge Success

Last Friday the entire Lower School enjoyed a day filled with FUN!

Teams were formed by colored shirts and games were played with sportsmanship.

Everyone enjoyed being together at the family picnic that followed.

Thank you to everyone involved for making this such a special day!

Be sure to wear your fun day t-shirt to school this Friday, May 13th

Kindergarteners visit Congaree National Park!

Over the past few weeks all classes have traveled with Mr. Mancke on his bus "Old Yeller" to the Congaree National Park. Each classes ventured into the forest with Mr. Mancke and were able to observe the amazing trees and wildlife. With each class traveling on different days, many discoveries were made. There were sighting of tadpoles, frogs, skinks, insects and even a baby Southern Ringed Neck Snake indigenous to the Congaree Swamp.

Magical May!

2016-05-03T09:45:00.002-07:00

The Great Coral Reef

The kindergarten classes are suiting up in our scuba gear to dive deep into warm tropical seas so that we may explore the beautiful and abundant

life of the coral reef.

This is a very exciting unit of study. We will discuss the importance of preserving this amazing region so that the magical underwater city that is so full of life does not become a ghost town.

We look forward to FUN DAY this Friday!
Don't forget a picnic blanket for the picnic following the morning activities!

Friday is also a noon dismissal for the Lower School. You may take your child home after the picnic or you must register your child for Extended Day.

Still Rocking In Kindergarten!

2016-04-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

Let's give all kindergarteners a great big round of applause for their awesome performance of "Kindergarten Rocks" last Friday! Your teachers are so very proud of each one of you!

Field Study to Congaree National Park

Over the next two weeks all kindergarteners will board "Old Yeller" and travel with Mr. Mancke to Congaree National Park. Each class will go on a hike, explore the museum located there and enjoy a picnic lunch. We are asking that your Skyhawk bring a bag lunch and wear long pants on the day of their trip.

Field Study Schedule.

Tuesday, April 26th- the Bear Cubs

Wednesday, April 27th- the Ducklings

Tuesday, May 3rd-the Busy Bees

Wednesday, May 4th- the Darling Doxies

Kindergarten Rocks!

2016-04-19T08:29:00.004-07:00

Our very special performance of

Kindergarten Rocks!

will be this

Friday, April 22rd at 8:30am

in the Bank Of America Theater.

In preparation of this special presentation this Friday we are asking that all kindergarten GIRLS please wear Hammond uniform RED collared shirt and khaki skirt, skort, or shorts.

We are asking that all kindergarten BOYS please wear Hammond uniform BLUE collared shirt and khaki shorts.

Mr. Mancke Adventures on South Campus

Our adventures with Mr. Mancke continue as all kindergarten classes will board his bus "Old Yellar" and head to South Campus for a hike down to the board walk. Many different surprises were spotted along the journey. Be sure to ask your kindergartener.

Earth Day!

Friday is Earth Day!

Please note that there will be NO food service available. Students are to bring their own "no waste bag lunch and water bottle.

Thanks so much for all you do to help our planet, Earth!

April Showers!

2016-04-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten Rocks!

In today's Tuesday envelope you will find a very special invitation to attend our program next Friday, April 22rd at 8:30am in the Bank Of America Theater.

In preparation of this special presentation next Friday we are asking that all kindergarten girls please wear Hammond uniform red collared shirt and khaki skirt, skort, or shorts. We are asking that all kindergarten boys please wear Hammond uniform blue collared shirt and khaki shorts.

Tuesday Talk Special Visitors

Today in Tuesday Talk 3rd graders came down to discuss Pop Tops for Ronald McDonald House campaign. 3rd grade is asking everyone to save the tiny top of soda cans. This tiny top has more aluminum in it than the entire can. The top can be recycled and sold. The money raised will then be donated to the Ronald McDonald House to help families in need of a place to stay.

Kindergarten Visits Upper School Biology Teacher

Mr. Michael Rice

Today kindergarteners went on a field study to the upper school. Biology teacher, Michael Rice, invited kindergarten to explore his classroom of various reptiles, amphibians, arachnids and fish. He talked more in depth about the rainforest and the various species found in each level. As a special treat he fed his Jackson's Chameleon crickets for breakfast. It was very exciting watching that very long tongue catch the cricket.

The Rainforest Grew All Around, All Around

2016-04-05T13:08:00.002-07:00

A Rainforest at Hammond School?

As you can see in the pictures, many rainforests are under construction in kindergarten! We can't wait to show them off to you at Open House this Thursday, April 8. Swing on by!

Kindergarten visits the zoo to learn more about the rainforest.

What a great trip the kindergarteners had this week! Everyone enjoyed learning more about the rainforest and exploring the zoo to find animals that come from the rainforest.

Working together to see how long an anaconda can be.

The Anaconda can be a long as two kindergarten classes.

Watching the Anaconda

The Crocodile is swimming!

Welcome Back!

2016-03-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

We hope that everyone enjoyed a fun and relaxing Spring Break! Our Skyhawks returned yesterday refreshed and ready to Rock in Kindergarten for the remainder of the year!

Ready for the Rainforest!

As we immerse ourselves in the tropical rainforest we will be learning all about the four layers!
They include:

Forest Floor -bottom layer covered with rotting leaves
Understory -found beneath the canopy where it's dark and shadowy
Canopy -big green umbrella over the whole forest
Emergent -few trees that grow even taller than the canopy trees

Be sure to ask your kindergartener about these layers and the animals that live in each one.

Kindergarten Field Study to Riverbanks Zoo Next Week!

All kindergarteners will travel to Riverbanks Zoo next week to study the Rainforest animals living there. We will participate in a class encompassing the Rainforest habitat.
On Tuesday, April 5th the Ducklings and Darling Doxies will travel to the zoo. Please send a bag lunch for your child on this day.
On Wednesday, April 6, the Bear Cubs and the Busy Bees will travel to the zoo. Please send a bag lunch fro your child on this day.

Sight Word Study

The kindergarteners have been introduced to all of the sight words in both the blue and purple sets of cards. Please continue to review all of the words and practice writing them in sentences throughout the remainder of the year.

Save The Date!!!

We are all so very excited about presenting our kindergarten program

Kindergarten Rocks!

On Friday, April 22,2016

at 8:30 am in the Bank of America Theater

Please mark your calendars for this very special event!

Spring Is In The Air

2016-03-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Kindergarteners are encouraged to share their favorite green shirt at school this Thursday, March 17th. Regular uniform bottom and tennis shoes should accompany their St. Patrick's shirt. We will enjoy the day measuring how many shamrocks tall we are along with writing about things that make us lucky and fitting it into a shamrock. Leprechauns may appear and help us to add up the gold!

Living in the USA

Thank you for sharing with us where your child has lived/visited in the United States and other countries. We will be locating and comparing the facts we have received. We will also record the information on maps in our classrooms.

Sight Word Study

could, each, use, would, write

Marvelous Math

We are working on recognizing time on analog clocks to the hour and the half hour.

We have also learned there are 60 minutes in an hour and 24 hours in one day.

Be sure to ask your kindergartener the difference between A.M. and P.M.

Rainforest Here We Come

Hammond kindergarteners are excited about beginning their journey into the tropical rainforest. We will be studying the plants, animals, and people who inhabit this amazing ecosystem. Did you know that the tropical rainforest are located near the equator, and they have 4 distinct layers of various plant and animal life? Stay tuned in the weeks ahead as we learn more fascinating facts!

Spring Egg Hunt This Friday!

Our Spring Egg Hunt is scheduled for this Friday, March 18th. Please send in 12 plastic eggs filled with small treats such as stickers, small toys, etc. Please tape the eggs shut. We will need these at school by this Thursday, March 17th. The children are busy making their bags so there is not need to send a basket for the hunt. You will also not have to pack a lunch on Friday because we will all enjoy a picnic lunch with Chic-fil-A nuggets and other yummy sides.

Spring Break

Monday, March 21st - Friday, March 25th.

We wish for you a wonderful, restful, and WARM Spring Break!

We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday, March 28th.

It's Always a Great Day at Hammond School Kindergarten

2016-03-08T08:23:00.004-08:00

Our tongues are loose with Dr. Seuss with all of the fun we've had this week as we have celebrated his birthday. We enjoyed spending the days celebrating his whimsical style of writing and the use of "nonsense" words.

Remember: "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."

Dr. Seuss

Me On The Map- Oh, the Places We Will Go!................

In the weeks ahead, the kindergarteners will be busy exploring where we are on the map. We invite you to participate in a classroom project by sharing with us where your child has been on the map.

We will be locating the following information:

Where was your child born?

Has your child lived in other states or countries?

Has your child visited other states or countries?

Please fill out the questionnaire included in the Tuesday envelope to help us get started with our special project. Thank you in advance!

Sight Word Study: March 8-15

there, their, them, these, way

Egg Hunt Next Friday, March 18th!

Our Spring Egg Hunt is scheduled for next Friday, March 18th. Please send in 12 plastic eggs filled with small treats such as stickers, small toys, etc. Please tape the eggs shut. We will need these at school by next Thursday, March 17th. The children are busy making their bags so there is not need to send a basket for the hunt.

You will also not have to pack a lunch on Friday because we will all enjoy a picnic lunch with Chic-fil-A nuggets and other yummy sides.

India!!

2016-03-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

Last Friday was an incredibly fun day of learning about our country of study, India. Lee Hall remains decorated as a replica of this beautiful country. We began the day with an opening ceremony which featured Mr. Mancke. The kindergarteners were treated to several foods that are traditionally served in India. We participated in a variety of projects throughout the day such as making dance sticks, mining for diamonds, constructing peacocks and learning a popular Indian dance. The finale of the day was given by the fourth grade as they performed The Jungle Book.

What a treat! It was a great day, and we want to thank the terrific volunteers for making this special learning experience possible.

Sight Word Study March 1st- 8th

which, when, then, what

Marvelous Math

Be sure to ask your kindergartener how much the penny, nickel, dime and quarter are worth. Practice counting nickels by 5's and dimes by 10's to make a dollar! Below you will find the Dollar Poem that we are currently practicing. See if your child can recite all of the coin poems that we have studied.

Dollar Poem

Chorus:

Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters

My sweetie knows a song.

It's really kind of funny.

It's all about coins-

And learning about money.

Repeat Chorus:

Now a penny means 1. (Point 1)

And a nickel means 5. (Flash 5)

Dimes are worth 10. (Show 10)

And quarters 25. (Flash hands to show 25)

Repeat Chorus

Five pennies in a nickel,

Two nickels in a dime,

Five nickels in a quarter,

You'll know it every time.

Repeat Chorus

Put them all together.

Loosen up your collar.

Four quarters makes a dollar.

Now let me hear your holler!

Welcome Back!

2016-02-23T10:40:00.000-08:00

We hope that everyone had a fun, relaxing Winter Break. We have enjoyed listening to the many adventures your kindergarteners experienced with their families.

Penguins at the Zoo

Kindergarteners enjoyed a trip to Riverbanks Zoo this week. They participated in the program P is for Penguin and experienced the daily feeding of the penguins. The program invited all children to measure themselves next to an Emperor Penguin, challenged them to see if they could jump as far as a Rockhopper Penguin and encouraged them to feel what real penguin feathers feel like.
During the feeding time kindergarteners learned more facts about the individual penguins that live at the zoo.

Sensational Science

As we wrapped up our study of the polar regions, each of the kindergarten classes participated in a "blubber" experiment. We felt ice cold water with our human hands ---BRRRR...
Then we wore a glove of blubber to note the difference in the way our hand felt in the same frigid water. Ask your child what they discovered.

Focus On India

This week, we are excited about exploring our country of study, India. The Lower School is being transformed into this beautiful country. Our Country Day of Study will be celebrated this Friday, February 26th. The kiva will be busy helping with this day.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT EACH STUDENT NEEDS TO BRING A COMPLETE LUNCH FROM HOME WITH NO HEATUPS.

Thanks for your help with this!

Word Study February 23rd - March 1st

We will review all sight words studied so far. Kindergarteners are getting really good at reading the words off of the blue and purple cards. Now that they can recall these words, we encourage you to practice reading them on different types of media (i.e. magazines, newspapers) and in different fonts. We also suggest reinforcement in writing them in complete sentences. Complete sentence writing can be a challenge so start with simple sentences then add detail and describing words.

Valentine Fun!

2016-02-15T10:08:00.003-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day

A great big thank you for all of the supplies brought in for our Valentine's celebration. It was a great day and we are all so thankful for our many blessings.

Winter Break

We hope that you enjoy the Winter Break with your family! We will look forward to seeing you back at school on Monday, February 22nd!

Hip, Hip Hooray! It's The 100th Day!

2016-02-09T07:49:00.002-08:00

100 Days Smarter in Kindergarten!

Last Friday kindergartners enjoyed celebrating the passage of 100 days in kindergarten. All Skyhawks enjoyed 100 games in Friday in the Kiva such as holding your breath for 100 seconds and keeping a balloon in the air for 100 seconds. All kindergarteners enjoyed a special 100 day snack and were invited to wear 100 things on a handmade t-shirt. What an exciting celebration! A great big thank you to all parents who assisted with the special snack and for helping to create all the wonderful t-shirts!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We will enjoy celebrating Valentine's Day this Friday. February 12th.
Please send your child's valentine cards to school by this Thursday.

February Fun!

2016-02-02T08:00:00.003-08:00

February Is Here!

Today the ground hog predicted spring might arrive early! Kindergarteners are excited and hopeful some winter precipitation will make it to Columbia, SC but also will enjoy the beautiful spring like weather. The children enjoyed learning non-fiction facts about the hibernating groundhog and the fiction stories that have been created around Groundhog's Day.

In Writer's Workshop we are using our gained knowledge of the animals that live in the polar regions to create non-fiction books. This is always a favorite genre!

Valentine's Day!

We will celebrate Valentine's Day next Friday, February 12th.
In preparing for this special occasion, you will find enclosed in this week's Tuesday envelope a list of the children in your child's class. This will help your child in addressing valentine cards to his/her classmates. To avoid hurt feelings, we ask that you limit valentine cards to your child's homeroom class only. All kindergarteners are expected to sign their own name and write their classmate's name on each valentine card. Please be aware that this project can be a challenge for five and six year olds. You may find that it works well to start several days ahead and doo a few each day rather than tackle it all in one sitting.
Please send in completed Valentines next Friday, February 12th.
Have fun helping your child get ready for this exciting day!

Sight Word Study February 2nd-9th

him, how, make, many, more, were

Marvelous Math

Kindergarteners are learning about equal parts and parts of a whole. This means having the same portion, piece, or segment of a whole.

You can help reinforce this skill at home when slicing an apple into equal portions, or serving pizza for dinner. Let your kindergartener help to make equal parts. It is always fun to eat and learn.

Me and My World

2016-01-26T10:53:00.001-08:00

Which Pole Has Which Animal?

The kindergarten classes now have a better understanding of where we are on the map in relation to our favorite polar animal friends. Through a variety of cross-curricula activities we have located the North Pole and the South Pole on the globe as well as learned which polar animals live at each of these locations. Be sure to ask your kindergartener who lives where? Below you will find a link to one of our favorite songs used during our investigating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF01mBSB8rY

Sight Word Study - January 26- February 2

your, so, all, if, or, her

Marvelous Math --- The Quarter Is Here!

Now that Quarter Wars have begun in the Lower School to raise money for Hammond's Stop Hunger Now! packaging event, kindergarteners are so thrilled to learn all about the quarter. Since we have studied the penny, nickel, and dime, we are encouraging our students to earn quarters at home by lending a helping hand around the house so that they can donate to their grade level collection of Quarter Wars, but more importantly, purchase meals for hungry people all over the world. This is an excellent service project for the students, making connections between the classroom and the outside world.

Below you will find the Quarter poem.
See if your child can recite this
and the other coin poems previously learned.

Quarter Poem

Quarter, quarter

Big and bold.

You're worth twenty-five

I am told.

More January Fun!!

2016-01-19T09:39:00.000-08:00

Where Is The Snow?

Kindergarteners are becoming terrific meteorologists as we check out the weather and watch the temperature drop, sometimes below freezing! We continue to hope for snow......maybe it will happen before January is over?? Keep thinking those snow filled thoughts!

Sight Word Study January 19-25

has, will, some, but, not, out

Please continue to practice reading and writing both the blue and purple set of sight words in sentences and stories. The kindergarteners are doing a great job of filling their alphabet word wall.

Exploration of the Earth's Poles

Kindergarteners have investigated and discovered where the Earth's poles are located. In addition, they are learning all about which animals make their homes at which pole.

Be sure to ask your kindergartener where the penguins live. We will dive deeper with these fascinating birds and study the different species and how they are alike and different.

Brrr!!!! It's Cold Outside

2016-01-12T10:53:00.000-08:00

All Snowflakes Are Different Just Like You and Me!
Kindergarteners have enjoyed the cold weather we've had. Each day we have learned more and more on exactly how a snowflake is uniquely made and how to assemble a snowman. We continue to cross our fingers and wish for real snow right here in Columbia! Below you can see just how prepared we are!

Creating snowflakes using pattern blocks. Math fun!

Oh no! My snowman is melting!

All About Our Snow Families

I Am A Snowman

South Carolina Is Our State

In Social Studies we have expanded our view to our great state, South Carolina. We have enjoyed learning that our capital is our city, Columbia, along with some state symbols and how to make our state flag.

The Kindergarten State Flag

Sight Word Study January 12-19

Purple set-
an, by, had, into, no, up

Science News

We are looking forward to learning about the polar regions of our world. We will explore the variety of animals indigenous to both the northern and southern polar regions.

If you ever see a polar bear and a penguin together......

It's a fantasy!!

Happy New Year!

2016-01-05T08:20:00.000-08:00

2016 Is Here!

Welcome Back!

We hope everyone enjoyed the holidays with your family.

We've had a great time hearing all about the many exciting adventures had by our kindergarteners!

The kindergarten classes are excited about beginning the new year exploring our new season, winter. As January progresses we look forward to expanding our study to the polar region habitats and the animals that live there.

Also, please be sure to send in a complete set of winter clothes for your child if you have not already done so. Make certain you include underwear and socks. As a reminder, the extra change of clothes does not have to be the official Hammond uniform, but it should be similar (such as khaki or navy bottoms with a red, white, or blue shirt)

Sight Word Update

We are thrilled that so many of our kindergarten friends have learned to read the blue sight word cards. Beginning NEXT WEEK our sight word study will be selected from the purple set of cards. If you have not received a purple set of sight words, you will get them by next Tuesday. Please keep the blue set of sight words at home. Continue to encourage your child to read and write all of the sight words we have covered. Creating sentences and placing them into a sequenced story is an excellent way to review these words. It is amazing how such a simple activity can keep the words fresh in their minds as well as improve spelling proficiency.

Jingle All The Way!

2015-12-15T08:21:00.001-08:00

Healthy and Happy!

We are so happy to see all of our Super Skyhawks healthy and ready to learn and celebrate before the upcoming holidays. We are looking forward to our Holiday celebration lunch this Thursday at our lunch time. All kindergarteners are invited to wear their favorite pajamas for this special day. Please be sure to wear tennis shoes. Thank you to all of the parent volunteers for providing this special time for all of kindergarten.

You are invited to join us this Friday, December 18 for an all Lower School Sing along in the gym at 10:30. Friday is a noon dismissal. After the Sing A Long in the gym please meet your child in their classroom for dismissal. Below you will find the invitation.

Families Helping Families

Kindergarten had a ball last Friday wrapping and preparing gifts for the Families Helping Families Project. A great big thank you to all of the parents that helped to support this project.

Academic Awareness

During this final week before the holidays, all classes are catching up on missed skills and reinforcing ones already learned.

In our Sight Word Study we are learning the last of the blue words.
as, for, from, was, do, they
Please reinforce these words at home by making sentences then practicing writing and reading them. We will be adding the purple set in January.

Don't Forget to READ, READ, READ over the holiday!

Merry Math this week involves introduction of the Dime. You will find the Dime Poem below.

Dime Poem

Dime, dime

Little and thin,

I remember

You're worth ten.

Happy Holidays to all our Kindergarten Skyhawks!

See you next year

You Know Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixon

2015-12-08T11:49:00.000-08:00

Kindergarten Reindeer?

Be sure to check out Santa's reindeer all lined up in the hallways.
HO! HO! HO!

Merry Math

During the month of December, the kindergarten classes will enjoy problem solving activities to develop logical thinking while integrating reading skills with mathematics. We will be counting with understanding and recognizing "how many" in sets of objects. We will use a variety of methods and tools to compute, including objects and mental computation, as we develop and understanding of adding and subtracting whole numbers. Holiday baking is an ideal time to give your child hands on experience using math skills!

Below are a few holiday recipes for you to try at home. Enjoy!!

Edible Reindeer

Ingredients:

1 half piece of bread (cut diagonally)
2 raisins
1 cherry
2 pretzels
Peanut butter

Directions:

Spread peanut butter onto one side of the bread.
On one corner of the bread, place the cherry. This is your reindeer's nose!
Add the 2 raisins for eyes.
Attach the pretzels to the long side of the bread so that they stick up like reindeer ears.

Resurrection Rolls

Ingredients:

1 can Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
8 large marshmallows
Melted butter
Cinnamon and Sugar mixed together

Directions:

Give each child one rectangle section of dough. This will represent the cloth wrapped around Jesus' body.
Give each child one large marshmallow. This represents Christ's body.
Let each child roll their marshmallow in the melted butter. Then, dip the marshmallow into the cinnamon sugar mixture. This represents the oils and spices that prepared Christ's body for burial.
Have each child place the marshmallow on their section of dough and carefully wrap it.
Make sure all edges are pinched tight!
Place the rolls in the oven. Tape the door shut and place a guard - stuffed animal or child. The oven represents the tomb.
Bake the rolls, following the directions on the package.
Open the tomb/oven. Only the cloths remain! Christ's body is no longer there!

Read accompanying passages from Scripture, such as John 19: 38-42 and John 20.

Snowman On a Stick

Ingredients:

3 large marshmallows
1 skewer
White icing
1 thin mint
1 mini Reese's Cup
1 6 inch strip of a Fruit Roll-Up
Squeezable tube icing
Plastic knife

Directions:

Slide one marshmallow onto the skewer.
Spread a little bit of white icing on the top portion of the marshmallow.
Slide on the second marshmallow.
Spread a little bit of white icing on the top portion of the second marshmallow.
Fold the Fruit Roll-up to resemble a scarf and then slide it onto the skewer.
Spread a little bit of white icing on top of the scarf (only near the skewer!).
Slide on the third marshmallow.
Slide the thin mint onto the skewer - carefully and very slowly so as not to break the mint in half!
Slide the mini Reese's Cup onto the skewer. (This is his hat!)
Use the tube icing to make two eyes, a mouth, and some buttons on your snowman!

Sight Word Study

with, this, of, said, on, you, his

Have fun creating your own holiday story using the sight words studied this week along with the remainder of the blue set of words.

December is Here!

2015-12-01T11:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome Back!

We have enjoyed hearing all about the special family time had during the Thanksgiving holiday. Our journals are filled with exciting entries.

My Family's Traditions

This winter season we ask that you please share a special holiday tradition that you celebrate with your families and friends.

For example, a special tradition our Hammond School Family celebrates each year by participating in Families Helping Families. We will discuss different traditions with our students over the next few weeks.

Some examples include:

· roasting marshmallows by the fire

· baking cookies with your grandparents

· decorating your Christmas tree

· visiting the soup kitchen

· cooking potato latkes for Hanukkah

· hanging holiday lights

We look forward to sharing these holiday traditions with your child

Since December is here and it is a very fun-filled time of the year, we ask that all toys (including Elf on the Shelf and Elf Magic dolls) remain at home in order to keep them safe.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Writer's Workshop

The kindergarteners are beginning to write their own creative stories. We are encouraging them to use their best "kindergarten sounds" for spelling words. some of the spelling strategies we are using in the classroom are:

Stretch out the word - listen to the sounds you hear
Think about what the word looks like
Is it a short or a long word? How many syllables/parts does it have?
Use spelling patterns (word families: at, ag, am, etc.)
Use resources in the classroom (word wall, dictionary, or ask a friend)

Sight Word Study December 1st-8th

Number words six-ten
(Please note that the number words, with the exception of one and two, are not blue or purple words. We will be studying these sight words at school this week. The children will be making their own number word flash cards to bring home and practice.

Merry Math

During the month of December, the kindergarten classes will enjoy problem solving activities to develop logical thinking while integrating reading skills with mathematics. we will be counting with understanding and recognizing "how many" in sets of objects. We will use a variety of methods and tools to compute, including objects and mental computation as we develop an understanding of adding and subtraction whole numbers. Holiday baking is an ideal time to give your child hands on experience using math skills! Have fun with Math!

Happy Thanksgiving from Hammond Kindergarten!

2015-11-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

A Published Author visits Hammond Kindergarten

A great big thank you to the author of the book

Charley's Columbia Backyard,

Caroline Bennett,

for visiting kindergarten last week. The children enjoyed hearing a story about their city, Columbia. It was very exciting for our young writers to hear how a professional author publishes a book from start to finish. If you would like to purchase an autographed copy of her fantastic book please turn in the order form that was included in this Tuesday's envelope.

Successful Field Study To City Roots

All Kindergarteners had great time experiencing the only sustainable, organic farm in Columbia. It may have been a chilly morning, but these Skyhawks learned so much! We were able to visit with the hens, dig up worms in the greenhouse where microgreens grow, and watch the honey bees fly around their hives. This was a fabulous, fun trip that reinforced many of the facts we have been learning about in science. We also learned many new things about how farmers grow and maintain their crops on a sustainable farm.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to be with your kindergarteners each day.

We are filled with

THANKFULNESS.

We wish for each of you a safe and enjoyable holiday.

We are looking forward to hearing all about your special time with family and friends.

Please return the Tuesday envelopes and clean rest mats on Monday, November 30th.

November News In Hammond Kindergarten

2015-11-17T10:24:00.001-08:00

Columbia, Our Capital City

We are very excited about our special guest author, Mrs. Caroline Bennett, visiting with us this Friday. She will be reading her book, Charley's Columbia Backyard. This is a perfect introduction activity for our Social Studies curriculum as we introduce our study about the city in which we live. We will be discussing why our city is important to the state of South Carolina and sharing our favorite places we know about in this big city.

Sight Word Study November 17th-24th

Number words one-ten (one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten)

(Please note that the number words, with the exception of one and two, are not blue or purple words. We will be studying these sight words at school this week. The children will be making their own number word flash cards to bring home and practice.

New!
Please share any of your ideas on activities reinforcing sight words.
Simply send a note in to your teacher and we will be happy to post new ideas to our list.
Have fun learning your sight words!

Suggested Activities and Games to reinforce sight words

While riding in the car, have your child look for familiar sight words on billboards and signs. If you keep a Magna Doodle or a small writing pad in the car, have them write the word when they see it.

See if your child can find the words on items around the house (cereal boxes, packaged goods, newspaper headlines, magazines, etc).

Science Update- Field Study Next Monday, November 23rd

All Kindergarten classes will visit City Roots next Monday, November 23rd. City Roots is the only self-sustainable farm in Columbia. Please be sure to have your child wear their red shirt. Thanks!

NEEDED ASAP!

Please send in to school a WINTER change of clothes. With the cooler temperatures here, we are in need of an extra change of clothes for those "just in case" times.

Thank you!

Kindergarten Hammond Hawk Talk

Kindergarten End of the Year Party A Huge Success

Kindergarten Rocks!

Let The Countdown Begin!

We are excited about our end of the year party at

Old Woodlands park next Wednesday, May 25 at 10:30.

Lunch will be provided for each student.

Classroom Materials Needed

All yellow word cards. Please put the cards in alphabetical order before returning!

Blue and Purple sight words are for you to keep. They do not need to be returned.

Book buddy Books

Library Books

any other classroom materials you may have borrowed

Proud To Be A Hammond Skyhawk

Hammond Lower School Fun Day A Huge Success

Kindergarteners visit Congaree National Park!

Magical May!

The Great Coral Reef

Still Rocking In Kindergarten!

Let's give all kindergarteners a great big round of applause for their awesome performance of "Kindergarten Rocks" last Friday! Your teachers are so very proud of each one of you!

Field Study to Congaree National Park

Kindergarten Rocks!

Our very special performance of

Kindergarten Rocks!

will be this

Friday, April 22rd at 8:30am

in the Bank Of America Theater.

In preparation of this special presentation this Friday we are asking that all kindergarten GIRLS please wear Hammond uniform RED collared shirt and khaki skirt, skort, or shorts.

We are asking that all kindergarten BOYS please wear Hammond uniform BLUE collared shirt and khaki shorts.

Mr. Mancke Adventures on South Campus

Earth Day!

Friday is Earth Day!

Please note that there will be NO food service available. Students are to bring their own "no waste bag lunch and water bottle.

Thanks so much for all you do to help our planet, Earth!

April Showers!

Kindergarten Rocks!

Tuesday Talk Special Visitors

Kindergarten Visits Upper School Biology Teacher

Mr. Michael Rice

The Rainforest Grew All Around, All Around

A Rainforest at Hammond School?

Kindergarten visits the zoo to learn more about the rainforest.

Welcome Back!

Ready for the Rainforest!

Kindergarten Field Study to Riverbanks Zoo Next Week!

Sight Word Study

Save The Date!!!

Kindergarten Rocks!

Spring Is In The Air

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Living in the USA

Sight Word Study

could, each, use, would, write

Marvelous Math

Rainforest Here We Come

Spring Egg Hunt This Friday!

Spring Break

It's Always a Great Day at Hammond School Kindergarten

Remember: "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."

Dr. Seuss

Me On The Map- Oh, the Places We Will Go!................

Sight Word Study: March 8-15

Egg Hunt Next Friday, March 18th!

You will also not have to pack a lunch on Friday because we will all enjoy a picnic lunch with Chic-fil-A nuggets and other yummy sides.

India!!

What a treat! It was a great day, and we want to thank the terrific volunteers for making this special learning experience possible.

Sight Word Study March 1st- 8th

Marvelous Math

﻿Dollar Poem

Welcome Back!

Penguins at the Zoo

Sensational Science

Focus On India

Word Study February 23rd - March 1st

Valentine Fun!

Happy Valentine's Day

Winter Break

Hip, Hip Hooray! It's The 100th Day!

100 Days Smarter in Kindergarten!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Dollar Poem

See you next year