WTKJ News: Mrs. King's Class

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Mrs. King's Class

We are almost to the end of week two. We have been working hard on learning routines, rules and procedures as well as how to hold a pencil, use scissors and recognize and write our names. We have not officially started homework but if you could start working on writing their names correctly at home and reading every night that will get you in the habit until homework comes home next Friday. When practicing their names please make sure that your child is making a capital letter at the beginning and then all lower-case letters for the rest. Also encourage them to grip the pencil or crayon with "pincher" fingers. That is the first two fingers and the thumb. I have some that are still using a fist grip and this is very difficult to control the crayon and pencil. We are still using the fat crayons and I would encourage the use of those at home also. Pencils are difficult because they are very thin, harder to control and take a lot more pressure to write. Also cutting is an issue in both classes. The more you can practice cutting skills at home. Cutting skills are also writing skills as the same muscles are used for both.

On Friday a couple of Scholastic Book brochures will come home along with a cover letter that explains how to access online ordering. If you have used the online system before you will be excited to know that it is much easier, just follow the directions on the letter. All book orders need to be turned in or done online by September 3rd. There are several books that are a dollar or less and for every dollar you spend a dollar will come back to our classroom. So your support is greatly appreciated.

We have started introducing letters and numbers this week. We have learned Mm and Ss and are working on numbers 0-5. Again counting things and finding things that start with the /m/ and /s/ sound. The more exposure and support the children get at home the more successful they will be in the classroom.

Things seem to be going well, just keep in mind that a few greens and yellows are normal for the first weeks of school. They are just learning to follow procedures and rules and I am very strict to help them remember. I know today lots of AM greens went home. The only time to really panic is if there is a red or a pattern of several yellows in a row.

If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me or call and leave me a message. I will get back to you as quickly as possible. Remember to send in all the forms that needed to be signed and to keep a bag of dry clothes in your child's backpack.

A big thank you to all the parents who have supplied snack already. I am trying to remember to send the bags home but even I have forgotten you have remembered and that is great!! We really appreciate it!

I am looking forward to a wonderful year with each of your children.

I am working on a distribution list for each class so that I can also e-mail every one when needed.

Trisha Wright

Kelly Trowbridge

Welcome to Kindergarten! My name is Kelly Trowbridge and I was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. I graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Elementary Education in 2006, a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education in 2008, and a Masters degree in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement in 2009. This will be my fourth year of teaching at Simonton. Teaching is my passion and I cannot imagine doing anything else. I am very excited and enthusiastic about getting the opportunity in helping your child start or continue his or her educational career.

Joline King

Welcome Kindergarten at Kathryn Sue Simonton Elementary School. We are so excited to be your partner in educating your child. My name is Joline King and this is my twenty-second year teaching, my ninth for the J.O. Combs District. I am a fourth generation Arizonian and have made the East Valley my home with husband, three children and our beloved dogs Salvador and Jones for the past twenty-three years. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood after completing an Associate’s Degree from Eastern Arizona College. I also have a Master's Degree in Adult Education and Distance Learning. My children, both at home and at school are my greatest joy! I have three children that are mostly grown: Matthew 25, Jennifer 21 and Bryant 19. We also added a daughter-in-law to our family this past spring. Her name is Kristin and she is married to Matthew. I look forward to a great year full of fun and lots of learning.

Kristy Johnson

Hi, my name is Kristy Johnson. I am an Arizona native and have lived in Queen Creek for almost 6 years. This is my third year at Simonton Elementary. For the first two years I worked in the SPED resource room as a paraprofessional. I worked with all grade levels but kindergarten always felt like home. I am looking forward to working with all the students. We will work on reinforcing cirriculumn as well as participating in school specials. My goal is to make learning fun for kindergarten. All aboard the Kinder Express!