Odyssey Charter School | Denise Martinez RSS

January Secret Share Days

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:04:52 GMT

◄ December
~ January 2012 ~

9
1st day back at school
10
Coco
11
Celeste
12
Brianna
13
Aydan
14

15
16
No school
17
Aydan
18
Alfie
19
Ale
20
Zem
21

22
23
Syenna
24
Ruby
25
Raela
26
Rachel
27
Olivia
28

29
30
Nolan
31
Melody

December Secret Share Days

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:00:59 GMT

◄ November
~ December 2011 ~
1
Melody
2
Luc
3

4
5
Lillian
6
James
7
Jaden
8
Frances
9
Ford
10

11
12
Emma
13
Elijah

14
Diego

15
Cooper
16
17

18
19
Winter Break
20
21
22
23
24

25
26
27
28
29
30
31

Room B News Oct. 10-15

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:25:42 GMT

Room B News
October 10-15

Writer’s Workshop
This week we go out sketch books!! We are learning how to draw people, so when Writer’s Workshop begins they will have some tools to help them tell their stories.

Reader’s Workshop
We began reading Emergent books this week to help new reader’s read the pictures, retell stories using storytelling words, build confidence, and build endurance for reading by themselves for a period of time. They are doing a fabulous job!

Math
We are learning new math games to build number sense and partner work.

Social Studies/Science
We are learning about habitats and adaptations of various animals.

Germ experiment- we rubbed potato piece on a variety of areas (including our hands after recess) and put them in a dark bag for a week. We learned scientist use a control specimen to compare to the others and predicted the outcome

Word Study: We will be getting out word study books next week—Please send in more environmental print!!!
Definition: Environmental Print is the print of everyday life: The symbols, signs, numbers, and colors found in McDonald's, Wal-Mart, Exxon, Pizza Hut, 7-Up, and on websites, for instance. They offer excellent entry points for young children to begin to learn to read, write, and do math.
Resources for environmental print are: Books, billboards, calendars, catalogs, comics, containers, coupons, flyers, greeting cards, grocery stores, journals, labels, magazines, menus, newspapers, office supply packaging, posters, recipes, road signs, snack bags, telephone books, and websites.

Homework
Read
Play Top-It
Read-a-thon

Room B News Oct. 3-7

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:19:42 GMT

Room B News
October 3-7

Meet and Greet- What a fantastic turnout for such a rainy day! I think what I noticed most was how the students really took ownership of the classroom. That is so important and I was so pleased to walk around the room and hear students talking about their classroom with pride and authority. I forgot to thank our amazing room parents Kirstin and Katie for putting so much thought and preparation into the evening. I am so grateful to them and to all the amazing parents in Room B this year! We also received 2 play kitchens last night!

Reader’s/Writer’s Workshop- We continued to tell stories this week and act out Caps for Sale. We are talking about the main characters and beginning, middle, and endings. This will all lead to them writing their own stories through pictures, words, and letters. Students will also receive their writing toolboxes and sketch books this week.

Math- We are looking at patterns in the world through music, movement, and our environment.

Ask Me:
The story of Caps for Sale
What is the sound Nigel Nightowl makes make circles for glasses and say /n/
What is the sound Ollie Octopus makes move arms like tentacles and say /o/
What is the sound Peewee Peguin makes put arms to the side and move like penguin and say /p/
What is the sound Queenie Quail makes put index finger at forehead like a quails top feather and say /qa/ *note this is the only sound that the a sound should be attached.
What is the sound the Robbie Rabbit says put arms up like bunny paws and say /r/

Camp Day- So sorry for the error in dates.
Sunday, November 6 is Camp Day Potluck and set up 12:30-2:30
Monday, November 7 is Camp Day

Prop. 39- If you haven’t turned this in please do so ASAP! Due Friday, Oct. 14th.

Homework:
1. Environmental Print- Please send in with your child everyday words that they recognize even if they cannot read such as the part of the box that says pizza, their favorite cereal box, a favorite sport name, favorite movie box, signs, etc.
2. Patterns: Find patterns around your house
3. Read

Need- Pumpkins- all sizes for ordering, counting, and baking!!! We will need them by Wednesday, Oct. 19

Room B News September 26-30

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:18:23 GMT

Room B News
September 26-30

This week we continue to share name stories and share favorite books with our friends. We also had our first fire drill. The students did great for a first drill. Students are learning routines and we are really starting to be able to move forward. I think this class is an incredible group of kids. They are kind and caring and are learning very quickly. Friday we will begin planting seeds.

Ask me:
What we do during a fire drill at school.

The story of Little Red Riding Hood and/or 3 Little Pigs

What the letter I says- inny inchworm-move pointer finger like a worm and say /i/
What the letter j says- jiggly jellyfish -wave arms to the sides and say /j/
What the letter k says- kick right foot and punch w/right hand and say /k/
What the letter l says- rest chin on hands and say /h/

Homework-
Create a fire safety plan with your child.
Read. Read. Read.
Find words that start w/ the letters above

Classroom Cleanup: Shanah Blevins
Wash Pillows: Shanah Blevins

Volunteer Needed!
Make tool boxes for students.
Kindergarten needs an Art Committee Liason!-See our room parents for details

Annual Campaign- Please if you haven’t donated to our annual campaign it is NEVER too late!

PLEASE READ THE THURSDAY NEWSLETTER ONLINE FOR UPCOMING EVENTS, DATES, AND TIMES. October is full of Odyssey activities and we wouldn’t want you to miss out.

Room B News September 19-23

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:28:05 GMT

Room B News
September 19-23

Dear Families,
From my past experience this week is a bit harder for many incoming kindergartners. There are a lot of new expectations and routines to follow and the reality begins to set in, as they continue to adapt these routines and expectations will become a part of their daily routine and not so laborious. Hang in there I know it is also hard on the families. Thank you so much for supporting me through this transitional period.

Community Building Activities-
We played Save the Animals and had to work in teams and work together to get all the animals out of the jar.

Community building/Writer's Workshop
This week we have begun to tell our name stories and make Name booklets. I always love hearing how students get their names.

Reader's Workshop- we continue tell stories through oral storytelling, reading, and acting out common fairytales.

Friday we are making applesauce and sharing with Room A.

Ask Me:
To tell the story of 3 Billy Goats Gruff

D- What Dee Dee deer says- cross fingers on both hands and put on head for ears "d"

E- What Ellie Elephant says -swing arm like trunk and brings peanut to mouth "e"

F- What Francie Fish says- put one hand on top of the other and move thumbs like fins "f"

G- What Gordo Gorilla says- peel a banana "g"

H- What Honey Horse says- slap thighs like a horse gallop "h"

Homework
Read daily
Bring in favorite book (please have name written in book)

Please Sign Up for and ILP (Individual Learning Plan)
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/individual37

Volunteers: Pillows –Dina Villani
Clean Classroom- Kirsten Siggens

Volunteers Needed:
Laminate stencils
Cut out shapes- See me Monday (take home job)
Tool boxes need to be assembled and labeling work cubbies.

Room B News Sept, 12-16

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:01:16 GMT

Room B News- Sept. 12-16

Dear Families,
We continue to build community in the classroom with group projects, sharing, and getting to know each other through stories.

Oral Storytelling- We are beginning to tell stories orally and will begin with students sharing the story of how they got his/her name. Please tell your child how you picked out their name.

Name Story- Next week we will be sharing with our classmates the story of how we go our names and begin to make a book for each student.

Family Photos- If you have not sent in a family photo in please do so as soon as possible.

Students often have difficulty remembering what they have done during the day, so each week I will have an “Ask Me” section to provide parents with specific questions to ask their child about things we learned this week.

Ask Me:
• About the sound that Allie Alligator says: open hands wide like jaws and snap shut and say “a”.

• The letter b: Bubba bear gets honey from the hive and says “b”

• The letter c: Catina cat rubs her cheek and says “c” (k)

• About how we greet people: look them in the eye, friendly wave, strong voice, “Good Morning __________.”

• What is the Peace Path?

Homework
Read for 20 minutes to or with your child
Find words that start with the “a” sound, “b” sound, “c” sound (k)

Picture Day- Wed. Sept. 21 @ 8:30 for Room B- Please be prompt – I will open the doors early on Wed. so students have a chance to do jobs. We will come to the carpet at 8:20 to prepare to line up for class photo. Picture forms should be sent with your child on Picture Day.

Classroom Clean Up Wash Pillows
Katie Ruiz Katie Ruiz

Thank You!!! For all the generous gift cards and supplies to help us start out year.
Volunteer to put in a new water filter for our classroom drinking fountain!

Don’t forget to check our website and sign up for an ILP.

Camp Day

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:39:17 GMT

We had our annual Kindergarten Potluck and Camp Day this week and what fun!

Thank you to all the parents who brought food, donated items, set up, cleaned up, took photos or watched the students, so we could transform the classroom into a forest wonderland using forst animals and foliage students have been creating over the last few weeks.

What fun we had-bear hunting while learning about N-S-E-W, identifying plants in our garden, and fishing using our shape fish. Not to mention storytelling around the campfire and reading books by flashlight in the tents.

This is how we kick off our writing unit and begin to tell our stories using this shared experience to write a story together.

First Day of School

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:30:21 GMT

Our students made it through their first day of school. We began to get to know each other and learn about the classroom. We made Kissing Hands for our classroom and for our parents, so they won't be sad while we are away at school.

Room B News October 5-9

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:20:13 GMT

Room B News

October 5-9 2009

This week we got our tool boxes to begin writing in our sketch books. We are finishing our name stories and continuing on with Handwriting without Tears. I have sent home practice worksheets with the numbers we have written. Please refer to the first page to use the same language and motions to support your child in his/her writing.

Camp Day is Monday

If you have signed up to bring supplies and are not coming on Sunday, please drop them by tomorrow (Friday). I have most of the supplies for the day and the students are very excited. We have been making and talking about nocturnal animals that live in the forest.

Flashlights: If you have a flashlight please send it with your child clearly labeled with your name. If you have extra and would like to let another child borrow it that would be terrific, again just mark it clearly with your name.

Sunday Jobs

Finish hanging curtains

Put tents up

Move furniture around

Build campfire area

Put magnets on fish for our pool

Make fishing poles

Make creek

Missing Supplies

Sugar-free Hot Chocolate- I was hoping to have this pre-made so we could sit around the campfire and drink hot chocolate while we tell stories. I may have to hot drink containers at home, but if anyone has one and we could borrow it that would be great.

Room B News

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:32:19 GMT

Room B News

September 28-October 2

Math

We have been busy making lots of patterns this week. We have used our bodies, music, shapes, and dance to make patterns. Please continue with this at home. We are in the process of making the longest pattern in the world with the help of Ms. Erin’s class.

Reader’s Workshop

We continue to read emergent stories and talk about how a reader can make predictions and talk about what will happen next. We also are looking around our own world to find things we can read. Pizza boxes, Tonka trucks, legos, Disneyland etc. Please continue to send in environmental print that you child can read for our wall.

Writer’s Workshop

We are telling our name stories and have begun working in our Handwriting Without Tears book.

Kindergarten Picnic and Camp Day Set Up Sunday, October 11 from 1:00-3:00

Sign Ups for things we need and potluck items are on the back of the front door.

The day will entail 1-2 parents watching the kids outside while the rest of us set up the room for Camp Day (Monday Oct. 12). Then we will all eat outside and go home.

Camp Day is a day for us to continue learning about the forest, community, shapes, and patterns while spending the day “indoor” camping. On this day I will ask the parents to drop off students at 8:15 and we will not be reading that day. I will need 4 parents to volunteer to stay and clean up break down tents etc. on Monday

**If you cannot come in to sign up let me know and I can forward you the sign up sheets. Thanks.

Updated Wish List

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:38:07 GMT

Fabric paints (enough for 22 students to paint with)

Large colored stamp pads

Hand towels (preferably microfiber)

New Hi -Ho Cherrio Game/ Candy Land

Dr. Seuss Super Stretchy ABC's (3)

Eric Carle ABC's (3)

Peace Path

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:34:15 GMT

This is a conflict resolution program that Odyssey uses to empower students to solve their own problems.

Step 1: What's Wrong?

Step 2: How do you feel?

Step 3: How can we solve this problem?

Step 4: Solution

At Odyseey we create a literal peace path with 4 sets of feet facing each other to represent each step. Students move from the first set of feet to the last as they answer each question. I find that 98% of the problems in the classroom or playground can be solved using this method. (I am sure it would work at home too!) I generally trace the feet or shoes of the children laminate and tape them with the words (accompanied by a photo of students doing an action to represent the question) nearby.

Room B News September 21-26

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:20:02 GMT

Room B News

September 21-26

Thank you to all the parents able to make Back to School night. I appreciate such a great turn-out. ONE MAJOR Miscommunication on my part was about pick up. I apologize and did not realize parents thought they had to come to my door to pick up their child. You can wait in the pick up line and an aide will ask who you are picking up, they then call the child’s name on the walkie talkie and the child is sent to the front gate by their teacher. I have my students stay in the classroom because of all the chaos in front and felt it was more manageable for me and for the students to stay inside. Again, my apologies for the mix up.

Math/Homework

In math we began learning about patterns and are making A/B patterns with shapes and/or colors. This is something you can do at home. Make patterns using two kinds of cereal, fork/spoon, big trucks/little trucks, etc.

**Patterns repeat themselves and can go on and on.

Writer's Workshop

We have begun Handwriting without Tears to support student writing.

Building Fine Motor Skills to help with writing

Cutting with scissors/ writing with chalk either on sidewalk or on board/ drawing with crayons or colored pencils (markers do not require the same sensory pressure).

Reader's Workshop

I am reading emergent storybooks to them (stories they are familiar with) to empower students as readers as they "reread" the story to each other.

Read, Read, Read

I am continuing to assess students so I will be able to meet them at their level and know where to begin. I will be discussing this with you at our Individual Learning Plan (ILP) meeting. If you were unable to come to back to school night I will be sending out dates and times I will be available to meet with you and discuss your child’s learning goals.

Save the Date!

Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop Seminar for Kindergarten by Ms. Denise and Ms. Erin.

Thursday, November 5 @ 3:00

Camp Day/Work Day Kindergarten Potluck

Sunday, October 11, 2009

A couple updates

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:57:17 GMT

I am still trying to get use to our new schedule. Mondays is our short day therefore a second snack is not needed. We do have P.E. on Mondays so I want to remind parents the need for a sneaker with some support so students do not hurt themselves. I recommend a sneaker everyday with support for safety reasons on the playground.

Room B News September 8-11

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:10:38 GMT

Room B News

September 8-11

We made it through our first week of school and it was a good one. We toured the school, began learning and deciding the rules of the classroom, and are building a classroom community and culture. We have a wonderful group of students. This week we began oral storytelling and drew our favorite drawing spots. Ms. Lynda, Ms. Brenda, a student teacher from Pacific Oaks, and I are looking forward to a fabulous year.

Room Parents-

Our Room Parents are Maggie Haase and Patty Kim. Thank you so much for volunteering!

Attendance

School begins at 8:15. Please make sure your child is in school by then (We have a an attendance policy, please be sure to read your parent handbook). Being on time enables the children to settle in and do morning routines before the morning meeting at 8:30.

Snacks

Children are encouraged to bring two small snacks for morning and afternoon recess. Snacks are to be put in the snack boxes in the morning and will be distributed at recess.

Please send a healthy (non sugary) snack such as:

Survey

I have enclosed a survey to better help me teach your child and meet his/her needs. Please fill out and return the survey by Wednesday, September 16.

Thursday Packet

The envelope your child brought home is meant to be a means of communication between you and the Odyssey Community. Please send the empty envelope back on Friday.

Please do not allow your child to bring toys or games from home as they often distract children during learning times. We will have share days and students can bring in their special share at that time.

Dress Code

Please make sure your child is dressed comfortably each day. Refer to your school handbook for dress code information. Please keep in mind that active learning can be messy so please send your child in clothing that can get dirty and closed toed shoes that students can run outside in. It is advised to send a change of clothes in a bag labeled with your child’s name in case of an accident.

Save the Date!

Kindergarten Camp Day Set-up and Potluck

Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 1:00 – 4:00

Details to come.

All School Fundraiser

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:14:58 GMT

There is a group of parents with a fantastic fundraiser: they are
selling reusable sandwich, snack, grocery bags. I will have more
information about this on the first day of school. If you haven't
already bought your child's lunch containers, please wait to support
our school!

Preparing for the First Day of School

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:13:42 GMT

Preparing for the First Day of School

Again thank you for all of your help and support as we begin our first
day of kindergarten. Ms. Lynda and I are very excited to begin the new
school year. Some parents have asked what they should bring and how the
day will look so, I thought I would send out a brief outline.

Each child will be given a cubby to store their lunch, blankets, and
other personal items.
**Cubbies are not very big so please take that into consideration.
** I prefer students do not bring their own school supplies- as they
are needed I will provide supplies donated to the class.

Healthy snack- please provide two healthy snacks for your child one for
the morning and the other for the afternoon. In the morning students
will put their name on their snack (this can be done at home) and put
it in the snack box provided. I will have two separate boxes for
morning and afternoon snack.
** I separate snacks from lunches because I find students sometimes eat
their whole lunch for morning snack and have nothing for lunch.

Towel or small blanket labeled with your child's name- we will have a
read aloud after lunch. I generally turn the lights off and students
can lie down-if children fall asleep I will allow them to take a nap
while others have choice time.
**As we move into 2nd and 3rd trimesters I imagine there will be less
napping and more constructive play, science, and/or social studies.

Extra clothing- Please provide an extra set of clothing for your child
in a small bag labeled with their name. These will be kept in the
bathroom in case a clothing change is needed.

The first week:
8:15-8:45: parents are welcome to stay and help children adapt to the
morning routines.
Student and parent can decorate their cubby label and choose a cubby
with the help of Ms. Lynda.
Students will put their two snacks in the boxes provided.
I will take first day of school photos.
Parents can read books provided in tubs to read with their child.
At 8:84 I will put on Good Morning song and that is parents cue to say
their goodbyes and students will begin their day. If your child has
difficulty saying goodbye Ms. Lynda and I will be there to support them
while you leave the room.
This routine will be repeated all week with a different project.

Week 2 and the following weeks: Parents may read with their child until
8:30.

See you onTuesday,

Ms. Denise

Volunteer Opportunities

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:08:38 GMT

Volunteer Opportunities:
1. Weekly Laundry: We will have pillowcases and hand towels to be
laundered.
2. I will have take home prep work the first day of school.

As the year progresses there will be plenty of volunteer opportunities
in the classroom but I do prefer the first 6 weeks to establish a
classroom culture with the students, Ms. Lynda and myself.

Daily Schedule

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:05:24 GMT

Daily Schedule:
8:15-8:30 Parents and children read

8:30-9:35 Morning Meeting and Math
9:35-10:10 Snack and Recess (in the K-2 yard behind our classroom)

10:10-11:45 Reader's and Writer's Workshop
11:45-12:30 Lunch and Recess (in the K-2 yard behind our
classroom, though children can venture to the 'Big' playground for
recess)

12:30-2:00 read aloud, rest time, creative play, social studies, Science
2:00-2:15 Snack (if needed) and Recess
2:30 Dismissal at front of school benches (**please note
that on Mondays, dismissal is 1:30)

Wish List

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:06:29 GMT

Wish List-

Boxes of tissue
Expo dry erase markers (fat)
Sharpies

Colored pencils (sharpened would be terrific!)

House Plants
Painting Easels

Kitchen Unit from Discount School Supply
Home theatre projector (used is fine)

If it is easier, I would LOVE gift cards either in the form of a Visa,
Target, Staples, www.DiscountSchoolSupply.com, Home Depot or Lowes for
gardening supplies,
or Amazon.com

What I did this summer...

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:58:33 GMT

The summer began with a wonderful camping trip to Kings Range in Humboldt County. Although I grew up in California I had never been to this area and was awestruck by the beauty of the mountain range and ocean vistas. I look forward to a return visit and hiking the Lost Coast Trail (22 miles of pristine coastline)…maybe next summer? Upon our return, my partner Ben and I were married in a simple ceremony, which we shared with a few friends, and will continue to celebrate with family in Iowa and Northern California over the upcoming holidays. Other than that I tended my garden, continued to work on the remodel of our house, and began to envision the upcoming school year and all the possibilities that lay ahead.

Welcome Back!

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:57:57 GMT

Dear Room B Families,

Welcome to Kindergarten! Welcome to one of the most incredible years your child will have in his/her school life. Kindergarten is an exciting time as children embark upon new adventures in the world of learning. This is a year of important transitions, as well as an acquisition of many new skills. I hope to make your child’s learning experience a fun and exciting one, and I hope to instill a love of learning that will last throughout your child’s years of schooling.

The first six to eight weeks of school will be focused on building community in the classroom and learning daily routines. We generally begin each day with morning routines and quiet reading for the first 15 minutes of the day. Parents are welcome to stay and read with their child until 8:30 at which time I will ask parents to say their goodbyes. There will be volunteer opportunities available but at the beginning of the year it is important the students and I have time to build a classroom culture and community.

I am looking forward to this year and the opportunities we will all create for the children in our classroom. Do not hesitate to call or email me with any questions.