Friday, May 8, 2026

May 8th

 

May 8th

The days are just flying by!  On Monday I will be out of the classroom to help with Kindergarten Round Up.  As your little ones are getting ready to move on to first grade, we are ready to welcome a whole new group of kindergarteners.

Murray Lake parents have out done themselves!!  This week of Staff Appreciation has been so much fun and we have been so blessed with delicious food, gifts and very festive decorations! Thank you!  Thank you!  

Next week Thursday we will be headed to the Wittenbach Nature Center.  Parents are welcome to join us!  It's a fun filled day of science learning for our kindergarteners.  We will arrive at the center at 9:30am and leave around 1:30pm.  Your child will need to bring a cold lunch and drink as we will be eating at the center.  If you are planning to join us, please send me a quick email so I can equally distribute parents among each group.  Thank you!

For Your Calendar:

May 14th--Field Trip to the Wittenbach Nature Center 9:30-1:30pm.  We will be eating lunch at the nature center.  Please pack a lunch and drink for your child.  We will need parent volunteers to meet us there.  Let me know if you are available to attend!  All parents are welcome!

May 21st -- Kindergarten End of the Year Family Picnic at Creekside Park in Lowell.  We hope all our Kindergarten families will join us for a picnic lunch and playtime!  10:45am-1:30pm  Younger siblings are encouraged to come, too!

May 22nd--Field Day 9:00-11:30am -- 1/2 day of school...12:00pm dismissal

May 28th--Field Trip to the Dairy Discover Farm 10:00-12:00.  All parents may attend.  Cost $6 per parent attending.  Student admission is paid for by MLE Family Links fundraiser.  

Reading

Theme:  Colors
*The job of the author and illustrator
*Listening for middle vowel sounds and ending sounds
*Letters/Sounds:  Practice the letter names and sounds for fluency.  
*Building words with known letters
*Taking picture tours/walks through a book
*Using an illustration to tell a story
*Make connections to our own lives when we read a book

New Sight Words:   then     when

Review Words:  a      the    and      go    had     he    I      see    has     you   we   of    am   is   at    to  have    as     in      it      is    his    can    him    on   did    girl   for  but   up  all  look  with  her  what  was   were  said  that  they  down boy out little do she be there

Writing

*Informational Writing
*Using sight words and known sounds to write simple sentences
*Capitalizing the first word in a sentence
*Writing beginning, middle and ending sounds in CVC words.
*Space between words
*Period at the end of the sentence

Math

*Introduction to 3 dimensional shapes:  cones, spheres, cubes and cylinders
*Understanding subtraction 0-10
*Composing and decomposing numbers from 6-10
*Writing and solving addition and subtraction problems 0-10 using manipulatives
*Counting to 100 by 1's and 10's

Reminders

*Send a snack daily
*Library books are returned on Thursdays
*Literacy Bags returned on Mondays
*Send a water bottle daily
*Once a month ice cream Fridays are free for all :)

Take a Peek at our Week












Friday, May 1, 2026

May 1st

 

May 1st

Weren't the kids just so cute and amazing at the music concert?  They did such an awesome job singing their hearts out!  

We also had a fun time at the Children's Museum this week!  Thank you to our 4 mom's for volunteering their time to be chaperones.  We also said goodbye to Miss B. this week as she heads back up north to graduate from NMU.  We will surely see her back subbing in the building in the last few weeks of school.  She very much appreciated the gifts for her future classroom!

Up next is our trip to the nature center on May 14th.  We still could use parent helpers!

For Your Calendar:

May 14th--Field Trip to the Wittenbach Nature Center 9:30-1:30pm.  We will be eating lunch at the nature center.  Please pack a lunch and drink for your child.  We will need parent volunteers to meet us there.  Let me know if you are available to attend!  All parents are welcome!

May 21st -- Kindergarten End of the Year Family Picnic at Creekside Park in Lowell.  We hope all our Kindergarten families will join us for a picnic lunch and playtime!  10:45am-1:30pm  Younger siblings are encouraged to come, too!

May 22nd--Field Day 9:00-11:30am -- 1/2 day of school...12:00pm dismissal

May 28th--Field Trip to the Dairy Discover Farm 10:00-12:00.  All parents may attend.  Cost $6 per parent attending.  Student admission is paid for by MLE Family Links fundraiser.  

Reading

Theme:  Colors
*The job of the author and illustrator
*Listening for middle vowel sounds and ending sounds
*Letters/Sounds:  Practice the letter names and sounds for fluency.  
*Building words with known letters
*Taking picture tours/walks through a book
*Using an illustration to tell a story
*Make connections to our own lives when we read a book

New Sight Words:   there

Review Words:  a      the    and      go    had     he    I      see    has     you   we   of    am   is   at    to  have    as     in      it      is    his    can    him    on   did    girl   for  but   up  all  look  with  her  what  was   were  said  that  they  down boy out little do she be

Writing

*Informational Writing
*Using sight words and known sounds to write simple sentences
*Capitalizing the first word in a sentence
*Writing beginning, middle and ending sounds in CVC words.
*Space between words
*Period at the end of the sentence

Math

*Introduction to 3 dimensional shapes:  cones, spheres, cubes and cylinders
*Understanding subtraction 0-10
*Composing and decomposing numbers from 6-10
*Writing and solving addition and subtraction problems 0-10 using manipulatives
*Counting to 100 by 1's and 10's

Reminders

*Send a snack daily
*Library books are returned on Thursdays
*Literacy Bags returned on Mondays
*Send a water bottle daily
*Once a month ice cream Fridays are free for all :)

Take a Peek at our Week





























Friday, April 24, 2026

April 24th

 

April 24th

We have some busy weeks coming up!  Next week we will be headed to the GR Children's museum on Tuesday.  The kids do not need to bring a lunch as we will be back in time for our normal lunch time.  We will be at the museum for a fun morning from 9:30-11:30am.  Our four parent volunteers should plan to meet us outside of the museum at 9:25am.  

Thursday is our music concert!  Please dress your child in nice "spring like" clothing with comfortable shoes.  We look forward to you joining us for an amazing concert!  Parents will be able to sign out your kindergartener in the classroom after the concert.  If you have siblings that need to be signed out as well, please let the office know ASAP so they can arrange to have them ready for you.  

For Your Calendar:

April 28th--Field Trip to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum 9:30-11:30am.  We have 4 parents that have been drawn to be our chaperones:  Devin Schmidt, Kaylee Smith, Stacy Burton and Caitlin Malone.  Thank you to everyone that volunteered!   Student admission is paid for by MLE Family Links fundraiser.  

April 30th--K/1st Music Program 2:30-3:00pm

May 14th--Field Trip to the Wittenbach Nature Center 9:30-1:30pm.  We will be eating lunch at the nature center.  Please pack a lunch and drink for your child.  We will need parent volunteers to meet us there.  Let me know if you are available to attend!  All parents are welcome!

May 21st -- Kindergarten End of the Year Family Picnic at Creekside Park in Lowell.  We hope all our Kindergarten families will join us for a picnic lunch and playtime!  10:45am-1:30pm  Younger siblings are encouraged to come, too!

May 22nd--Field Day 9:00-11:30am -- 1/2 day of school...12:00pm dismissal

May 28th--Field Trip to the Dairy Discover Farm 10:00-12:00.  All parents may attend.  Cost $6 per parent attending.  Student admission is paid for by MLE Family Links fundraiser.  

Reading

Theme:  All about Rules
*The job of the author and illustrator
*Listening for middle vowel sounds and ending sounds
*Letters/Sounds:  Practice the letter names and sounds for fluency.  
*Building words with known letters
*Taking picture tours/walks through a book
*Using an illustration to tell a story
*Make connections to our own lives when we read a book

New Sight Words:   she be

Review Words:  a      the    and      go    had     he    I      see    has     you   we   of    am   is   at    to  have    as     in      it      is    his    can    him    on   did    girl   for  but   up  all  look  with  her  what  was   were  said  that  they  down boy out little do

Writing

*Informational Writing
*Using sight words and known sounds to write simple sentences
*Capitalizing the first word in a sentence
*Writing beginning, middle and ending sounds in CVC words.
*Space between words
*Period at the end of the sentence

Math

*Introduction to 3 dimensional shapes:  cones, spheres, cubes and cylinders
*Understanding subtraction 0-10
*Composing and decomposing numbers from 6-10
*Writing and solving addition and subtraction problems 0-10 using manipulatives
*Counting to 100 by 1's and 10's

Reminders

*Send a snack daily
*Library books are returned on Thursdays
*Literacy Bags returned on Mondays
*Send a water bottle daily
*Once a month ice cream Fridays are free for all :)

Take a Peek at our Week









Friday, April 17, 2026

April 17th

 

April 17th

It was so good to have everyone back after a nice long spring break!  It's hard to believe that your kindergarteners only have 31 and 1/2 more days of school left!  We have many fun events ahead...our music program, field trips, field day and our family picnic!  Please check below to make sure you have all the dates on your calendar.  

We are collecting bread bag tags at school!  See the link below for more information.

The Kids Heart Challenge is Underway here at MLE! 

Dear Families,

Kids Heart Challenge is here! Our students are learning how to keep their hearts and brains healthy and raising funds to help kids with special hearts. When you register and complete Finn’s Mission, you will learn Hands-Only CPR and the warning signs of a stroke. All students who register will receive a free wristband. Plus, if 50% of our school’s students register online, we will receive a BONUS $500 to purchase PE equipment!  

Here’s how you can help:

  1. Sign Up Today: Download the FREE AHA Schools App for Apple or Android and click on “Register Now” then scroll down to join your school's team. Next, click on “send a text today” to easily reach friends & family!
  2. Raise Funds to Help Kids With Special Hearts.
  3. Complete Finn’s Mission: Share with family and friends through text and/or email so they too can learn Hands-Only CPR and the warning signs of a stroke.


You can also register online at: http://www2.heart.org/goto/MurrayLake

Join us for our Classroom Challenge:

Please help our class earn Gift Cards for much needed Classroom supplies by REGISTERING and COMPLETING FINN’S MISSION. Every Classroom can earn up to $50!!!!

When 50% of a class REGISTERS = $25 Gift Card

When 5 or more in a class COMPLETE FINN’s MISSION = $25 Gift Card

Don’t forget – every time we have 18 Finn’s Mission complete our school is entered to win $10,000 compliments of the NFL and anyone who completes Finn’s Mission goes into a Midwest regional drawing for two 2027 Super Bowl Tickets!

Thank you for being an integral part of the Kids Heart Challenge, supporting our school and the American Heart Association. Your commitment and involvement truly make a difference!

For Your Calendar:

April 28th--Field Trip to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum 9:30-11:30am.  We have 4 parents that have been drawn to be our chaperones:  Devin Schmidt, Kaylee Smith, Stacy Burton and Caitlin Malone.  Thank you to everyone that volunteered!   Student admission is paid for by MLE Family Links fundraiser.  

April 30th--K/1st Music Program 2:30-3:00pm

May 14th--Field Trip to the Wittenbach Nature Center 9:30-1:30pm.  We will be eating lunch at the nature center.  Please pack a lunch and drink for your child.  We will need parent volunteers to meet us there.  Let me know if you are available to attend!  All parents are welcome!

May 21st -- Kindergarten End of the Year Family Picnic at Creekside Park in Lowell.  We hope all our Kindergarten families will join us for a picnic lunch and playtime!  10:45am-1:30pm  Younger siblings are encouraged to come, too!

May 22nd--Field Day 9:00-11:30am -- 1/2 day of school...12:00pm dismissal

May 28th--Field Trip to the Dairy Discover Farm 10:00-12:00.  All parents may attend.  Cost $6 per parent attending.  Student admission is paid for by MLE Family Links fundraiser.  

Reading

Theme:  All about Rules
*The job of the author and illustrator
*Listening for middle vowel sounds and ending sounds
*Letters/Sounds:  Practice the letter names and sounds for fluency.  
*Building words with known letters
*Taking picture tours/walks through a book
*Using an illustration to tell a story
*Make connections to our own lives when we read a book

New Sight Words:   little do

Review Words:  a      the    and      go    had     he    I      see    has     you   we   of    am   is   at    to  have    as     in      it      is    his    can    him    on   did    girl   for  but   up  all  look  with  her  what  was   were  said  that  they  down boy out

Writing

*Informational Writing
*Using sight words and known sounds to write simple sentences
*Capitalizing the first word in a sentence
*Writing beginning, middle and ending sounds in CVC words.
*Space between words
*Period at the end of the sentence

Math

*Introduction to 3 dimensional shapes:  cones, spheres, cubes and cylinders
*Understanding subtraction 0-10
*Composing and decomposing numbers from 6-10
*Writing and solving addition and subtraction problems 0-10 using manipulatives
*Counting to 100 by 1's and 10's

Reminders

*Send a snack daily
*Library books are returned on Thursdays
*Literacy Bags returned on Mondays
*Send a water bottle daily
*Once a month ice cream Fridays are free for all :)

Take a Peek at our Week







Have a Great Weekend!

Friday, March 27, 2026

March 27th

 

March 27th

This weekend is your child's last chance to finish up their US Map for March's Reading Month.  All maps are due on Monday in order to be entered into the prize drawing.  For every book they read or are read to, they may color one state on the map.  Our prize assembly will be on Tuesday afternoon.  Monday will be the 5th grade vs staff March Madness Basketball game.

Today we visited the Third Grade Wax Museum and got to shop at the Mustang Market.

Thursday and Friday next week:  No School--Spring Break 
Literacy books will not come home next week.
We will see everyone back on Monday, April 13th.   Safe travels to everyone that may be traveling.

For Your Calendar:

April 28th--Field Trip to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum 9:30-11:30am.  I will need 4 parent volunteers to meet us there.  We have 4 parents that have been drawn to be our chaperones:  Devin Schmidt, Kaylee Smith, Stacy Burton and Caitlin Malone.  Thank you to everyone that volunteered!   Student admission is paid for by MLE Family Links fundraiser.  

April 30th--K/1st Music Program 2:30-3:00pm

May 14th--Field Trip to the Wittenbach Nature Center 9:30-1:30pm.  We will be eating lunch at the nature center.  Please pack a lunch and drink for your child.  We will need parent volunteers to meet us there.  Let me know if you are available to attend!  All parents are welcome!

May 21st -- Kindergarten End of the Year Family Picnic at Creekside Park in Lowell.  We hope all our Kindergarten families will join us for a picnic lunch and playtime!  10:45am-1:30pm  Younger siblings are encouraged to come, too!

May 28th--Field Trip to the Dairy Discover Farm 10:00-12:00.  All parents may attend.  Cost $6 per parent attending.  Student admission is paid for by MLE Family Links fundraiser.  


Reading

Theme:  Animal Homes
*The job of the author and illustrator
*Listening for middle vowel sounds and ending sounds
*Letters/Sounds:  Practice the letter names and sounds for fluency.  
*Building words with known letters
*Taking picture tours/walks through a book
*Using an illustration to tell a story
*Make connections to our own lives when we read a book

New Sight Words:   boy out

Review Words:  a      the    and      go    had     he    I      see    has     you   we   of    am   is   at    to  have    as     in      it      is    his    can    him    on   did    girl   for  but   up  all  look  with  her  what  was   were  said  that  they  down


Writing

*Animal reports
*Using sight words and known sounds to write simple sentences
*Capitalizing the first word in a sentence
*Writing beginning, middle and ending sounds in CVC words.
*Space between words
*Period at the end of the sentence

Math

*Representing numbers 11-13 in varies ways
*Review of 2 dimensional shapes
*Understanding subtraction 0-10
*Composing and decomposing numbers from 6-10
*Writing and solving addition and subtraction problems 0-10 using manipulatives
*Counting to 100 by 1's and 10's

Reminders

*Send a snack daily
*Library books are returned on Thursdays
*Literacy Bags returned on Mondays
*Send a water bottle daily
*Once a month ice cream Fridays are free for all :)

Take a Peek at our Week

Popcorn treat from our lunch crew for the opening day of Tiger baseball! 

Dominoes Addition


Literacy centers