Welcome to Kindergarten at Howard E. Heckethorn Elementary! 

If you are able to help our kindergarten class with any extra donations, please click one of the links below.  The first one is for my Amazon wish list.  The second one is for Donors Choose, where I can order supplies for various classroom projects.  Any support is greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

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http://a.co/4ZwOAHU

https://www.donorschoose.org/Mrs.Cochranskinderclass

  

My name is Bridget Cochran. I am originally from New Mexico. I have lived in Las Vegas since 1999. I was married to my wonderful husband Damon for 15 years, before we lost him the summer of 2018 to cancer.  I have two amazing children. My son is 16 years old and named Brayden. My daughter, Kylie, is 13 years old. We have one dog, a Yorkie named Dutch,named after one of my favorite coffee shops!

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I have my Masters degree in Elementary Education from the University of New Mexico. I have taught for 27 years. Before moving to Las Vegas, I began my teaching career in New Mexico. I have been with CCSD for the last 23 years. I have been a kindergarten teacher for 26 of my 27 teaching years. I love teaching kindergarten and can't imagine ever teaching another grade.

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When I am not busy teaching, I am very busy at home. I enjoy spending as much time with my family as possible.  I love coffee, New Mexican food, and ice cream. We also love to travel during the summer. Disneyland is our favorite vacation spot!

 

 

 

Classroom Expectations

 

TRY YOUR BEST!!!

 

Our classroom motto is "TRY YOUR BEST!" All children enter kindergarten at different levels.  Regardless of their level, I expect every child to "try their best". As a classroom, we learn that everyone, even the teacher, makes mistakes and that we learn from mistakes. Our classroom is an environment of encouragement and support for each other like a family.

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Sight Words

 

Daily sight word practice is a very important part of homework. ‘Sight words’ are words that students must just memorize and recognize when they see them. These words can not be sounded out because they often break the common rules of our language. 

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The goal for Kindergarten students is to master 100 words.  Below are several resources to help your child.  I have attached a list of the 100 most important words, the Fry's sight word lists and flash cards and a Power Point of Heidi's songs sight words. In the classroom, we use a variety of songs, worksheets, charts, and books to help teach the sight words. If you are interested in the songs, check out http://HeidiSongs.com.  I am using the Heidi Songs order to teach the sight words so the order in class will not match the orders on the Fry's list.  

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Heidi Songs Sight Word Power Point and Fry's Sight Word List:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wy1EG4SFlUJ4SycKCp98obgDKxZakjELhMVBUwc49Uc/edit?usp=sharing

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4_B3Ceq4b3peDRfdUVhcUw4TmM/view?usp=sharing

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OTHER IDEAS to learn sight words: ~ Use the flash cards below and practice drilling your child for a few minutes each night. ~ If your child struggles with the flashcards, tape the sight word flash cards in various areas around the house and randomly, through out the day, ask your child to read the cards. ~ You can also have your child look for sight words as they do the nightly reading homework. ~ Have your child practice writing the sight words in shaving cream, sand, or by water painting!

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Scholastic Book Club

 

Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub

One-Time Class Activation Code: GZ8DD

 

Dear Families,

Encouraging reading is one of the most important things we can do to help your child succeed. It can be tough finding the right books to keep them interested, which is why I am so excited that our class will be participating in Scholastic Reading Club this school year.

 

With Scholastic Reading Club:

• Every book you buy earns FREE Books for our classroom library

• You can choose from handpicked, grade- and reading-level-specific books for your child

• You'll find the best values on a variety of formats, including eBooks

Each month, your child will bring home Reading Club flyers. Together you can choose from books hand-selected by teachers and experts, and then order online or by returning your order form and payment to me.

 

I'd also love some help growing our classroom Reading Club. If you'd like to help out, please let me know! I'm excited to get our class reading!

 

Thank you for your support,

 

If This Is Your First Time Ordering Online:

•  REGISTER at scholastic.com/readingclub

•  ENTER the Class Activation Code at the top of this letter

•  CHOOSE from thousands of print titles, value packs, and Storia eBooks

•  SUBMIT the order to me by the due date listed on the website

•  EARN FREE Books for our classroom too!

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