Weekly News (Sept. 19-23)

Welcome fall!! Looking forward to some cooler days ahead! We've been busy learning and growing in kindergarten. Keep reading to take a peek into our week!

All About Maddie
This week we were excited to learn all about our first Student of the Week--Maddie! We learned that Maddie is a great baker, and she loves to play soccer and do ballet. She likes to collect bugs, and she loves spending time with her family!

We were thrilled to have Maddie's Mom as our guest reader this week.
We LOVED the story Dragons Love Tacos! Thank you!!

Math
We began exploring the concept of patterns this week. Although patterning may seem like a simple task, the ability to recognize and use patterns is a fundamental math skill. To help students begin to understand the concept of patterns, we first used sounds and motions to create and extend a variety of different patterns. Then we worked on color patterns and talked about the different patterns we could follow such as an AB pattern, an AAB pattern, or even an ABB pattern. We had time to paint our dot patterns too!

We also began experimenting with the concepts of capacity and volume using a bucket of water and a collection of cups. First we discussed the question below with our turn-and-talk partners, which led to some great conversations! "It would be much faster to use the blue bucket" said several students. "As long as it's not too heavy!" added Cameron. Great thinking! Then we looked at our collection of cups predicted which cups would hold the most water and which ones hold the least. Using the smallest paper cup as our measuring tool, we filled each cup to test out our predictions. Check out our results below.

www.kindergartenkindergarten.com

We were surprised to find out that the green cup held more water 
than the white cup,but after more careful observation 
we noticed that the green cup was a little wider!

JP
We learned the sounds and motions for the following letters this week. Check out the videos below to help remember these sounds!!

/c/ as in "clock"
/k/ as in "kite"
/e/ as in "egg"
/h/ as in "hot"

Literacy
Reading Workshop
This week during reading workshop, the students began to reflect on themselves as readers and started thinking about the question, "Who Am I as a Reader?" Thank you SO much for working with your child to complete our two reading interest surveys this week. This information from these surveys will be very helpful in the upcoming weeks as the children learn how to shop for books for their book bins!

During our interactive read aloud lesson, we read But Excuse Me That is My Book by Lauren Child, which is a story about a girl named Lola who goes to the library to check out her favorite book only to find out that someone else has already checked it out. Her brother Charlie tries to help her see that there are other books at the library she might enjoy. As we read through the story and Charlie showed Lola different kinds of books, the students gave a thumbs up or a thumbs down to show their interest in a particular genre. They had some time to pick out a favorite book from our classroom library too!

In another reading workshop lesson, the students learned how to use pictures to help them read words and make meaning of a text. Using an "action rhyme" poem called Catch the Moon, we learned that good readers use pictures to help them read and understand words.

The class also loved learning about the collection of books in our own classroom library. We learned that books in our library fall into two categories--fiction and nonfiction. The students learned about the different features of fiction and nonfiction texts, and then they worked together to sort a bin of books into piles of fiction and nonfiction. I loved listening to their conversations, especially when there was disagreement about what pile to put a book into. It was neat to see students teaching each other and using different parts of each book as evidence to support their ideas!

Writing Workshop
This week our authors learned a new saying during writing workshop--"When you think you're done, you've only just begun!" We learned how authors can add to their picture, their labels, and their writing to help communicate their ideas to others. We also used our two new sight words (I and can) to help us write a sentence!

Zones of Regulation
The children were introduced to the Zones of Regulation this week. Students learned that our feelings and emotions can fall into four zones, which can be compared to traffic signs like the ones below. Our goal is to be in the green zone so that we're "Good to go!" and ready to learn. We read the book The Way I Feel and then sorted different emotions into the four zones.  Throughout the course of the year, we will practice how to identify our emotions and which zone(s) those emotions fall into, and then we will learn strategies to help us get back to the green zone when needed.

Name and Letter Centers
This week the students rotated through several centers that focused on upper and lowercase letters and activities related to our names. 

Spelling the names of our friends

Using magnetic letters to spell our names

Name puzzles

ABC Puzzle

Sorting upper and lowercase letters

Have a great weekend!

Weekly News (Sept. 12-16)

It's amazing to see how much the children have already grown in three short weeks. They have done a terrific job learning our daily routines!

Math
We practiced a variety of math skills this week. We took a closer look at the numbers 1-9 and practiced matching number names, quantities, and written numerals. 

Click HERE to practice counting, matching, and ordering numbers!

We also practiced our counting and graphing skills as we counted and graphed the letters in our first names. As we analyzed our results, we reinforced the math terms: fewest, greatest, more than less than, and equal. 

The children also did a great job using our "magic pen" to sort a collection of buttons into different categories. After listening to one of our Frog and Toad stories called The Lost Button, we sorted buttons by size, color, shape, and number of button holes. Check us out in action below!

Sorting by size

Sorting by number of holes

Sorting by size AND color

Sorting by shape, color, and number of holes

Jolly Phonics
The children did a great job learning our new Jolly Phonics sounds. This week we learned the following sounds:

/i/ as in "igloo"
/p/ as in "pig"
/n/ as in "nose"

The children have been doing a great job learning our new sounds and coloring their Jolly Phonics pictures. We have been using these coloring opportunities as the students' first self-reflection experience. Several parents have already commented on how much progress they have seen with their child's coloring, which is probably a result of the coloring rubric we have been using. It's amazing to see how much pride the children take in their work when they really take a minute to reflect on their progress!

Our Coloring Rubric

Thank you again for all your support at home helping your child with his or her Jolly Phonics notebook. Please continue to check your child's notebook each night for a new letter. Our typical routine is to learn a new letter on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and then review on Thursday and Friday. On the nights we don't have a new letter, please spend a few minutes reviewing the sounds we have learned.

Literacy
Reading Workshop
This week during reading workshop, the children continued to practice our workshop routines so that we can grown and develop as readers. We learned about what good readers do when they are listening to a story or talking about a story with a partner.

While reading the story Wild About Books, the children practiced how to listen carefully to the words and look closely at the pictures to help them understand the story. This is a great strategy to try at home when reading aloud to your child!

Writing Workshop
Our kindergarten authors have been busy thinking, drawing, labeling, and writing as they continue to share their ideas with others. This week we thought about all the different things we can do, and then students wrote "I can..." statements. From bike riding and swimming to jumping rope, our kindergarteners can do a lot of things!

"I can go to a party with my family."

Sharing our writing with others!

Center Time
The kids have been doing a great job practicing how to play cooperatively in small groups during our free choice center time. Keep up the great work too!

Guest Reader
Next week we will have our first student bring in their "Me Bag" to share with the class. As part of each student's Me Bag Week, a parent or family member can come into our classroom to share a story with the class on Friday. Our "Me Bag" schedule was sent home at Curriculum Night with your child's assigned week. If you have any questions, just let me know! This week it was Mrs. Riesing's week to share her "Me Bag" and her mom came in to read a story to the class. They loved it!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Thanks for reading!

Weekly News (Sept. 6-9)

Another great week in kindergarten! Take a peek below to see what we've been up to!

Math

We began our math lessons this week using the Everyday Mathematics program. We explored our pattern blocks and talked about the different attributes of each block including color, size, and shape. 

We also explored the concept of measurement by comparing strips of paper cut to different lengths. We used the words shorter, longer, and equal to compare the different strips of paper. We also practiced counting up and down from zero.

The children have also been doing a great job with our calendar and weather routine in the morning. Each day our "Hello Helper" gives a weather report and adds the next number to our calendar. Our helper also counts the number of days we have been in school. We use a pocket chart like the one below to help us keep track of our days!

Jolly Phonics

We introduced our first three Jolly Phonics sounds this week! 

/s/ as in "snake"
/a/ as in "apple"
/t/ as in "tennis"

Thank you all so much for your support at home helping your children with their Jolly Phonics notebooks. It's exciting to see all of the different examples the children are sharing for each sound! 

Literacy

It was an exciting week in Kindergarten! The children had their first experience with Writing and Reading Workshop. During Writing Workshop, the children learned that we are all writers who have ideas to share with others. Using some of the books in our classroom library, the children learned that authors write for many different purposes and for different audiences. During our first lesson, the students were introduced to the first four steps in our Writing Workshop routine:

Adding labels to our pictures

The children also did a great job during our first Reading Workshop lesson of the year. During our first lesson, the children were introduced to all of the mentor texts that we will be using during our Launch Unit. We practiced "turning and talking" with our partners on our rainbow rug as we explored our mentor texts. We also learned that good readers look closely at the cover of a book to predict what it might be about. Then we spent some time exploring books from bins at our tables and practiced looking closely at the cover of each book to help us make predictions. 

Looking closely at the cover to make predictions.

LMC

The children loved learning all about the library this week as they searched for Pokemon clues. During their scavenger hunt, the children learned about the different areas of the library.

Practicing how to sit on the story steps

Learning about the "Go Cart"--where we put books that
are ready to be reshelved

Our new library furniture

Patriot Day

A big thank you to Mr. Deptula for taking time this morning to help us celebrate Patriot Day!

Have a great weekend!

Weekly News (Aug. 29-Sept. 2)

What an amazing first week of kindergarten! I have truly enjoyed meeting each new kindergarten family, and I have LOVED getting to know each of my students. They have been doing a TERRIFIC job learning our class routines, and they are already making new friends. Take a peek below to see what we have been learning this week!

We began our week with a sweet story titled The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. It was a familiar story for many students about a little raccoon named Chester who was nervous about going to school until his mother told him a story about a special "kissing hand." After placing a kiss in the palm of Chester's hand, she tells him that he will always have his mother in his heart no matter where he goes. After reading the story, we made our own "kissing hands," and then Chester sent us on scavenger hunt around the school. He lefts hearts for us to find all over the school, and along the way we met many new and friendly faces!

Our first clue...a Chester pawprint!

This clue led us to the library to meet Mrs. O'Kelly and Mrs. Kenney.

Another clue....time to meet Mrs. Fuglestad!

Where did that Chester go? Mrs. Sessler tries to help us find him!

The heart that Chester left behind for us as a reminder of the Kissing Hand!

The children loved listening to several other Chester stories throughout the week as well and talking about the important message in each story. In A Pocketful of Kisses, Chester becomes sad and a little jealous when he sees his mother giving his little brother a kissing hand too. Chester feels better after his mother helps Chester realize that she has plenty of love and kissing hands to give. In Chester and the Bully, the children learned all about how to be a good friend, and in Chester the Brave, we learned that sometimes we have to try new things even if they seem challenging.

The children also worked on a "My First Week in Kindergarten" book where they practiced some of their writing and coloring skills. This book came home in the students' backpacks today!

We also began our calendar routine this week which provides time for us to practice many math concepts including: counting and identifying numbers; recognizing numbers that come before and after a given number; identifying the days of the week and the months of the year; and beginning to understand the concept of place value as we keep track of the number of days we have been in school. We also introduced our "Hello Helper" routine. Each day we will have a new helper who will guide us through our calendar routine and act as our line leader. Always an exciting part of our day!

The children also had several opportunities to practice working cooperatively in a group during center time. Take a peek at some of our Chester-themed centers below!

Memory Matching Game

Upper and Lowercase Letter Matching

Roll and Cover

Number Matching

Upper and Lowercase Letter Matching

We also learned a new game this week called "The Letter Bag Game" that reinforced our lettering naming and sorting skills as we named different letters of the alphabet and then sorted them into two categories--upper and lowercase letters.

The children were thrilled to spend some time in our interactive play centers as well. It was a great opportunity for them to practice cooperative learning skills such as turn-taking, teamwork, and sharing!

Hope you enjoyed our first kindergarten blog post!

Have a TERRIFIC weekend!