We have had a great month in Kindergarten! Here is what we have been up to...
LIteracy- Fairy Tales
In addition to our weekly Guided Reading centers, in literacy we have continued to explore different fairy tales. We read many versions of The 3 Billy Goats Gruff, including classic versions and a mixed up version. We compared and contrasted the differences and practiced sequencing the events of the story. I then challenged the students to design and build a bridge for the 3 Billy Goats to cross using popsicle sticks, cups, unifix cubes, and play-doh. It was our hardest STEM challenge to date, but the students did great! They worked together, problem solved, and came up with many ways to get across the river.
Our next fairy tale was Goldilocks and the Three Bears. We read many different versions and practice retelling the story with puppets and props the students made. Of course, we ended our study with a STEM project: can you build a bed that is just right for Baby Bear? You can see pictures from that on Seesaw.
LIteracy- Fairy Tales
In addition to our weekly Guided Reading centers, in literacy we have continued to explore different fairy tales. We read many versions of The 3 Billy Goats Gruff, including classic versions and a mixed up version. We compared and contrasted the differences and practiced sequencing the events of the story. I then challenged the students to design and build a bridge for the 3 Billy Goats to cross using popsicle sticks, cups, unifix cubes, and play-doh. It was our hardest STEM challenge to date, but the students did great! They worked together, problem solved, and came up with many ways to get across the river.
Our next fairy tale was Goldilocks and the Three Bears. We read many different versions and practice retelling the story with puppets and props the students made. Of course, we ended our study with a STEM project: can you build a bed that is just right for Baby Bear? You can see pictures from that on Seesaw.
Last week we started Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. We are reading the pop-up version of the story, and the students are LOVING it! As we read, we are exploring all different parts of the story. We started out by doing research on tornadoes. We read and watched about how tornadoes are formed, and then created our own tornado in a bottle experiment. As we we read, we learn about the character traits that represent the four main characters:
Scarecrow- growth mindset (brain)
Tinman- empathy (heart)
Lion- courage
Dorothy- perseverance
We have also completed some special projects to go along with the story such as visualizing and drawing Oz, building a Tinman out of tin foil, and drawing a cowardly lion.
Scarecrow- growth mindset (brain)
Tinman- empathy (heart)
Lion- courage
Dorothy- perseverance
We have also completed some special projects to go along with the story such as visualizing and drawing Oz, building a Tinman out of tin foil, and drawing a cowardly lion.
Math- addition and subtraction
Our Number Corner this month has mainly focused on addition and subtraction. The students have practiced solving addition and subtraction problems in many different ways including using ten frames, unifix cubes, fingers, and a number line. We also spent a lot of time solving word problems and writing equations. The students are doing an awesome job!
On Friday we did a special addition math task. Every student was given 10 UV color changing beads. We went outside and the students then sorted their beads by color as they changed from white. The students then wrote out an addition equation to represent it. We then turned them into keychains!
Our Number Corner this month has mainly focused on addition and subtraction. The students have practiced solving addition and subtraction problems in many different ways including using ten frames, unifix cubes, fingers, and a number line. We also spent a lot of time solving word problems and writing equations. The students are doing an awesome job!
On Friday we did a special addition math task. Every student was given 10 UV color changing beads. We went outside and the students then sorted their beads by color as they changed from white. The students then wrote out an addition equation to represent it. We then turned them into keychains!
Greenhouse
We have loved visiting our new greenhouse and garden! The students have had the opportunity to learn about how to plant different vegetables, how the irrigation system works, and how plants grow and change over time. We have started an observation journal and will be visiting our carrots in the greenhouse and garden weekly to track their growth and see how they are growing. But the best part of visiting the greenhouse is getting to taste all the different veggies :)
We have loved visiting our new greenhouse and garden! The students have had the opportunity to learn about how to plant different vegetables, how the irrigation system works, and how plants grow and change over time. We have started an observation journal and will be visiting our carrots in the greenhouse and garden weekly to track their growth and see how they are growing. But the best part of visiting the greenhouse is getting to taste all the different veggies :)
Next week we will begin our living/nonliving unit with a focus on plants. We will definitely be spending a lot of time in the greenhouse!