We wrapped up of community helpers unit this week. The students learned about what type of jobs are in our community, and why they are important. ​

The students completed 3 different community themed centers this week: building Highland Park with environmental print in the block corner, playing the role of different community helpers in the dramatic play area, and drawing and painting their house. We also practiced sorting by all different attributes in the sensory table. 

Thursday we read How the Crayons Saved the Rainbow by Monica Sweeney. The students then created their own rainbow suncatchers out of beads. They look so pretty hanging in our windows, I can't wait for you to see at Open House! We also made cards for our adoptive Kindergarten classroom in Houston. The students did such a nice job drawing happy pictures and writing sweet words. ​

We also learned about how crayons are made this week. The students LOVED this Mr. Roger's video at the crayon factory. They then worked in groups to build their own crayon factories out of blocks.
 We ended our day playing out on the courtyard. 

Friday we wore our favorite colors to school and graphed ourselves! We counted which had the most and which had the least. We read A Color of His Own by Leo Leonni, and talked about how everyone is special and different, but how we are also alike in many ways too.  We did a directed drawing (where the students follow along step by step) of a chameleon, and then painted them. They turned out AMAZING! ​

Next week will continue with our color unit, and will be discussing colors in relation to our feelings. ​

Our first full week of school was awesome! 

We kicked off Monday with our first Writer's Workshop. I gave the students their writing journals, and asked them to write or draw any type of story they wanted. We also began learning about the block corner. Each day this week we learned how to take out, play with, and put away a different material or block. By the end of the week, the students were experts at the block corner! 

We read the book How Full is Your Bucket. The book talks about how everyone has an invisible bucket that you can fill by being kind and a good friend, or you can dip by being mean or not following directions. The students really understood this language, and I heard many of them saying "you filled my bucket today!". ​

On Wednesday we read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. The students took turns putting letters on our coconut tree as we read them. They then made their own coconut trees, putting in order the letters of their name. Again, you can see their creations at Open House. We ended our day with time outside. ​

Thursday we read Only One You by Linda Kranz. We discussed how even though we all were special and different, we all have things in common also. We painted our rock fish and they turned out so cute! We also learned how to play outside on the courtyard (our KinderGARDEN) and enjoyed the cooler weather and playing in nature. ​And of course, we ended our week playing together. 

It has been so wonderful getting to know the students and watching their friendships with each other blossom.
Our next two weeks will be "colors, a study in identity". We have a lot of fun projects coming up! ​