We had another learning-filled week in kindergarten! We spent last week and this week learning about night and day. I think a highlight for the children was learning about the difference between diurnal and nocturnal animals. After learning about the difference, the students completed a diurnal/nocturnal animal sort. To check to see if they were right, they scanned a QR code with an iPad to pull up a picture of what the sort should look like. The students loved using the iPad! We also wrote three books: one a night time routine sequencing book, one a color word book, and one showing the differences between night and day. We also made some fun owls to hang from the ceiling and drew pictures of raccoons.
In Jolly Phonics, we learned that “ph” often makes the “f” sound. Our tricky words were any and many. In Daily 5, we have been learning about a reading strategy called “Check for understanding.” This strategy asks us to stop every three or four pages of a book and ask ourselves if we understand what we are reading. If we don’t understand, then we need to reread. If we do understand, then we can continue reading. I have been watching as the children read to themselves and I know they are using this strategy. It is great to see! We have also been working on “book talks.” A “book talk” is a chance for the children to share the books they are reading and enjoying. We practiced and practiced doing a book talk, and on Friday, the students began to officially give book talks. I love the conversations and excitement the students share as they talk about books.
In math, we continued our work with coins. We played a fun coin exchange game where each student was given a handful of pennies. I challenged them to reduce the number of coins they had by exchanging them for coins with larger values. The students are really catching on to this! We also used discs to tell number comparison stories, enjoyed sorting through our shape museum, and counting by two’s. On Thursday, we played a game called “Read My Mind,” which used attribute blocks. The students had to ask yes or no questions to find out which block I had chosen. We completed a night time exemplar as well.
Next week, we will begin our unit on space.
Because of the number of snow days we have had, we will be having school next Friday, March 7. This was originally scheduled as a teacher inservice, but we’re going to use it as a make-up day. We will also be having school on April 21, which was originally scheduled as a vacation day for Easter. I’m hoping for no more snow days!
We are in need of more snacks. Feel free to send something in if you can! Good options are: graham crackers, cereal, fruit snacks, goldfish crackers, cheese crackers, etc.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Hansen
In Jolly Phonics, we learned that “ph” often makes the “f” sound. Our tricky words were any and many. In Daily 5, we have been learning about a reading strategy called “Check for understanding.” This strategy asks us to stop every three or four pages of a book and ask ourselves if we understand what we are reading. If we don’t understand, then we need to reread. If we do understand, then we can continue reading. I have been watching as the children read to themselves and I know they are using this strategy. It is great to see! We have also been working on “book talks.” A “book talk” is a chance for the children to share the books they are reading and enjoying. We practiced and practiced doing a book talk, and on Friday, the students began to officially give book talks. I love the conversations and excitement the students share as they talk about books.
In math, we continued our work with coins. We played a fun coin exchange game where each student was given a handful of pennies. I challenged them to reduce the number of coins they had by exchanging them for coins with larger values. The students are really catching on to this! We also used discs to tell number comparison stories, enjoyed sorting through our shape museum, and counting by two’s. On Thursday, we played a game called “Read My Mind,” which used attribute blocks. The students had to ask yes or no questions to find out which block I had chosen. We completed a night time exemplar as well.
Next week, we will begin our unit on space.
Because of the number of snow days we have had, we will be having school next Friday, March 7. This was originally scheduled as a teacher inservice, but we’re going to use it as a make-up day. We will also be having school on April 21, which was originally scheduled as a vacation day for Easter. I’m hoping for no more snow days!
We are in need of more snacks. Feel free to send something in if you can! Good options are: graham crackers, cereal, fruit snacks, goldfish crackers, cheese crackers, etc.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Hansen