Starting next week, Kindergarten is transitioning to real world “problems,” or things in the kids’ home or school life they wish they could change. Everyone is finishing up their pieces about problems at Hastings this week. Next we will brainstorm a whole list of “problems” they want to fix and then they will begin writing letters! A note will go home on Monday about sending in envelopes and stamps so that the boys and girls can actually mail their letters! I'm hoping everyone will get into this fun, imaginative project. What a great way to end our opinion/persuasive writing unit! Next up, how-to stories!
We are getting closer and closer to our chick hatch! Every day, the kiddos learned more and more about how the chick develops inside that egg. On Wednesday, we had the privilege of inviting Karen McCarthy, head of Elementary Science for all of Lexington, to do an egg show for us. Ask your children what they learned!
Our measurement and addition/subtraction unit is coming to a close! Stay tuned for more information on our next unit: think 3-D shapes!
- Attribute Spinner – thickness and color – We have been talking a lot about attribute blocks over the last three weeks in Room #7. There are so many attributes (or characteristics) one can sort by: color, shape, size, thickness, number of sides, etc. Using 2 different spinners, one for thickness and one for color, students spun and then had to find the corresponding shape. This is a great way for kiddos to use their math vocabulary and practice identifying the various attributes!
- 10 Frame Numeration Boards – Using fun 10 frame manipulatives, groups worked on a variety of skills: comparing numbers to determine greater than and less than (and then saying the number sentence), writing teen numbers as a ten + ones = the teen, AND creating a variety of number sentences to 10 – all on a dry erase board! This was certainly a fan fav!
- Tub Game – At this center, students received practice describing a number by its parts. This week, the students worked with the number 10! This was a challenge, but a fun one, where they had to figure out how many cubes were underneath the tub! They then said the corresponding number sentence. For example, if I put 5 cubes under the tub, they had to discern how many more would equal ten. Lastly, they named the corresponding number sentence!
- Comparing Lengths – Using different sized string and cubes, students measured the various sizes of 2 pieces of string. Next, they compared the two sizes and wrote which was greater than, less than or equal to!
- Chicken Little Tessellation – To go along with our chick unit, we read the book, Chicken Little. Using Pattern Blocks, students made this loveable chicken and then counted how many of each block was needed. Lastly, they counted the total.
- Order of Daily Events - At this station, students brainstormed various events that occur daily. Then the challenge was to order those events onto a piece of paper, ensuring they were in the appropriate morning, noon, and night category!
- Subitizing Chicks – In this fun book, students were asked to subitize! Drawings of chicks were placed strategically on each page so that students were able to see groups. After they framed the groups with pipe cleaners, they then circled those groups and wrote a number sentence that reflected how they subitized. Challenging work but the Kindergarteners rose to the occasion!
We began discussing the importance of employing a standard measurement tool in order to determine an object’s length. After reading How Big is Your Foot?, the students figured out why it is necessary to utilize a ruler as opposed to an arbitrary object. To emphasize this point, we traced the students’ feet and used them as tools to measure objects around the classroom. The kiddos soon discovered that using one’s foot as a measurement device was not consistent because everyone’s feet are different sizes. What a surprise!
Have a wonderful looooong weekend!