Room #7 is embarking on a new Social Studies unit - Community Helpers! On Monday, the class and I talked about the features that encompass a community, and we discussed all the communities in which we are a member (e.g., town, Hastings, Room #7, sports teams, family, etc.). Next, the kiddos brainstormed all the different community helper jobs that exist at Hastings; and oh what a list they created! Then, we took a lovely walk around the Hastings community, taking pictures of all the community helpers we found. The boys and girls absolutely loved this activity! We will be doing a lot of great work on community helpers over the next few weeks, including a how-to story!
Due to our delay last week, we are using the same stations to ensure that everyone gets a chance to go to all of them!
- 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!
Room #7 readers are finishing up another reading unit! The boys and girls have really turned up the dial on their reading powers including: book talk power, picture and sound powers and snap work powers. The K teachers and I have had many discussions on how proud we are of all the Kindergartners’ progress. They are truly readers!
Enjoy the weekend!