In Writer’s Workshop, the class has started to learn about writing 3-page stories. Room #7 worked together to create a story about our trip to Smolak Farms! To begin our writing experience, we wrote a one-page story – We went to Smolak Farms! But, after a discussion about how authors use more than one page to tell their stories, the class and I decided it was time to stretch our stories over several pages. This was accomplished by the boys and girls verbally telling the story, with my guidance, and then stretching out their verbalizations over 3 pages.
Page One: We got on a bus and drove to Smolak Farms. When we got there, we went on a hay ride.
Page Two: Next, we ate a snack in the barn and then went pumpkin picking.
Page Three: After that, we ate lunch on the picnic tables, saw animals, and played on the structure! Finally, we took the bus home. It was so much fun!
I modeled touching each page as we verbally told the story so that the cherubs could gain practice first tactically, picturing it in their minds, and then actually writing the story. This is difficult work! I’m impressed with how many students are experimenting with this tricky skill! We will continue creating 3-page stories to increase their ability in storytelling – using details and breaking the story apart into a beginning, middle, and end! Try telling stories together at home for fun!
We’ve been listening to rhymes in our classroom. Your child may have mentioned the songs we’ve been singing and the poetry we’ve been reciting together. They’ve been enjoying rhymes and songs, which have helped the cherubs listen to the sounds of language, especially rhyming words. And, as they notice rhyming words, they begin to learn how words work, such as: Some words have end parts that sound alike – they rhyme. Hearing these sounds helps the children realize that words are made up of sounds and assists them in distinguishing individual sounds so they understand that letters and sounds are related.
We’re having fun with songs and poems, and the children can hear the rhymes. In fact, sometimes they can even predict what the rhyme will be. Eventually, they will hear individual sounds and will be able to connect them to letters. To help with this work, we read the story, The Hungry Thing. Ask your kiddo what it’s about!
The kiddos loved the leaf print workshop that we are doing during Learning Labs! The corresponding works of art are unique and colorful for fall! Thank you to all those parents who were able to come in and donate their time!
During Reader’s Workshop this week, we learned a new station: Word Work. At this station, the readers of Room #7 will practice writing and spelling their circle words using different materials (e.g., sand writing, dry erase markers, dry erase crayons, magnadoodles, etc.). As the year continues, they will have other word work activities to work on each week! Everyone is very excited to try this new activity and become word experts!
Same stations as last week!
- Pumpkin Seed Counting – Similar to last week’s mini ten frame book, students used star stickers to represent each number in their book. Then they received practice tracing each number!
- Shape Puzzles - Using various paper puzzle pieces, the children counted how many Unifex cubes could fit on each. They then “labeled” each shape with the corresponding number! Great job practicing your counting skills, Kindergarteners!
- Sorting Colors – The children picked a tub containing differing amounts of colored squares. They sorted the squares by color, counted how many of each there were, then recorded their answers on their recording sheets.
- Build a Staircase –This week, this fan favorite got a bit trickier! Instead of working with dot dice, the boys and girls used number dice. In this manner, they practiced their number recognition. Working with a partner, the boys and girls of Room #7 took turns rolling a die. They then stacked cubes together to represent that number. Once the partners finished building their staircases (1-6), they took turns rolling the die to disassemble them!!
- Fill the Cup – Fill the Cup – In this new partner game, the mathematicians picked a cup they wanted to work with: big or medium. Next, taking turns, each cherub rolled a die and filled the cup with that many cubes. The partners continued until one of the cups was filled up to the top! Next, each person connected his/her cubes to make two individual trains. Finally, after lining the trains up, side by side, the partners used buddy lines to determine which train was longer and by how much! Terrific job, boys and girls!
- Let’s Count! – At this center, every cherub took a bag with 21 counters in it. They challenged themselves to count the manipulatives in different ways. They were asked to answer the overarching question: No matter how you position the counters, do you always get the same number??? The boys and girls learned through this work that it’s always a great idea to recount and check!!!
Our fall parade is next Wednesday the 31st at 9 in the gym. We will be celebrating fall! Students are MORE than welcome to wear fall colors and/or their Hastings Heroes leaf-print T-shirts. Or, they may wear their costumes. the students will sing 2 fall-themed songs for you! Hope to see you there!