Room #7 Kindergarteners are busy as always! We have begun our Job Chart that rotates every two weeks, and I introduced our first circle (sight) word (the word “I”) on Tuesday! It is currently our password to get into Room #7. The student not only need to read the word but also have to spell it: “I, uppercase I.” The kiddos are loving it! Every week, I will introduce a new circle word and send it home so that you, the families at home, are aware of the new word! Have fun! Read on for some snippets of our week!
The students have worked hard at making our second class book! It is a BINGO type book that has everyone’s name spelled out with stamps, an activity completed in our Writing Center during Choice Time. Once everyone has finished, we will be able to read it together and sing the modified song! What fun!
In Writing, the class and I have been chatting about true stories that have happened to them! In our various Writing discussions, we have not only discussed how to draw a person (bigger than your hand, skin colors, realistic, etc.), we have also explored including details in one’s picture so that the reader is able to tell what is happening in the story! During our first whole-class sharing, 6-7 cherubs revealed what they have been working on, and the rest of the class listened and observed their detailed drawings with background! What an awesome way to start, boys and girls!
On Friday, we read the story, How Full is Your Bucket? It is a wonderful narrative about a little boy named Felix. This charming book explains to children how being kind not only helps others but also helps themselves. As he goes about his day, Felix interacts with different people. Using the metaphor of a bucket and dipper, Felix’s grandfather explains why positive interactions with others make Felix feel good while negative dealings leave him feeling bad. The grandfather also shows Felix how he himself is affecting others, whether he means to or not. This beautifully illustrated story contains a powerful message: that the way we relate to others has a profound impact on every aspect of our lives. The students of Room #7 discussed this concept and thought of ideas on how to fill each other’s bucket. It was quite touching to hear all the ideas the students had to help one another be safe and happy. To bolster this discussion, we now have a class bucket. Throughout the year, as people fill each other’s bucket, we will add pompoms to it! We already have quite a few! Room #7 is full of Bucket Fillers!
We are continuing to focus on our counting skills and one-to-one correspondence in Math. The boys and girls worked on the following stations this week:
· Cover the Dots - Given mats with different amounts of black dots on them, students practiced their 1:1 correspondence and counting skills by covering these dots with double-sided counters. This is a skill the Kindergartners will continue to hone for weeks to come!
· Brown Bear Roll and Count – Each Brown Bear animal was labeled with a number, a replication of one side of a die. When the cherubs rolled that number, a marker was placed on that specific animal. The students continued to roll the die until an animal “won”. This activity was a class favorite!
· Foam Ten Frames – Using our foam ten frames, the cherubs were able to manipulate the pegs to represent a given number. To begin, we chatted about how each ten frame has five spaces on the top and five spaces on the bottom, with a total of 10 spaces. The kiddos and I also discussed how you always start by filling up the top frame first and then move onto the bottom frame for higher numbers. Everyone loved manipulating the foam pegs to show the different numbers! This was definitely enjoyed by all!
· Creation Station - At this repeat station, cherubs concentrated on reproducing various items (table, dog, robot, giraffe) using Unifex cubes!
· Pattern Block Number Cards – While at this station, the students used pattern blocks to create numbers zero through twelve. Before building their number, they had to announce what it was!
· Counting Boards with Numerals - Using up to 10 counting bears and various storyboards (e.g., a picture of an ocean, a tree, a road, etc.), the students made up addition and subtraction stories. After they finished creating their story, each kiddo found the matching numeral card to show how many animals were on their board. Everyone was super focused on counting their animals and keeping track!
The class is doing an outstanding job with all of the Math stations. Moreover, we also talked about making sure to participate in new stations before returning to previous ones, and everybody is working on doing exactly what’s expected and following our important routines! Way to go Room #7!
Important Notes:
· School Picture Day: Thursday, October 1st.
Rain Date: Thursday, October 15th.
· P.E.: Please remember to send sneakers in with your child on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Have a fun-filled weekend!