BLOG | Kindergarten

Mrs. Smith
- Jan 29, 2021

Can you build a race car ramp?

STEM Challenge:

Can you build a race car ramp using cardboard and tape? YES, WE CAN! The Kindergarten kids did an amazing job building a racecar ramp! For over an hour the children were engaged in problem-solving and designing. They worked both independently and in small groups to create a ramp that allowed a racecar to travel the furthest distance. It was fascinating listening to the kids overcome challenges and work together.

"Hey, I need some tape over here!"

"Can you hold this for me?"

"How are we going to hold up this falling side?"

"This racecar is too big! Can you help me find a smaller one?"

"I have an idea! Let's try this!"

Art: Piet Mondrian

The Kindergarten kids were introduced to artist Piet Mondrian. Piet Mondrian used thick black lines to separate blocks of color. He used the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) to create geometric paintings. The Kinder kids used the Mondrian style as inspiration to create their own masterpieces.

Recess:

The kids continue to enjoy the snow!

Fundations:

The K kids have been working hard on sentence structure. We are focusing on using correct letter formation, finger spaces between words, punctuation, sight words, making sure our pictures match our sentence and properly using upper/lowercase letters.

Math:

The kids love to play "The Popcorn Game" to practice counting by 5's and 10's. We created Math Mountains, calculating the total and unknown partners. We also worked on graphing and analyzing the data.

French:

The kids are learning the name of body parts in French. The children enjoyed singing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes..." in French!

PE:

This week's top games: Builders & Breakers, Loud/Quiet Freeze, Dodgeball Tag, and The Floor is Lava!

Library:

Creative Movement:

Mystery Reader:

This week our Mystery Reader was Ian's mom! Thank you for reading to us!

Reminders:

-If you order from Handcut Foods please order before noon on Wednesdays for the following week.

-Please bring in a water bottle at the start of each week.

-Pick-up times listed below.

Mrs. Smith
- Jan 22, 2021

SNOW Much Fun!

It was great having the kids back at school this week!

Let's take a look at the week:

Snowman Craft

I’ve always loved this snowman craft. I see it every time I search for cute winter crafts. It’s a snowman looking up in the new snow that’s falling.

Secret Sentences

This week for morning work we have focused on "secret sentences." This activity engages students while they are practicing beginning sounds, sight words, CVC words, handwriting, and sentence structure. To complete the activity, they write the beginning sound of each picture to reveal the secret sentence and then they rewrite the sentence using proper punctuation.

The Mighty Math Mountain

During remote learning, the kids were introduced to "The Mighty Math Mountain" and "Tiny Tumblers." We extended this activity in class. The kids practiced solving for the unknown partner. We also continued to work on solving word story problems.

Art with Mr. Matt

This week the children were introduced to artist Keith Haring. Keith Haring is known for his cartoon-like style of painting using bright colors and bold lines. His artwork depicts people, movement, and the excitement of New York City in the 1980's. During class, the children had the opportunity to express themselves using Keith Haring's style.

PE with Coach Long

Games this week included: Dodgeball Tag, Loud/Quiet Freeze Game, and various Noodle Challenges. The Kindergarten kids are also competing against other classes to win a trophy for being a great teammate. What is Coach Long's favorite word? TEAMMATE!

Mystery Reader

This week our mystery reader was Eden's mom! Thank you for reminding us to not eat our classmates!

Mrs. Smith
- Dec 18, 2020

Happy Merry Everything!

Wow, what a busy week! I can't believe that I won't be seeing your children in-person for more than a month. I will miss them! Please have a safe and healthy winter break and I look forward to seeing everyone in the new year!

Let's take a look at the week:

Sensory Bins - Magic Snow

It's so fun to play in the snow...especially when it's not cold!

Math: Word Story Problems

This week the K-kids practiced solving word story problems. Word problems offer a way to practice close reading/listening, visualizing, interpreting, and analyzing. The students must read and/or listen closely to understand what information is important, and then solve it by drawing a picture and then writing the math equation.

Journals

This week the kids enjoyed listening to the story, The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Ernst. In the story, a lonely old woman and a lonely old man decide to bake a gingerbread girl. When they open the oven, she runs off (like her brother did). Never fear, this smart cookie has a plan to outfox the fox! After the story, we brainstormed what other characters could be chasing a gingerbread girl. Then the kids drew a picture and wrote their responses in their writing journals.

Art: Oil Pastels & Watercolors

Library

Gingerbread Houses

Decorating gingerbread houses is a fun holiday tradition! The kids had a blast engineering and decorating their own graham cracker gingerbread houses. The kids got creative and made chimneys, walkways, and even storage rooms! Thank you to all the families who brought in supplies for our party!