WORMS!

This week we had a slimy, wiggly good time learning about worms! Our activities this week focused on why we need worms, the worm life cycle, and more.

Ask your Kindergartener:

Do worms have ears?

Do worms have eyes?

Do worms have legs?

How do worms move around?

How do worms breathe?

Where do worms go in winter?

Why are worms important?

Journals:

The book, Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin is a journal about the daily doings and the hidden world of a lovable underground dweller. After listening to the story, the students participated in a group discussion where they recalled information from the story and then determined if the information was fact or fiction. The students then came up with their own fiction statements about worms and drew a picture to match their writing. During closing circle, the kids presented their work and we all enjoyed listening to everyone's creative ideas!

Diagram of a Worm:

This week the kids investigated the body parts of a worm. Ask your Kindergartener if they can tell you the different body parts!

Worms vs. Caterpillars:

How are worms and caterpillars alike? How are they different? After reading books and watching videos about worms and caterpillars we created a Venn Diagram to help us compare and contrast these two creatures!

Math: Solid Shapes

This week in math the students used their own language to describe attributes of solid (three-dimensional) shapes. They sorted, compared, and built solid shapes using clay.

Parent's Night Out - April 22nd:

7th and 8th-grade students are hosting another babysitting night at Roycemore next Friday, April 22nd, 6-9 pm if you are interested. They would love your help as they are fundraising for their trip to NYC. Google Form to sign up!

Welcome Back!

It was a great week to be back at school! It was wonderful to see all the kids and hear about the fun times they had with family and friends. This week we focused on getting back into "school mode" and reviewed a lot of the concepts we learned before the break.

Let's take a look at some of the highlights from the week:

April Calendars:

Math: Pattern Blocks

This week the students worked with pattern blocks. They reinforced counting concepts as they built with and considered the attributes of pattern blocks. They asked and answered mathematical questions about shapes composed of pattern blocks. The students also related addition equations to shapes made with 2 kinds of pattern blocks.

Journals - The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend is a magical story that begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and--at long last--is given his special name: Beekle. After reading the story, the kids were asked to create their own imaginary friends, naming and describing them in their writing.

Write the Room: Blends

This activity encouraged the kids to walk around the room looking for picture cards taped to the walls, tables, cabinets, chairs, etc. When they found a card they had to determine the missing blend for each word. After they wrote down the word they moved to another card and repeated the process until their sheet was complete!

STEM Challenge: One-Sheet-of-Paper Paper Chain Contest

The kids were challenged to build the longest possible paper chain with just one sheet of paper and tape.

SPECIALS:

Mystery Reader:

This week our mystery reader was Ajay's mom! Thank you for reading to us!

Upcoming Events/Dates:

-NO SCHOOL Friday, April 15

-NO SCHOOL Friday, April 29

-PALIO Wednesday, May 18, 8:30-10:00

Theme Week: Problem Solved!

This week students in Kindergarten through fourth-grade participated in Theme Week. They engaged in a variety of activities that helped to expand their concept of design thinking. They built, created, and invented with purpose and empathy. To begin theme week the kids watched a video on design thinking. The video taught us about engineers and how they solve problems. We then talked about the design thinking process and dove into Step 1.

Step 1: Ask

As a class, we brainstormed problems that could be fixed by making something. We specifically focused on Alexander Park. At the end of our brainstorming session, each group chose a problem that was meaningful to them.

Step 2: Imagine

The groups brainstormed solutions for the problem they were going to fix. They came up with as many as they could and circled their best idea!

Step 3: Create

Each group drew a picture of what they were going to make. Then they created a list of materials they would need to build their invention. After the children had their plan in place, it was time to build! The children each got a chance to go "shopping" at the "recycling center." This is where the excitement really picked up! It was fun watching the kids gather supplies and get to work!

The kids had a blast building their inventions! Theme week sure was a success in the Kindergarten classroom!

Problem Solved! Showcase

Mystery Reader:

This week our mystery reader was Ted's mom. Thank you for reading to us!

To see more pictures from the week please follow our private Facebook group: Roycemore Kindergarten