1,2.....3,4,5

Writing Numbers

Something we are really working on right now in writing (besides storytelling and drawing our stories) is how to correctly form letters and numbers.  During handwriting we are using a resource called Handwriting Without Tears. The students are really doing a great job, and we would love to continue the same language at home. We will discuss Handwriting Without Tears a little more tomorrow night.  Today, however; our focus in math was recognizing and writing our numbers 1-5.  Please practice using this language at home! Our friends are having a hard time writing numbers, but responded really well to the little number rhymes. 

After we practiced writing numbers on the dry erase boards, they got to play a game called 'spill the beans'.  They would take turns with their partners spilling the beans.  They would then count how many red beans there were and write that number on the game board.  

Happy Orange Day and I hope to see everyone tomorrow night!

-Bennett

G is for Grow

Plant Pilot

Due to helping write the science curriculum in kindergarten, we are piloting the new science kit that will roll out to the district next fall.  I have to say before we started this kit, I was quite nervous.  I was able to pilot this last school year and the unit was amazing, however; I piloted it in February......meaning there was much growth at that point in Kindergarten.  I must say the students have blown me away this week with their engagement and the dedication they already have to quality work.

This week we learned about living and non-living things (quiz them: they should be able to give you a long list of both), planted lima beans, learned about the parts of a plant (roots, stem, leaves, and flower), planted grass seeds, and recorded observations of our lima beans from day 1 and day 5 (We are already seeing roots, stems, and one leaf).

This is a 5 week unit.  Lots of fun ahead!

-Ms. Bennett

R-E-D red

Red Week:

Each week we will be adding a color to our sight word list.  Our goal is to be able to read all our color words and eventually write them. :)  We sing songs about the color words, add the song to our poetry journal, and every Wednesday we will wear that color!  

-Bennett

Three Cheers for Week 3!

Week 3, already?

Goodness, where does the time go?  It is already week three and we are moving and grooving in the Beach Buddy class.  After 5 long weeks of being sick, I am finally feeling better! That means it is time for me to post some awesome pictures of what we have been doing.  My goal is to post every day this week.  Topics are:  Button Factory, Science, and R-E-D week.

This week we have introduced fine motor stations in Daily 5.  I will explain more about Daily 5 at Parent Night but Daily 5 is what students will be doing independently during reading groups (starting week 8 or 9).  They will rotate every 12-15 minutes to each of the 5 stations. Since our friends can't quite read to someone else yet and since they listen to read alouds daily our Daily five will include the following:

* Fine Motor

*Writing

*Word Work

*Math

*Reading

This week are taking 15 minutes out of our Language Arts block to focus on the Fine Motor tubs.  This was introduced Monday.  We have been talking about how important it is to strengthen our hand muscles so we can have amazing handwriting and great quality work. This week students have been able to choose to make a puppet (focusing on coloring and cutting), putting the correct number of beads on a pipe-cleaner, pinching pom poms with clothespins and putting them in cups (no touching pom poms with fingers allowed), puzzles, and play doh!  

Fine motor is a great thing to practice at home, and it is easy to make it fun.  Here are some ideas:

Play doh

Coloring in the lines in coloring books

Drawing pictures with pencil, then coloring

stringing beads on a string

writing words around the house with a dry erase marker and board

tearing construction paper and gluing to make a picture

cutting

puzzles

Anything using fingers!! :)

All our friends need practice with fine motor, however; if you feel this is a big struggle for your child and you would like more ideas please let me know!

-Bennett