KG News
Newsletter # 2 How We Express Ourselves
UOI 5: How We Express Ourselves
Central Idea: People express diversity through their culture and traditions.
Key Concepts: Form, Perspective, Reflection
Related Concepts: Similarities, Differences, Respect, Beliefs, Customs, Traditions
Lines of Inquiry:
- What is culture- Form
- Diversity of cultures and traditions-Perspective
- Culture is shown through expression-Reflection
Upcoming Events
- KG International Day - Friday May 11th 11-12:30pm
- May 15th- 5th and 6th Grade Exhibition 6-8pm
- May 16th - Ramadan Schedule begins
Our learning Adventures
Field Trip: Anansegromma of Ghana: African Dance, Drums, Story, and Games
Math
Module 4: Number Pairs, Addition and Subtraction 1-10
- Students continued working on and reinforcing their skills to represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, and equations.
- In small groups students practiced decomposing numbers less than or equal to 10 into pairs in more than one way Ex: using objects or drawings be able to show 5 = 2 + 3 and 5 = 4 + 1).
- Using counting tools, ten frame and counters, students were able to show their understanding of how to add and subtract within 10.
- Using the number bond model students have been working with partners and in small groups to show the strategy of part + part = whole
- Practiced drawing word problems to show strategy when solving for unknown EX: __ +2 = 10.
- In small groups observed inverse relationship between addition and subtraction (8 + 2 = 10 and 10 – 2 = 8)
- Using mathematical reasoning skills students used pictures, numbers and objects to solve story problems.
We have completed Module 4 and are in the processes of completing assessments.
NOTE:
Lessons and activities are differentiated to reinforce and enrich skills as needed. In small groups students practice and complete lessons and activities specific to goals identified through student assessments.
English Language Arts
- Students listened to the story "I Lost My Tooth in Africa" by Penda Diakite to identify the cultural elements of country, language, food, clothing, customs and traditions the character Amina experiences while visiting her native country of Mali, Africa.
- In small groups students created a VENN diagram to illustrate the similarities and differences between the USA and Africa as countries and discussed similarities between traditions. (compare and contrast)
- In their journals students illustrated some traditions they share with their families (Saturday pancakes, visiting family, celebrating Eid, Ramadan fasting...)
- Practiced reading, writing and illustrating nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
- Continue practicing and reinforcing consonant blends, digraphs, short and long vowels, phonics skills
In small groups:
- Students collaborated to ask and answer questions about story elements of characters, setting and identifying the problem.
- Worked on individual goals and skills to build on fluency and comprehension.
Writing:
- Students collaborated with a partner and chose a country to research and write about its culture and identifying the elements of language, food, clothing, music, etc..
- In their journals student's used their creative imaginations to write and illustrate various stories incorporating nouns, verbs and adjectives.
- In their journals students illustrated some traditions they share with their families (Saturday pancakes, visiting family, celebrating Eid, Ramadan fasting...)
- In their writing students discriminating when and how to use singular and plural nouns by adding /s/ or /es/.
Social Studies
Peoples of The Nations and World:
- Students used a combination of drawing and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they researched a country in school and supplied information about the type of food, clothing, animals, languages, sports and traditions are celebrated. Through literature student's "visited" the following countries to gather and share facts about its culture: Russia, Poland, Greece, India
- Using the interactive SMARTboard students explored cultures around the world in order to understand what people around the world use as food, clothing, shelter, music, and sports. This gave students the opportunity to discuss things they appreciate and are grateful for. Alhumdulilah!
- Students learned about the various ways people greet each other around the world. Getting ready for International Day celebrations, students have been practicing many different greetings in different languages. Please refer to Managebac for uploaded videos and links celebrating the "children of the world."
- In class students have engaged in various activities recognizing the differences and similarities between people and cultures. During morning meetings and learning times students have learned to identify their native flags and match them to their native country.
- Students have engaged in language activities to convey simple greetings and phrases to show action exploring the many ways of expression. ( music and movement, sign language, facial expressions).
NOTE:
Visit managebac to view resources.
AQI
In Arabic, Students have learned the names of family members. Students learned how to write the names of family members with the proper "this" term depending on the gender.
Students have shown great growth regarding their reading and writing Arabic skills.
In Quran, students are 1 ayah away from finishing Surah Takathur! The students have also learned the meaning and moral of the Sura
In Islamic Studies, Students have learned about the Quranic verses of how important it is to respect your parents. Students are now learning the etiquette of Jummuah prayer.
Art
Turkish ebru-like marbling art
Students were introduced to paper marbling technique inspired by ebru turkish art.
They used shaving cream, rectangular foam trails, rulers, food coloring and mixed media paper.
Students first filled in some shaving cream in the foam trail and flattened it using a ruler, they dropped few food coloring drops, they inserted a toothpick vertically and moved it in horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines.
then they put a mixed media paper on and pressed down to make sure to transfer the design and finally they used the ruler to scrape off all excess shaving cream.