Kindergarten Newsletter
10/23/2015
Classroom News!
In Math this week, our focus was getting familiar with the teen numbers on our number grid. We learned that each number when paired with 10 becomes a teen number and that the golden rule of a teen number is that it always starts with a 1.
Apple tasting was another popular activity. The children tasted four different types of apples - Golden and Red Delicious, Gala and Granny Smith. They then recorded their preferences in a graph format using unifix cubes. Golden Delicious and Red Delicious were tied!
Last week we had an impromptu conversation about birds in which the children expressed some real interest and enthusiasm for bird watching. We decided to set up a bird watching center this week. There we shared a beautiful collection of non fiction books about birds and the children learned a bit about bird anatomy and identifying features. Those children who visited the center came home with week with a little booklet, a feather and a poem about bird carpenters.
Conversation Starters
* What does is mean to "estimate"?
* Look in your clothes closet and see if you can find things you wear with different shades of color.
* What do teen numbers always start with? Do you remember the song?
Fun Things To Do At Home
* Try other types of apples! There are so many!
* Read the poem of the week - "Skeleton Parade."
Important Message
*Parents! In November, we will be starting our study of Families/ Babies! Please send in two photographs - a family portrait and one baby portrait of your child (under one year please). All pictures will be returned at the end of the unit. Thank you!
Apps This Week!
This week we had our first session of "Kindergarten Team Time" which is part of our social curriculum. The children sat in a circle and analyzed a re-enactment of a social interaction between two friends. You can learn more about how we use iPads to teach social skills here: https://aimsmddc.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/moving-images-using-ipad-movie-making-in-early-education-to-promote-the-social-curriculum/
Also, Mrs. Opdahl came to teach a lesson on digital citizenship. The children learned three important rules to follow in order to stay safe online:
1. Always ask an adult you trust first.
2. Only talk to people you know.
3. Stick to places that are just right for you.
Poem of the week: "Jack O'Lantern"
Jack O'Lantern
Jack O'Lantern, Jack O'Lantern
You are such a funny sight
As you sit there in the window
Looking out at the night.
You were once an orange pumpkin
Growing on a sturdy vine
Now you are a Jack O'Lantern
See the candlelight shine