The Maples
10.10 - 10.14
It's been a wonderful week in the Maple Room! Thank you to everyone who came to Curriculum Night to experience a night in the life of your Kindergartener. If you were not able to make it, please feel free to reach out to us - we have lots of materials that we can pass along!
Observational Drawing and Experiences Outdoors
As the temperature becomes cooler and the leaves change, the Maples have been attuned to the seasonal shift. Be it in Camel Park, during our regular recess time, or at Fort Greene Park during our weekly visits, the Maples have been drawn to the changing world around them. Children are natural collectors and observers, and the Maples have actively been collecting sticks, twigs, fallen acorns, and leaves. Last week, we sorted these found natural materials into three different bags. We then sorted these materials into baskets and put them at our Art Center. Following our guided discovery of flair pens, the Maples used these pens and colored pencils to do some observational drawings of our collections.
Writing Workshop
Our storytelling continued this week, and we began creating the covers for our Drawing and Writing Notebooks. After creating designs and images with cray pas, the children watercolored the covers, creating a watercolor resist. Next week, we will start drawing and telling stories in our writer's notebooks.
Math Workshop
In Math Workshop this week, we continued to explore our math materials. We also introduced the Counting Jar, an activity that we will revisit throughout the year. In its initial stages, the Counting Jar activity is simple. After being introduced to the counting jar, each student has an opportunity to practice counting hte number of objects during Math Workshop. After counting the set, each student creates a matching set with a different manipulative. Following this sequence, the activity extends. It presents opportunities for recording, comparisons, and grouping. As the year proceeds, the number of objects increase and counting strategies are observed and shared as they are discovered.
Taking Care Of Ourselves, Taking Care Of Each Other, Taking Care Of Our Community
Creating artwork for another person is one way to show that you care about them. It also provides children the opportunity to think about the interests of those they work most closely with while at school. On Friday morning, each child in the Maple Room spent time creating artwork for another child in the classroom.
Additionally, children are consistently being asked to reflect upon how they are caring for themselves and others while at school. With hope, this emphasis on self and community care is transferring to home as well. We will be working diligently throughout our time together to support children in developing a strong sense of self care, empathy, understanding, and patience.
Ask Me About...
-How do I take care of myself in the classroom? How do I take care of my friends?
-Aiken Drum, a new favorite class song
-Using watercolors to decorate our Writer's Notebooks
-Drawing a picture for a friend
-Counting the colored cubes in the Counting Jar