Kindergarten News
Check out what's happening in Kindergarten at CBA OAKS!
Life Cycles
We have been busy learning about life cycles of living things! Our caterpillars formed chrysalises and we are anxiously waiting to see what kind of butterflies they hatch into. The Kindergarten Entomologists are recording observations and new vocabulary in their Butterfly Journals.
STEM
Can you build a house for the Three Little Pigs strong enough to withstand the Big Bad Wolf? Kindergartners used collaboration to plan, test, build, and evaluate houses for the Wolf to blow down. They did a fantastic job working as engineers!
Math Fun!
Kindergartners are learning about composing and decomposing numbers. We played Shake and Spill using red and yellow counters. Students recorded different combinations to 10 on their math sheet and practiced using math vocabulary such as join and in all.
Continue Reading at Home!
By this point in the year, Kindergartners have made huge progress with their reading and have developed many decoding skills and comprehension strategies. When you are reading with your child at home, be sure to encourage your child to apply "what good readers do."
Decoding
Decoding
- Use beginning, middle, and ending sounds, as well as sound chunks that they know to decode unfamiliar words
- Look at the picture clues
- Skip the word in the sentence, read on, and come back
Comprehension
- Preview the book and make predictions
- Ask questions about the characters, setting, and events in the story along the way
- Ask questions that are "text dependent" where your child should find evidence in the book to support how they know
- Retell the story
- Stop and discuss unfamiliar words (Your child might have read these words aloud but might not be able to tell you what they mean or apply it in a sentence!)
Cause and Effect
Students have been focusing on discussing cause and effect in reading. The cause is what makes something happen and the effect is what happens. Students should tell cause and effect sentences using the words "so" or "because." Be careful, though: it's tricky! When you use "so," the cause comes first in the sentence. When you use "because," the effect comes first.
Inferences Supported by Text Evidence
Good writers don't just "tell" us what a character is like. That would be boring! Instead, they "show" us through the character's actions and words. Good readers look for clues or evidence in the text to figure out what the author wants us to know about the character.
Nonfiction
Kindergartners have enjoyed reading nonfiction books this year. We have used nonfiction books to learn information about animals, plants, weather, and communities. We look for nonfiction text features such as the table of contents, headings, captions, bold words, glossary, and index to help us better understand the text. We love the Ipad app EPIC to read nonfiction books!
The Berenstain Bears in "Family Matters" the Musical
Keswick Theater Field Trip
Kindergarten went to the Keswick Theater to see a Berenstain Bears musical. The musical intertwines three Berenstain Bears books; Too Much Junk Food, Trouble at School, and Learn About Strangers; to teach very important life lessons. The Bear Family worked on eating healthier snacks such as carrot sticks and apples instead of candy and soda. Brother Bear learned about prioritizing his homework so he can do well in school, as well as feeling proud of his friends when they do something special. Sister Bear was reminded not to talk to strangers, unless Mom or Dad is there too. Students enjoyed being a part of live theater and even got to do the Belly Dance at the end! Be sure to ask your child what he or she learned from the musical and maybe they can teach you the Belly Dance too!
About our Kindergartens!
Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School at Oaks
Email: cindie.page@nlcinc.com
Website: chesterbrookacademy.com/elementary/philadelphia/oaks/
Location: 711 Hollow Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460, United States
Phone: 610.935.4400
Facebook: facebook.com/ChesterbrookAcademyElementaryOaks
Twitter: @twitter_CBAOAKS