writing numbers

Writing numerals and numbers is something Kindergartners work hard at mastering. It is often challenging to figure out how many of something and write that number correctly. Teen numbers are especially tricky. We practiced counting one group of ten and then some more to think about how teen numbers look. It is an ongoing skill!

baby chicks

Students in 2nd grade study life cycle. One of the ways they study this concept is through watching baby chicks hatch. Second grade teacher Ms. Dana, invited us to see the baby chicks once they were hatched. Our students were able to touch the chicks and see what they might do as 2nd graders. Hopefully our connection with other grades in the school will keep students excited about learning and what they have to look forward to in the future.

reading

Students are enjoying reading through read aloud and independent reading time. Ms. Ringer and I are taking turns reading Charlotte's Web aloud to the children. They are captivated by the adventures of Fern, Wilbur, and Charlotte. During independent reading time, students read by themselves before reading with a partner. One day after snack, students organized themselves into a reading train and all read from the same reader. It was quite sweet.

authors

It is always exciting to listen to authors read their work. Pre-school teacher Miss Jennifer included us in hearing Vermont author Granny Snow read her book Big 'Ole Striped Silas. The Silas books are a series and the message and illustrations are quite remarkable. Check out a Silas book sometime if you get the chance... We also had the good fortune to hear Ms. Filion's First Grade Authors read their All About Books. It is amazing to see and hear the writing development from Kindergarten to First Grade. As part of our own writing work, we sent Ms. Filion's class a thank you letter.

More Dr. Seuss

In March we tried green eggs and ham and wrote a letter to the Onceler after reading The Lorax. Learning to write letters was part of our opinion writing unit of study during Writers' Workshop.

books come to life

There is always something magical when books come to life... On Friday we were able to hear the Cat in the Hat read by none other than - The Cat in the Hat. Mrs. Chase arranged for her friend to read to all Kindergarten classes. She was amazing! Today we went to the Flynn Theater in Burlington to see three incredible stories - Swimmy, Frederick, and Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni. The children loved the stories. Thank you to our parent chaperones. It is always nice to see you!

Fire Finger

Today during math we practiced numeral writing using an iPad app called Fire Finger. One student at a time was whispered a numeral to write on the iPad. It was projected onto the Smart Board using the Elmo. While one student was writing on the iPad, the rest of the students were writing on white boards. Each student was able to write a numeral using Fire Finger. If you are looking for a handwriting app for your iProduct, consider Fire Finger. Your child will ooh and aah while writing :)The first pic is on the iPad (I can't get it to be right-side up), the 2nd is on the Smart Board, the 3rd is a student white board. Super fun!

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

Today was another great Monday. I have to say I think it is my favorite day of the week and today was no exception. It seems that we have had just the right amount of celebration each time there has been cause to celebrate. Today we decorated card bags, handed out cards, read 2 Valentine books, and had an ice cream snack. Students were able to look into their bags before we finished with two rounds of Shape Bingo (including a heart). The kindness and friendship the students exhibited today make a teacher proud. Once again your children have amazed me :)

Celebration Day

On Friday we celebrated the end of our narrative writing by inviting our 5th grade buddies to come to a publishing party. The Kindergarten students read their stories aloud while projecting them onto the Smart Board. 5th grade buddies enthusiastically clapped for each writer. After the reading we shared heart shaped cookies and juice. Also on Friday students shared their 100 day projects and we took a museum walk through the Kindergarten to see all of the projects on display. Our class' projects are shown below:

Happy Day 100!

On Wednesday we celebrated the 100th day of school. What an absolutely great day. We started by coloring 100 days smarter crowns. Next, we read Mrs. Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten. Students counted 100 beads organized in groups of 10s to make a keepsake necklace. Zero the Hero visited and we counted to 100 by 10s. We finished the day by making "Gorp". Students counted out 10 pieces each of Cheerios, Fruit Loops, pretzels, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, marshmallows, M & M's, Teddy Grahams, and goldfish. I cannot believe we have only 75 more days together! These last months of school will fly by...

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

On Tuesday in honor of MLK Day, we read the book, Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King by Jean Marzollo. We focused on Dr. King's message of fairness, acceptance, and kindness. After reading, students paired up with each other to find one way they were the same and one way they were different. Each pair shared and some of the responses included: gender, age, skin color, hair color, eye color, toys, foods... It was quite impressive how they see each other's similarities and differences. In our classroom we talk a lot about being kind in our interactions with others - when others are kind to us we feel happy and when we are kind to others we feel good about ourselves. On Wednesday we celebrated the 90th day of school with a visit from Zero the Hero. We will celebrate our 100th day on Wednesday, February 5th! Our reading focus today was on looking at the pictures to help solve unknown words in a text. We read the big book, Here Are My Hands, and students had to guess what word I covered up by the pictures clues. It is a strategy Kindergarteners often rely on heavily in their beginning reading. For the last few weeks we have been listening to the soundtrack Frozen during snack time. The children really get into singing a few of the songs. I think they may be ready to go on tour very soon!

Greatest Tuesday Ever!

Yesterday was the greatest Tuesday ever. I have been working on a writing committee with a writing consultant since the beginning of the school year to help implement Writers' Workshop in Kindergarten (it is being implemented K-5 this year). Our writing consultant taught a lesson to our class yesterday while all of the other Kindergarten teachers watched. The students were engaged during the lesson and did a great job learning something new (every word has a vowel). The great day continued during Readers' Workshop where students independently read for 15 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of partner reading. I was amazed! Our reading focus is that Kindergarteners Read in 3 Ways - by the words, by memory, and by the pictures. Students are asked to read their books in that order. To look around the classroom and witness such independence was incredible. Our day ended with Math Workshop and a new card game we call High/Low (what we called War as kids). I am super-proud to be these kids' teacher.

weather

We finally got outside yesterday for a walk! Between the cold temperatures and the icy conditions, it has been a really long time since students were able to get outside for recess. Yesterday, the sidewalks were clear enough so that students could go on a long walk. Many enjoyed it (some were disappointed they couldn't play). Hopefully, we will get outside again today. Please be sure your child has proper outdoor clothes. How many days until Spring?

Math Workshop

Yesterday I introduced a new math routine to the students called Math Workshop. It follows a similar structure to Readers' and Writers' Workshops. Most days we will begin with a short lesson and math journal entry, followed by independent practice, and ending with a share. Students seemed to LOVE it today. Choices for independent practice today were a partner game, counting a collection, and skill work folder (students will be required to complete each skill area at least once during the week). During the independent practice time, Ms. Ringer, Mrs. Phillips and I were able to conference with students and assist them in their individual learning. I thought it was powerful and students reflected that they enjoyed being able to choose who and what to work on. More to come later.

Snow

Yesterday we read the book Snow by P.D. Eastman. He is one of my favorite authors. In the book, the character wants to save a little snow. Don't be surprised if your child asks to put snow in the freezer! Stay warm.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope the new year finds you well. We had a great first day back at school today and were so happy to see one another. The children shared stories of vacation and we welcomed a new student. Today was the 77th day of school - only 23 more until our 100th day celebration. It is hard to believe we are almost to the half way mark in the school year (day 87 will be half way). With the new calendar year and 2nd half of Kindergarten comes new learning. I told students today that after long breaks from school students come back smarter and able to do many things they couldn't before. Today we added the "short date" to our message. We talked about the month, day, and year and how that translates into numbers. We will practice this skill on the morning message for the rest of the school year as well as beginning to add the date to our seat work and papers.