Reading
We have spent time exploring common themes in various versions of The Gingerbread Man. As we read the stories, we identified the similarities and differences with the main characters, settings, repeated phrases, and ending of the stories. There are many more versions out there, so that may be a fun extension activity if you are looking for something to do at the library over winter break! The ones we focused on are pictured below:
Our Kindergarten classrooms were also transformed into a Gingerbread house, and they had a great time painting gingerbread kids and making candies and gumdrops to add to the house!
Math
Using small and large gingerbread cookie pictures, we practiced measuring with nonstandard units, and comparing the number of small gingerbread it took to measure an object, with the number of large gingerbread it took to measure the same object. To make sure we were doing this tricky task correctly, we enlisted the help of our 5th grade buddies in Mrs. Schindler's class! They worked so well together, and the kindergarten friends are now so excited when they see their 5th grade friends in the hallways.
We also explored the concept of symmetry, identifying examples of symmetry in nature and using what we learned about symmetry when we painted our gingerbread kids. Together, we learned how to write a number story by cutting out gingerbread and using them as counters to solve simple addition problems. We also worked together as a class to analyze data by spinning a wheel and graphing which gingerbread person the spinner landed on each time for a total of ten spins. Speaking of ten, we have been working hard on counting to 100 by tens, while also continuing to practice counting to 100 by ones. Finally, we introduced the concept of area by covering a picture of a gingerbread man in pennies, and counting to see how many pennies it took to cover him.
Jolly Phonics
We have completed our Jolly Phonics notebooks after introducing all of the Jolly Phonics sounds! I told the students to keep their notebooks at home to review, or use the additional pages to use those sounds to write sentences and illustrate. All of the Jolly Phonics sounds are now in place on the sound rings in each child's blue book bag. Those are a great resource for additional sound review as well! When we return from break, we will be using the time previously spent on Jolly Phonics sounds to do more regular handwriting practice with the Handwriting Without Tears materials, so we can introduce and practice the correct strokes for all of the uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as the numbers.
Science
Our rainbows, colors, and light unit has now concluded, and we enjoyed the discoveries we made with our most recent experiments! We learned about shadows, and how the source of light can change the shadow's size and shape. At the beginning of the unit, we had completed a chart to record what we knew about rainbows, colors, and light, and what we wanted to learn. We revisited this chart to identify any misconceptions we had, new information, and new questions we have.
Finally, we created rainbow stained glass windows. It was so neat to see the students' creativity shine through in the differences with how they approached this project!
Art Appreciation
We have been lucky to have two Art Appreciation lessons recently! First, Kendall's mom joined us to teach us about Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. We learned about how her eyes follow you as you move around the room! We also colored our own version of Mona Lisa.
Next, Alessandro's mom joined us to teach us about Edouard Manet's The Fife Player. We were then able to create our own fifes and marched around the room to fife music!
All About Me weeks
We loved learning more about Christian! He did a wonderful job sharing the items he chose to bring in, including a picture of his family, a Pokemon, and his kitty, Jack. He also brought a toy car that he likes to play with, and a picture he colored to represent his love of coloring!
We also loved learning more about Kendall as she told us about the pictures she brought in of her family, herself with her brother and cousin in their Halloween costumes, and her dog Rozzi- also in costume! She also shared with us her love of Shopkins and her bunny, Sniffles. Her parents also joined us with a spirited reading of The Monster at the End of This Book that the students loved!
Hour of Code
During our LMC time, the students loved participating in coding activities, and picked up on the activities SO quickly! Quite the technology experts we have!! Mrs. O'Kelly has compiled a list of coding activities for students to explore at home if they are interested.
Guided Reading
I have met with each child individually over these past few weeks to read with them and help me get an idea of what books are a good fit for them at this point, as well as what their strengths and goals as a reader may be. When we return in January, I will begin meeting with them in Guided Reading groups to provide targeted instruction at their individual reading levels. I am excited to watch them continue to grow as readers!
Winter Break!
I hope you all have a restful, yet fun Winter Break with your families! I am so lucky and thankful to spend each day with these joyful kindergarteners. Happy Holidays from my family to each of yours! I will see you when we return on Tuesday, January 3rd!
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