Classroom News

What an exciting time we had leading up to Winter Break! I cannot believe we fit it all in, but we worked hard and accomplished so much. Here are a few of the highlights:

Literacy

We wrapped up our reading workshop comparison of gingerbread stories, and during writing workshop, we worked on a couple of pieces about gingerbread. We wrote about what would happen if a gingerbread man jumped out of our ovens, and later wrote about who or what we would run from if we were gingerbread men. I love seeing each child's creativity shine through in their writing ideas. The book Gingerbread Baby lent itself nicely to a summarizing activity where we completed a flip book, identifying the characters, setting, problem, and solution. This was a nice way to conclude our gingerbread study and review the overarching theme of identifying and comparing those story elements across all of the gingerbread stories.

Jolly Phonics is now complete. We have introduced all of the sounds, and will begin applying those sounds to decode words during guided reading groups. When we return from break, I will begin assessing all students to determine their appropriate reading level, and once all of those assessments are complete, guided reading groups will begin! This is when I will meet with small groups of students to do word work, read a short book together to focus on decoding and comprehension skills, and discuss the book as a group. A letter will be coming home to explain guided reading groups a bit more on the first day I meet with each group.

Math

During math, we've been focusing on the idea of same and different. We read the story, The Ugly Duckling, and identified similarities and differences. We also used math manipulatives to practice demonstrating the concept of one more, or one less. Finally, we worked on comparing sets of items and identifying which set had fewer items, and then how many fewer objects there were. This is a concept that is often tricky to grasp, but it was impressive to see these kindergarten mathematicians think through the problems using their manipulatives.

All About Me Week

We loved learning more about Elan last week! We learned that he loves superheroes, and Captain America is his favorite one. We also learned that he loves skateboarding! He shared with us a couple of things that are special to him, including a slingshot he made himself, and a figure in disguise that goes with a dinosaur toy he got for Christmas. We enjoyed having Elan's mom join us to read the story, The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend.

Coding

Our kindergarten computer programmers had a fantastic time using the Kodable app to develop their coding skills. I was so impressed with their problem solving approaches and teamwork when they encountered an issue.

Cardboard Challenge

Another special activity we spent time on over the past two weeks was the Cardboard Challenge! We worked in groups to design gingerbread houses out of cardboard. Our first step was to identify what features a gingerbread person might need in a gingerbread house. Next, we worked together to come up with our design on paper to accommodate our gingerbread person's needs. Finally, we moved on to construction! We had 5th grade buddies join us to assist with all of the cutting and taping, and our designs came to life! I was thrilled to see our kindergarten friends giving each person in their group a voice, and including ideas from each person in their designs. We learned important lessons in teamwork and compromise during the building and decorating phase.

Once our gingerbread houses were complete, we carefully transported them to the gym where we held a celebration amongst grade levels. We were able to share our creations with our older peers, and walk around the gym to see all of their cardboard creations! It was such an exciting experience, and the kindergarteners were so proud to show off their hard work.

Winter Wonderland

The PTA, Mrs. Sessler, and Mrs. Beane put on a fabulous Winter Wonderland experience for the students to enjoy on the last day before Winter Break! They made cards for patients at Northwest Community Hospital, and enjoyed playing bingo. They were cozy in their pajamas the whole time, as the excitement for Winter Break was building!

I sincerely hope that everyone has a fantastic break with their families! This is such a sweet group of kindergarteners, and I feel so lucky to spend my days with them! They have already grown and learned so much, and I am eager to see them continue to progress in 2018. I also want to thank you for the sweet cards and gifts for the holidays, you are all to kind! Thank you for sharing your most precious gifts with me- I absolutely love working with them. See you in January!

Classroom News

We are walking in a ginger-wonderland, just in time for the snow to begin falling! The excitement this week was the transformation of our hallway into a gingerbread house, as we began studying and comparing different versions of The Gingerbread Man. We are using what we have learned during reading workshop time to discuss and analyze these stories to determine the main character, setting, problem, and solution. The gingerbread stories also have an added element of a repeated phrase throughout the book. We have already made some fantastic comparisons and look forward to comparing all of these gingerbread stories and more!

It is so neat to hear the identification of story elements carrying over into students' conversations during independent reading time as well! 

Our centers are also tied into the gingerbread study, as we practice simple addition with gumdrops and gingerbread men, as well as the game, Gingerbread Bump. We are getting extra sight word practice in with a sight word color by number, as well as shape identification with a color by shape gingerbread house. Finally, we are enjoying listening to the book, The Gingerbread Bear at our listening center.

Writing Workshop

During writing, we recently worked on a piece where we highlighted something we did over Thanksgiving break. We practiced each step of the writing process and included a detailed picture, then stretched out the words in our labels and our message. Next, we focused on the very important, yet sometimes left out, step of labeling as we labeled a gingerbread man. Often times when I check in with our kindergarten authors, I discover that they went straight from drawing their picture to writing their message. Continued practice with labeling will make this good writing habit stick with them! We also continue to work on correct letter formation of uppercase letters during handwriting instruction.

Math

Recently we have been focusing on composing and decomposing numbers to give us a better foundational understanding of addition and subtraction. Next we spent time ordering numbers to form a number line, which we then used to solve "one more" problems to practice "counting on" from a particular number on the number line. We also learned that using our fingers (and toes!) can be a quick and effective strategy when working with numbers. One of our favorite activities was working with partners and two different colors of cubes to find all of the combinations to make 5. (For example: 1 blue, 4 red; 2 blue, 3 red; and so on)

Science

As we wrapped up the fall season, we took a look back at the weather we have been tracking since September. It was exciting for the kindergartners to identify patterns in the weather as we have watched the sky patterns change, windy days increase, and temperatures drop as the seasons begin to change. We also used the Nearpod app in LMC to learn about seasons!

Cardboard Challenge

Thank you so much for sending in all of the cardboard donations for our cardboard challenge! Kindergarten is taking a bit more structured approach to the challenge in order to give our youngest participants some direction as they begin to work together on such a large engineering project. The kindergarten groups will construct gingerbread houses. We started with our group planning sessions, where we made decisions about what things our gingerbread people might need in a gingerbread house, and then worked together to create a design. The next step will be the most exciting- the building of the gingerbread houses! I cannot wait to see how they do once construction is underway!

LMC

During LMC, we had a ball using the Nearpod app to learn about Digital Citizenship. We learned how the Dryden Do's carry over into technology use, and how we can be safe, be respectful, and be responsible online.

Me Bags & Guest Readers

Jason was our student of the week when we returned from Thanksgiving, and we were excited to learn that he loves building legos and playing Minecraft. He also enjoys the Smurfs, and spending time with his family. Finally, he shared a pinecone Christmas ornament that is special to him because he made it. 

Jason's mom joined us to read Trusty Tried and True about Trusty the Train, and the classic, A Charlie Brown's Christmas.

Next up was Josie, who shared (and wore!) one of her favorite accessories, a Jo Jo Bow. She also displayed a dance skirt because she takes hip hop classes, and a sweet picture of her sisters and her dog Willy. Her other favorites included the Hatchimal she received for her birthday, and a blue pencil to represent her favorite color!

Josie's mom surprised us with the cute story, One Winter's Day!

Classroom News

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I am so thankful for my sweet kindergarteners and their families. This group of kids is full of fun, excitement for learning, and caring for one another. They are truly a wonderful bunch! Thank you for sharing them with me. Here's what we've been up to recently:

Literacy

The kindergarten authors have been hard at work on writing and labeling with their Jolly Phonics sounds. During writing workshop time, we apply those sounds as we go through the writing process. Our first step is to think of an idea, then draw a picture, then label the picture, and finally, write about the picture. We also have been working on some special writing recently- we wrote about what we have for Thanksgiving dinner, and what we are thankful for in preparation for the upcoming holiday. We also used PebbleGo to research and write about the fall season!

We have also spent time studying words to learn about syllables. After learning what syllables are, we clapped syllables in words and sorted them by the number of syllables each word has.

During handwriting instruction, we have now completed all of the lessons on correct number formation, and are working on uppercase letters. 

During Reading Workshop, we have been learning about fiction books, and identifying the main characters, setting, and events of a story. Using the book Could be Worse, we sorted those characters, settings, and events of the story into two categories- realistic and fantasy. 

Next, we read the book Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall, and used the story elements to retell the story. The class did a wonderful job of talking with their partners to identify key events and retell the story including all of the important points! Next, we reread the story on another day, and learned about the additional information illustrations and dialogue in the text can give us about a character. We used that information to help us infer what kind of a character Goldilocks was. 

We also spent some time book shopping in our classroom library for more books to add to our individual book bins. We love this time that we spend reading our books and applying the strategies we've learned about during our whole group Reading Workshop lessons!

Math

We have just completed the unit on size, length, and weight comparison in math. During this unit, we focused on ordering objects by size, length, and weight, comparing sizes using words like bigger/smaller, shorter/longer, and heavier/lighter. We had a great time with many of the hands on activities to practice using this vocabulary in our math discussions.

Social Emotional Learning

We revisited the Zones of Regulation to talk a bit more in depth about the zones. First, we sorted incidents that could happen throughout our day that may move us from the green zone. We worked together to identify which zone we might end up in if that incident happened to us. Next, we identified strategies we could use to return to the green zone, ready to learn! One of the strategies we focused on was the Take a Break station. We can go to the Take a Break station if we are feeling we need a minute to remove ourselves from the task at hand and return in the green zone. At our take a break station, we have calming cards, a bean bag chair, sensory bottles, coloring supplies, fidgets, and play dough to help us. We are also learning how to appropriately use the Take a Break station without taking advantage of it! 

We also had a visit from a couple of 5th grade Kindness Ambassadors. They talked to us about ways we can be kind, or show random acts of kindness. There is now a kindness tree at Dryden where we can share ways that we have helped others!

Centers

During centers these past two weeks, we have enjoyed the listening center with the book The Runaway Pumpkin; building and recording patterns with unifix cubes; rolling, reading, and writing sight words; building letters with legos, and building towers in order from least to greatest using the numbers 1-10!

All About Me Weeks

We have loved learning more about our kindergarten friends! Jaslyn shared with us a special box that is important to her because it was her grandma's, a picture of her family, a dancing monkey and yo-yo  with her name on it that her dad brought her from Mexico, a walking dog, and a baby blanket of hers from when she was little. We were excited to have Jaclyn's mom and sister join us to read the sweet book, Rainbow Fish.

Next, we enjoyed learning about Nell! She shared with us her favorite Barbie Super Girl, and learned that she loves superheroes. She also showed us her favorite Belle dress that even comes with a pretty fan. We got to see a few pictures that are special to her- one of her family, one of her with her friend from preschool, one from a dance recital, and another with her dog, Cocoa, who is 8 years old. She also brought in a bear named Stuffy that her mom bought for her before she was born, and she loves how soft and cuddly he is! Nell's mom mesmerized us with the beautiful fairy tale, The Frog Prince. 

Henry Cole Visit

We had a blast with author Henry Cole! He taught us all about the process of writing, to never stop revising, and never give up on our dreams. He was such an entertaining speaker! We were thrilled to watch him drawing live!

As always, thanks for reading! I look forward to celebrating your child's progress with each of you at conferences, and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your families!