Hello Wonderful Kinder Families! It has been a big and exciting month of Kindergarten. Over the last four weeks, we have been working on building a strong and caring classroom community. We have worked on establishing daily routines and rituals as well as everyday procedures. We have also made time to ask many questions, investigate, move, sing, dance, and play! We have an intelligent, funny, and delightful group of children in Room 143. Check out the highlights of our first month in Kindergarten. Peaceful Friends: Our First Community Building ProjectIn our first Community Building project of the year, we investigated the following questions:
Our Kinders explored a variety of mindfulness practices. Check out some examples below: They also learned a variety of calming strategies. We also read an amazing book titled, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? The book explains that everyone has an invisible bucket which holds our feelings about ourselves. When our buckets are full, we feel happy. When our buckets are empty, we feel bad. The book provides concrete examples of how to be "Bucket Fillers" such as sharing, using kind words, helping one another, etc. To remind us to be "Peaceful Friends," our Kinders individually created peace pendants. Using Shrinky Dinks and permanent markers, each child drew their own definition of peace. We then strung the pendant at the end of a beautifully beaded string. Through the creation of this beautiful product, our Kinders practiced fine motor skills and giving and accepting critique. Reader's Workshop: We are Readers!In all grades K-5 at HTeCV, we are incorporating the Reader's Workshop model from Columbia's Teachers College. In Reader's Workshop, I lead a variety of mini lessons focused on important reading behaviors, strategies, and skills. Over the last month, we practiced Reader's Workshop norms, introduced "Learn About the World" books (non fiction), and practiced non fiction reading behaviors. Math Workshop: Developing Number SenseIn Kindergarten, Math Workshop is play based with a "hands on, minds on" approach. This approach is enjoyable and engaging; math manipulatives allow students to construct their own models of abstract mathematical concepts. This last month, we focused on counting, reading, writing, and representing numbers to 10. We also started our work with ST Math, an innovative school-wide Math program which allows students to practice essential grade level math skills in a fun and interactive format. Learning with NatureWe are fortunate that our school is situated next to the beautiful Otay Valley. This year in Kindergarten, we will take weekly nature walks exploring our neighboring canyon. This month, we explored our school gardens and the native plants found around our school. We focused on practicing our Explorer Norms:
Cross Age Partnerships: 6th Grade BuddiesThis year, we will be collaborating weekly with Mr. Mac's Sixth Graders. They will be supporting us with project critique and partner reading. Through these partnerships, our Kinders are able to enhance their work and develop trusting relationships with peers within our High Tech High village. Check out this video of us learning our High Tech Elementary song: It has been a busy and magical first month of Kindergarten. During this next trimester, we will begin our new project tentatively called "KINDer Power."
To another great month of learning! With Love, Mrs. Rosemarie
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Welcome!Please check the blog often to read all about the wonderful learning happening in Kindergarten! CategoriesArchives
September 2017
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