Squares, Circles, and Triangles...Oh My
Last week in Math we finished up our study of shapes. In a cross-over project with Technology the children went on a shape walk in search of shapes around our school. They took pictures of their finds on the iPad and then worked on books with Ms. Matthes in Technology.
Throughout the week we worked on composing with shapes. We used familiar pattern block shapes made of paper to create pictures and designs.
Later in the week we used white pattern blocks made of paper to create snowflakes.
Those Tricky Teens
This week we focused on number writing and the teen numbers. The children practiced two numbers each day in order to get through all the numerals and 10. We also learned that "numbers in the teens start with a one" thanks to a fun video. All children made a set of number cards that include the teens and practiced putting them in order. We also played "Spin and Record-Teen Numbers", a game which gave us a chance for additional work recognizing and writing the teen numbers.
Bright Light
In Discovery and Literacy we have been working on an integrated mini-unit on light. We talked about light made by nature and light made by people, sorting pictures into each category. This week we talked about opaque and transparent. The kindergarteners did an experiment using clear paper and black paper and observing what happened when shining a light through each. We also made a list of other objects that are either transparent or opaque.
Our author of the month is Robert Munsch. We read or listened to some of his funny stories, such as Mortimer and Purple Green and Yellow. We also read The Dark, the story of a girl who encounters an interesting creature that likes to eat shadows. K105 made their own version of the story.
We also learned the poem "Star Light, Star Bright" We talked about how you can wish on a star, and the kindergarteners came up with their own wishes.
For TEAM Meeting we had conversations about traditions. We read three books about three different winter holidays (Is It Hanukkah Yet?, Night Tree, and My First Kwanzaa Book) to inspire our conversation. We discussed and compared traditions the three families had, and the children shared some of their own traditions. We also learned about the Winter Solstice and noticed that many traditions during the winter holidays involve light.
We continued the light theme in Math, where we did a word problem involving candles.
Finally, we had lots of fun making our very own candles!
We're Growing!
As we grow, our amaryllis plant is growing with us! We've been observing our plant as it grows, and even measured it using cubes. We're looking forward to watching it bloom soon!
Check out a few more pictures from the last two weeks below...