We Are Readers!
The beginning of Reading has two components: learning important routines and envisioning ourselves as readers. To help promote this idea, we looked at familiar signs and logos. We discussed how readers read to get information, and the children discovered they are, in fact, readers! To reinforce this idea, we created an anchor chart. We added that readers look, think, and read. Later, as we introduced non-fiction information texts, we added that readers learn. Along the way, we learned important routines. We learned how to use a chart to determine table stations and rotations. We also learned about "private reading", a time when children have the opportunity to quietly read their own books. |
Marvelous Math Materials
Many of the early lessons in Math include learning important routines and exploring with materials. We learned about the calendar by reading When is Saturday? and the children began using their own calendars to record the days. We also learned about taking attendance, and how to count the number of children present and absent. The children enjoyed watching me model and pointing out my mistakes!
Much of "Math Workshop" was dedicated to exploring many of the materials we will be using throughout the year. Children enjoyed time with pattern blocks, connecting cubes, Geoblocks, and bottle caps. After a day of having an opportunity to rotate through each material, the children got to choose the material they wanted to use. We then did a "museum walk" to check out each other's creations.
What's in a Name?
We spent much of the first two weeks exploring with our names. The children used a variety of materials to create pieces for a "name poster" such as playdough, paint, and bingo dotters. We will be putting together these posters and displaying them in the classroom. They also made their names out of various math materials we had been exploring. Later, we read Chrysanthemum and talked about the length of our names. The children then each made a "name train" by counting out the correct number of Unifix cubes and adding a letter of their name to each cube. Finally, they created a math name poster with multiple components: a number line, a ten frame, and squares with each letter. This poster also asked to record how many letters in their name. Because names are both important and familiar to children, this is a wonderful way to introduce important literacy and math concepts. We will continue to use what we've learned about our names throughout the year.
What's the Weather?
In Discovery, we began by reading a book about the five sense and discussing how we use our senses to learn about the world. One thing we decided we could learn about using our senses is the weather. During Morning Meeting we learned a weather song and learned that the weather is what's going on in the sky. We also learned about thermometers and how they are used. We will be checking the weather and temperature each day and recording our findings on a calendar from now on. To reinforce this learning, the children did a sort of things that are hot and cold. Keep an eye out for more weather learning in the coming weeks! |
K105 is a TEAM!
During TEAM Meeting we focus on building social-emotional skills. Some our first lessons center around defining ourselves as a team. We began by answering the question "What is a team?" The children had many great ideas: teams work together, teams help each other, and teams play together. We used these ideas to help us come up with our "K105 TEAM Agreement". This listed some of these ideas in the affirmative, int he children's own language. Each child then signed the agreement to show that they will follow each component. We will refer to our agreement throughout the year and build on these ideas. |
So Much to Learn and Explore!
One of the favorite (and important) times of our day is Learn and Explore. During this time, children are free to choose where they want to play and with whom. One of the many benefits of this part of our day is that it gives children agency over their play choices. This time also provides numerous opportunities for skill building. In the social-emotional realm, children are working to cooperate, negotiate, and take on leadership roles. There are also many "academic" skills embedded in play, such as the popular "Letterbots". We have learned about the different areas to choose from and how to use each one properly. Over the first week and a half we added new areas and materials. The children were especially excited to open the "dramatic play" area. We will continue to expand the options available throughout the year.
Check out some familiar faces and more shots from this week below...