American Flags

This week in social studies we talked about the American flag as an important symbol of our country.  The kids painted their own to display at home for Memorial Day.  Ask them how many stars are on the flag!!

In our opinion ...

The last few weeks we have been focusing on opinion/persuasive writing.  The kids wrote, edited, and published opinion pieces about which animal they thought would be the best pet .. a fish, cat, or dog.  Their final drafts and painted illustrations look beautiful on display in the hallway.  Some of them are pretty convincing too :)

Trip to the Nature Center

We had a great time at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center last week!  The kids got to be true scientists as they observed and searched for animals that live in the different habitats we explored.  Below are some pictures from our trip.

Pillbugs!

Here are the kids taking an up close look at our pillbugs.  It always amazes me how some of the kids don't mind letting the pillbugs crawl all over them!

Ways to Make 10 Kites

One of the math standards for kindergarten is:

For any number from 1 to 9, find the number that makes 10 when added to the given number, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record the answer with a drawing or equation.

We have been talking about the different numbers that can be added together to make 10 and practicing finding the combinations by doing different math center activities.  This week we created these Ways to Make 10 Kites that have all the equations written on the bows.  These look great hanging in the windows as we start the month of May!  Ask your child which numbers can be added together to make 10 :)

Welcome Snails, Guppies, and Pillbugs!

In science we are studying and observing different animals to see how they live, how they move, and the names of their different parts.  An aquarium of snails and guppies, and a terrarium of pillbugs joined our class for us to learn about!  Here is a video of the kids labeling the parts of a snail and observing them up close.

                                                           

Sanding Wood

This week in science the Red Alligators found out that wood floats before it gets waterlogged and that we can change the shape of wood.  They each were given a piece of sandpaper and a wood sample to see if they could change it's shape.  They quickly discovered that by rubbing the two together they could smooth out the corners and create sawdust.

The Monkeys

Friends showing how to read/sing The Three Monkeys, with hand movements to go along as well.

 

Fun With Math!

Gabriel measuring the chair with Links!

Ella measuring the tub...how long is that tub?

Adding numbers using playing cards.

 

Listen to the conversation between the students!  Listen to the numbers!

 

A friend is showing how to do the chips addition.

Making 5



 

At the end of kindergarten the kids need to fluently know their math facts within 5.  Practicing learning the different pairs of numbers that go together to make 5 will  help the kids with both addition and subtraction facts.  Below are a couple activities that help the kids memorize these combinations.

 

 

 

 

100th Day of School!

The kids were busy on the 100th Day of School creating special crowns, counting 100 footsteps in the hallway, and making fruit loop necklaces.  We even had a special 100th Day snack!  They proved that most of them can count to 100 by 1s and by 10s, which they have to be able to do by the end of kindergarten.  We had lots of fun!

 

Friendship Celebration

The kids enjoyed celebrating Valentine's Day last week and handing out cards and treats that they brought.  In the morning we made special bags to collect our goodies, and after our field trip we had our "Friendship Celebration" party.  Here are some pictures :)

Winter Concert!

The kids did a great job at their concert today!  They were so excited and proud to share their songs with you.  Here are some pictures of them in action :)