OUR LEARNING:
Popcorn Words – Our popcorn words this week were “have,” “on,” and “of.” We also learned how to break big words apart by writing each syllable (or chunk) one at a time.
Math – We kept plugging along in Unit 5 this week by writing lots of partner equations! For example, if the total is 6, we can write 1+5, 2+4, 3+3, 4+2, or 5+1. We also practiced writing alllllllll the way to 100 again! Boy, our hands were tired after all of that number-writing.
Writing – We wrote a few more how-to stories this week! First, we wrote about how to make cookies. Then, Miss Hutchison brought in all of the ingredients to make pizzas and we wrote “How to Make Pizza.” Finally, the kindergarteners wrote ALL by themselves about how to wash your hands.
Reading – We continued to be avid POETRY readers this week! Avid poetry readers read the words, think about the poem, and match the beat of the poem. We put lots of new poems in our poetry binder this week! We also loved reading all of our JOKES on Friday!!! The kids got such a good laugh. 🙂
Living & Nonliving Things – On Monday, we got to plant our own seeds to see if they will sprout. We got to pick between 4 types of seeds: alyssums, nasturtiums, radishes, or lima beans. So far three of our plants cups have begun to sprout! We can’t wait to watch our plants grow. This week, our class also welcomed in another living thing: CATERPILLARS! We are going to watch these caterpillars turn into butterflies right inside our classroom! The kids are so excited for these two science projects!
Rocks: This week, we learned all about rocks! Each day, we learned about a different type of rock AND we made replicas of that rock type. For sedimentary rocks, we used marshmallows to create sandstone. For igneous rock, we melted chocolate chips (like lava) then let them cool. For metamorphic rock, we used heat and pressure to combine two colors of play-doh.
Then, on Friday, we also explored our rock collections! We worked together to find igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary rocks in our own collections. Then we made a rock investigation journal for ONE special rock from our collections!
Pizza Lunch: We had a yummy pizza lunch on Friday! Thank you to those of you who ordered on Jet’s Pizza night in April!!
CELEBRATIONS:
Top Frog – Every kinder will get the chance to be the Top Frog for one more day when they bring home our ESTIMATION JAR! This fun math practice will help us with our number sense skills, and will be a fun game for our class to play each morning with the top frog.
This week, Henley brought jelly beans in the estimation jar, Harper brought 25 skittles packets, Liam brought lego pieces, Jordan brought 14 hot wheel cars, and Claire brought 71 Shopkins! I wonder what other kindergarteners will bring in next week???
Mystery Reader – Dominic’s grandma came up from Ohio to surprise our class on Friday – what a special treat!
Notes for Parents:
- Our field trip is THIS week on Wednesday, May 8. I will be sending home a preparation checklist to make sure that your kindergartener is ready for our big day! IF IT RAINS, WE WILL NOT BE GOING TO HAGER PARK FOR OUR LUNCH – we will eat our sack lunches in the classroom, and you are still welcome to join us for that!
- This year’s Kindergarten Olympics (field day) will be held on Friday, May 31. If you are able to volunteer, please return the gold form!
- Spring Sports – If your kindergartener is participating in any spring sports (baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, dance recitals, etc.) PLEASE send me some dates when I could come cheer them on! I love getting to watch our little ones do what they love, since they watch me do what I love every day (teaching them!)
Upcoming Dates:
- Monday, May 6 – Music., Take-Home Books, Claire‘s birthday, Culver’s Night from 5-8 (Miss Hutchison will be serving from 6-8!!!)
- Tuesday, May 7 – P.E., Library
- Wednesday, May 8 – FIELD TRIP! Pack a sack lunch.
- Thursday, May 9 – STEAM, Take-Home Books
- Friday, May 10 : Music