Quiet Time without Blankets

We no longer need blankets for quiet time in our classroom! We are having quiet choice time in a variety of ways, and will no longer be lying down on the carpets to rest bodies and brains. Today, we listened to some music while quietly drawing. Some days we listen to Sparkle Stories. On other days we might choose to do some yoga poses or other calming activities to encourage centered bodies. Thanks you for all of your help, and please keep blankets and bags at home.

Reading in kindergarten!

Today we read a book by Todd Parr called "Reading Makes You Feel Good."

We discussed the many ways to read a book. Readers can read the words, or they can read the pictures. Sometimes readers can also retell a story that they have heard before. Each day, kindergarten kids get a chance to practice "read to Self". At this time, they may choose familiar books from a bin, to practice reading.

We have also been collecting lots of words that kindergarteners can ALREADY read! Thanks for your help at home with this project. Keep those words coming in…we want to fill up the whole board!

ECO ( Educating Children Outdoors)

We will be traveling to Harrison Field for ECO lessons this year.  We plan on having two classes go to Harrison Field from about 12:30-2:30 on Thursdays.  On December 11th, we will celebrate winter together- ALL Classes! 

 Parent volunteers help make our ECO days run smoothly.  If you are interested in helping out with any of these days, please let me know.  If you do plan to volunteer, we ask that you leave younger siblings at home so that your total focus is on the kindergarten kids.  Thank you for understanding!  We hope you can join us on one or more of these days.

Sept. 25th- with Mrs. Bates Class
Oct. 9th- with Mrs. Dostie's Class
Oct. 23rd-with Mrs. Wrigley's Class
Nov. 13th-with Mrs. Dostie's Class
Dec. 11th- Winter Outing for ALL CLASSES

A Typical Kindergarten Day

Our typical kindergarten day includes group learning times, and individual learning times. We focus on social learning and academic learning. Our daily schedule looks like this:

Morning Meeting

Math Lesson and Explorations

Snack

Art, Music, PE or Library

Writing Workshop

Recess, Lunch and Quiet Time

Reading Workshop

Center Choice Time

Closing Meeting

Here are some snapshots of the different aspects of our day!

Thank You!

Thank you to the families who have sent in  afternoon snacks.
We could always use some additional afternoon "nibbles". Pretzels, cereal, crackers, and apples are all popular with kindergarten snackers!
I will keep these snacks on hand, and can also offer them to kids who have forgotten morning snack.

Safety

Today we discussed the possibility of a "Fire Drill".We learned that fire drills are a way to practice exiting he building safely.We actually had a chance to practice covering our ears from the loud sound, and also traveled outside to simulate a fire drill. Upon returning to class, Mr. Keller was able to answer a myriad of questions. Most were concerned about actual fires, and fire trucks! Who knows, we may actually have a fire drill in the coming days…...

"Exactly the Same"

Our math lesson focused on the language "exactly the same." We looked at a basket of socks and tried to find pairs that were exactly the same. This task is helping to develop skills for describing attributes and comparing.

Looking for socks that are "Exactly the Same"

 

 
 

Some did not have  a match! uh oh!

Mary

Mary Hoyne is an Instructional Assistant(IA) at Union School. She is assigned to our classroom this year, and is able to work in our classroom  to support an individual student, and to also support any kindergarteners who need help. We feel so lucky!

Our First ECO trip To Harrison Field

On Thursday we traveled to Harrison field for our first ECO(Educating Children Outdoors) day. We were able to explore the field, see what was growing, and to play together. We will use this site for many of our ECO lessons this year and will also explore the forest.

We practiced our learning circle and our 3 cares:
1. "I take care of myself."
2. "I take care of my friends."
3." I take care of my community."

It was a wonderful day to be outdoors!

 

 

 

 

 

We will be developing an ECO schedule, and would LOVE parent volunteers. Most likely we will head out from 12:15-2:30 on Thursdays. Keep an eye out for a volunteer sheet …..

Magic Playdough

 
 

It looks like it is going to be a GREAT school year!

The First Day!

September 2, 2014

Dear Kindergarten Families,

We had a wonderful first day of school!  We began our morning with our “Morning Meeting” and learned a new song.  We will sing “The More We Get Together” to start each day in the beginning of the year.

We also read a story, Welcome to Kindergarten, by Anne Rockwell, got to know our new friends, and explored some math learning tools.  

The children met their music teacher, Ms. O’Hara, and listened to the classic story by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

At the end of the day, we explored “Magic Playdough”. Check out our class blog for some photos of the magic. http://www.mrskochsnews.blogspot.com

Here are some questions to help start a conversation with your child about their first day of kindergarten:

• Tell me about what you did in music class today.
• What do you do when you hear Mrs. Koch ring the chime?
• What is the name of one of your classmates?
• What did you play on the playground?
• Tell me about the ways you played and learned in the classroom.

I’m looking forward to a wonderful year together!
Peace, Susan

susank@mpsvt.org

“The More We Get Together”

The more we get together

Together, together

The more we get together

The happier we'll be

Cause your friends are my friends

And my friends are your friends

The more we get together

The happier we'll be

Our Kindergarten Class

I have met almost everyone in our class, and can't wait until we get to be together. On Thursday afternoon, you will get a chance to visit the classroom form 3:30-4:30. See you all then!

Thea

Devontay

Erika

Ayden

Zane

Elizabeth

Holden

Liam

Irebe

Mason

Brody

Amanda

Evelyn

Anna

We currently have 14 students in our class!