Martin's Big Words

We read this wonderful book about Martin Luther King Jr. We had a comicated and interesting discussion about the work of Dr. King, and our ongoing daily efforts to ensure that all people are treated fairly.

                            

We also looked closely at the beautiful spectrum of skin colors in our classroom.

We then watched a lvideo highlighting the life of Martin Lurher King Jr.

Please feel free to view the video through this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC-RyrakaQM

Mrs. Francke is our School Counselor

Mrs. Francke visits our class each week to share social stories, and to help students practice social skills and strategies. Lessons so far have included: being a " bucket filler", personal space, and " tattling vs warning". We are really enjoying these times with our school counselor.

Puzzling Together

We spent some time this afternoon working cooperatively to complete a puzzle.Each student got a puzzle piece to examine carefully.  Kids helped each other with hints about corners, and edge pieces. Features of "the Starry Night" were also discussed in the group. I overheard" I think this is a swirly star". " this has dark colors and widow lights, so it must go with the village." This  must be part of the Cyprus tree."I see the moon." Tomorrow we will be finishing up kindergarten versions in the style of Vincent Van Gogh.

Happy New Year

I am excited to return to our classroom tomorrow, and can't wait to see all of the kindergarten smiles again. I spent some time organizing our classroom with my daughter. We set up a classroom post office for dramatic play time. If you have any extra stationary supplies, envelopes, stamps or materials that might be used, please send them in!

We also set up a corner table for reading groups to meet. We will be starting to meet in small groups to set reading goals, and to review strategies.

Reading table

Helper extraodanaire!

A Chilly Fire Drill

Fire drills in the winter are mandatory, and create opportunities for creative ways to stay warm. These friends snuggled under my scarf to stay warm together!

December ECO fun!

We had a perfect day for ECO with fresh snow, warm temps, and tons of adult helpers. YAY! Kids got to explore the different ways that animals get ready for winter. They tracked deer, slid like river otters, traveled like birds, built snow caves like grouse, and stored seeds like squirrels, chipmunks and other small critters.

 

 

 

Many thanks to Onion River Sports and Kip for their donation of a hammock, to ensure that everyone can enjoy outdoor classroom days.Thanks to our PE teacher MJ for facilitating the hammock acquisition.

 It was our first day to try the hammock, and it

was really fun!! 

Maria, Ryan, Gavin, Jose, Katie Swick, and Mike were able to join us for the entire afternoon. Many thanks! We hope you can join us again!

A Special Story Time

We had a visit from Amanda's grandma, known fondly as Jo-Jo. She read a special story, THe Polar Express, to the class, and also gave each kindergarten kid their own bell. One student pulled me aside and asked if she was actually Mrs. Claus…. thanks so much for the lovely story time, at a hectic time of year!

Sally the Super Reader Visits!

We were lucky to have a visit from Sally the Super Reader in December. She passed out special badges for all kindergarten kids who were practicing their super reader strategies. She  shared her cape, asked about the super reader strategies that kids used and spent some time reading with kids at Reading Workshop. Sally  was wowed by the kindergarten readers in our classroom.

 

Thanks for the visit Sally!

5th Grade Bake/Craft Sale

This Thursday and Friday the 5th grade will be hosting a craft sale. All monies raised will benefit the annual grade five field trip to Boston this Spring. Items range in price from $.25 to $5.00. Our class will visit for a short time on each day.  If you would like your child to make a purchase, please send an envelope with cash to school sealed and labeled with their first and last name. Thank you!

Kinder-Art Round Two

Our artist focus for this month is Vincent Van Gogh. We have been looking at Van Gogh's painting "Starry Night" and working on kindergarten versions. Kids have been excited to use lots of thick paint like Van Gogh did. We will continue to learn about classic artists and will have a kindergarten show in late April to share the lovely kindergarten artwork.

Special ECO Reminder

A Special ECO Reminder  

All kindergarten classes will  have ECO( Educating Children Outdoors)

this Thursday afternoon.( December 11th)

Please make sure that your child is prepared with winter gear. All kindergarten classes will visit stations at Harrison Field and will spend most of the afternoon outside.Please make sure that your child is prepared with  warm winter gear.

• winter boots
• wool socks and extra socks
• layers of warm clothes
• water bottle
• winter coat
• snowpants
• hat, gloves or mittens
• a complete change of dry clothes (at school)

Thanks so much!

Please join us for this special day! More adults make the stations work better, and we love lots of helpers for ECO! Contact your child’s teacher if you can join us from 12:15-2:30 this Thursday afternoon.

Kindergarten Sight Words- practice time!