Learning About Vincent Van Gogh

We have been learning about Vincent Van Gogh, and have been studying his swirly starry style. Our Kinderart program encourages young learners to look carefully at classic pieces of artwork, such as Van Gogh's "Starry Night". Kindergarten kids explore the style of the artist, then attempt to create their own artwork in the same style. We have been carefully working on "Starry Night"pieces in room 7. Several phases have been completed, with a few more steps to go. Please ask your child about their impressions of Vincent Van Gogh, and their attempts to paint like Van Gogh.

 

 

 


All of the pieces form the Kinderart program, will be displayed at a year - end Kindergarten Art Night.
We will keep you posted.

Fiddlesticks

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s “Fiddlesticks!” String Trio performed for our school on Tuesday. The performance of three musicians from the VSO was lively, interactive and comedic, making the performance interesting as well as a beautiful demonstration of string instruments. The event was a wonderful introduction of the key instruments in the strings family in the orchestra. This event was funded by a grant from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. Many thanks to Ms. Sales, our music teacher for her efforts to bring the arts to UES.

 Members of “Fiddlesticks” are: David Gusakov, of Bristol on violin; Hilary Hatch, of Leicester,  on viola; and Bonnie Klimowski, of Fairfax, on cello. (They also brought “Godzilla,” the bass fiddle, with them!)

Animated" Starry Night"

Starry Night (interactive animation) from Petros Vrellis on Vimeo.

Putting Numbers in Order

We have been exploring the "teens" in math. A recent activity, called "Kid Count" allowed kindergarteners to order numbers. Each child received a number card, and together the group sequenced the cards. It was a particularly fun activity while wearing pajamas.

Dramatic Play

Dramatic play in kindergarten offers opportunities for children to use language skills, practice social skills, and to stretch their imaginations. Each day at choice time( also known as centers time), children are able to go to the dramatic play area.

The dramatic play area in room 7 turned into a hospital last week. Thanks to some donations from parents who actually work in hospitals, we have some great equipment to explore health care. The reception desk has been very popular, and many calls have been made on our old fashioned dial phone(new to many kids) to report a variety of ailments. A clipboard is used to document illnesses, and the most common question seems to be, "Do you have pain?"

School nurse Sarah Mele was invited to the hospital, and suddenly felt ill herself. Fortunately, the kindergarten kids were able to make her feel better, by applying ace bandages, and a rousing rendition of"Happy Birthday". Kindergarten kids know that music helps people feel better...

Good thing we have those special pink buckets, some patients felt awfully sick.

Several health care professionals assist this patient. He looks like he doesn't mind at all.

Sometimes the patients need to use the phone too, even with two broken arms.

Sharing Time is Starting This Week

Each morning, our class begins with a  morning meeting and a greeting.This week we will introduce a new component of the meeting,"Sharing Time". Children  will have a chance to share some news of interest with the class. Usually four children share each day. Sharing might be about a visit to a grandparent, store, library or friend’s house. It might be sharing a special rock from a collection, or a special happening with a friend or sibling. It might be sharing of a special treasure that your child possesses. After the child shares, he or she asks the circle, “Are there any questions?” In the conversation that follows children learn much about each other, especially respect for someone else’s ideas. Please help your child to be prepared to share on his or her sharing day. Also, help your child remember to not bring toys or cars to school for sharing.  

Sharing Days

Mondays- “Lightning Share” (everyone tells about their weekend)

Tuesdays- Amelia, Ari, Carson, Chen-Chen

Wednesdays - Chi-Chi, Elvis, Grace, Hannah

Thursdays-Isabel, Jiya, Joseph, Mallory

Fridays-Owen,Ruby, Russell, Soren

For more information about the Responsive Classroom approach, morning meeting, or sharing time, please click on this link: http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/about-responsive-classroom

Making Cornbread and Butter

During the week of Thanksgiving, we were so busy in kindergarten, that I did not get a chance to post about our cooking experiences. We made cornbread together. Our high school volunteer, Metta helped students read, measure and mix to create corn bread and corn muffin batter.

 

As the corn bread and corn muffins were baking in the oven, we made some butter together. Everyone had a chance to shake our cream filled jar, as we sang, "Come, butter, come. Come, butter, come. ______'s at the garden gate, waiting for a buttered cake, Come, butter, come."It took some hard work to create this butter, and Russell noted that the Pilgrims actually used a churn to make their butter.

Vermont State Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca, and Montpelier Superintendent Brian Ricca, joined in on the butter making and the butter song. They were amazed that kindergarten kids could make their own butter. Later in the afternoon, we pushed all the tables together for our own cornbread feast. Everyone sang "Thanks a Lot", then enjoyed cornbread and butter. It was a lovely kindergarten Thanksgiving.

 

Giving Thanks

At this time of year,  I  reflect upon all of the things I am grateful for. I am so glad that I have your children in this class. They have come to school excited about learning, and open to new ideas. We have had generosity of spirit, and many acts of kindness. I appreciate all of your family involvement, your donations, and your support. I look forward to our time togethr in the next two years.

Enjoy your family time this week, and have a fantastic Thanksgiving!!

Thank you!

The First Thanksgiving

Did You Know?

That the Mayflower was as big as two trucks?
That the children on the Mayflower had no toys?
That on the Mayflower there were 2 dogs and 1 cat?
That the children slept on the floor on the Mayflower?
That their clothes were torn and smelly?
That the trip lasted 2 months and 3 days?
That the first houses built in Plymouth had straw roofs that often caught fire?
That benches were used for tables?
That there were no glasses for the Pilgrims to use?
That their mugs were made of leather and wood?
That there were no forks to eat with?
That the Pilgrims used shells for spoons?
That each family had one pot which was used for stews, soap, and candle making everyday?
That the Native American who helped the Pilgrims the most was named Squanto?
That the children in Plymouth did not go to school the first year?
Did you know that in Colonial days, good manners meant children stood for all meals, all family members wore hats while eating, and children only spoke when spoken to at meal time?
That the first Thanksgiving was in October?
That the first Thanksgiving lasted 3 days?
That on the Mayflower only salted beef, fish, and a bit of butter was eaten?
That the Native Americans brought a gift of 5 deer to the Pilgrims?
That the Pilgrims ate lobster, clams, oysters, fish, carrots, cucumbers, cabbages, turnips, beets, radishes, onions, turkeys, geese, duck, deer, fruits, and popcorn?
That 90 Native Americans came to the first Thanksgiving?
That not one Pilgrim chose to return to England when the Mayflower sailed back?

Kindergarten Sing-Along

Each month the kindergarten classes have gathered to sing a song related to the theme of study. This month, our music teacher, Ms. Sales, taught the song,"Thanks a Lot", and led the sing-along.We will continue with this community building activity each month and promise to share all songs with kindergarten families at a year-end "Kindergarten Celebration."

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Do You Know Your Alphabet? (ABC song for kids! Song by Mark D. Pencil...

Thanksgiving Luncheon

Please join us for a special lunch on Wednesday, November 14th. We will eat together in our classroom. A turkey dinner is available for purchase from the cafeteria.Please plan to arrive a few minutes before our lunch time -11:50-if you would like to purchase the school lunch. You can sign in at the office, and go right to the cafeteria to buy your lunch, and help your kindergarten kid too! We will all then meet in the classroom to enjoy a meal together. Everyone, including cold lunch kids, will get a piece of pie to celebrate....