I Can Count to 100

This is a fun way to practice counting  those higher numbers!

 We hope to have EVERYONE counting to 100

by "Day 100" of kindergarten (February 11th)!

Workout of the Week

The Coordinated School Health Team (CSHT) identified a need to increase opportunities for moderate to vigorous physical activity for our students. Last week, with the intense cold it was a perfect time to try the concept of "workout of the week."  Throughout the day, we incorporate these 5 minute school wide workouts into our day.  The goal of these workouts is to work out our muscles safely and pump some fresh, oxygenated blood in our brain to be ready to learn.  This type of break is a bit different than our routine singing, dancing, and whole class games.  We have started to add some music for increased motivation while doing the "workout of the week" to help provide motivation (some of these stretches are quite challenging!)  The children are encourage to work through each exercise and repeat the sequence as many times as is possible within the allotted time.

Workout of the Week ( Try it at home):

20x crossovers

5x inch worm

10x scissors

repeat..

Here is our physical therapist, Lilliane Savard, modeling this week's workout. 

Stories and Songs on Saturday

STORIES AND SONGS IN THE CHILDREN'S ROOM EACH SATURDAY

                                                    at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier

Join us in the Children’s Room for stories and songs

every Saturday at 10 am

(ages 2—5)

Are you looking to get out of the house this weekend? Head on down to Bear Pond books for a free story time.

 ALL kindergarten kids will be welcome at this event.

No ECO on Wednesday

Due to dangerously cold weather, and a 2 hour delay in school start, we will NOT have ECO on Wednesday.

We will reschedule the lesson to Friday instead.

"We are different, we are the same, treating people fairly is the name of the game!"

Last week we had a visitor come to our classroom for "Reading to End Racism" day at union School. Danielle LeFleur Brooks volunteered to come and spend about 45 minutes with us to explore some big ideas. She shared some pictures of her own family, presented a puppet show about a ladybug with just one spot, and then guided the class in making self portrait stick puppets. Her theme was "We are different, we are the same, treating people fairly is the name of the game." Danielle taught us some sign language, and also a wonderful chant. Many thanks to Danielle for her lovely lesson.
We will continue to explore these big ideas in kindergarten, and will be using these same terms as we discuss Martin Luther King Jr.

Danielle signs"the same"

Danielle explains that she has freckles and her daughter has brown skin. They are different AND the same.

Ladybug has only one spot, she is different AND the same.

Danielle signs "Fair"

We are special!

Tell me about ECO today......

" I liked building the igloo. I loved jumping in the snow and climbing the mountain."-Jiya

"Playing in the snow, finding tracks by animals, and sliding down hills."-Owen
"We got to sled and find tracks in the snow."-Mallory
" I enjoyed making the igloo with the snow and ice balls."-Ari
"Building the igloo and running around."-Soren
"I liked making the igloo and I liked finding animal tracks."-Russell
"Me like to play igloo."- Chen- Chen
"We made a snow house. I liked finding mammoth snowballs."-Ruby
" I liked climbing the hill then sliding."-Julia
" My favorite was making a snow igloo- I liked it because I filled the cracks between the snowballs.-Amelia
"I like make igloos and I like look  animal tracks."- Chi-Chi
"I liked to run and go in the woods. I like to build." -Elvis
"My favorite part was building the igloo."- Hannah
"I liked making the igloo and getting big snowballs."-Joseph
"I liked making the igloo, I was packing ice balls."-Grace
"My favorite was everything. I liked going outside, running around, and trying to find snow prints, and making an igloo.-Carson

Union School Parent's Group

The Union School Parent's Group has a meeting each month to explore a relevant topic, and build community. This month, the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8th at 6:30. The group meets in the cafeteria. The topic is "School Safety". You are all invited to attend. Participation is welcomed, and snacks and childcare are provided. Hope you can make it.

Kindergarten Reading

A small group explores a new book together, and practices finger pointing.

At literacy time, we have been learning the components of "The Daily Five". Each session begins with a mini-lesson, then students get to practice a component of the "Daily 5". Kindergarten kids have been practicing "Read to Self", "Work on Writing", "Word Work", "Read with a Buddy", and "Listening to Stories". These components have been introduced, and students have been practicing them as a whole group, while I work with smaller groups to introduce new concepts, strategies and books for reading.

In the coming months, kindergarteners will have opportunities to choose which component they work on during each session. They will begin to practice independently, and will continue to meet in small groups, and to conference with me.

Similar books at "just right" levels .

Keep an eye out for take home- book bags next week. Kids will be bringing home books to share, as they become comfortable readers. Please read these books, and return to school when finished.

What an exciting time of year for kindergarten readers.

Goodbye Fall, Hello Winter

Happy New Year and New Playdough in Kindergarten!

Ingredients

         1 cup flour

         1 cup water

         2 teaspoon cream of tartar

         1/3 cup salt

         1 tablespoon vegetable oil

         food coloring

Instructions

Mix together all the ingredients, except the food coloring, in a 2 quart saucepan. Cook over low/medium heat, stirring. Once it begins to thicken, add the food coloring. Continue stirring until the mixture is much thicker and begins to gather around the spoon.

Remove the dough onto wax paper or a plate to cool.