We have been busy in Kindergarten!  The children are starting to settle into the daily routines more and more each day.  We also continue to work on social skills and building independent skills with not only solving small problems with friends, but also with packing up our backpacks, getting our coats on, and completing academic tasks throughout our day.  Below is a look into what we've been up to these past few weeks.

Math

Last week we ended Unit 1 with a focus on patterns.  There was a lot of misconceptions of what a pattern was as many children thought patterns could only be 2 colors and you couldn't use letters to make patterns (for example: a ABCABC pattern).  We explored patterns through motion, sound, and Unifix cubes.  We also learned that there can be different types of patterns and we came to the conclusion that patterns are predictable and they repeat.

A new math station was introduced during these lessons: Unifix Cube Patterns.  At this station, the children are picking an Unifix Cube Pattern card, building the pattern using Unifix Cubes, and extending the pattern with cubes.  Last, they make a record of the pattern with crayons on the record sheet.

This week in Unit 2, the lessons continued to focus on the development of counting (1:1 correspondence), looking at groups of dots (cardinality) and being able to instantly recognize groups of dots (subitizing).  The children have been introduced to the five-frames with two colors of dots and reintroduced to the ten-frame.  These are mathematical tools that the children will be using throughout the school year to help build their number sense.

Another new math station was introduced this week: Count and Compare Dots.  At this station, the children are playing with a partner.  Each partner picks a ten frame dot card, counting the dots on each card, and comparing the amounts.  They spin the Greater Than or Less Than Spinner to determine who gets the cards.

Other Math Stations that Have Been Introduced Include:

Beat You to Five

In this game, partners take turns spinning the spinner and placing the indicated number of Unifix cubes on their side of the game board.  The first player to cover all five cubes exactly wins.

Which Numeral Will Win?

In this individual game, the children practice writing numerals on their record sheet.  They trace over the number they spin, continuing in the rows until one row is complete.

Other Math Stations

The children have been participating in other math stations that focus on working with numbers 0-10.

The children are making numbers 0-10 with play dough, then showing what that number looks like in a ten-frame and then practicing writing the number.

This is a favorite!  Children have been having fun creating numbers with Legos.

Writer's Workshop

We have been continuing our Launching Unit and are hoping to finish this unit toward the end of October.  The children have been learning how to stretch out their words by saying the word slowly and writing letters that represent those sounds.  They have also been learning how to try their best and  not giving up.  We've been saying "I think I can, I think I can" when something seems hard, which is inspired by the book The Little Engine that Could.

Below are some pictures of children who were trying their best to draw someone doing a headstand and writing the word balance, all part our mini-lesson on Writing Even Hard-to-Write Ideas.

Last week, the children learned that famous authors, including Donald Crews, write books that have lots of pages about the same topic.  They learned how to turn their pieces into books and they are now practicing how to plan their books by telling what's going to be on each page of their book prior to actually writing words and drawing pictures.

Fundations/Word Study

This week we began focusing on letters and their sounds.  The first 4 letters were introduced to the children: m, s, r, b.  The letter, keyword (a picture that begins with the particular letter on the card that helps the children with learning the name and sound of the letter), and sound were introduced for each letter.  These were practiced (called Drill Sounds) each day we had Fundations.  Echo and Baby Echo (snowy owls) help the children learn the letter names and sounds.  The children were introduced to the sky line, plane line, grass line, and worm line when learning how to form the letters correctly.  Using this language at home with your child when he/she may be practicing handwriting will be very important.  Each week in your child's Friday folder, you'll find more information on the language used when forming letters correctly along with some practice worksheets.  Remember these are optional and if your child chooses to complete them, make it fun!

The children also sorted pictures multiple times throughout the week by their initial sounds, which the sorts are focused on the letters for the week (m, s, r, b).  Each week, the children will be completing a new sort and completing activities around these letters that are introduced.