Mark Your Calendar!

Please be sure to mark your calendar for some Kindergarten entertainment!

On Wednesday December 19th (tricky to see...should read nineteenth) please feel free to join us for a little classroom concert. Can't make it? Please consider sending an Aunt, Uncle, good family friend, Nanny, or Poppa in your place so that everyone will have a smiling face at them from the audience. Following our short concert there will be the opportunity to complete an edible craft with your child as well as indulge in some milk and cookies!

We will begin at 10:30 in your child's classroom (Room 102).

Please remember that we are a scent-free school; if you are bringing someone with you or sending someone in your place, please be sure to pass the scent-free message on to them as you/they will not be permitted within the school (this includes perfumes, hand/body lotions, hairspray etc.)

Look forward to seeing you!

I want to be a Scientist!

The tables in the classroom always have activities at them that are open for the children to go to as long as there is a spot available. Recently we talked about Scientists and what a Scientist might do. Upon discovering an empty chair at the colour mixing table one little guy came up to me and told me he wanted to go be a Scientist! It was so sincere and ever so cute as I watched him wander over and get down to business!

The theme of colour has truly lent itself to a unit of predicting, exploring, experimenting, and discovering as any great Scientist might do. Check out the pictures below of my little Scientists:

 

Paper Towel Experiment

 

Milk and Food Colouring Experiment

 

 

Can You Help?

December 12th marks the date for Santa's Seconds here at Stonecrest. I love to shop, but it can be tricky with 19 little friends who are trying to make some serious decisions and purchases! It is quite a busy time and I was wondering if anyone might be able to come in (about 4 or 5 Moms or Dads) and help some of the students out. The only job requirement is patience!!! ;o)

I understand that it is tricky to take time off of work for these types of situations. We will be having a classroom Christmas concert one morning the week of December 17th so I completely understand if you are unable to assist with our shopping adventure so that you can make our classroom party instead (details will follow shortly).

If you can help me out please drop a note in your child's Note Tote and I will get back to you with more details.

Many, many, many thanks!

Something Useful

Each morning we predictably sit and discuss the letters in my helper's name. Students are exposed to both upper and lowercase letters during this time and the specific sound that each of the letters make. I try to find various ways to review the letters (this month being if they are tall, small, or if they fall) so that the children continue to be engaged and feel success as they increase their recall.
Each week we do the "letter of the week" so we don't miss any (like q, z, x, etc.). When teaching the letters and their sound there is always an action that goes with them from a program called Jolly Phonics; I found this handout online and thought I would share:

http://www.communication4all.co.uk/Phonics/JP%20action%20Sheets.pdf

So far we have worked specifically on Tt, Ll, Hh, Ii, and Ee.

Hope it is useful!

Library...

Library day tomorrow!

 

 

 

Library will be every Tuesday until Christmas!

Some Extras...

Have a peek at some of the extras that the children were up to last month.

Teamwork to complete a tricky puzzle!

Making silly spider hats!

 

On a letter hunt!

Library Day Monday

It is Library Day on Monday! Please remember to return your child's book so that they can borrow another!

Sorting 101

Remember last month when each child's name was selected to help take attendance to the office, be the line leader, and overall helper? If it was John's turn we talked about the letters (capital and lowercase), how many there were, what it looks like on a ten frame etc. Well this month we are sorting the letters in the helper's name and deciding if  they are tall, small, or if they fall (See Vala's name below). As we sort the letters we are having yet another review and quicker identification of upper and lowercase letters.

Sorting is something the children are very comfortable doing....especially when it comes to sorting colours! Below is a chart that we worked on together for a number of days and later used for referral in the completion of another, more independent, activity revolving around Halloween items.

But wait.....we couldn't stop there! Why not incorporate a language activity too! Notice the piece of paper in the student's hand? He is looking carefully at the word in his hand and comparing it to the chart paper to see if this is the word he is looking for to finish the sentence that tells how he sorted. Strategies such as identifying the initial letter on a word, counting letters and comparing were all topics of discussion! It was so much fun to watch, listen, and see their reaction when they found the word they needed!

Count 'em

This fun activity had students recognizing a number in standard form and correctly placing that number of spiders on the web. Add tweezers for more fun!

 

 

We Borrowed Books!

We visited the Library today and borrowed our first book!!

 

Because our school runs on a 5 day cycle, please note that Library Day will change based on PD Days and Stat Holidays. Next week we will have Library on Monday again (Day 3) but because we have a PD Day on November 16th, Day 3 will then be Tuesdays until another holiday or break occurs.

Please remember that your child won't be able to borrow a new book if they forget to return the book from the previous week. I'll give a heads up here on the blog of Library day but I will also remind the kids too.

Catching Up!!!

Whew...time flies! Thought I would post some pictures of the children dressed up in costume. We had a wonderful time dancing, parading, and eating those yummy snacks that were sent in! Thanks again!

 

 

 

 

I knew that the children would be so exhausted the next day and that it would be best to keep things pretty low-key soooooo......we baked! Here we are making mini pumkin pies with Mrs. McDonald!

If your child enjoyed the treat here is the link to the recipe....they are pretty tasty and to make it even easier I just purchase the premade mini shells.

http://www.food.com/recipe/mini-pumpkin-pies-91412  

Meet Our Buddies

One of my favourite things to do in the school year is to spend time with some Big Buddies! Having Buddy time is incredibly rewarding and heart warming as I watch older students engage in the activity time they share with their JK Buddy. This year we are very lucky to be working with Mrs. Wilker's Grade 3's! If you were to peak through our door you would see us enjoying books, games or activities that help to support or review concepts that are being taught in the classroom. The children, both young and old, always look forward to Day 2 (Fridays for now)!

  

Play-Doh!

Thanks for the Play-Doh this month Hannah's family and Vala's family!