Comparing Author's

Kindergarten learned all about authors and illustrators. Morah explained that sometimes we can have the same book title but because the author is different, the story may be altered a bit. Recently we read three version of The Mitten, one by Jan Brett, another by Alvin Tresselt and the last by Jim Aylesworth. Though the basic story was the same, the children compared each beginning, middle and end of the stories. They also compared the different animals in the story and were also able to find the common ones in all of the stories. We kept a chart each day we read a different version. The children even took out their gloves/mittens while we read the stories.

Our World Bulletin Board!

Kindergarten learned all about Our World and continue to review.

We spoke about:

• The difference between a globe and a map
• The seven continents
• Animals from around the world
• Climates around the world
• Various Native American homes
• Pilgrim children chores

The children were asked to bring in pictures of places visited from around the world. We created a bulletin board with a map of the world in the middle surrounded by all the the collected pictures. Then we took a push pin and placed a string from each picture the children brought in, to the area on the map they visited, then placing another push pin there to mark the spot. Morah showed the children how our web works. They are so excited for you to see it!

Subtraction With Cheerios!

Our next math unit is subtraction! To introduce the concept of "taking away", Morah gave each child a plate with 10 cheerios on it. Then each student was asked a subtraction question. They would subtract the number from their cheerios and answer the question. What a fun and yummy was to learn about subtraction!

Handwriting Centers

Kindergarten learned the proper formation of Capital S. Morah demonstrated how to write it at the board, then we listened to our Handwriting Without Tears CD and had some fun! After the demonstration, the children went to their centers. We reviewed by doing letter S in the workbook, using wooden pieces to form the letter, a magnetic board to form the letter and chalk boards.

Addition continued

As we end our unit in addition (but will always be reviewing), the children have been using many hands on manipulative's. Below is a Velcro board the children worked with today. The children have also started the Georgia Standards which is a more thought provoking way of applying addition and math concepts being taught. For example, this week we had 2 jars and 10 gumballs. Morah asked how many different ways could we make ten using the gumballs and 2 jars. They came up with many different ways. It was great to see their minds figuring it out!

Reading & Writing Centers

Thanks to many of the parents, our classroom's manipulative's have grown and grown. Our shelves are filling up with various educational games and supplies.

In Reading we have learned various skills to use while reading:
1) Use the pictures to try and figure out the words
2) Look at the initial sound of the word
3) Use your finger to keep your place under each word
4) Sound out the whole word

We have also been going through the Red sight word list that was sent home for practice. Below are games that reviewed sight words, short vowel words and writing skills.

Sight Word Magnetic Sentences

Copy and Write Lists

Creating and Reading Short Vowel Words

Phonics Stamps- Children fill in the letter/sound missing from the word