Constructing our Knowledge

On Tuesday the 8th, my Kindergarten colleagues and I participated in a professional development workshop about Literacy Learning Through Play. I thought I'd use this blog post to show you a bit of what that looked like in our classroom this week.  Below you can see some scenes that the children constructed using wooden blocks and natural materials.  They then labeled their scenes with the use of the snap words this, is, and a  and phonetic or inventive spelling.

On a larger scale, we've turned our pretend area into a mini-library modeled after the Orchard library complete with a check out desk, a table for activity pages, and a lego wall.  The children have been practicing keeping the book bins organized and making sure the books are stamped before checking out.

SO Much to Share!

 I mentioned in a recent newsletter that the three weeks in November go by like the blink of an eye!  I think this post will give you an glimpse at the varied activities that are keeping us busy.  

On the social studies front we are going back in time.  To better understand differences between long ago and today, we are learning about New England family farm life in the 19th century.  And to make this learning come alive we have a pretend area which allows for hands on engagement with old fashioned props. Have a look.

We're also learning to sew and weave!  Sewing samplers have become a relaxing choice at Quiet Time and our Learning Buddies helped the children get the hang of paper weaving.

On the Math front, Math Menu is going strong and will perhaps be featured in the next blog post.  For now you can feast your eyes on the pattern block mandalas that have captivated the designers in the crew.

Our literacy learning has been growing by leaps and bounds!

Below you can see Literacy Stations in full swing- either uppercase/lowercase matching on the pocket chart, identifying beginning sounds in words as a group or on individual mats, and showing what you know about beginning sounds in words on a worksheet.

The white board work below shows the children using their knowledge of snap words to craft some very empowering bits of writing!

You saw some beginning sound work and some snap word work, now you can have a look at some word family work.  This "bat" activity helped us to see how many words could be made with the "at" chunk.

Clearly we are working hard- if that isn't cause for a group hug, what is?

Trying to Keep Up

 Here I am on Sunday evening realizing that I haven't officially moved on from last week until I post some pictures on the blog. I'm preparing to switch our hallway display over to reflect the learning we've been doing with Leo Lionni stories but before I do, here's a look at the children's sunflowers. (And, the people being "bucket fillers" up above).

I mentioned Leo Lionni stories- the first one we read was A Color of His Own. Here is a look at us painting our chameleons.

On Wednesday afternoon our Learning Buddies helped out with some leaf rubbing.  It almost wouldn't be fall without it!

Creativity ran strong last week- in our classroom and in the Library.  Our class had a super time using the Maker Space and choosing different materials to explore.

It's worth having a look at how enthusiastic our crew is about checking out books.  With a new selection in hand, the children are easily occupied as their friends check out at the circulation desk.

It's a Balancing Act

 What's the expression about having a lot of plates in air?  That's how I felt about our class this week. Learning is full speed ahead in all directions AND we managed a field trip to Mr. Wright's house as well as a visit with Officer Bree- our school resource officer for her famous Kindergarten book give away!  Here's a look through some highlights...

Whether engaged in a math game or a self directed construction project, the children are bringing their full focus.

On Wednesday afternoon we set off into the neighborhood for a glimpse at what Fall looks like for chickens, bees, and Mr. Wright's garden! Our fifth grade buddies helped up keep it safe as we walked on the road and a great time was had by all.

Officer Bree (Brianne Williamson from the SBPD) is our school resource officer.  Each year she visits the Kindergarten classes to introduce herself and give away gently used books that the children are allowed to self select.  Here is a picture of our crew with their new-to-them books.

Moving on...

 We were MOVING this week- and I say that in a very broad sense.   I felt the children deepening their learning across all aspects of the curriculum AND we capped off the week with the 5th Annual Orchard Fun Run!  Let's have a look.

On Monday, we had our first Farm to School session!  The children looked at, felt, smelled, and chopped- beets, cucumbers, and parsley.  They also put together a maple balsamic dressing and got to taste this crunchy, fall salad.  We are very lucky to have F to S brought to us by the Common Roots Organization.

Later in the week we learned a poem about sunflowers reaching the end of summer and withering into fall, only to have their seeds sprout again in spring.  We followed this up with some art work that will make its way to our hallway soon.  Stay tuned for the children's responses to "Good bye summer ________.  Hello fall ________". Their individual answers will be on display in the hallway with their art.

With our minds on fall, we headed outside for a fall scavenger hunt with our big buddies!  Can you see some of the fun signs of fall we spotted?  Look for a scarecrow and an apple on a branch below.

That put us in the mood for creating our October calendars that went home in folders this week.

We finished the week with another marker of time passing- this year's Orchard School Fun Run.  In our bright shirts, we stretched to get ready and were filled with excitement when we made it outside. I think this crew had as much fun cheering on their older friends and siblings as they did running the course themselves.  It was a super successful day!

In this last picture you can see our classmates extending their hands to high five some first grade runners on their way around.