Shapes and Figures

We have been learning about 2D shapes and 3D figures.

• We can name and describe 2D shapes and 3D figures.
• We can sort and compare 2D shapes and 3D figures.
• We can see 2D shapes as part of 3D figures.
• We can build structures and make pictures using 2D shapes and 3D figures.

A favourite part of their learning included listening to the song 3D Shapes I Know. Clicking on this link to enjoy this fun learning song with your child.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYaQoBilyls

How many flat and fat shapes can your child find at home?

Take a peak inside the classroom to see how the children have investigated, explored and deepened their understanding of the geometry strand in mathematics.

Creating things with 2D shapes. 

 

         Exploring with the geo-board. 

Four squares and a pentagon!

2D shapes with toothpicks and marshmallows 

Building with solids and curved edges.

Fun exploring with stacking.

Fat or Flat?

Do these solids roll or slide?

Independent Reading

Everyday after lunch, the children are spending time reading on their own.  Literacy throughout the day, a major focus of the Kindergarten program includes opportunities such as: reading stories together daily, looking at poems, working on computers/IPADS, literacy experiences as we play in our classroom, etc...  Now that the children have a good foundation of print concepts, including: locating the title of the book, identifying the front and back covers,  proper ways to handle a book, what letters, words, sentences are and so on ..., we were ready to spend time with our own books.

The children have books in each of their reading bins that suit their individual and ever developing reading skills. These books have been purchased with bonus funds that are earned from our Scholastic Book Fairs.  Much effort goes into organizing and running these events.  Special thanks goes out to all the people who have contributed to the success of these occasions. Our classroom would not be equipped with the needed reading materials without you!  Many children are still learning how to read, while others are reading.  This daily time provides them time to continue on their reading journey.

The children and I built an anchor chart of what a  Good Readers Look Like.  We refer to this list to support us while we build stamina to reading on their own.

Creating a space and time where your child can spend daily time with books at home, either with you, a sibling or on their own is crucial to support reading development.

The photos below show the children engaged in reading during this special time carved into each school day.

   

               

    

IT BLOOMED!

This morning I entered a classroom filled with children jumping up and down, brimming with excitement and chanting "It Bloomed, It Bloomed,  ...  The Amaryllis Bloomed!"

Alex' family gave an Amaryllis kit to our class.  The children were thrilled to plant the curious looking object and see what would happen.

We observed the plant and various children have taken turns writing entries in our Discovery Book.
Each morning the children celebrate the magic of God's hand as we watch the flower grow.

We have wondered about why there is colour in the stem and how it seems to be travelling up to the blossom.  We have counted how many leaves have sprouted and predicted how many days until it will be in full bloom.

Please enjoy some of the beautiful faces of your children wondering and investigating about our pretty Amaryllis.

Please enjoy a sample of the entries the children have recorded.

Amazing Work from Amazing Learners!

 

Pancakes Pancakes! - Shrove Tuesday (Monday)

Special thanks to the parents who cooked us delicious pancakes today.
We loved the warm syrup and the delicious strawberries.
YUM!    

   

       

Happy Valentine's Day!

Colours of red, pink and white filled our classroom.  Love and friendship echoed amongst the children. The strawberry Jello with Cool-Whip and sprinkles was a HIT!  All the children were excited to get home to investigate all their Valentine cards and treats!

We have a great big message.

It isn’t very new.

It has three words,

We LOVE  YOU!

Happy Valentine's Day!

           

Student Led Conferences

Congratulations to the students and families who participated in Student Led Conferences on Thursday Night.  The children did a wonderful job sharing their learning with parents and families. They were fantastic leaders and Moms, Dads, sisters and brothers, were quite good at learning from the Kindergarten children.

A few photos of the evening's events are shared below.

         

       

      

         

        

   

Ice

After exploring with snow in the classroom sensory table, the children were interested in the melting process. 

I asked them to think about how many ways they can imagine to make ice melt.

Zane:  Hot Water

Alex: Cold Water

Gabriel:  A Mitten

Lyla:  The Air

Teacher: What do the trucks spread when they clear our roads of snow?

Audrey: SALT!

We tallied our votes for the fastest method.

Trays with each of ideas were placed on the table and the children took over the investigation.

Here are some of their ideas and theories…

Matteo: The hot water will win I know it….

Alex: Hey look, it’s melting the fastest!

Melanie:  Look the salt made prickles on the ice!

Jayvin:  Maybe the mitten is protecting the ice from the light and so it’s melting slower!

Gabe:  The cold water is going to come in second because that ice cube is the smallest now!

Mackenzie:  The mitten is wet because the water from ice made it that way!

Zane:  The lights are like the sun… they make light and melt the ice.

Zane:  The water from the hot cup is cold now.  I think some of the cold water mixed in with it or maybe the air made it colder.

                           

                                    

The Results:

1st:  Hot Water,   2nd:  Cool Water,  3rd: Salt,  4th: Air,  5th: The Mitten

Part Two: The Ice Cube Melting Contest!

The children were challenged to apply their learning to an ice-cube melting contest. Each child got an ice-cube and planned out how to make it melt.

Who would be melt their ice-cube the fastest?

Some children sat on them…

Others layed on them….

Some children got their mittens…

Some children held them in their hands…

And then….

Matteo put the ice-cube in his mouth!

This was a game changer… I’m done!

How did you melt the ice-cube so fast Matteo?

I put it in my mouth!

Other children adopted that idea…. Here are some of their thoughts...

"The good news is, when it's in your mouth all you have to do is swallow the water when it melts!"
"My hands stay warmer this way!"
"I don't have to move for the puddle of water."

Much fun….thinking….problem solving… and exploration was experienced by all!