It began with a bus ride...
a walk...
a climb...
Then we waited...We took in a show (pictures are prohibited)
We lunched in the park...
We played.
We raced.
Then we practiced some childrens yoga with our resident instructor Sra. Cameron.
We played Duck Duck Goose.
Editing our own work is the first step to publishing our work. However, as we continue to progress in our abilities it becomes possible to share our work with a friend and ask for help. A new set of eyes read over our daily writing, ask questions, add detail and at last offer suggestions concerning punctuation, spelling and word choice.
We just love sharing our writing!
Literature inspires the craft of writing and art. Ezra Jake Keats "The Snowy Day" is a staple of any winter kindergarten curriculum. We work together to create a similar collage. Each kindergarten thinks of an adventure they've had in the snow, makes the necessary piece and meets together to discuss the project as a whole before gluing down their portion.
Isabella shared about her family celebrations, her friends and family and activities her family love to do. Many children saw themselves in Isabella's everyday life.
The Morning Message is one of the many tasks the children complete in the first ten minutes of our day. After they read the poem, crawl through the tunnel, get a drink, read the sight words hop spots, say hi to Rocky they then proceed to read and respond to the message on the white board. Sometimes is it simply a yes or no question on a graph, sometimes it is a little more thematic.
When the Morning Message was first introduced in November it was a simple sign in. Look how far we have come! No 'run away capitols' in names now :)
If you've been hearing about the "Geometry Flu" Sawyer's Uncle Luke is the blame! Luke visited our classroom with his new math story about a boy who's sense of geometry is suddenly turned on its head.
We wondered if a published author can sit down and make a book in one day or if they must edit, rewrite and ask for help...we decided our newly introduced writing process was even employed by the best of the best.
There is a very blurred line between fun and work in kindergarten. Rocky Road get a clean cage while the kindergarten gets messy.
Gavin is responsible for one chore a week. Sometimes he needs to keep the dishwasher unloaded, sometimes he helps fold laundry, sometimes he feeds the dog. We asked ourselves what would happen if Gavin didn't complete his weekly responsibility. "There would be no dishes." "He wouldn't have any clothes." "AND the dog would DIE!" I am glad we are beginning to understand the weight of responsibility as five-year-olds : )
Gavin let us in on his family traditions. We all agreed that Friday Night Pizza was a great idea! We also thought that eating at least one bite of everything you are offered it a great house rule. "Even your vegetables? Any vegetables??!" Yup, the Conrads are good healthy eaters.
To celebrate we had a Literature Party! We read our favorite books in pairs, we wrote stories and made words, we recited poems and sand songs. Of course, no Lit Party and be complete without a warm beverage. Mrs. K's local Starbucks donated cup WITH LIDS for our homemade cocoa.
Our Run for the Arts dollars go directly to the exposure and enrichment of our student through hiring local artists and teachers to help our kids learn as best they can. During January Mrs. Jorgansen invites two local teachers to help our kids work both sides of the brain. In short, they teach them to juggle.
This assembly is always the favorite throughout the year. Dan and Chris juggle various objects, while teaching the importance of cross-lateral body movement. Many volunteers are selected from the audience...some rather reluctantly. Our aid, Leah, was one such volunteer.
Fully enraptured, the students cheer when they hear that our guest teachers will be here all next week to help all Ainsworth students succeed in PE.
