Growth Patterns

We have now begun our road to mastering growth patterning. Kindergarten will soon bridge the gap between building patterns and writing them in numerical form. Some of us have already connected the concept with 'skip counting' by twos, fives and tens.

Dia de los Muertos

On November 2, 2007 we celebrated those we have loved and lost. For some, it was their first encounter with death, for others it was a yearly celebration we all learned to join. Everyone got a turn to stand next to our 'alter' and tell the class who they were celebrating, what their favorite thing about that person or pet was, and answer questions their peers asked.

When one of our classmates began to cry, the class showed their support and understanding with the sign for 'love'. Discussion began to get very personal when some students asked where their loved ones had gone and why. Mrs. Kurkinen allowed the students who were presenting to answer these questions even though their answers were not what some expected.

One of the questions asked was, "can you call some one who has gone away?" The class said no, but that you can write them a letter and either "burry it next to their stone" or "send it to God so He can read it to them".

Kindergarten has since written about their loved ones (people, pets or toys) and asked them one question they want to know. These are now on our bulletin board but will soon be coming home for family discussion.

Another Graph Challenge

This by far is the most difficult puzzle kindergarten has thought up. We are very excited to help if you have trouble. If your student needs a hint to remember, just tell them to, "clap it out".

The End of the Pumpkin

After much study and contemplation, Room Thirty-One has finished off our pumpkin unit. Contrary to belief, five and six-year olds will try new things. Every kindergartener tried our cooked pumpkin on Thursday, November 1. Some were pleasantly surprised that all the hard work of preparation paid off with a delicious treat, others were not as convinced. Nevertheless, Room Thirty-One invited other kindergartners to join in the investigation. All in all most every student in the wing got at least a bite. Lehna and Jordan finished off the rest without much help. All of us would like to thank Tiffini Howard for supplying the cooking pumpkin.

Cooking instructions: Cut off top, scoop out seeds, replace top, bake ot 350 degrees for fifty minutes.

Halloween Harvest

October 31, 2007 was a busy day in Room Thirty-One. We made Jack-O-Lantern Lanterns, we grow a stained glass garden for harvest, we paraded through the community and finished the day off in celebration. Kindergarten thanks all the families who took their time and resources to help us survive the day intact. We were very happy to welcome all our loved ones in the classroom as well. Special thanks to Courtney, Pam and Shashi for organizing the festivities, we could not have done it without you as usual.

PatternsPatternsPatterns

Kindergarten has been investigating many types of patterning this fall. We have discovered simple patterning with color and shape. We have also been working on directional and growth patterning. Soon we will explore numerical and musical patterning as well. Ask your student to show you all the ways they can pattern.

Class Meetings

Kindergarten has begun working through our mistakes in "Class Meetings". Once or twice a week we circle up and each take a turn to discuss any problems we have come up against.

In the beginning of the year we use our "talking rock" to mediate these discussions. The rock is passed from kindergartener to kindergartener who takes their turn on the topic.