As the snow falls....

What do Canadian kids do when the snow is falling outside their classroom window? Big flakes that look irresistible to a five year old. We grab a shovel, we grab a tray and head outside to get some of that fresh, fluffy stuff. First we pat it down and use a Popsicle stick to practice the letters we know, then it is time to create whatever we want. And there you have the beauty of Kindergarten.

Little Scientists....

Wow, science experiments in Kindergarten turn out to be so exciting. Five year olds are just so impressed with the simplest things. Here is what you need, clear cups, hot water, cold water, salt and cooking oil, and candy canes. First, we made a hypothesis about what will happen to each candy cane when they are dropped into each liquid. You will get responses like, "it will explode," and "we will probably see fire." Record all these answers. Next, with your students help drop a piece of candy cane in each liquid.

Now wait, within a few minutes, big things will begin to happen and you would not believe the excitement.

I gave each student their own glass with hot water and a piece of candy cane, they loved it. After we figured out what happened in each liquid, we went back and compared the results with our initial hypothesis. Great excitement for authentic learning. It just can't get much better than that.

Why didn't I think of this before!

What do you get when you take a small plastic pool, throw in some small boxes, scissors, tape and squares of wrapping paper. You get an amazing Kindergarten Center!  I cannot believe that I have not thought of this before.  The kids were so excited to get their hands in that pool and  they wrapped and wrapped and wrapped.   They were measuring, estimating, cutting, writing, and taping.  The fine motor skill development alone was fantastic.  I would encourage all my Kindergarten colleagues to throw together a center like this one, I guarantee it will be a hit.

Sequencing

Kindergarten Sequencing 1 Kindergarten Sequencing 2
Kindergarten Sequencing 3
We will be visiting the computer lab to reinforce our classroom learning about sequencing.  The above links are the sites we will visit.

It's a new month....

In the above page tabs, click newsletter to see our November newsletter, field trip permission form and Parent/Teacher Interview schedule. Also, if you click on the Calendar page tab, you will find the Parent Helper Days listed for the entire year.

Will.i.am sings to the Kindergarten crowd.....

Thanks Mrs. Poulin for finding this little nugget, Sesame Street never gets old.

Happy Thanksgiving to my Kindergarten Kids!

A new month, a new newsletter

Just to let my parents know that our October newsletter is now online. It will be coming home with students on Tuesday. Just click the above tab,"Newsletters 2012-2013" to access this document. Also, an updated calendar on this site is on its way.

I know you have all been wondering....

I know you have all been wondering what we have been up to in Kindergarten during the last few weeks. We have been getting to know one another, learning our classroom routines and learning about apples. We have picked them,counted them, washed them, cut them, ate them, cooked them, painted them and ate them some more. Sit back and have a look at what we do best...

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Let's get this party started!!!

WOO-Hoo!!! I am back in the classroom after a year in a half off. It is time to dust off the ole blog and get back onto the technology roller coaster and ride. I have noticed in my time away from blogging that the number of Kindergarten blogs has exploded. That is fantastic! The more of us who are sharing what we do in our classrooms gives our student's parents insight into their child's day and encourages fellow teachers with a new idea or the courage to try something new. I welcome my new class of smiling 4 and 5 year olds and anticipate a great year.