Shapes, Shapes, Shapes..

We spent the past week learning all about 2 dimensional shapes in Math. We identified and discussed the attributes of squares, rectangles, triangles, circles, trapezoids and hexagons in order to meet the Common Core Standard K.G.3. Identify shapes as two-dimensional (lying in a plane, “flat”) or three-dimensional (“solid”). On Friday, we took our shape experience to another level by engaging with them through the use of playdough. The students were all given a ball of playdough and shape cards in order to mold the 2 dimensional shapes that we have learned about. This hands on experience is helping us master the Common Core Standard K.G.5. Model shapes in the world by building shapes from components (e.g., sticks and clay balls) and drawing shapes. I hope your student came home with great stories of their afternoon in Math!

All About....

In Writer's Workshop we have been working on the Report writing genre. The students have spent the last few weeks writing "All About" an animal or non-fiction topic of their choice. We are working towards meeting the Common Core Standard W.K.2. Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic. We have a wide array of experts in our class! I have had a students write reports on a variety of topics ranging from dogs, bears, hyenas and dolphins to their friends, family, me :) and the San Francisco Giants baseball team. This week we began working with a graphic organizer called a "web" to gather and organize facts about a topic. The students have to tell one fact about what the animal looks like, what it eats, where it lives and something cool or unique about them. If they choose to write about another non-fiction topic, they must include 4 or more facts in their writing. Ask your child what they are "experts" on and find out what interesting facts they know!

Hip Hip Hooray for the 100th Day!!

Time sure flies when you are having fun! 100 days down and only 80 to go! I can't believe how much we have accomplished in the last 5 1/2 months of Kindergarten! On Friday we celebrated the 100th day of school. Each day we add a number to our number line during our Math Workshop. The students have learned how to count by 1’s, 2's, 5’s and 10’s up to 100, as we have been inching towards the 100th day! In order to celebrate all of the hard work that your children have put in, we had a celebration that was ALL about 100! We kicked off the big day by reading Miss Bindergarten celebrates the 100th day of Kindergarten. Each student made a Miss Bindergarten hat that reinforced numerals of 10. During Writer's Workshop, the students each wrote about what they would do with 100 dollars. The responses varied from buying toy cars, babydolls, fancy purses and even taking out their families for ice cream! Each child had their own idea of what 100 dollars would get them. We had a special gust reader, Mrs. "E," who read the students a great story called "100th Day Worries." The book talked about how Jessica worried about what to bring in for her collection of 100. This was a great segue into sharing our own collections of 100. The students shared several unique collections such as stickers, pennies, crayons, beads and even a creatively designed picture of animals and people made out of 100 objects. We then made 100 day trail mix during Math; which was made up of 10 pieces of 10 different yummy treats (fruit loops, M & M's, gummy bears, etc..). It was delicious and slightly nutritious! To wrap up the day, we made 100 Day sunglasses, which were fun to design and made for a great photo op! All in all, it was a fabulous and fun 100th day! Hopefully your children came home with lots to share! Thank you to the parents who sent in items for our trail mix and those who helped out in the classroom! I couldn't have done it without you!