TIME TO SHINE ALL STARS!!!

Whew, the first week is complete and it went well.  Reflecting upon our experience this week, I have to say our most impressive quality shining through is community.  These kids worked very well together though various group activities.  I was very pleased with our work in math and science groups especially.  Below you will see a description of our work so far and some information about class procedures and updates.  Also, check out the pics of our awesome science work!

Math: In math, students worked in groups to play a couple games and also to create multiple towers.  We used our towers to discuss number patterns and also they will be used to decorate our math closet.  Again, mathmagicians worked very well in groups this week.

Science:  We spent the majority of our science time practicing making quality observations.  Scientists made observations during a science experiment and also on our school playground an garden areas. A lot of our science experiences in September will include walking community field trips around our city.  Please read the letter in the Friday Folder about our community experiences.  In fact, next week we will already have 2 walking field experiences and students are already planning to be prepared.

Social Studies:  As geographers, we looked at books about the earth and we also started our world map project.  This is the first assignment for the Where in the World theme that integrates reading, writing, art, media, and geography.  There is also a Where in the World packet in the Friday Folder explaining this project.  The WITW project will be our focus for a most of Aug/Sept and we will celebrate with the Travel Show on Oct. 3.

Writing:  In writing, writers have started their I AM poems.  These poems provide an opportunity for us to learn more about each other and practice using descriptive language.  The final copies will be outstanding pieces of work kids and families will be proud of.

Reading:  In reading, we spent time making sure we had our materials and read a lot of read aloud picture books.  Next week, we will take the STAR assessment and begin our independent reading routines.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Our recess/lunch time has changed to 11:55-12:45 in order to help our kindergartners move efficiently through the lunch line.

2. Please check the Friday Folder for these important notices and others:

 Ecological Literacy Study with the University of Missouri - this packet requires parent permission and is part of a great partnership we created with the Architecture and Education dept. at UMC.  This packet has all the information on the program and will provide us with strategies to use the fabulous Ecoschoolhouse more effectively in our curriculum. 

CPBL Letter:  This letter describes our Community Project Based Learning curriculum we use throughout the year as the base of our integrated science work.  

WITW packet:  This packet provides information and due dates for the projects involved in our Where in the World Theme. 

3.  This blog is the best way to stay up to date with classroom information.  It is updated more than once a week on average with information, photos, and important announcements.  I will also send a weekly email with the same information.  For a few weeks, I will also send a paper copy in the Friday Folder but after that I will only send paper copies if requested so please let me know if you would like to receive paper copies of the blog.  Thanks!


With so much happening the first week, I may have forgot something so please don't hesitate to email or call with questions.  Overall, it was a very good week and we are in the swing of things already!

SOME OF THE BOOKS WE'VE READ ALREADY:

 

KIDS WORKING ON A MATH PUZZLE:

 

OUR FIRST SCIENCE EXPERIMENT (mixing dish soap with milk and food coloring to see the reaction and then discussing cleaning animals after oil spills).

 

 

 

AWESOME SCIENCE OBSERVATIONS: