Reading in Kindergarten

We are readers!  

Kindergarteners are in the routine of choosing their own books.  They are picking a variety of texts to include song books, ABC books, non-fiction, pattern books and science readers.

Students have time each day to read independently, in small groups and with partners.

We are learning that readers don't only read words, but THINK about what they are reading.  We meet with partners and our crew to talk about our schema, connections, favorite part and questions.

Students engage with books every day because we know that readers become stronger readers by READING books.  

Students are gaining an identify as readers and are reflecting on themselves as readers by thinking about "I am the kind of reader who....."

Outside Adventures

 

I love when we get to leave the walls of the classroom to explore, discover and play.

Outdoors, kids learn perseverance skills by trying new, hard things.

Outdoors, we learn how to care for our crew members and help them when they need it.

Outdoors, we get to explore, ask questions and look for new things.

Outdoors, we forget about store bought toys and use nature to have fun!

Outdoors, kids learn to love nature and grow confident in their abilities.

We are authors

In kindergarten, we have been working hard to follow the workshop model to grow smarter as writers.

We persevered to write our first book.  Kindergarten authors are using high quality pictures to tell their stories.

Students reflected on their own books and thought about how they got smarter as writers.

We used both our high quality checklist and our kindergarten writing rubric.

Finally, we celebrated our writing with our crew and set goals for ourselves.

Play Expedition

Mr. Brian (our principal) and Ms. Heather (our assistant principal) came by the classroom to kick off our play expedition by challenging our kindergarten crew to become play experts.

Learning expeditions involve students in original research, critical thinking, and problem solving, and they build character along with academic skills. All learning expeditions explicitly focus on building literacy skills particularly in reading and writing nonfiction text and writing from evidence.~EL Education www.eleducation.org

For the next 6-8 weeks, we will be learning all about what makes playing together fun and creating our "Play Commitments".  These will be the year long promises we will make to each other to have fun and play!  We will be reading our mentor text, Llama llama Learns to Share to help us notice how sharing makes others feel and why sharing is important.

We will be studying the attributes of toys, reading books about toys and researching different toys around the world.  We will write about our favorite toys and also interview a crew member to learn what toys they enjoy.  We are excited about this challenge!

I love this reminder of how quick time goes!  We look forward to making play and fun an important part of our day!  We are excited to share all of our research with you in the coming weeks!

Ready, Set, Let's Go

 Welcome to Kindergarten!  I am beyond thrilled to welcome my new kindergarten crew.  The classroom is clean and organized.

It sure looks ready for a new kindergarten crew.  I need the walls decorated and cubbies filled with the work, thoughts and wonderings of some curious kindergarteners.

I hope you are up for a year of adventure and new learnings.  Can't wait for this classroom to have kindergarteners who are ready to read, write, explore, wonder and become kind friends.  See you soon, my friends!

School's Out for Summer

School is out for the summer and it is time to unplug!  What an adventure online learning in kindergarten has been.  I am so proud of the perseverance by both students, teachers and families.  Now it is time to get outdoors and explore!

May you have a summer filled with lots of outdoor play, afternoon popsicles, bike rides, reading under a shady tree on a blanket and many hours of curiosity and exploration!

EL Better World Day

What an honor it is to be an EL school that celebrates Better World Day!  Since we are on remote learning, our Fox Creek Community decided to spread compassion to all of the people who are taking care of us during this time.

  Students spread compassion by making rocks for the community to let them know we are so thankful for their hard work.

Students thanked our EMT, doctors and nurses by saying thank you on sidewalks and streets.

Signs were made and letters were mailed to our fire departments and police stations.

Thank you for making the world better Fox Creek!  Look HERE for all the great things that happened on this day. 

Learning At Home

I received this image and it is a true reflection of our daily crew meetings.  I have loved to see how learning has been transformed as it happens out of the classroom.  I look forward to our daily whole group crew, the small group interactions with kids, one on one conversations and special crew lunches.

Thank you families for getting kids outside and showing them that nature can be a fantastic teacher and a better classroom.  I have loved hearing of the adventures that are happening and what kids are exploring!

I can't believe the new things kids are trying and the courage they are showing.  I am amazed at the opportunities students are encouraged to participate in.

Students are proud of new things they are trying in the home as well.  I am hearing of cooking opportunities, art experiences and family games.  Our collaboration muscles continue to grow stronger as we play with family members.  Students are showing contribution by being helpers at home.

Learning From Home

We will embark on the adventure of online learning from home for the remainder of the school year! 

HERE is a great article from NPR

I have loved seeing pictures of what learning looks like at home.

Kindergarteners are contributing at home by cooking with their families.  Others are using lessons sent over the computer to help them learn from home.

I encourage you to set a rhythm of your day so students know when work time is, recess/outside play, rest, chores and free time to include creative time.

Having designated work spaces around the home are helpful.

Remember kindergarteners shouldn't sit for long.  I highly encourage movement after every academic subject.  Check out 

YouTube Exercise

Go Noodle

Young Heart Yogis

Cosmic Kids Yoga