K-1 Happenings Highlights of the Week

Our First Grade Mathematicians enjoyed playing the game "Collect Twenty Together."  They played with partners, taking turns, helping each other keep track of counting, adding, and practicing counting on from a given number.  The children also practiced these skills in whole group lessons and individually.  Grouping and sorting took a different dimension when the children were encouraged to observed these characteristics around the classroom - how and why blocks are sorted, why materials are organized on shelves, etc.  The children also shared how they might organize things at home in their rooms - sorting and grouping in given areas as opposed to throwing things under the bed or a closet just to get them out of the way.  The conversation continues......as the children notice how math is used in their world(s). Check out the Kindergarten Math Blog by Michele http://www.kmathematicians.blogspot.com/

A beautiful Monarch butterfly hatched from our chrysalis.  During morning meeting the children observed, in silence, the butterfly opening and closing its wings to dry them.  They made observational drawings of the butterfly and participated, with excitement, in releasing it in the Butterfly Garden.

Community Circle - the children dressed paper people to represent themselves on the K-1 Community Circle.  We read books and discussed how we are different and how we are alike.  The children also worked in pairs to describe each other's facial features - hair color, eyes, etc.

Change - we began a conversation about change all around us.  The children began by brainstorming what change means to them.  These are some of their contributions in the children's own words:
changing from school to school
little kids change into big kids
changing jobs - my chores at home
money
leaves change color
new stuff in the classroom like the posters (a returning student's observation)
changing from caterpillar to butterfly
seasons change
home days to school days
changing things
necklaces go to different people
some lizards change color
construction things change into buildings

After the brainstorm we read Change: A Story for All Ages by Judith Barnes and Erick James. The children enjoyed discussing the book and it has now become a favorite.  We will continue studying "change" as we move into the fall season.

The Muddy Boots Club this week was about noticing changes in nature.

Enjoy the photos!

Have a peaceful week, Liliana

C