Week of September 27, 2010

The students and I had another productive week in Kindergarten. We focused on the following:

• Math: We continued to make number posters for the numbers 6, 7, 8, and 9. As we made these posters, we continued to practice counting skills with one-to-one correspondence and grouping items. We also learned how to sort objects using different attributes (color, shape, size).
• Reading/Writing: We made a predictable chart title, "My Name Is..." To create the chart, I wrote "My name is" and the students came to the easel to write their names. During the dictation aspect of this lesson, we focused on sentence structure (starting with a capital letter, left-to-right directionality, and punctuation). We also learned that our name always starts with a capital letter. On day 2, the students read the chart by following my example. For this aspect of the lesson, we focused on the concepts of print (left-to-right directionality, one-to-one correspondence). We also learned that sentences are made up of words and words are made up of letters.
• Phonics/Word Study: We are continuing to learn letter features to make letter identification more automatic for the students. To do this, we looked at the letters in our names.
• Science: We continued to examine the characteristics of Fall during our class meeting and at the Writing Workstation.
• Handwriting: We learned how to write the letters P and B. We also practiced the number one by discussing that it is made of one big line.

Handwriting - We were practicing the letter D in our workbooks. After the children finish their letter practice, they can color the picture at the bottom of the page (This is good fine motor activity.).

Computers - The children have been using paint, but they will soon use www.starfall.com and www.educationcity.com.

Art Creation Workstation - Geometric Buses

Math Workstation - "Pick a Number" For this workstation, the children had to pick a number out of the cup and count the correct number of bear counters. This allowed them to practice using one-to-one correspondence when counting.

Blocks and Legos Workstation - What a creation!

Math Workstation - Working with Pattern Blocks

Art Creation Workstation - Painting at the easel

Week of September 20, 2010

Welcome to the class blog! I hope you enjoy viewing the blog each week. Unfortunately, I am not posting pictures this week because the class camera was being used by the school on Friday afternoon. Not to worry, I will make up for it next week.

We learned the following this week:

• Math: we created a number poster for the numbers 1-5. As we created the posters, we practiced counting using one-to-one correspondence, grouping items, and recognizing number words.
• Reading/Writing: we finished learning about our classmates by conducting interviews and recording the students' responses. We have been conducting one interview each day since the second day of school and learn things such as the student's age, favorite color, favorite food, and number of siblings or pets. Through this activity the students learn concepts of written print (top-to-bottom and left-to-right directionality). They also learn the concepts of print as it relates to reading (left-to-right directionality, a return sweep, and starting at the top of the page) because I read each written interview once it is complete.
• Science: we learned about the start of Autumn by reading, "A Tree for All Seasons," which is a non-fiction story about the seasonal cycle of a maple tree. The book has real, high-quality photographs that show the different characteristics the tree has in each season.
• Handwriting: the students practiced writing the letters E, D, and P. First, we practiced with Wet-Dry-Try (using a wet sponge on the little slate, drying it with a larger sponge, and tracing the outline of the letter with a small piece of chalk). The following day we practice the letter in our workbooks. We learn one letter over a two-day period. Also, for the first half of the year we learn only the capital formation patterns for the letters as these are developmentally easier for the children to form because they follow the four basic shapes of big line, little line, big curve, and little curve.
• Phonics/Word Study: we practiced letter recognition skills by looking at the different features of a variety of letters during our class meeting, handwriting, and phonics lessons.

Also, I started assessing the students this week using the Observation Survey, which is designed by Marie Clay. This assessment tool has five components, which look at letter identification knowledge, writing vocabulary, letter sound recognition in spoken words, concepts of print (reading), and sight word recognition. All of this assessment data will be reviewed with you at the parent-teacher conferences in the beginning of November.