April 18-April 22

Hello everyone and welcome to another week! Before talking about what's ahead, I'd like to share some highlights from last week...

We wrapped up our study of transportation by making 'banana boats' on Friday. This activity was fun and delish, but it also required the children to follow multi-step directions (which they all did with ease!). If you'd like to make them at home, here's how:

1. cut a banana in half, lengthwise (this is the boat)
2. spread yogurt on top (this is the seat)
3. sprinkle with chocolate chips or raisins (these are the passengers)
4. insert a toothpick into a muffin tin liner and stick into the boat (this is the sail)
5. remove sail and enjoy!

Last week, the children were treated to several Grade 6 puppet shows. Each show was written by the Grade 6's and contained a moral (no bullying, be honest, be safe, etc.). The Grade 6's also made the puppets and they were AMAZING! The SK's loved touching and seeing them up close after the shows. Wow!

Our 'Travel and Transportation' Show and Share has been so interesting! Thank you for all of your hard work. The children have been enjoying learning about passports, seeing interesting artefacts and finding different countries on the map. We have a bulletin board with a world map in the centre, the completed passports on the outside and then yarn connecting each student to where they've travelled! We have quite a class of travellers, by the way. Very worldly! We are opening a 'Travel Agency' in drama tomorrow!

On Friday, with the help of our wonderful Zeinab, the children planted sunflowers! We read a non-fiction book about flowers first, discussed how plants and flowers begin to grow in the spring and then decided it would be fun to plant our own flowers! Together, the class decided on the sunniest spot to put our pots and there they now sit...ready to grow! Don't forget to ask your 'little gardener' how his/her flower is doing (I've planted a few extras...just in case!?).

This week is a short one due to Good Friday (no school). The school is also closed on Monday (Easter Monday). I am away on Thursday for the final Kindergarten PD in the series of 3 (this one focuses on teaching Math to young learners). The kids did a great job with Mrs. Bhullar and she will be returning again on Thursday.

This Wednesday, we have a presentation by the Ottawa Safety Council. Perfect timing as we gear up for bicycle, park and swim season.

Our focus this week is on Earth Day (April 22). Your child brought home a book to share with you tonight titled "I Can Help the Earth".
Today, we made earth 'puppets', learned a new song "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle", read "Big Earth, Little Me" and brainstormed all the ways we can help take care of the earth. The children came up with a very impressive list. Please take some time this week to point out what you are putting in the garbage, what you are recycling and what you are composting. If they don't already, perhaps ask your child to help you sort items into the proper containers. Doing is learning!

We continue to focus on finding the main idea in the books we read--not always easy, but they are gaining confidence with this new skill. We play a game each Monday called "2 Word Weekend". Each child thinks about his weekend, decides on the best part and then tells us about it in 2 words! It was hard at first, but they are really getting the hang of it now. I think it helps contextualize the concept of 'main idea' and how it is different from a simple 'retelling'. We've also started a chart of fiction and non-fiction books and the children are quite adept at deciding which titles belong where! Now when I ask them what non-fiction means they shout, "FACTS!"

In Math we are focusing on number-word recognition. We have a new match game which they all enjoy playing and we are using the white boards, too. Please reinforce at home (I suggest focusing more on the word recognition than actually printing the word, but do what you feel your child is comfortable with...you know them best!). And of course, keep counting to 30 (and beyond), as well as skip counting by 2's, 5's and 10's.

I've really noticed a change in the class as a whole, these last few weeks. I notice friendships deepening, empathy and awareness of others increasing, confidence growing and personalities strengthening. It really is a year of tremendous growth--emotionally, socially and academically. I feel very lucky to be a part of it--they are a special group of children.

Have a wonderful week and thank you for checking in.

Warmly,
Ms. Cox

April 4- April 8

The children continue to explore the world of transportation and travel. The kids enjoyed making (and eating) 'wheels and axles' on Friday. We used cucumbers, bananas and pretzels...what clever engineers!

THIS WEEK

This week, we are focusing on trains. We have been reading "The Little Engine That Could" and trying to decide on the main idea. As mentioned last week, this is a difficult concept. It is not unusual for children at this stage to simply 'retell' the story. So, to help them with the concept, we are discussing how the main idea is often 'hidden' in the book...we don't read it, or always see it. We are trying to think 'deeply'! It's hard, but will come with lots of practise. Today, with lots of teacher steering, we decided the main idea in "The Little Engine That Could" was..."don't give up". Well done! Please continue to reinforce at home and praise all of their efforts.

We are also busy learning a new game called "Speed Math". The kids love it! Partners each get a die and a pile of chips/counters are placed in the middle. The timer is flipped and the children roll the die, count and take the number of chips as indicated by the die. When the time is up, they count their chips and the player with the most chips wins. It's a great game to encourage quick number recognition and counting. Try it at home using pennies, buttons, pasta, etc. Have fun!

We are continuing our investigations of capacity, as well as things that are shiny and dull. Zeinab, our Brookfield co-op student has been working with the students at the science centre, as well as helping with their crafts/fine motor activities. She is also finding time to read one-on-one with each student. We are so lucky to have you, Zeinab!

The children have enjoyed learning/singing "Down By the Station" so far this week. Tomorrow we will start learning "Little Red Caboose". Ask your child to sing these songs for you!

In gym, we continue to work on all sorts of gross motor skills (running, hopping, walking backwards). The kids love playing follow-the-leader (me) and I get a great work-out! This week, we will try having a 'new' leader decide on the movements. We are also developing our soccer skills (passing and trapping) and trying a little bit of yoga (there are lots of fun poses for kids..."windshield wipers", "the boat", etc.).

SHOW AND SHARE

Today, you received the April Show and Share calendar and outline. Please note that all of the needed materials/instructions will be IN THE CASE that your child will bring home on his/her assigned day. There will be a story to share, a world map to explore together and a little passport for your child to fill in. As mentioned, please feel free to send in any other materials you think the children might enjoy seeing from your travels! Thanks again for participating. Show and Share is a very valuable learning opportunity and one that the children look very forward to.

SCHOLASTIC

April book orders are due on Monday, April 11.

LIBRARY

Please remember to send in your child's library book EVERY THURSDAY. Students are disappointed when they are unable to sign out a new one..
Thank you!

GUEST TEACHER

I will be at more Kindergarten PD April 7, 14 and 21st. Mrs. Hannah will be in most of those days. She and the children are settling into a nice routine.

Thank you so much for staying in touch and I always look forward to chatting with you when you stop in after school, or when I happen to see you at Child Care! As always, the door is open wide, so do stop in.

Have a wonderful week.

Warmly,
Ms. Cox