Chalk Art

It was a Friday afternoon and we were all a bit tired from working hard all week, so I had the kindergartners go out and make creations with sidewalk chalk.  I loved seeing what they came up with!

Caterpillar to Chrysalis

I ordered caterpillars in a cup from Insect Lore.  There
were five of them.  We watched them eat and grow so fast.
Then one day they attached themselves to the lid of the cup.
We watched them wiggle and change.  The next day they
were transformed into a chrysalis, which is similar to a
cocoon.  I carefully took the lid off and placed it in this
netting.  Soon we will have butterflies, but until then we wait.

Center Time

After I teach a lesson, I often have the students go to different centers in the classroom to put those skills in practice.  They stay at their center for 10-15 minutes.  When the alarm sounds, they move on to the next center.  I always have one center with me, one that is play oriented, one that is writing and the others are skill based.  Not only does center work reinforce the skills of the week, it is great at teaching cooperation, sharing, self-control, and responsibility.  At this center in the top photo, I am working with a group on identifying the first sound in a word.

At this center, they are learning how to make the letters
using straight lines and curves with these magnetic pieces.
Then they trace it with their finger.

These students are working on various file folders: 
matching upper and lowercase letters, categorizing
 and first sound.

These students are matching uppercase and
lowercase letters.

These next three students are using a clipboard and
finding words in the room.  They try to write the words
on their paper.  The kids love this activity!

Fall Tree Art

To go along with our science standards about plants and seasons, the kindergartners painted fall trees.  First, they painted the trunk with a paint brush.  I reminded them that this was the stem of the tree.  Then I had them sponge paint leaves on their tree.  I love how each tree is as unique as they are!

Patriotic Songs

You may have heard your kindergartner singing patriotic songs.  Every day during the flag pledge, we sing a song.  I teach them as many as I know and they catch on quickly to the lyrics.  I think it good for children to know these songs.  So far they know the following songs pretty well:

1. This Land is Your Land
2. My Country Tis of Thee
3. You're a Grand Old Flag

Show and Tell

He is showing his huge frogs before releasing them.

"Show and Tell" teaches the speaker and the listeners valuable lessons.  It gives the child speaking, more confidence to stand in front of the other children and tell about the item he/she brought in a clear speaking voice.  They learn to be interesting speakers by using adjectives and speaking with feeling.  It helps them feel proud of who they are.  "Show and Tell" teaches the listeners to be patient and wait for their turn to talk.  It teaches them not to interrupt and to focus on saying kind things.  "Show and Tell"  is every Friday in kindergarten.  Check the K-news to see what the theme is.  This week's theme was to bring something from nature.  Here are a few photos from the day.  I'm sorry to tell you that while I love flowers, I am allergic to them, so I took these beautiful flowers that they gave me and I set them outside on my patio.  They were a very nice gift.  Thank you! 

Nature Hike - Looking for Signs of Summer

Yesterday was beautiful day, so the kindergartners, Mrs. Kriz and I took the kindergartners out to the local lake to look for signs of summer.  The students quickly pointed out the green leaves on the trees and green grass.  We noticed wildflowers, dead fish, frogs, dragonflies, damselflies, mushrooms and more.  We hiked through the "spooky forest".  We looked at the bird nest boxes and the bird feeder complex that the past kindergartners help create for the lake.  We saw Franklin's Gulls flying overhead.  A Belted Kingfisher flew across the lake.  An Eastern Kingbird perched in front of us. They stood on the bridge and on the fishing dock.  We had a great time and saw a lot of nature in a short time.  This kind of adventure helps make students more aware of their surroundings.

A Leopard Frog sat still enough for a good look.

We quietly snuck up the hill to look for ducks in the water. 

One important thing I'd like them to learn is not to argue about where
they stand in line while on a hike.

This is the hike through the "spooky forest"!

They loved the bridge!

They were surprised to see this huge, dead fish under the bridge.

This fun guy is holding fungi {mushroom}.

They decided this bobber was a sign of summer fun!

The fishing bridge was a cool place to explore.

This girl found a dead dragonfly to show the kids. 

In kindergarten I teach them the difference between a creek, stream,
river and lake.

This leaf was see-through.

This Eastern Kingbird perched in front of us and gave us a good look.
It is a flycatcher and eats many flying insects.

A Sulphur Butterfly

"Its time to head back to school!"