Quilts and Statues

To celebrate the letter Q, we painted with Q-tips and began making a paper quilt. We were very busy investigating the letter Q.

This week we will be working with Uu as in "upside down."  The word wall words are:  under, please, big, eat.  Can you believe that the week of April 30 is our final letter of the alphabet and the last of the word wall word?  We will spend the remainder of the year, reviewing and digger deeper into the alphabet. 

In math, we are reviewing shapes, investigating 3D shapes and working on writing numbers up to fifty.  A popular feature on our calendar board is creating "incredible equations" of ways to equal the date.  Now that April is in the twenties, we are really having to work on ways to equal that date.  This time of the year in Kindergarten is so much fun because the thinking is really taking off.

We've been practicing to make mental images in our heads (or movies in your head) as I read the chapter book The Chocolate Touch out loud to the students during snack time.  I don't share the pictures because I want the children to practice making mental images of what they hear.  This week, the main character turned his mother into a chocolate statue when he gave her a simple kiss.  Well, we had to take a turn at pretending to be a chocolate statue.  Check out the chocolate statues of Room 115. Some of them are trying so hard not to smile but you just can't help smiling when you are in Room 115.

It was very easy to make a  connection with last week's poem.  Everyone in the class could share how they've been told that they look like somebody in their family.  Lots of word wall words in last week's poem.  We have quite the collection of poems to read and enjoy.  Return poetry journals on Monday and look for a new one next Friday.

Monday is Nancy's Italian Ice for $1.00 and also our library day.

Tuesday is a PTA meeting at 6:00.  Word is out how successful Room 115 is with volunteers.  Please consider volunteering with the PTA.  They have some positions open for next year and would love your assistance, energy and ideas.  They have positions available for little bits of time and positions open if you have big chunks of time to give.  They are a very friendly and encouraging bunch of people with a common goal of supporting Blount.  Please consider volunteering with the PTA.  With the puzzling way Alabama funds education and the status of the economy, the PTA has certainly stepped up and made sure the school has what it needs. 

This week is very busy full of FUN! FUN! FUN!.  Please follow the requirements for the following days:
Wednesday:  Wear Yellow field trip t-shirts for our trip to the zoo.  No lunch is needed because Chick-Fil A is bringing lunch to us.  You may check your child out at the zoo and continue to enjoy the zoo once the buses leave at 1:00.  We will have snack time once we return to the school so send a snack for school.
Thursday:  Please try your best to be present and on time Thursday.  We will be spending all morning on a Mother's Day Secret.  We should be finished by lunch time in case you need to check out.
Friday:  Field Day starts at 8:20.  The children are so excited about the fun and games.  Thanks to the many, many volunteers from Room 115.  Please come before your shift or stay after your shift and encourage Room 115.  Wear Yellow field trip t-shirts on this day too so that I can keep track of everyone quickly.

I will be out of the classroom on Monday.  Mrs. Owen from last week is returning so I know the children will have a happy, smooth and positive day.  

Finally, a big discovery of the week was that Magna-tiles can be used as a marble track.  These children are called digital natives because they have only known life in a digital world.  You are I are called digital immigrants because we came into the digital world from a different kind of life. Technology is great and has a part in this world but it is so important to let your child work, play, discover, socialize and create without a "screen" being involved.  Check out the fun from the last several weeks that does not have to be plugged in, recharged or updated.  I encourage you to limit screen time.


Hope to see you around Room 115 this week!  Contact me with any questions or concerns.