All Kindergarten Morning Meeting

Morning Meeting is, quite possibly, one of the most important times of the day in our classroom. It is a time for us to come together and greet each other, engage in conversation and sharing, and build relationships with each other. The kindergarten team decided that we would like to come together each Friday morning for a larger, more collaborative Kindergarten Morning Meeting. During this time, each class takes a turn teaching a new greeting and a song or activity to the other classes. It has been so much fun and is a great chance for us to spend time together as three classes. Last week was our turn to lead the meeting. We taught the other classes the greeting "Hello, Neighbor," and then we sang the "Milkshake" song, one of our favorite songs from Go Noodle. We are already looking forward to our next chance to lead Kindergarten Morning Meeting in a few weeks!

I've included a link to the Milkshake Song. To view it, you will need to create a Go Noodle account, which is free and super fun! Enjoy!

Milkshake Song

Count and Compare Dots Math Game

In math today, we learned a new game to help us compare quantities. Count and Compare Dots is a partner game. Partners take turns choosing a ten-frame dot card. Each person must identify how many dots are on their card and partners then compare the quantities to determine who has more and who has less. Players then spin the spinner to determine who gets to keep both cards. In the video below, you will hear partners engaging in a conversation about how many dots they have and justifying (or explaining) how they know.

  I've included a link to an online game that will support the concept of comparing quantities that your child might enjoy playing at home. Enjoy!

Balloon Pop Comparison

Fire Safety Day

On Monday, October 3rd, we were fortunate enough to have the Hinesburg Fire Department visit our school to talk to us about fire safety. Several of the volunteer firefighters spoke to us about what to expect if there is ever a fire and the fire department needs to come to our homes. We practiced "stop, drop, and roll" and saw a fireman wearing his gear. We also got to tour the newest fire truck and learned about the important gear and tools that the trucks carry with them to help people. At the end of their visit, the firefighters gave each child a fire hat and a goody bag. Thank you to the Hinesburg Fire Department for taking the time to visit our classes!

Kindergartners gather to listen to the Hinesburg Firefighters.

Practicing Stop, Drop and Roll!

A firefighter in his gear.

Taking a tour of the truck.

We got to climb inside!

Checking out the medical equipment.

The newest firefighters of Hinesburg!

Spill Five Beans

During math, we learned a new game called Spill Five Beans. Students play the game in pairs and take turns tossing five double-sided bean counters. They then count how many red beans they ended up with and both partners record the number on their paper. Play continues until students have filled three columns. This game helps students build one to one correspondence when counting, number combinations to five, and number formation. 

Welcome to Kindergarten!

We have had a wonderful start to our school year! We are spending lots of time getting to know each other and the routines and expectations of our classroom and school. I am very impressed with how well all of the children have transitioned into kindergarten! I am sure you've noticed they are a bit more tired than usual, as the demands of the day can be a big change for children. They are handling these changes very well and I know we will have a fabulous year together! I've tried to take lots of pictures so that you can see all of the fun we have been having together! On the very first day of school, we read Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! and we discussed our emotions on the first day of school. We then graphed the results. I was thrilled that most students were happy or excited about our first day together!

Last week, our introductory unit centered around the story of the Gingerbread Man. We read several versions of the story and compared their characters, settings, and endings. We also did several gingerbread projects to learn about various materials in our classroom, such as markers, scissors and glue. We ended the week with a hunt around the school for our giant gingerbread cookie, who decided to take us on a tour around the school because he didn't want us to eat him!

We read several versions of the gingerbread story and thought about the characters, setting, and ending.

We made a home for the Gingerbread Baby!

We did a Gingerbread Glyph involving coloring, cutting, and gluing.

Our finished Gingerbread Glyphs!

The sneaky Gingerbread Man led us on a hunt from our classrooms to the cafeteria....

to the Nurse's Office, to the Music and Art rooms, the Library, the gym...

and we finally cornered him in Mrs. Locke's office!

At the end of our unit, we voted for our favorite story.

Mapping Unit

Last week, we wrapped up our unit on mapping. We spent time learning about map features and why maps are important. We read the book Me on the Map and created our own version of the book, which helped us to understand our place in the world. Our favorite part of the unit had to have been the culminating activity, when we found a pirate map and followed the map to find some special treasure!

We worked as a group to build a town out of blocks and then drew maps of our towns.

Pirates on the move!

Shiver me timbers!

Seed & Sample Day

On Friday, we were lucky enough to be a part of the annual Seed and Sample Day here at H.C.S. This day provides students the opportunity to sample a variety of foods grown right in the school garden outside of our classroom windows! We then helped to plant spinach and marigolds, which will eventually be transplanted to the garden. What a fun way to kick off our plant unit!