Go Noodle!

You may have heard your child talk about the "Brain Breaks" that we take in our classroom. We do these frequently throughout the day so that we can move our bodies and re-energize ourselves. Some of our personal favorites include:

Hello, My Name Is Joe

Pop-See-Ko

Happy

Ants in Your Pants

Boom Chicka Boom

You can sign up to use Go Noodle for free! Create an account and have your child show you his or her favorite! 

https://www.gonoodle.com/

Fire Safety Fun

Today, members of the Hinesburg Fire Department visited H.C.S. to talk to us about fire safety. We even got to explore one of the fire trucks!

Spill Five Beans

We learned a new math game today called "Spill Five Beans." In this game, partners work together to spill five bean counters and count how many beans were red. They then record the number of red beans on their recording sheet. Play continues until partners have filled three columns on their papers. This game helps students practice numeral formation, number combinations to five and counting groups of objects. 

Welcome to Kindergarten!

We have had a wonderful first week and a half of school! We are spending lots of time getting to know each other and the routines and expectations of our classroom and school. I am so 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 all 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!

Building a marble tower during choice time.

Lego City!

Counting the letters in our name and graphing the results.

Hunting for the elusive Gingerbread Cookie!

We found it hiding in Mrs. Miller's office!

Yum yum!

Ripping paper to cover the first letter in our names. 

Building names with magnetic letters.

Working as a group on puzzles.

Fun during free choice time.

Practicing how to make a quiet line. 

Practicing quiet hallway behavior. 

Exploring With Math Tools

We have been spending time learning about how to use various math manipulatives, including unified cubes, polydrons, pattern blocks, geoboards, and pennies and counting mats. We've also used this opportunity to practice rotating through work stations.

What a Wonderful Year!

The end of the school year is always bittersweet for a teacher. I am so proud of all of the hard work of these amazing children, who came to me in August a little smaller, and maybe a little nervous about what kindergarten held in store for them. Throughout our year together, they have grown and learned so much, both academic content and skills, as well as important social skills and school expectations that will support them throughout their lives. I feel truly lucky to have had this class full of kind, curious, respectful learners. They will be so missed as they head off to the exciting world of first grade. The following quote sums up how I am feeling right now:

"I call my students "my kids"
because in our year together
they aren't just kids on my class list,

                        they become a part of my heart." -Unknown

Thank you again for sharing them with me and for supporting us all during our time together. I wish you all a wonderful summer full of exciting adventures and special times together! 

Pajama Day

After all of the students in Room 8 earned over 100 stars, we decided to start working towards a class celebration at the end of the year. Together, these amazing students earned 248 stars and we decided to have a final pajama day to celebrate all of this hard work! We got lots of funny looks and questions like, "hey, did you all forget to get dressed today?!" We spent the day reading silly books, writing persuasive pieces asking our parents if we could stay up late, and designing and building our reading forts. We had so much fun! Please enjoy these pictures of our busy day. 

Building our reading tents.

 

Violet and Ruby in their fort.

  

Eliza shows off her fort plan.

 

 

 

  

 

What pajama party is complete without a little treat?!

 

Dear Mom and Dad, Can I stay up on Saturday because I am not tired and I will tuck you both in. Love, Levi

Dear Mom and Dad, Could you please let me stay up late because I will go to bed very early the next day. Love, Sawyer

Dear Mom and Dad, I think that I should stay up to 8:30 because I will help you fold laundry. From, Eli

Dear Dad and Mom, I want to stay awake because I will give you $9.00. Love, Ava

Happy Pajama Day!