Another Busy Week in Room 3!

There has been quite the buzz in our hive this week!  We've been busy finishing up some projects, publishing our February stories, and chugging away with new math work.  Everyone has worked hard and we have a lot to share. 


It was Wellness Week at Chamberlin School.  On Tuesday a special guest teacher, Ms. Kim, did some "mindful movement" with us in the gym.  It was great to be with all of our friends from the other two classrooms.  The children were VERY good at this!

This is our "Star Pose."

We can even do a "shooting star." 

"Rock." 

We also had our Farm to School lesson on Tuesday.  This month, we learned about cabbage and made special cole slaw.  Everyone was brave and tried this new recipe. 

We continued to explore force and motion during science time.  One of our friends hypothesized that the heavier balls would roll faster.  In order to test this theory, we first used balance scales to determine the weight of the balls from heaviest to lightest. 

Then, we had to test the speed of the balls using some ramps.  We were careful not to PUSH the balls because that would add a force which could make them go faster.  Instead, we let go of them at the top of the ramp and watched to see which one would cross the finish line first.  We discovered that the baseball, which was the heaviest, did not go faster than all of the balls.   Some of the smaller and lighter balls actually rolled faster. 



On Wednesday, author Ashley Wolff visited our kindergarten classes.  You might know the Miss Bindergarten series that she illustrates.  Ashely talked to the kids about some words that are very important to her as an author:  Passion, Practice, Patience, and Perseverance.  These big words will come in handy for us in kindergarten too! 

We got a sneak peek of Ashley's brand new book which will be out this spring! 

UPCOMING DATES

* February 27- March 7 - Winter Break

* March 8 - Back to School

* Friday, March 10 - Popcorn Friday

* Wednesday, March 15 - Early Dismissal (11:30)

* Friday, May 12 - MOTHER'S DAY BREAKFAST

Quote of the Week: 

Our fifth grade buddies have been joining us in the morning to work with kids on some important skills.  After helping a few kids work on identifying and writing lower case letters, one fifth grade buddy declared,

"Ok Mrs. Brown, I think I fixed them!" 

I hope you enjoy some extra time with your kindergartener this week. 

We are on the home stretch now! 



A Snowy Week in Room 3!

We've had a lot of fun this week!  Our Valentine's Day Breakfast was a great way to kick things off.  Everyone enjoyed sharing cards with each other and eating a healthy breakfast at school. What a treat!! Special thanks to everyone who contributed the delicious food. 

We were very busy scientists this week as we began our study of force and motion.   Children explored with balls and ramps, making various discoveries along the way.   Using a baseball, wiffle ball, ping pong ball, small rubber ball, styrofoam ball and a marble, students tried to determine which would roll furthest and/or fastest.  One scientist thought that the weight of the ball could make a difference.  We will test that theory next week!



We are so excited to have some snow on the ground!  Kids are having a great time on the playground.  This week, we finished adding some special touches to our season corner.  Check out these cute little snowmen...

We are doing everything we can to stay healthy in room 3.  There have been lots of colds, stomach bugs, earaches and sore throats.  We have been washing our hands and drinking lots of water!  I recommend that the children have a water bottle at school (preferably the kind that is not easy to spill!)  Also, please be sure that your child has everything he or she needs to play outside: coat, hat, mittens, boots and snow pants. 

UPCOMING DATES:

* February 20-25 Wellness Week (Please see Ms. Rouelle's newsletter for more information)

* February 27-March 7 - Winter Break, No School

* Friday, March 10 - Popcorn Friday

* Wednesday, March 15 - Early Dismissal (11:30) Teacher In-Service

* FRIDAY, MAY 12 - MARK YOUR CALENDAR...MOTHER'S DAY BREAKFAST

Quote of the Week:

Me: "Oh...that snow day on Monday made me so sad!  I missed all of you!" 

Kindergartener:  "Don't worry, Mrs. Brown.  Next time we'll just come to YOUR house!"



This Week in Room 3

It's been another busy week for us in kindergarten!   The cold days have kept us inside more than we'd like, but we have persevered!

During writing this week, students were excited to receive a new tool...a SPACEMAN!  Seen in the picture below, these little guys help us to remember to leave spaces between our words.  In addition to focusing on the content of our writing, we are now beginning to pay closer attention to the mechanics.  This includes letter formation, spacing, and punctuation.  We practice many of these skills in our morning message each day and then transfer them into our independent writing.  This is my favorite time of year in kindergarten because of the tremendous growth that happens!

Our celebration of the 100th day of school was a lot of fun for everyone.  Kindergarten students enjoyed parading around the school, playing games related to the number 100 and making a special 100th day trail mix snack.  100 days of learning, and we aren't done yet!!

 

Students in room 3 have really been enjoying the independent written work in their math folders.  In fact, on Friday afternoon, when given a choice of a number of different activities, almost everyone CHOSE to do the written folder work.  It's been a great opportunity for me to provide individual challenges to each learner.

Our Valentine's Day breakfast will be on Tuesday, February 14 beginning at 8:00 a.m.  Parents are invited to attend.  If your child is bringing valentine cards, please be sure there is one for everyone.  A list went home via email as well as in your child's folder.   All valentine cards should come to school on Tuesday filled out and ready to be distributed.

QUOTE of theWEEK:

 "I tried this really good peanut butter called almond butter."

Happy 100th Day!!

As you know, we LOVE a good celebration in kindergarten!  What better thing to celebrate than ONE HUNDRED days of learning, fun, and friendship!   Our day started out with a very noisy parade through the hallways of Chamberlin School.  Throughout the day we read stories and did lots of activities related to the big number 100!  Another great day to be a kindergartener!