Hi KA grown-ups,
This week was five days full of activities and learning. The chicks hatched in the library, and we were able to visit them on Tuesday and learn about what they need at this stage of development. Some of the chicks visited our classroom as well, and we got the chance to name one of them. After everyone had the opportunity to suggest a name, the class voted and the winning name was Chickadee! Also in the library, we watched a story about a pumpkin’s full life cycle from a Jack-o-lantern that rots into the ground and regrows. In the library there is currently a pumpkin in soil that came from last year’s pumpkin that we will have the chance to watch as it decomposes and starts to regrow.
On Wednesday we had our Teddy Bear sleepover. Although there was lots of cuteness when the Teddies arrived on Wednesday, including our teddy bear picnic at snack time, the real excitement was on Thursday morning when we looked at the ‘security footage’ of all the mischief that the teddies got into overnight. The energy was high all day Thursday as students talked about the shenanigans that the teddies had gotten into the night before.
In FunDations we worked on rhyming with some stories and games and we also learned Dd and Ss. Next week, we will focus on checking student learning at this halfway point of learning the lower case letters.
On Friday, we had shared playtime with KB and KC where students could choose to play at different activities in any of the three classrooms. This is a great chance for students to get to know their peers outside of our class better, and something we hope to repeat every 1-2 months.
KA Scientist conducted an experiment this week to test whether a pumpkin can float and tested different sizes to explore if the size and weight made a difference in the result. First they made a prediction, then they experimented, then they asked other ‘what if” questions to extend their learning.
We also finished reading “Your Fantastic Elastic Brain” this week. We will continue to talk about and use what we have learned from this book in order to promote a healthy growth mindset and encourage students to actively choose to grow and strengthen their brains in a variety of ways.
We finished learning the ASL version of O’Canada in class this week and will continue to practice it until we all feel confident and fluent. The entire school will perform it together at our Remembrance Day Assembly in a few weeks. We also had Ms. Sandra (OT) in this week to help with some cutting skills and she taught a mini-lesson on packing a backpack efficiently. The more that students practice packing their own backpacks, the faster they’ll become independent at this skill!
Next Friday, October 30, students are invited to wear orange and black or a Halloween costume to school. There are many fun activities planned for the day. Costumes with blood and gore are not allowed at school, and it is recommended that students leave costume accessories safe at home so that they aren’t forgotten at school and missing for Trick-or-Treating on Saturday.
Our weekly OT update:
Dear Kindergarten parents!
I hope everyone was able to watch the 2 videos that were sent out on hand strengthening and functional pencil grasp! These are important skills for your children to have as they move through kindergarten!
This week’s video is on Pre-writing Skills – practicing how to draw shapes such as circles, squares and triangles! These shapes are important for drawing skills and forming the letters of the alphabet – e.g. O, A, b and k all start with shapes! The suggestions in the video can also be used when your children are practicing “Fundations” printing at home!
As always, if you have any questions, please let me know.
Sandra Aguila
Occupational Therapist
sandraaguila@ihis.org
Save the Date:
December 18 – Kindergarten Christmas Concert (storm date Dec. 19)
Next week in KA:
Monday, October 26, Day 3 – Music, Mrs. Mac
Tuesday,October 27, Day 4 – Phys. Ed., Book Buddies & Bake Sale
Wednesday, October 28, Day 5 – Music, Mrs. Mac & Library
Thursday, October 29, Day 6 – Phys. Ed.
Friday, October 30, Day 1 – Music & Mrs. Mac & Costumes or wear Orange and Black
Have a great weekend,
Lisa 😊
