March 24

We are so excited that Spring has finally arrived!  We cannot wait for the warm weather to be here to stay.  Although the winter had its ups and downs, everyone is happy about Spring in our classroom!

This week in Math we continued to work on figuring out the math addition math facts to 5.   We also practiced 'flipping' the number sentences (ie:  1 + 2 = 3;  2 + 1 = 3) so that they would be easier to compute.  We will formally begin subtraction next week.  Since the children are getting so good at addition, I am sure that they will pick up the concept of subtraction very quickly.

In Writer's Workshop we are still focusing on 'How-To' books.  We will write these for a little while longer and then continue writing informational pieces on things that we know a lot about.  The children certainly do not have a shortage of ideas for their 'How-To' books - they have been writing on ideas from 'How to ride a bike' to 'How to bake a cake' to 'How to make a map'!  They are very creative in their thinking!  This week we have focused on using the words 'first, next, then and last' when telling their steps, as well as highlighting (writing them in bold print) some of the important words in their stories so that the words stand out.  One of my favorite times during Writer's Workshop is when the children sit 'shoulder to shoulder' and read their stories to each other!  They love this time as well!

Tyrannosaurus Rex

We had a great time with our dinosaur unit this week!  Today we estimated and measured how many kindergarten children it would take to be as long as an actual Stegosaurus and a T-Rex. We made a paper Stegosaurus and T-Rex and the children laid down next to them, head to toe, to measure.  We also estimated and measured now many children's footprints it would take to fill 1 Apatosaurus footprint.  The children had a great time with all of these activities, be sure to ask them about this!

It was wonderful to see so many students from our class and their families at the culmination activities for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon on Tuesday.  I could tell by listening to the children on Wednesday that they had a great time!  Another fun activity that we did this week was to go to the Pete the Cat performance.  It was awesome!  I am sure that you child could not wait to tell you all about it!

Thank you to Milo's Mom for being our Mystery Reader this week!

Conversation Starters:

• What was the temperature like when the dinosaurs lived?  (warm and tropical)
• What did Stegosaurus have on his back?  (bony plates which may have been used for protection from the meat-eaters and/or to gather heat from the sun)
• How can you tell Allosaurus and T-Rex apart?  (Allosaurus has 3 fingers, T-Rex has 2)
• How many kindergarten children long was the Stegosaurus? (9)    the T-Rex?  (12)
• How many children's footprints did it take to fill 1 Apatosaurus footprint?  (33)

How You Can Help:

• Please continue to practice tying shoelaces.  Many of the children are good at this, but a few are still having a lot of difficulty.  Thank you!
• Please continue to practice sight words and math facts, both addition and subtraction, to 5.
• If your child is buying lunch, please do not forget to send a snack in with them.

Looking Ahead:

• Monday, March 27 - Toothbrushing chart due  
• Friday, March 31st - Spring food drive ends (K can donate boxes of cereal or boxes of instant oatmeal packets if they would like)
• Friday, March 31st - Spring Picture Day

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