Looking for...

Now that winter has arrived, the school's play structure has been closed. To keep the students entertained, and extend their creative understanding, the teachers have begun setting up some outdoor musical instruments. We are looking for old pots and pans, baking tins, basically anything that the students can play with and "make music" with. These would be items that you do not want returned! 

Numbers 7, 8 and 9

We have finished off our lessons about numeral formation. Earlier, we had practiced 1-6 (see a blog entry from earlier this month). We have finished off 7, 8 and 9. Ask your child to tell you the rhymes for each number. We are trying to ensure that they form the numbers the correct way and in the correct direction.

7 goes like this: across the sky and down from heaven, that's the way we make a 7

8 is this: make an S do not wait, go back up and close the gate

9goes like this: make a circle, then a line, that's the way to make a 9

We practice on our chalkboards...

And with string...

And with wiki sticks.

You can help your child by having him or her record numbers whenever possible. i.e. Recording phone numbers

Voluntary supply fee

In lieu of large supply lists, kindergarten students have traditionally been asked for a voluntary $20 supply fee. We did begin collecting this from parents, but were interrupted by the labour disputes. If you still wish to contribute and haven't already done so, we would happily accept the money. The donations are used to purchase many consumable items not provided by the school that make our kinder classrooms fun and unique, such as:

 toothpicks (for our X-ray creations)

Q-tips (for painting and creating crafts)

Paper plates (for all sorts of crafts)

Feathers (for crafts)

Googly eyes

Corn starch (for making magic goop)

Flour and salt (for making play dough)

Cotton balls

Food colouring

Thank you😀

Tough day in Kindergarten!

Well, it really wasn't as bad as it might seem! We had some special visitors come to our class to talk about bones. Two doctors, Sarah and  Angus showed us a skeleton, a bunch of big X-rays and then we got to try on a sling, as if our arm was broken. Finally, we each got to cast our fingers. It was so exciting! I think we have a bunch of "doctors in the making!"

A HUGE thank you to Zoe's mom and dad who came in to share their expertise with both classes, taught us a bit more about our bones and joints, and gave us a wonderful hands-on experience!

Letter Sounds

Each day, we practice some letter sounds. We use the letter sounds with accompanying actions from a program called "Jolly Phonics". Each letter has a short story, the sound and an action. Making learning active may help some of our kinescetic learners. Be sure to ask your child about the sounds for the letters A to H ( that is how far we've got so far). Here they are if you'd like to practice with your child.

Creating a kind and cooperative classroom

We have recently read "How Full is your Bucket", a picture book that uses the metaphor of a dipper and a bucket to show how social interactions can affect relationships and positive moments in other's lives. Ms Byrne read the book and brainstormed for a variety of actions that might be "bucket fillers" or "bucket dippers". We are hoping to inspire kind actions and words throughout the day in our classrooms. With both the "blue group" and "green group", we have a bucket and some colour coordinated rocks. We are encouraging the students to use kind words, manners and cooperative actions, and when we hear or see this, we will ask the student to put a rock in the bucket. Once filled , we have promised a special event (to be determined later, possibly a movie, or party, popcorn party, etc). So, if your child mentions that they got to "fill the bucket", or "put a rock in", congratulate them, and know that they are becoming a kind considerate member of our classroom community!

Stonecrest's Book Fair

The annual Scholastic book fair will be set up in the Library all next week (November 16-20). As a class we may make a very brief visit to the fair, but for the most part, kinder kids have a hard time understanding why they are visiting the Library, but can't take home a book as per our usual weekly visit! If you wanted to send money with your child, we will ensure that they get the opportunity to do some shopping. The Book Fair will be open during parent teacher interviews on Thursday evening and Friday morning should you wish to do some of your own holiday shopping. 

**please note, we will be unable to have our usual library visit and book exchange on Thursday.