Track Detectives!

Lately we have read lots of stories with the kids discovering all kinds of tracks in the snow, animal tracks, vehicle tracks, human tracks! The Snowy Day was a favourite for the kids and they got to create their own "Snowy Day" Picture using puffy paint! (Puffy Paint: shaving cream & white glue)

Some of our Snowy Day creations! 

Madame Behnke helped us make some play dough so we could explore some tracks in the "snow"

Madame's Play dough Recipe: *3 Cups flour, 1 1/2 Cups salt, 2 Tbsp cream of tartar, 3 Tbsp oil, 3 Cups boiling water.

Moose Prints........

Bear Prints........ "The Bear Prints are big and have claws!"

Horse Prints........

We were "track detectives" while reading these wonderful books!!

Building Fun!

Creative Building Projects!

Recently, both the English class and the French class introduced to the kids the idea of planning before you build. We talked about different things the kids can build and create in the block center and to think of a "Plan" before they start. We have added clipboards, pencils, building plans and pictures to help the children with their planning process.

Nora starting with her "Plan" of ice table and chairs

Ms. Kemp and Nora on the finish product of table and chairs!

Dylan creating a plan for his "ladder"

Bentley and Grayson creating a "wall"

Team Work!

Sierra's Ice Castle 

 All this building in the block center, inspired some students to make signs for the block area. Rubyn making a "Caution Do Not Enter Sign"

Saskia and Ewen creating construction pylons and stop signs!

A House 

Construction Workers hard at work! Building Projects :)

 A Wall

A Motorcycle!

A Tower

TOYS! TOYS! TOYS!

Kindergarten Toy Store!

It was time for a change in our dramatic play center! We brainstormed some ideas with both the blue class and the green class and the most popular choice by only 1 point was "Toy Store" The children were eager to get started setting up the store in our classroom.

*We brainstormed some ideas for our Toy Store with the kids and they came up with some wonderful suggestions such as price tags, a sign, money and baskets. If you have any shopping bags or small toys at home that you are willing to donate to our Toy Store please send them in with your child for example: small dolls, ponies, puzzles, etc. Thanks!

We got the cash register out, some shopping bags.....

They worked together to create a sign for the store..

Made some price tags for the toys! 

Lots of smiles shopping in the Toy Store!

The Toy Store is OPEN!

Jeremy working on the business hour sign!

Thinking about what time the store should be open and what time it should close! 

Easton working on a clock for the "Closed Sign"

"Play is the work of Children"

Welcome Back!

WELCOME BACK! 

We hope that you all had a wonderful holiday! What a beautiful day to be outside, taking in some fresh air and playing in the snow! We got a chance to go outside a little early today and enjoy some of the warmer weather and sunshine! But with warmer weather....... comes a lot of melting snow and water! We just wanted to send a quick reminder to send in an extra pair of mittens, socks and extra clothes for your child, as we tend to get a little wet while playing outside these days! 

With all the water from the melting snow, came a little experiment with buckets and shovels and sleds! The children really enjoyed working together on this task!

How many buckets does it take to fill up a sled?

One Bucket....

Two Buckets.......

Three Buckets......

"What's going to work? Team Work!"

The children discovered together, that it takes 5 buckets of water to fill up a sled!

"Lake Kindergarten"

The Year Ahead

It is with great sadness that I must announce that I will not be one of your child's teacher in the new year.I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.  My surgery is next week and after that, the course of treatment will be determined.  I am very positive and am surrounded by an incredible group of supportive people.  It is very difficult for me to leave these two wonderful classes of children as they are truly kind, gentle, capable students whom I love and I have truly had the pleasure of teaching.  I have not been able to tell them that I will not be continuing as their teacher.  I am hoping that you will help me by explaining that Mrs. Sonnenburg is sick and she is working hard with doctors to make her better soon. No doubt you are worried about your wonderful child...rest assured, that he or she is still surrounded by a wonderful team of extremely talented Kindergarten teachers.  There will be a new teacher in my place and the announcement will be made shortly of who that will be. Obviously Cassie Byrne will remain in her current role and every effort will be made to maintain as much consistency as possible. In the meantime, if you wish to communicate specifically with an English teacher, please don't hesitate to contact Ms. Byrne at cassandra.byrne@ocdsb.ca.  I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday, and all the best in 2017.

Mm mm....candy

We have tried to listen to the students and their interests. Lately, they were organizing their play and discussing some baking and Christmas candies, so we set up our dramatic arts centre as a candy store. 

We made some pretend lollipops, some jubejubes, some wrapped candy, some peppermint sticks and some chocolate bars. We were encouraging the students to label and price the items. It is so rewarding to see them so excited to complete their own writing for a meaningful purpose.