Walk to School Day!

Today was a beautiful day for a walk!
This morning, our school community participated in Walk To School Day. We took a lovely walk around the neighborhood behind Fuller Meadow. The sun was shining and we observed many beautiful  and interesting things. 

Students' observations included: flowers, trees, tree roots, rocks, mailboxes, the American flag, people, dogs, houses, a worm, birds, green grass, a bunny hole, Mr. Sam stopping traffic, a plastic deer, an ant hill, red leaves, and puddles.

We had a great time observing the things around us. Next time you take a walk notice the things around you :)

Electrical Safety

On Tuesday, we were visited by Mr. Gouley from Middleton Electric to learn about safety. We learned about the importance of wearing a helmet every time we ride our bikes and scooters and that in order for them to work we must have our helmets buckled.We also watched a video, titled Mr. Ouch, about electrical safety and learned to Stop, Think, and Stay Away if we see something unsafe. Mr. Gouley showed us the difference between electrical connectors from years past and today and how much more electricity is carried in each one. We learned why birds can sit safely on the wires but squirrels sometimes cannot and why we must NEVER, EVER go near downed power lines. We learned, we should stay 3 telephones away! 

Electricity is all around us, even if  we don't see it.

Stay the length of 3 telephones poles away from downed power lines!

Thank you Mr. Gouley, we learned a lot!

Nonfiction

During the past few weeks, we have been learning about nonfiction writing and how it is different from fiction writing.
First, we learned about the role of a nonfiction author. 

Next, we learned about the role of a nonfiction illustrator.

After, we learned about text features that the authors and illustrators use to help us find information and understand what we are reading.

To apply all that we were learning, we read nonfiction books about polar bears and walruses. During reading, we looked for the nonfiction features and discussed how they help us understand the text. We created charts, and made minibooks, applying our knowledge and demonstrating our understanding.

After learning about both polar bears and walruses, we created a venn diagram to compare facts about both animals.

To conclude our nonfiction unit, we worked with Mrs. Baker our digital specialist, to create a project using the Explain Everything app.
Click on the link below to view. Nonfiction Project 


The students learned a lot during this unit. Ask your child to share how they know a book is a nonfiction book.




Common Core Standards: RI.K.1   With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. RI.K.2   With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. RI.K.5   Identify the front cover, back cover, and title page of a book. RI.K.6    Name the author and illustrator of a text and define the role of each in presenting the ideas or information in a text. RI.K.10  Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. SL.K.2    Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.

Happy April Vacation!

I hope you have a wonderful vacation week. Please share what you are doing on the padlet below. Enjoy!

Saint Patrick's Day writing

To celebrate Saint Patrick's Day the students "put on their imagination hats" and enjoyed a creative writing activity: I Caught a Leprechaun! My Three Wishes are......
First, we activated our prior knowledge by sharing what we already know about Saint Patrick's Day and leprechauns. Next, I read a book about Saint Patrick's Day and we talked about about what we learned from the book.

After, I introduced the writing activity and had the students do a "turn and talk" with their "elbow partner". Then students shared what they would wish for if they caught a leprechaun. Finally, we reviewed best writing (a capital to start the sentence; spaces between words; spelling of popcorn words; and punctuation at the end of the sentence) and off they went to begin their writing. Once completed, the students made a leprechaun to hold their amazing work.
I love how unique each one truned out. 

Common Core Standards: SL.K.1: Speaking and Listening       Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. L.K.1: Language        Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. L.K.2 : Language         Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.      

Fabulous February!

WOW! It's hard to believe we've reached the end of February! This month just flew by. February was filled with several exciting activities. We celebrated the 100th day of school, Valentine's Day and enjoyed a special program called Wingmasters. 
Thank you to Mrs. Mackenzie and Mrs. Young, our mystery readers!
Enjoy some of the highlights below!

Happy 100th Day of School!

During math we used teamwork and creativity to create things using 100 pieces.

We had some fun seeing what we would look like in 100 years with the help of an aging app.

We created a class book of our 100 Day projects using the app Book Creator. Click on the link below to read.
100th Day Book


The kindergarteners enjoyed a fabulous show called Wingmasters. We had a chance to see and learn about an Eastern Screech Owl, a Falcon, a Barred Owl, and a Great Horned Owl. We learned how they use camouflage to hunt and protect themselves in the wild. We also learned that owls and falcons have sharp talons to catch their prey and that Falcons are silent when they fly. We learned that the smallest owl is the elf owl and it weighs just 1 1/2 ounces. Most Barred owls weigh abiut 1 1/2 pounds. It was interesting to see the owls and falcon up close.

I can't wait to see what March will bring!

Our Snowmen at NIght class book

Last week we read the book Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner. The story is about a boy who builds a snowman and the next morning when he looks at it, it is not the same. This makes the boy wonder what snowmen do at night. 

Using the app Book Creater, our class made our own version of this fun story. First, we read and discussed the story. We talked about the ideas the boy had and then we brainstormed some other things that the snowmen might do during the night. Next, I modeled how to create a page on Book Creater and then during the next few days, during our workshop block, the students created their page for the story. They learned how to change the color of the background, change the pen stroke, change the color, draw a picture with details, and add their voice.  We hope you enjoy our version of the story. Click on the link below..... Our Snowmen at Night class book