We are still studying ants and are thrilled with all of their tunnels they are digging in our ant farm! This week we are also studying bees and other insects.
We welcomed another new student to JK! Jacob just moved here from California and and has a sister, Victoria, in first grade. The children have been so sweet in showing him around the school and getting to know him.
Math and Science:
We made a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the differences and similarities between ants and bees. They both have six legs and a thorax, abdomen and head, as well as antennae. Unlike ants, when bees sting they die. Ants can sting and bite repeatedly and because of their smooth stinger they can pull it right out instead of it being harmful to their bodies when they sting. The children loved hearing that a bee's favorite color is purple! We are using hexagons to make bee hives.
We read a story about shapes and added a side to a triangle one at a time until we had so many sides the shape resembled a circle! We also talked about what it means to be "greedy" and how our shape in the story always wanted more. We are role playing and practicing different thankful scenarios and how our manners have to be used at all times, and how sometimes we think things in our heads but don't say them out loud.
We have learned that bees have 5 eyes and are the only insects that makes food for us-honey!
We had a honey taste test and used descriptive words to make a chart, identifying all of our senses and what we experienced. They thought is was "so tasty and golden deliciousness!".
We gave our grass a haircut, practicing our scissor skills. We continue to observe and document our bean plants.
Literacy:
We used our reading A-Z books to read stories and hunt for sight words or letters and letter sounds. We have been practicing adding different letters to the beginning of words to make different rhyming words. We use trees to create rhyming groups of words.
Our third grade reading buddies came to read with us, and helped their buddy complete a "Response to Reading" journal page. They love illustrating a picture about the story and then sounding out words to label their illustration.
We are practicing using different words and scenarios to navigate friendships. Ms. Yonan and I acted out a few different situations and the children offered suggestions and then acted out how they would have done things differently. It was so sweet how they are so caring and really know how to be a good friend.
Fine Motor:
We created more ants using foil and pipe cleaners, as well as spoons and pipe cleaners. The children painted them and added eyes.
We are coloring pictures as part of our Mother's Day surprise for you.
We are making shapes with fabric rubber bands and peg grids. It's another great fine motor exercise! It increases dexterity and familiarity with shapes.
The children made stamp collages with insect stamps and labeled them using inventive spelling. We also completed May calendars by cutting and gluing construction and tissue paper to make May flowers. They labeled the calendars with May words.
Social and Emotional:
We are role planing different scenarios about how to be a good friend. Sometimes it's a matter of not knowing the words to ask someone if they would like to play or if they are okay.
Dr. Glader came to read with us and talk about different anger strategies. Walking and counting are both great ways to calm down before reacting. She let the children practice and also passed our classroom frog around and took turns telling her something they wanted to share! I heard about haircuts, flies in the dishwasher, and all kinds of interesting things.
We watched the dress rehearsal for the Lower School play, 101 Dalmations. The children loved watching the performance and were the most attentive audience. They were singing "Cruella Deville" all afternoon. Our music teacher, Julie Herrick, does such a fabulous job, working with 1-4 grade. She's such a talent and we are so fortunate to have such a passionate teacher.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Ms. Massey
