Hi JK Parents and Friends!

This week was all about apples and Johnny Appleseed!  The children loved learning about the interesting man and his love for nature and animals.

Literacy:
We read many books about Johnny Appleseed and Apples (along with fall and making friends) including Big Red Apples, Apple Countdown, Welcome Fall, One Little Two, Little Three Little Apples, Star Inside, Brand New Pencils Brand New Books, Apples,  Friends at School, I am an Apple, The World of Johnny Appleseed, Apple Trees and Big Red Apple.  We practiced our handwriting and letter formation in our sign in books each day.  We also talked about letter sounds and are introducing stick versus curvy letters.  The children discovered the parts of an apple and during our reading of Star Inside, we discovered that each apple is a little house with no windows or doors and a star inside!

Math and Science:
We charted our apple tasting findings after taste-testing three different kinds of apples.  We used descriptive words and told stories about the different color apples.  We talked about what makes apples turn from green to red and the life-cycle of an apple tree.  The children simulated the growing process and each ended as huge apple trees with branches that stretched up to the sky!  We watched videos and discussed the seasons of the apple tree and the meaning of dormant.

We cooked applesauce in the classroom, measuring the ingredients and discussing more or less.  We used apples in story problems using them to demonstrate simple addition and subtraction.  The children were introduced to the - , + and = symbols as we wrote and added/subtracted our problems on the white board.

Fine Motor Skills:
We narrated stories about the apple books we read, illustrating pictures after reading.  The children wore Johnny appleseed hats while they played different apple related games.

Our self portrait painting will happen each month to demonstrate their growth through the school year, so is an ongoing center.  Once we finish 20 portraits for the entire class, it's time to begin again and paint one for the next month!

Language Arts/Social Studies:
We met with our 5th grade reading buddies, and each student shared with the JK students ways in which they are alike and different.  The children completed cards for each other or other art work after they found a place in the room to read with their buddies.

We will be finishing up our Apple theme and moving onto Farm Animals and Life on the Farm.  We might even have a special farmer visitor this week.

Have a great week!

Ms. Massey

Hi JK Parents!

This week was busy as we completed our first full week of school!  We are finishing our presentations for Star Students as we continue to discuss the many ways we are alike and different from our friends.  The children were outstanding presenters as they shared with their friends and led a discussion about their Star Student Posters.  

Literacy:

We began our reading groups this week, reading with our monster/witch fingers to underline words and make reading time more fun!  We are hunting for specific letters and discussing the letter sounds as we read the A, B and C books.  Letter recognition and matching the letter sounds to the letter were our primary goals.  Reinforcing the sounds each letter makes and providing an example are great ways to practice as you are driving or walking around town.  

Math and Science: 

Each child used non-standard units of measure with a beginning and ending point to measure their names after writing the letters in corresponding boxes in our Math Center.  We used paper clips, blocks and bears to make it interesting.  The children did a nice job of forming their letters as we stress the importance of beginning at the top when writing both numbers and letters.  

Fine Motor:

We made tape art creations, worked on painting our self portraits, decorated and practiced writing our letter "B", and made multi color clay creations in our Fine Motor Center.  

Spanish:

The children sand and played games while learning their colors and body parts in Spanish class.  Ms. Floyd keeps it interesting and exciting with lots of movement and interaction!  

There will be no school on Thursday, so please sign up for the Pump It Up field trip if you would like your child to spend the day with other Roycemore friends.  We will have Show and Tell on Friday, (and each Friday) so remember to bring one item from home to share.  We will begin our Apple theme this week and learn about the wonderful world of Johnny Appleseed.  This unit is one of my personal favorites, as we introduce the science of cooking and make applesauce, have an apple taste test, and jump into fall.  

Have a great week!

Ms. Massey