Hi JK parents!

This week we have talked about filling each other's buckets and acts of kindness.

Water colors and Valentine's pictures!  

Math & Science:
We read a book about the "ingredients' necessary to make ice and snow.  It's from the perspective of a snowman/chef which was a great "hook" for capturing the children's' attention.

We have been sorting items into groups and using those sorted groups to help us count by 5's and 10's in one of our groups, and have been using all different manipulatives to group items in different ways.  Counting by pushing or pulling or stacking items is a great way to encourage the one to one correspondence.

We practiced our math skills with valentine hearts by sorting by color and adding them all together on a grid.  The children also wrote which color they had the least and most of.  We are making many comparisons with amounts.

Vertical surfaces provide great "crossing the midline" left and right brain activity!

Literacy:
We are working on different  strategies for reading, using "stretchy snake" to sound out words and determine each letter/letter sound-or the first and last letters-depending on where everyone is developmentally.

We are also working on our vowel sounds which are still the most tricky for all of the kids.  Please work on the short and long "U" vowel sounds as you are reading with your children.

Fine Motor:
We decorated our Valentine's mailboxes!  The children used different materials and cut and pasted.  They also made water color paintings using crayons and water colors.  

 We are playing many matching letter and word games!  

Alternating between both the "BOB" books as well as Reading A-Z (RAZ Kids) books keeps reading groups interesting and offers different approaches when working on literacy skills. 

We had a fabulous Valentine's Day Party!  The 5th graders visited JK and made valentine's with us.  The JKers loved playing with them!  What a treat for them to spend time with such amazing children!

Have a lovely long weekend!  We will see you Tuesday!

Ms. Massey

Hi JK parents!

This week begins our theme of Friendship and Kindness.  The children have begun making Valentine cards for you.  We are also celebrating Black History Month.  We are learning about Ruby Bridges, Jackie Robinson and Barack Obama.

 We celebrated Chinese New Year with the middle and upper school in the MPR, coloring dragon pictures, hearing stories about the different traditions and playing traditional games.  We watched a presentation with our Senior Buddies and were able to spend some time with them, along with learning about the Chinese New Year.

 We are learning about Ruby Bridges, Jackie Robinson, and Barrack Obama!  Please feel free to talk about the other great leaders on this page.  I have sent one home with each student! 

 Our egg experiment showed us that we might be different on the outside (just like our eggs-brown and white) but we are all the same on the inside!  One student said, "yes, we are all gross inside!" 

Literacy:
We have been practicing our letter formation and sounds choosing a letter in our word books and then duplicating writing words.  The children then illustrate a picture of something that begins with that same letter.

Chinese hackey sack!

Math & Science:
We are playing a math game with frogs and adding numbers to move around the board.  This provides a fun way to use manipulatives and practice the one to one correspondence.

We are talking about weather and the elements and how that effects our daily choices, regarding transportation, clothing, etc.

 February Self Portraits!

 practicing "z's" and words that begin with "z"!  There aren't many "z" words!

 Working on our class project for the auction!

Fine Motor:
We are using stickers to make Valentine's Day houses on cards.  It's fun to see how each house is unique and how particular and careful they are when placing stickers to scenes. They are practicing their writing and finger spacing between words on their inside messages. 

Social/Emotional:
We have been talking and reading stories about how being kind often means being brave.  Sticking up for what is right requires bravery.  We are also working through mild anxiety that often accompanies the developmental levels in JK.  It's part of the magic of four-year-olds, and all that comes with moving away from the comfort of family and moving toward friendships and the world of school.  I'm proud of the independence I am seeing and the willingness to take risks, which might seem small and insignificant to "grown ups" but can be terrifying to children.  I take all of their concerns seriously and we talk through them, and sometimes need to revisit when not in the moment. 

I'm excited for Valentine's Day next week.  Have a great weekend!

Ms. Massey