- Eureka Science presentation where students made pasta cars, did cup stacking and had relays with magnetic objects
- Releasing our class butterflies on Friday! (there are 2 chrysalis that we are still waiting for)
- Filling the “Class Bucket” again and watching a Butterfly and Moth movie as a reward
- Winning $25 worth of free books for our classroom from the Book Fair prize draw!
- Finishing Roots of Empathy and saying goodbye to Wayne
- Working on vertical addition questions in our Math duotangs
- Learning about symmetry and drawing realistic butterflies in our Science Inquiry booklets
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
We have another exciting guest presentation this Tuesday with Luv2Groove Dance (I did this workshop 2 years ago with my Kindie class and it was so much fun)!
This week’s Jolly Phonics sounds/letters are blends - “ue” (as in blue) and “er” (as in mixer). During Phonics and our Read to Self time, the kids are beginning to use new reading strategies to help them problem-solve when they are stuck on a word: using pictures for clues and “chunking” (finding smaller words within a word - “cat” and “pill” in caterpillar). In Printing, we will work on lower case “diving letters” p, r, and n. In Science, we are continuing to research how butterflies live, their bodies, metamorphosis, and their needs for survival. The kids are continuing to “show what they know” in their Butterfly Inquiry booklets. Most of our class pets emerged as adult Painted Lady Butterflies last week so released them with our Big Buddy class on Friday afternoon! However, we are still patiently waiting for the last two chrysalis to open. Zero the Hero will come to school this Monday for our 150th day of Kindergarten. In Math, we will continue to use butterfly wing designs to review the concept of symmetry. We will also begin working on subtraction questions in Math.
School-wide “Most Magnificent Thing” Project-Based Learning May 23-June 9:
Last week, students started thinking about what they wanted to create out of an empty box and developed plans for what they would need to make their “most magnificent thing”! This week we will focus on critical thinking and problem-solving skills and persevering through challenges or frustration.
It would be excellent if families could help by bringing clean recyclables and reusable things like:
- Buttons, string, ribbon, pipe cleaners, aluminum foil, toothpicks, wooden stir sticks, pompoms, small white cups, small styrofoam plates, cupcake liners, cardboard tubes
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE:
Monday – 150th Day of Kindergarten!
Tuesday - Luv2Groove Dance workshop 9-9:30am
- P.E. with Mrs. Williams
Wednesday - Library book exchange
Thursday –- Most Magnificent Thing School-Assembly @ 1:00pm (re-scheduled from last week)
Friday - P.E. with Mrs. Brkovich
- I believe PAC will be having another Friday Treat Day (I ask $1 be left in lunch-kits so Ms. Bains and I can check lunches have been eaten first before sugary treats are purchased)
REMINDERS/HOW PARENTS CAN HELP:
- Most Magnificent Thing - donations for class projects
- HOTTER WEATHER IS HERE! Send a waterbottle and perhaps a hat for outside play
- Proper Footwear - running shoes are best for school (even in the hot weather, as there may be bees or insects on our playground/field).
- Send extra clothing in case your child has an accident or gets wet on the playground
- Sign and return report card envelopes once you have read the term 2 report card (yes, there are still envelopes that haven’t been returned)
UPCOMING EVENTS:
-May 23rd - June 9th - Most Magnificent Thing School-Wide project
-June 14th - Field Trip to Rainbow’s Roost Farm with Mrs. Lundgren’s class (details TBA)
-June 19th - Primary Fun Day @ Brock Pool
- Adult volunteers will be required for: swimming (in pool 11:00-12:00pm)
: lawn activities/games for after swimming
(sign-up will be on permission forms and/or hallway bulletin board)
-June 20th - Parent Tea in gym
-June 23rd - PJ Day
-June 28th - Goodbye Kindergarten Celebration @ 1:40 pm in our classroom
(parents are invited to visit for about a 45 minute celebration of learning).
- NOTE: Please make other arrangements for younger siblings, as it will already be quite crowded with each of our 20 Kindergartens having 1 or 2 adults attend
See you all Monday!
-Ms. Gartrell