We took a trip out to a pumpkin patch where Farmer Mike Schouten taught us about the life cycle of a pumpkin, how much a pumpkin can weigh, and what the inside looks like. We then got to walk out in the patch and pick our very own pumpkin. Later in the week we did some pumpkin explorations and even turned a pumpkin into a volcano!

During our fall unit, we look at leaves and how they change during the season of fall. We braved the cold and walked to Children's Park on Thursday to collect different leaves (and to play a little too). We may have even found some ice! After reading the book Leaf Man by Lois Elhert, we made our own leaf creations.

This week we started doing 6 centers a week. This means that the students were split up into smaller groups to work on literacy and math activities. Doing centers not only helps with learning skills but also with working independently, working in partners or groups, taking turns, and work endurance. Check out these kids working so hard!

We enjoyed a beautiful day exploring the apple orchard!

As a part of our apple unit, we work together to make applesauce. Each student had the opportunity to use the apple crank to peel, slice, and core an apple. We made two different pots (one plain and one with cinnamon). We then tasted both and made a graph to see which flavor the students liked the most. We decided that cinnamon applesauce was liked by more.

Kindergarten is all about hands-on learning. One way we like to do that is by allowing students to explore and manipulate different things right away in the morning to get their brains thinking. Each morning, students walk in, put their things away and get right to their table spots where a basket is waiting for them. In these baskets are things like letter LEGOS, number sorting cards, letter matching cards, pattern blocks, geoboards, or other themed activities. These morning activities not only get them ready to learn for the day but it also provides them an opportunity to chat with their table mates and practice taking turns. 

This week we read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and learned the letter Mm. We did some fun Chicka Chicka centers and even used our 5 senses to explore a coconut! 

We did centers this week. This is a time where the students rotate to different stations and do different activities. They played with letters, read stories, and did letter and playdoh stamps. This is a great way for them to be exposed to letters and numbers as they start reading. We also did a beautiful mosaic name activity that can be seen in the hallway by our classroom. 

We had an awesome first day, which ended with some much needed play time with our new friends.

Monday, August 22 at 5:30-7:00pm SCCS will be hosting an Open House Night. Our class will be holding a brief informational meeting in our classroom from 6:15-6:25 to go over classroom information and answer any questions you may have. This is also a great opportunity to explore the classroom a bit and meet the other parents. Childcare will be provided in the orchestra room during this time. Students are invited do drop off their supplies, meet the teacher, and explore the classroom before and after.