K Blog 2017-2018, December 1st

Last week Ms. Ronquillo and I had the pleasure of meeting some of the kindergartner's grandparents, aunts, uncles and special friends. It was a lovely Generations Day, and our classroom was full to the seams with friends and loved ones. The K's and their special friends took part in some fall wreath creating,  and an extensive apple tasting with our gardening teacher Miss Fryke.
I'v also included some pictures of the K's and their first experience with interviewing others. We found out who likes pumpkin pie, who likes apple pie, and who enjoys having turkey!

What's Happening In K?

Readers Workshop

• The kindergarteners were introduced to shopping for  "just right" books.
• We read many books about turkeys and Thanksgiving. 
• Students illustrated the poem "The Turkey and The Pumpkin."
• We learned that we are super readers and that one of our powers is pointer power. Check out our special pointers!!
• Letters we have learned: B, C, D
• Popcorn Words: where, said, play, on

Writers Workshop

• We wrote about what we're thankful for.
• We learned how to use characters and setting to tell a story.

Math

• The kindergartners continued to explore the concepts of doubles and of even numbers.
• The K's were introduced to the concept of adding and subtracting 1 with the number 10.

Social Studies

• We completed our family work books.
• We learned a song about families. 

11/28 - Gardening

Over the last month, Kindergarteners have been deepening their observation skills. We explored the neighborhood around our school on a “Noticing Walk.” During our walk, we made as many observations as we could using our five senses. We loved noticing the shapes of leaves, smell of flowers, taste of nectar, texture of bark, and sound of birdsong. We even walked in silence for a few blocks and counted how many different types of sounds we could hear. We learned that in order to hear the sounds of our non-human neighbors, we really have to listen! Try taking a Noticing Walk around your home sometime soon. In addition to sharpening your observation skills, you’ll develop your mindfulness practice as well.

In the BPC garden, Kindergarteners have taken a hands-on approach to learning about decomposition by sifting our garden compost. We delighted in finding and counting our worm friends and marveled at how, in a few short weeks, our Nourish You food scraps transformed into such a rich resource for our garden. Composting is a foundational skill that Kindergarteners will continue to practice.

On Generations Day, the Kindergartners and their special friends engaged in an apple tasting. We discussed seasonality, developed a word bank of descriptive words, tasted and described seven apple varieties (there are over 7,000 worldwide!), and voted on their favorite. In the coming weeks, look at the farmer’s market or grocery store for new apple varieties to try. You might find a new family favorite!

Thank you Kindergarteners for all of your hard work!

Is your family interested in learning more about the BPC garden program, local environment-related opportunities, and more? Email Ms. Fryke (rfryke@blackpinecircle.org) to join the BPC Garden newsletter!

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P.E.

Over the month of November, we've been building up skills in throwing & catching. Also, as their skills improve, we're giving them more chances to play larger games, like this soccer game at the BPC field.

Science

Kindergarten Science

In November, the Kindergarten Scientists started using the Q Lab!! It was a lot of fun for them to make the trip across the street to the Upper School campus and learn about the room. (There are often 3D printers making something interesting to view.) On their first day, students took a tour of the room, learned where the bathrooms and water fountains are, and spent time enjoying the amazing salt-water fish tank. After class each day, students have been walking past the chickens and saying “Hi!” to them.

This month in class the Kindergarteners studied germs and handwashing. They used glitter to simulate the transfer of germs through touching and then learned a song to sing when washing their hands. Ask your Kindergartener to sing you “Tops and Bottoms” and teach you how to do properly.  The Kindergarteners and five of the 5th-graders will be teaching this song to the lower school at the December 4 Monday Community Gathering. Kindergarteners have been making posters and practicing the song with the 5th graders. Next month students will be studying the five senses.