Pilgrim Kids Vs. Kids Today

After completing some research with non-fiction texts we used a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast Pilgrim kids vs. Kids today. Here are some of our discussion points:

-where they/we live

- what they/we eat

- what they/we play with

- what they/we wear

- what they/we learn.

We followed up our Venn Diagram with a writing prompt: "If I were a pilgrim kid." This activity helped us with the following common core standards:

Writing

Research to Build and Present Knowledge

8. With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.

Writing

Research to Build and Present Knowledge

7. Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them).

Book Shopping

On our last book shop we had a special guest join us - Mrs. Perry! She just happened to come in and ended up staying awhile to help us explore our options and then to listen to us read. During book shop time students are given a number of choices and they get to browse for a "just-right" book. A "just-right" book is not too hard and not too easy. With a "just-right" book you may need a little help, but are able to utilize strategies to read the book and are able to understand what has been read (comprehension). It is sometimes tricky to pick a "just-right" book.

Writing Tools

Today we talked about resources we have in our classroom to help us with our writing. We brainstormed a list of available writing tools and were then introduced to two more; the word wall and alphabet charts! I modeled how to use both, students discussed what they noticed and then they tried it during writing workshop. 

How long is the teacher's necklace?

Today we compared and ordered objects according to length. Students each cut a piece of string to approximate the length of my necklace. Each of us then compared it to my necklace to find out if our approximations were shorter than, the same as or longer. 

Pattern Block Ceations

Characters In Our Stories

Today we talked about the characters in our writing. We discussed the characters and how authors use details in representing them thereby helping to make their message clear to the reader.

Pumpkin Investigations

Last week we spent a lot of time investigating pumpkins and in so doing explored many kindergarten standards in reading, writing, mathematics and science.

We conducted an investigation exploring how tall our pumpkins are, how many seeds are inside,and  how many lines each pumpkin had. We also predicted if pumpkins float or sink and then found out! We then compared and drew detailed observations of our pumpkins. 

Explorations in literacy allowed us to create a book that we can each read based on the life cycle of a pumpkin. 

PBIS Reward

I was lucky enough to be picked as a student reward: lunch with a teacher. It made my day! :)

Tryin' Lion

We were introduced to a new reading strategy today called "tryin' lion." We learned that whenever we are stuck we can go back and re-read to help us keep going. This gives us a running start to make the big jump of trying a really tricky word. This addresses an important kindergarten common core standard: 

Reading: Foundational Skills

Fluency

4.Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.