Leaves, Math Games and Computers!

Kindergartners have noticed that the leaves outside are changing!  This morning during morning meeting we had a conversation about what we have noticed with the colorful, changing leaves.  We read the book My Leaf by Monica Wellington and learned how we can identify the different leaves that we find.  The book also showed us how to make leaf rubbings with crayons and leaf prints with paint which we can try later this week.

When we were lining up to go outside this afternoon one kindergarten friend asked "how come we didn't do math today!?"  I laughed and responded that we did but we were having so much fun with our math game 'Roll and Build' that you didn't even realize you were doing math!  After practicing our subitizing I introduced a new math game "Roll and Build."  Partners worked together to take turns, roll one die and build a tower with the corresponding number of cubes.  The game is over when the game board is full.  This game while fun and simple works on a lot of math skills: one to one correspondence when counting, numeral identification, fluency and subitizing!

To kick off reader's workshop I read the book The Watcher by Jeanette Winter which tells the story of Jane Goodall.  We learned that when Jane Goodall was 5 years old (just like Kindergartners) her family called her a "watcher" because she was always looking closely at the world around her.  We learned that Jane Goodall later traveled to Tanzania to observe and help protect chimpanzees.  Through this book we made connections to our time in the woods and brainstormed a list of animals we might find in our woods if we too become watchers.  

After I finished reading I introduced a new "Work Board" for Reader's Workshop.  Students will always have the job of reading privately or with a partner during Reader's Workshop but now will have a day where they will meet with me in small groups AND a day where they get to use the computer to read and listen to books!  Right now we have four students a day using our two computers to read or listen to books using the website:  https://www.getepic.com/.  This is also available as an app for a tablet or smart phone.  Epic is free for educators but there is a fee associated if you want to use this at home.  It is often referred to as "The Netflix of Book" and is a great resource for accessing more books for your child at home!

We also earned 100 Cat Cards today for positive behavior expectations!  The class voted to wear pajamas to school so if you would like your child to wear pajamas to school tomorrow they may!