Outdoor Play

Play-based learning provides many opportunities for students to learn and explore. Through play, students use their imaginations to indulge in creative and engaging activities. Fall presents so many opportunities for students to enjoy the outdoors. Examining leaves are a great way to incorporate learning outdoors. Here we invited students to compare leaf sizes and group into small, medium and large.

Through outdoor play, students use their imaginations to create make-believe scenarios that they explore with their peers. After a read aloud where characters in the story build a campfire, students made connections to the outdoor by creating their own version of a campfire. 

We have been working on letter names and letter sounds in our class. Here one of my JK students used a stick to make the letter M. I must say he did a great job!

Many opportunities are there for students to observe their surroundings. Rainfall created several puddles outdoors that students had fun exploring. This puddle had a worm moving around. Students were simply fascinated with all the movement and spent quite a bit of time observing the worm and other items in the puddle. 

The benefits of outdoor play cannot be overemphasized. 

• Students get multiple opportunities to engage in inquiry
• Daily physical activity helps to improve students overall health and wellbeing
• The teacher is presented with many scenarios to observe students' social interactions
• Students' creativity and imagination skills are enhanced

Remembrance Day Canada

Kindergartener's Thoughts on Remembrance Day

Today, November 11, is a special day as we pause to reflect on the work of our many hardworking men and women in the armed forces who died in the line of duty. The day is observed as Remembrance Day or more informally Poppy Day. In our classroom, we had a conversation about the meaning of Remembrance Day and students were shown a video summarizing the poppy story.


At school, we had a Remembrance Day assembly where students quoted poems, sang songs and paid tributes by laying wreaths made in the classrooms. It was a solemn assembly and students were in a reflective mode. Our class created a poster for remembrance day with a poppy themed handprint of Flanders Fields. As part of our in-class discussion, students were asked what Remembrance Day meant to them or what the day signifies. Here are a few of their unedited responses:

• "It is when we sing a song."
• "On Remembrance Day we wear poppies on our t'shirts."
• "They were fighting because they were getting old."
• "They were fighting on the field."
• "It means when the people died."
• "People who fought, they fought the bad guys to make us safe."

Poppy themed handprint done by kindergarten class

It was a very interesting conversation with the kindergarten class. It is important that we continue to engage our students in conversations that draw on our history and the significance of main events. Even if we have to break it down so they can make connections. Today our class says thank you to all the members of the armed forces who fought for our freedom. 

We will remember them!

Wreaths made by students at Roywood Public School for Remembrance Day Assembly!

First Week of Kindergarten

The first day of school! So many expectations from all concerned. There were a few tears but mostly nervous little ones who were somewhat anxious to get started. Here are a few things we did during the first week of school. I must say it was a busy start to the year!

1. First Day Photos

Students were pretty excited to have their first-day photo taken with our handmade frame. Watch them pose for the photo! Even the ones who were crying managed to stop the tears for their photo opp!

2.  Outdoor Exploration

During the first week of school, the weather was absolutely amazing for outdoor exploration and play. Students had a great time exploring their surroundings and getting to interact with friends. They had quite a few questions about the insect on the tree. (Excellent opportunity for inquiry)

3. Craft - This Is Me

Students worked on their first-week craft (This is me). This activity provided an opportunity to observe fine motor skills and engage students in conversations about the things they liked doing.  

4. Read Alouds

Students always enjoyed a great read aloud! During the first week, we explored a number of textbooks on the first day of school. Students made great connections to most of the stories. We had some interesting discussions as students wanted to comment on all the connections they made as we explored the books. It was an interactive activity as reading 'Curious George's First Day of School.'

On his first day of school, Curious George had fun mixing colours. Students asked many questions about how to make colours. Based on their questions, we decided to explore mixing colours. The JKs were very excited to see the transformation as they mixed the colours in their hands. 

5. Fun, Fun and More Fun

The most important thing for kindergarteners is to enjoy their learning environment. Our team was more focused on helping to calm nervous students and for them to enjoy the learning experience. We emphasized routines and together we talked about what we want our class to look like. The SKs were encouraged to model good behaviour and making great choices. Lots of reinforcement but we are off to an awesome start!

Whew! What a start to the school year. It has certainly been a busy one but I look forward to sharing our journey and explorations with you. 

Last Day of School

It was a great year working with my fabulous kindergarteners. What a journey!  We had a great day to close off the year. I wish all JKStars a safe and happy summer. They are absolutely ready to shine in Senior Kindergarten.

Play Day

The consistent rain led to the postponement of our Play Day twice in a row. On Wednesday, June28th we had a reprieve from the showers. The sun came out in all its glory and the little ones had a fantastic day. 

Canada 150

In our class we are preparing for a Canada 150 end of year party. Students are having fun creating their craft to mark Canada's 150 milestone.  Great job JKStars!!

Father's Day Craft

Happy Father's Day

The kindergarteners had a great time painting their bird for Father's Day. Students also wrote their message for daddy and glued it to their card. Special Happy Father's Day to all the daddies in Room 104.

Butterfly Life Cycle

Butterfly Release

Students were so fascinated with the release of our butterflies. We observed them flying around in the basket before we opened for their release.

Question: What so you think will happen when we release the butterflies?

Some butterflies refused to get out of the cage. Many of the students were scared of touching the butterflies. Zainab was very happy to help one butterfly out by allowing it to pitch onto her finger before releasing it.

Math Corner

Pattern Blocks

Sorting and Classifying

Students are sorting items by size. Classification groups: small, medium and large

                                                                                            big and small

Sorting items into two groups (living and nonliving things)

Time

Students have been learning about time. We talked about things that are done in the morning as against things done in the evening. Students enjoyed making their own clocks.

Students can identify the hour and minute hands. Students can say time on the hour. (eg. It is 9 O'Clock)

Butterfly Life Cycle

One butterfly from the collection has come out of the cocoon. We are continuing to observe the others and await the day when they will all be released.

Life Stages of the Butterfly

Most of the caterpillars in our class have entered the third stage of their development. The chrysalis has formed and we anxiously away the transformation into beautiful Monarch Butterflies.

Students continue to make their observations as they see the caterpillars have now gone into the cocoon. 

Caterpillar Observation

Our Caterpillars are growing and we continue to observe and make notes. We also measure the growth from our day one observation. Caterpillars are now 2 to 2.5cm.

Life Cycle of the Butterfly

Life Cycle of the Butterfly

Kindergarten students are learning about the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly. The butterfly goes through four distinct changes: Egg, Larva, Pupa and Adult. The process is referred to as Metamorphosis.

Students are observing the life stages from the larvae to the adult butterfly.  They have made several curriculum connections in both Science and Mathematics while doing their observations.  It is also a great chance to practice their writing.

• Science - living and non-living things, insects and bugs
• Mathematics - measuring, counting

 The larvae measured approximately 1cm on arrival.

Students observed the larva and made their first recording in their butterfly journals. Students also drew and coloured pictures of the four stages of the butterfly life cycle.

Earth Day

April 22nd - Earth Day 2017

Students have been learning about the significance of Earth Day and what we can all do to help protect the environment. Our Earth Day craft is a picture of the earth with an emphasis on Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Why do we celebrate Earth Day?

There is a global recognition of Earth Day as each of us has an important part to play in saving the environment. Many people around the world get involved in projects and efforts to bring an awareness to environmental issues. Many schools have clean up days and other projects to get students involved in efforts to prevent pollution. 

Why EarthPLAY? from Earth Day Canada on Vimeo.

Plants

Parts of a Plant

Students are learning about the basic parts of a plant. They assembled the parts of the plant, drew and labelled their own plant.

We have planted seeds and students are fascinated with the growth of their seeds. Students do daily observation of their seeds. They:

• Record changes they notice in the soil
• Measure plant growth
• Water plants
• Count the leaves 

Spring Has Sprung

Students have been observing changes in the weather. We are happy Spring is here so we say "Spring has Sprung!"

Scientists in Schools

I Can Be a Scientist

Our 2nd workshop from the Scientists in School team was a great success. Students were introduced to scientist roles and they were thoroughly engaged. They were introduced to the:

• Paleontologist
• Astronomer
• Marine Biologist
• Chemist
• Meteorologist 

Holiday Celebration

Norooz

Norooz is a celebration of the Persian New Year and marks the first day of Spring.  Many Iranian families around the world celebrate Norooz.  Families spread a table called a Haft-Seen, with important items that each have significant meaning in celebration of the new year. In Iran Norooz lasts for 12 days. Students don't go to school for 10 days. Imagine that!

In our kindergarten class, there are families that celebrate Norooz. Students were excited to create their Norooz painting. We painted the Hyacinth flower with a paintbrush and their fingers.

Holiday Celebrations

In March we continue to look at holiday celebrations around the world. Students have been doing an awesome job with craft representing different holidays.

Happy Holi

Holi is a Hindu spring festival that is celebrated mainly in Nepal and India. It is widely known as the Festival of Colours. This year Holi will be celebrated on Monday, March 13.

Scientists in School

Magnet Magic for Little Explorers

The students in room 104 had a great afternoon with the Scientists in School team. They explored magnets in a variety of ways.