Squares, Stars, Scissors & Sensory...Table

After a few weeks in school I finally opened the sensory table. I don't usually open it up this early because it's normally filled with rice. For the first time in while, I emptied out the rice to make way for other activities. At a workshop a couple of years back, I heard a story about a teacher who brought in a hard-plastic kiddie pool - she filled it with nothing but paper (office paper, scrap paper, etc), attached several scissors with string to the edge of the pool, then let the kids sit inside and cut away. This sensory table activity is a modification that idea.

Today I thought I'd blend some fine motor scissor skills - and number work. It was pretty simple, and the kids had a great time cutting and chatting.  I lingered there for a little while to catch up on the latest gossip in kindergarten.

I gathered the supplies: scissors, 1 inch square graph paper, star-matrix grid (that I whipped up using a word processor) but this could be normal dot-matrix paper, and five random jars that I had in my supply cupboard. I labeled the jars numbered 1-5. Total cost...FREE!

I told the kids to cut out any amount 1-5 of the graph paper squares, or stars, and place them in the corresponding number jar.  And that's it! While they're working on number sense and simple counting - they get the benefit of working the muscles in the hand, and scissoring skills. It turned out to be a great "math-talk" activity. Some kids counted and cut too many (i.e., 6 instead of 5),  so we did a little problem solving. "Could you cut off some squares/stars so that you can put them in two separate jars instead?"  It was great to hear their thinking as they problem-solved.

I imagine a variation of these activities like cutting out colors in magazines and placing them in color jars (great to save for color collages later). Kids could also cut words or letters out of magazines and newspaper. Put different textures, and thickness of paper, for kids to cut and really work the muscles in the hand.

Guess-timation Jars

Today was the first day with the kids returning with our new math-ideas estimation jars. I wish I could say where I heard about the idea. It may have even been on Pinterest. I modified this activity to add to our daily math routine. It is a great way to encourage communication and math-talk. We estimate, make predictions, talk about the objects in the jar.  The discussion revolving around the jar and the items can easily be student or teacher led, and can serve as a great transition during your math time.

Here's how it works. Two students each get to take home an estimation jar (I bought these at the dollar store). They can fill it with any amount of 1 object (ex. 5 blocks, 20 pennies, 10 lollipops). Smaller numbers below 50 make it easier to count and compare. The kids return the next day with their jars and I display it on my desk - far enough away that they won't be able to count the items specifically.

At the end of our math-number routine I take out the jars. We discuss the items inside, and the estimation jar leaders tell the group why they chose those items. We compare jars and ask questions like:  How many items do you estimate are in this jar? Are there more that 10? Less than 20? Which jar holds more? etc.

This takes place at the calendar wall where I have number-lines, whiteboard, and other manipulatives on hand for visual reinforcement.  We sit whole-group and take a few minutes to draw conclusions and edit our thoughts - then we count the items.

The first day I modeled the estimation jars I had 11 small tiles in one jar, and 10 larger blocks in the other. When I asked them which jar they thought held more, the immediately pointed to the blocks - likely because they were bigger items and nearly filled the jar. When we counted them during the reveal, they learned that there were more tiles than blocks. We also discussed that just because something is bigger and may fill the jar, it doesn't necessarily mean there are more.

The kids love it so far - and so do I!

Oobleck

Guest post from Mrs. Davis - our University pre-service teacher - delivering a science lesson. 
 

Greetings!

It’s hard to pick one agenda item to share with you all because we had so much fun discovery and learning in the classroom this past week!  We read a book together called Messenger, Messenger and learned about escalators and delivering messages through a bike messenger.  The kindergarteners even received a special visit from a bike messenger. 

April is poetry month and Mr. Fines has been reading us some fabulous poems and teaching the kindergarteners how to write their own poems.  We break open words together and the whole class collaborates in sharing their favorite descriptive words.  We have had some marvelous poems about spring; Mr. Fines and myself have learned a lot about what each kiddo loves about spring and how they are experiencing the world around them.  Poems are challenging and our kindergarteners are rising to meet this new method of written expression.  They are learning to use all their senses to help them elaborate on their experiences; which brings me to the main topic of our blog this week, science!

 

We have just begun a new science unit; the kindergarteners are learning about properties.  Science can be such a fun learning experience at this age; Mr. Fines and I have embraced science to create a positive hands-on exploration of properties, as well as the states of matter.  Mr. Fines had previously read the students Bartholomew and the Oobleck, a Dr. Seuss book, which was a wonderful lead in to my introductory lesson on solids and liquids.  We listened to Solid, Liquid, Gas by Brad & Diana and learned some simple dance moves to help our kinesthetic learners associate each phase with a physical representation.  After listening to the song, the students learned about the differences between solids and liquids, and we shared some great scientific discussion.

The students then were able to delve into some fabulous, messy exploration of Oobleck.  I encouraged their scientific questioning by asking them if they could figure out if it was a solid or a liquid.  They were given “I wonder thoughts” by Mr. Fines and I to engage their minds to think about the Oobleck in multiple ways.  I was so excited by all of the incredible scientific exploration, and the discussions about the material with their friends, Mr. Fines, and myself!  Mr. Fines continued our science unit with a lesson on properties.  The students were comparing and contrasting random items and using their words to describe each object in multiple ways.  They even discovered that a sponge is hard and small when it is completely dry but when it is wet, it expands and softens so that it can easily be squished; a perfect example of how scientific learning can be done at home too!

Enjoy the pictures and video from our Oobleck solid or liquid science discovery!

Mrs. Davis

For more interactive activities with states of matter visit:  

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/gases.html

Potato Racing

I was in my room catching up on some emails when I heard a raucous coming from down the hall.  Laughing, cheering, and some loud music - which was justified in order to hear it above the kids. I ran down to find the kids in music ending the class with a little movement...actually a lot of movement. Mrs. Spangler was finishing up a lesson with some rhythm and body awareness activities. I loved it. Music is more than just singing - it encompasses the "whole body" engaging sight, sound, touch, and stirring up good feelings all around. What fun!

Monte Recess

We're fortunate to have such a great college mascot right here in Missoula. Monte is pretty amazing and he sure gives back to the community, making appearances at community and school events all over town. As a reward to the entire Cold Springs kindergarten for meeting our reading goal for February "I Love to Read Month" - Monte took some time out of his busy day to spend a recess with us. What an awesome time! Thanks Monte!

Celebrity Reader

Each year during I love to read week, Cold Springs is fortunate to have local community members and celebrities visit the school to make a "celebrity appearances" and read to the kids. In past years KF Dragons have had a local police officer, Missoula Smoke Jumpers, the Mayor of Missoula, and UM Grizzly Football players. This year we were so excited to have Darko Butorac - Music Director/Conductor for the Missoula Symphony come and read to our class. 

Before meeting Darko, we had a brief discussion about what a symphony conductor does. Most of the kids had an idea, and a few have even had the opportunity to visit the symphony. They were so excited. Darko did a wonderful job reading to the kids - grabbing their attention and engaging them right from the start.  He certainly has a magical touch with the kids as evidenced by their attention during his visit with us. We were so lucky to have this international celebrity come to our classroom and read to us today. 

A very big "Thank You" to Maia's mom Valerie for bringing him into our classroom. Maia's uncle plays in the symphony.  And of course - thank you Darko! Sometimes...it's all about who you know!

Cuddle Up with a Good Book

This week is "I Love to Read Week" at Cold Springs. Each day has a theme. Today the kids got to bring in a stuffed animal that they could cuddle up and read with. From 9:45-10:00 each day this week, the entire school takes part in Drop Everything And Read (DEAR).  The kids get a little excited that every single person (teachers included) in the entire school is reading. Fifteen minutes - no problem! Early on in the year we learned to build our stamina in reading and I've clocked the kids over 20 minutes in uninterrupted reading. Very cool.

Today in Reading

This year I have really been working on instilling a love for reading in my kindergarteners. It is so wonderful to see the kids in love with books, reading to themselves, and reading with others. February is I Love to Read Month here at Cold Springs and we will be (and have been) celebrating reading in a variety of ways. This morning the kids chose to do some quiet reading. As usual, I give them the choice to read in a comfortable spot. They all congregated under their tables to read - some with each other, some on their own. I got some of these pictures of them in action - well, not really "action", more like hard-at-work. Priceless.

The Dinosaur Song

Whew...welcome back everyone. I hope you are all rested from our snow-days. And two of them in a row - that is a rarity in our district.

We picked up right where we left of in our science study of dinosaurs. Here is a great video that has some facts about dinosaurs. It's a catchy little tune. 

You'll also find the same video and additional dino facts on Wonderopolis Wonder of the Day # 275 - How do dinosaurs get their names? 

Everybody Do the Dinosaur

It's January in Dragon-land and were learning about...dinosaurs.  Dinosaurs are fascinating, and the topic never fails to hook the kids. Last week we started reading dinosaur books to introduce and, for some, revisit some popular dinosaur vocabulary like fossils, bones, carnivore, herbivore, triceratops, stegosaurus, and of course...T-REX. Oh, an even better hook is that the first T-Rex skull was found in Montana in 1902, and the Maiasaura roamed Montana as well. 

This week we've been getting hands on with some fossils. The kids know that fossils are dinosaur bones that over millions of years have turned in to stone.  We discussed the process in class so I'll spare you the details.  We also discussed that fossils don't always have to be from dinosaurs. We looked at, and held, fossilized shells, wood, fish, eggs, and droppings - but the proper term is coprolite.  We've seen replicas of a Baronyx claw, a Troodon egg, and a T-Rex tooth. Next week we'll extend our learning into some writing and math.

Wonderopolis Literacy Center

In October we were one of the proud recipients of the Wonderopolis mini-grants. We used our grant funds to purchase an iPad to use at our iWonderopolis literacy center  that I created for the classroom.  I introduced our new tablet to the class last week and spent some time discussing some basic rules for the center. When the kids arrived today, I had the center ready to go. We are super excited! We'll be sharing all the fun things we're learning and wondering!

It's a work in progress - we'll continue to add new and "wonderful" things that engage and spark curiosity. Our first task this week was to get a feel of what we'll be doing.  The dragons are assigned by pairs at the center. They visit Wonderopolis on the iPad and watch the "Wonder of the Day", or assigned wonder if a topic seems to be out of their reach.  After they watch the video, they write in the Wonderopolis Topic Journals. Here, they have a choice to write an "I wonder..." question (who, what, why, where, if, how, when), or an "I know that...:" statement.  They can write a question that they may continue to wonder about, or a fact-statement about something they learned. When they complete the task  I let them explore some of the educational apps that I have on the home-screen. (Hint - they can only use an app that isn't in a folder) I leave a few out that are germane to the topic, or skill, they are learning. There are many things in store in the coming months.

Thanks Wonderopolis & Better World Books!

Wonderopolis Literacy Center.

Laying down the ground rules!

"Stop talking Mr. Fines...and let us go to the center." Lol!

Checking out the "Wonder of the Day"

Wonderopolis Topic Journal

And We're Back!

It's our second day back from winter break and its looks like we're good to go.  You never know what will happen with the kids after a nice long break.  While it's only a week-and-a-half, it's enough time away from the daily routines of reading, writing, and working with words and numbers for the kids to need a little "refresher" when they return. I'll spend most of the morning asking about things we learned before the break to see if they still have some of that knowledge floating around in their heads. It's usually never a problem, but it's something you certainly don't want to underestimate. I like to see if the kids still have their "stamina" for learning. I teach the kids about stamina  and they know that, in kindergarten, it means being able to control their bodies during a particular activity for a certain amount of time - anywhere from 10-15 minutes.  This stamina is important for writing time, and read-to-self time.  I asked them if they could still do 12 minutes of quiet reading and writing. It was a breeze for them - and a sigh of relief for me.

A New Year

Welcome back everyone ~ and Happy New Year!

Time certainly flies when you're having fun. I suppose that we having our fair share of it, considering our last post was nearly a month ago. I resolve to getting back to more consistent posts. I got a new digital camera/ video recorder that should streamline the process

We return this week and continue on our journey. There are some fun things in store for the dragons. I/we can't wait to share our learning with you in 2012.  

Cold Springs Kindergarten wins National Grant

Cold Springs Kindergarten wins national grant

 Cold Springs Kindergarten has received a $500 mini-grant from the National Center for Family Literacy and Better World Books.

It is one of only 20 winners nationwide to receive the award, which will promote creative ideas for using Wonderopolis® with families. Wonderopolis.org was created by NCFL in 2010 to provide free, family-friendly content that is practical, easy to use and designed to engage children’s natural curiosity and transform it into a lifelong love of learning. It was one of only five family websites that TIME Magazine named the 50 best websites in 2011. 

The funding will be used to purchase an iPad and implement a Wonderopolis Literacy Center in the classroom.  Here is a brief snippet of what we hope to accomplish with our funds:

Daily learning with Wonderopolis takes place kindergarten via a classroom blog as a "morning meeting"/whole-group activity to stimulate literacy rich learning via communication, imagination, and movement. In this upcoming school year, Wonderopolis-learning will be extended to the students with the use of an iPad to blend literacy and technology learning at an active and engaging classroom learning center called the "iWonderoplis Center".

The iPad would be able to deliver learning through a variety of hands-on, audio, and visual activities that lends itself nicely to the naturally inquisitive theme of Wonderopolis. Content will include, but not be limited to, electronic books (e-books), instant access to rich video media, educational apps for supporting literacy, digital storytelling capabilities using video/imaging camera, as well as connecting with authentic outside audiences using the unique mobile video chat capability. The device will further allow us to explore the full learning (digital and hands-on) that Wonderopolis has to offer while providing the capability to remain current with 21st Century Learning trends.

Wonderopolis is a free resource for families and schools, so hundreds of educators across the country already are using it to generate excitement for learning in schools, libraries and homes across the country. But this mini-grant will help Cold Springs Kindergarten magnify the reach and impact of this 21^st century online learning tool. Other programs and communities also will learn from Cold Springs Kindergarten on how they can maximize the use of Wonderopolis.

"I would like to extend a rousing Cold Springs kindergarten THANK YOU to our friends at Wonderopolis, National Center for family literacy (NCFL), and Better World Books for helping us to bring more Wonder into our classroom".

Puppets Rock!

Puppets...they never get old.  I've seen a resurgence in puppet play in the last few weeks in the classroom. There may be a correlation between "doing stories" and the idea of acting things out.  It's such a great way to encourage communication literacy.  The kids have no problem acting things out with one another. Walls are let down and confidence is boosted. Kids do and say things with a puppet on their hand or fingers that they wouldn't normally do on their own.  They're playing...and learning too. I love that!

We had "inside-recess" today, and of all the choices they had in the room - a bunch of them flocked to the puppet stand.

"Doing" Stories

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to attend the National Association for the Education of Young Children annual conference in Orlando, Florida. My mind is still spinning from the take-aways from this incredible conference which hosts one of the largest contingents of early childhood educators in the country.

The opening keynote was by Vivian Paley - who is well known in the realms of early education. I was refreshed and inspired.  Vivian shared her thoughts and ideas through the art of storytelling. One idea she shared was that of "doing stories".  She shared an example of a students' dictated story and bringing it to life through theater. She simply gathered the author and a few players (actors) for the story. While she narrated, they acted it out.  The entire process took only a couple of minutes. I was eager to use this technique with the kids. I modified it slightly by using stories that the children had already written. The results were magical.

I less time than it takes to make popcorn in the microwave, I was able to lift up and encourage the entire class through this process of "doing stories". It was so simple. The entire class - author, actors, and audience - was empowered by the physical act of sharing a story.  Every child was engaged. Every was included. Awesome!

Here is an example of our class doing one of our young authors story.

We are thankful for 5th brade Buddies

One of the highlights during my year of teaching is to have a mentor (or buddy) classroom. We typically join forces with our neighboring 5th grade classroom down the hall. Several times each year we meet to do projects together, read to each other, or play some games and team building activities. Today we met our buddies for the first time to create our "I am thankful for..." books.  It is wonderful to for our littlest ones to have older kids to look up to. This relationship encourages confidence and self-esteem as kindergarteners proudly wave and give "hi-fives" to their buddies in the hallway and on the playground. It is also great to see our 5th grade students, in their final year of elementary school, take a little one under their wings while reminiscing about their days-of-old. I've never met a group of older students who didn't love spending some time with a kindergartener. The big-brother/big-sister instinct is strong, regardless of whether or not they have siblings themselves. I love the special memories we create throughout the year. Thank you 5B!

P-P-Platypus

Several weeks ago we read a book in our Reading Street program called Plaidypus Lost. Each year we supplement this fun-filled week of learning with a silly song and video by Steve Axtell called P-P-Platypus.  The kids think it's pretty hilarious. This year it, Steve Axtell held a contest in response to the video. An authentic, professional Platypus puppet (as seen in the video) would be given to the group with the most people singing/performing the Platypus song.  Mr. Schaefer, fellow kindergarten teacher, spearheaded this plan for our entry into the contest.  Cold Springs School kindergarten (4 classes, approx 20 in each) and our neighboring Chief Charlo school kindergarten (4 classes, approx 20 in each - and a 2nd grade class) Skyped each other to record the entire group singing the song.  It worked out to about 180 students in total. We won! Here is is picture of the KF Dragons with their new friend.

Here is our winning video. Click here to see the Steve Axtell P-P-Platypus video on Youtube.

a-MAZE-ing adventure

It's wonderful to live in a community that offers so much for family to do.  As fall rolls around a popular attraction for families makes it appearance.  What was once a 45 minute drive down the Bitterroot valley, now makes it's home in Missoula, only a few miles away from Cold Springs.  Here are some memories of our recent field trip to the Missoula Maze.

"Squirelling" Pennies

Building fine motor skills is (should be) a vital part of any kindergarten classroom.  We expect a lot from those tiny little hands - cutting, gluing, writing, creating, lifting, squeezing, pinching - particularly during a time when the muscles of the hand are still developing and strengthening.  A few times throughout the week I like to do table activities of fine motor skills.  I place activities at each of their tables and have them rotate through.  Little do they know, these "fun little activities" are actually helping them to strengthen and develop the muscles of their hands.

Squirreling pennies is one of the fine motor activities that I enjoy leading. Instead of roaming the classroom, I'll camp out at this table and lead them through some hand exercises.  I learned about this fine motor activity from a teacher in our district several years ago.  I'm still not sure why it's called "squirreling".  Maybe its because the kids look like squirrels trying to pick things up with their tiny little hands, or maybe because those little pennies are so darn "squirrely".

I love squirreling pennies with the kids because it gives me a chance work with them in small groups on fine motor skills. It's also a great time to informally assess the students in other areas like math (counting, one-to-one correspondence) and literacy (communicating, using vocabulary).  First I have the kids pick ten pennies. I think its just the right amount for their little hands. When working with pennies, or any small objects that tend to be noisy on the table-tops, I use felt squares that we call "quiet mats".  I have one for each student. They're pretty inexpensive at a local craft store.  From there I lead them through a set of random exercises that challenge their brains and fingers.  I have them work with one hand at a time. The temptation to use both hands is strong - so I tell them to put one hand behind their back. I mix-up (and sometimes make up) the activities as we go along, but some of the standard exercises are: lining up pennies, flipping them over as fast you can, making a pattern (heads/tails), picking up the pennies with thumb & finger and gathering them in the palm of the hand, dropping the penny between the thumb & finger and placing them back down, and stacking pennies.  Keep in mind, all of these exercises are done with one hand - usually the dominant hand, but we practice with the opposite hand as well. I add a little light competition by timing the kids. My absolute favorite is to see the look of concentration (and contortion) on their faces as they get-in-the-zone. I love it!

Here's a little video of our activity.