Name Art

Throughout the year, Kindergarten students learn how they are unique and special. They have learned that their faces are all different and unique and we learned that our names are unique. Our focus today, was to identify the first letter in our name and to see if the first letters are the same as our friends or different from our friends.

For art, students used their fine motor skill of tearing paper and used their ripped paper to cover the first letter of their name. We then used a pencil to trace over our names.

First, we wrote our name:

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Next, we picked two colours and started to rip and tear:

Last, we tried gluing our paper in a pattern:

 

 

On the weekend journal

After a long weekend away from school, the students returned with lots of stories about what they did on the weekend. On Tuesday, we used MATMAN to first draw ourselves and then we used shapes to try and add details to our picture about what we did. 


First, we shared a "Minute to Mingle" with our peers where we told them what we did on the weekend. 

 


Next, we used our MATMAN checklist to draw us and then tried adding details using shapes.




Our writing: 

Jasneet shared, "I play with my little sister, I'm at home."

 

Momna shared, "I went to the swimming pool."




At home, you can practice early literacy skills by having your child draw a picture of something fun or exciting they did at home, at the park or with friends/family. First, encourage them to draw themselves using MAT MAN. Next, have them try and add some details by using their shapes. Have fun writing at home!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

We have been working with the story of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle and using it to practice many important kindergarten skills such as making predictions, using scissors and glue, picking colours that make sense, following multi-step instructions, story telling and so much more!

First, we started by reading the story of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, but kept the end of the story a secret. Instead, students were asked to make a smart guess, or a prediction, of what would happen when the hungry caterpillar came out of his small home, called a “cocoon”. Students then drew a detailed picture of what they thought would happen next and shared their ideas with the teacher. 

 

Sehaj predicted, "he turned into a butterfly."

 

Another student shared, "it turned into a butterfly.. he's going home because he's all done his new home."

 

Rahaan predicted, "he's going to eat more food when he goes out of the cocoon and then he will be big."

 

Usmaan predicted, "he turned into a butterfly... he was sad because he got lost in the forest."

Predictions are a very important early learning comprehension skill. You can practice this skill at home while reading a story by asking your child what will happen in the story by just looking at the cover of the book. While reading, stop throughout the story and ask your child to guess, or predict, what they think will happen next. 

"I can make connections with different types of text.”

We continued to build on our knowledge and understanding of the story, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by watching the story of, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” on the smartboard and learned that sometimes things can be the same in a story and sometimes things can be different. 

"I can use shapes to draw a picture / "I can follow directions"

Next, we used a checklist to help us create our own hungry caterpillar. First, we drew the letter "C". Next, we traced circles to make the caterpillar. Then, we had to pick smart colors for our caterpillar (the caterpillar’s head is red and his body is green). Last we added details to make our caterpillars look more like the hungry caterpillar in the story. 

 

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“I can cut” / “I can match objects to a numeral” / “I can name fruits”

We are beginning to become masters at following directions by using checklists. First, we learned how to use scissors to cut out shapes of fruits. Before glueing, we counted and matched the number of fruits to the correct numeral. Last, we coloured colors that made sense and matched the fruit the hungry caterpillar ate.

"I can use picture cues to put a story in proper order.”

Next, we focused on many skills to put the story of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” in sequence of what happened first, next, then, last. 

First, we cut. 

                                

                                

Next, we think and glue.

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Last, we colour using colours that make sense.

                    

Boys and girls were then asked to share the story of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" in their own words.

Retelling a story: Curious about the story of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”? Ask your child to tell you the story at home! Boys and girls can also practice retelling stories at home. After reading a story together, prompt your child to tell you what happened first, next, then and last! 

Superheroes and Terry Fox Run

This week we have been talking about Superheroes!

Students began by going to their tables and participating in a "provocation". A provocation is a hands-on experience set up by the teacher that allows boys and girls to practice, test, and construct ideas and theories by themselves and with their peers. 

Here are some photos of students at their tables, looking at pictures of Superhero symbols, costumes, and accessories, and then sharing their observations with others. 

 

 

Next, we came together to share some of our ideas and observations as a class. This helped the teachers learn what the students already knew about Superheroes, and where we could help students build their understanding and vocabulary.

 

Later, we watched a video about Superheroes to help us build our Superhero vocabulary, such as: cape, costume, super power, invisible, etc.  Students then had a "minute to mingle" (this is where boys and girls tell as many of their peers as they can something they know in 1 minute) in order to share what they learned with a friend.

This week, we combined our knowledge of MAT MAN and Superheroes to create a Superhero wall in our classroom. Students used MAT MAN to first draw a person, then added details important details, such as costumes, masks, capes, colors and letters, in order to make it look like their favourite Superhero. 

Terry Fox is a Canadian hero who attempted to run across Canada to raise money for Cancer Research. On Friday, September 27th we ran in support of Terry Fox and his cause. Thank you to all those who sent a donation to school!    

                                         

We had so much fun running in support of Terry Fox!