I feel as though it has been forever since I posted on here! I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable break and a very Happy New Year! I know I did :) Even though it was hard getting up this past Monday, it was all worth it when I was welcomed by your children's smiling faces! Surprisingly, they seemed excited to be back in school!
This week we began Unit 2 in Fundations. The students were introduced to tapping out/ reading CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words. I was so impressed with how fast they were able to catch on. This is not an easy skill for Kindergarten students! First, I displayed each word on the board and said and tapped each sound. Then, the students tapped with me. Next, we blended the sounds as we dragged our thumbs across our fingers and said the word. Below are some of the words we have been practicing in class. Feel free to review these words with your children.
- There were 6 coats hanging on hooks. Two children put on their coats. I think there are 4 coats still hanging on hooks. Am I right? How do you know?
After the children explained their thinking, I helped the kiddos solve the number story by displaying two examples of the story on the white board. (Story #1 didn't show work; Story #2 showed the child's work). I explained that while both answers are correct, only one story justified the answer and that it is important to be able to explain and justify your answer.
Now it was their turn to solve a number story:
- I was having a party. I put 4 chairs at the table. The doorbell rang, and I saw 7 friends at the door. Do I have enough chairs for all my friends? How do you know?
Here are some examples of their work. They all did such a great job!
On Thursday, I introduced the double ten frame. I held up a number card between 10 and 19 and asked students to use counters to show that number on their double ten frame. They were directed to fill up one ten frame first and then add counters to the second ten frame to complete the number. Then we discussed how showing the number in this way compares with showing the numbers with "10 and some more" fingers. Finally, I gave each pair of children a spinner. The children took turns spinning a number and placing that number of counters on their double ten frame using the "10 and some more" approach. After each child had a turn, they compared the double tens frame. The child with the largest number won the game.
- Writing Center- Children wrote a true story in their journals.
- ABC Center- Children completed Letter Formation Mats
- Tablets- Children read leveled texts on Raz-Kids.
- Math Center- Children played “Ten Bears on the Bus” independently.
Best,
Miss Visicaro