December 3, 2018 5:12 pm
Kindergarten Highlights
Week of December 3, 2018
Reported by Ms. Krachie
Although short, November was a very busy month and much was accomplished in the kindergarten classroom. The students are in full swing and have successfully acclimated into all aspects of the curriculum. We are steaming ahead in math, reading, and writing. We have discussed many social studies topics and explored numerous science units as well. We continue the month of December where we left off. The students will continue to be challenged through selected reading texts, review and introduction to mathematical concepts and our exploration of geography and the human body.
Children were introduced to all these concepts and understandings about digestion. When you eat, food goes on a long twisty, zigzagging journey through tubes and turns into a soupy mush for your body to use. Before food can be used by the body, it has to be digested. That is the job of the digestive system. As food passes through this system, it is gradually broken down into simple nutrients which pass into the bloodstream. The blood then carries the nutrients to all body cells using the circulatory system to provide them with the fuel they need. Food enters the digestive system through the mouth, and then travels down along the esophagus into the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Once digestion is finished, the large intestine expels any waste through the anus. The liver, gallbladder, and pancreas help the digestive system do its job. Every part of your body depends on the digestive system for nutrients, but the digestive system needs the other systems of the body as well. The muscles and bones in your mouth help your teeth chew the food, while the circulatory system transports the needed nutrients through the blood to your various body parts. This week we move to the Respiratory System.
The respiratory system’s main function is to supply oxygen to all parts of your body. It does this through breathing: inhaling oxygen-rich air and exhaling air filled with carbon dioxide. Your body needs oxygen to survive. Oxygen is used by your cells as it performs the functions of life. As your body uses oxygen, your cells produce another gas known as carbon dioxide. Since carbon dioxide is a waste gas, it is important that your body have a way to get rid of it. The main organs in your respiratory system are your lungs. Your lungs are like sacs. As you breathe in, you fill these sacs with fresh oxygen-filled air. As you exhale, or breathe out, you release carbon dioxide-rich air into the space around you.
In social studies we have begun our study of geography. Geography studies the relationship between people, places, and environments by mapping information about then in a spatial context. The goal over the next few months is for the students to understand how to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to understand information places and environments on Earth from a spatial prospective. Last week we explored the globe. This week we will explore a map. The children are fascinated with maps and the world map and Stack the States continue to be a favorite activity,
In math we move on to a new concept and will introduce the concept of groups of ten. This is essential to understand in order to move on with learning the teen numbers and place value, both difficult concepts for students this age. Please help reinforce this concept at home by having your child cut out groups of ten from a handful of small items and enforce the language of grope of ten and how many left over.
In Making Meaning this week we move onto unit 3 Retelling. In this unit, the students hear stories, answer questions that help them recall the sequence of events, and practice retelling the stories. Retelling a sequence of events helps the student make logical sense of the story and is a foundation for understanding plot development and for summarizing. We will use the story Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington. In writing, we will continue to build our writing community learning how professional authors get ideas for stories. Authors often write about things are interested in, things they like a lot, or things that they want to know more about. This week we will read Freight Train by Donald Crews and write about things that interest us.
We will continue with reading groups as well. Some groups will receive new booklets others will continue to work on the current selection. Please continue to support their effort at home with positive feedback. Remember to become a better reader you have to read daily: five to ten minutes a day is all it takes. Please continue to support our efforts here at school through the use of sticky notes to communicate to me how your child is reading the assigned material at home . It is helpful for direction and planning when you share observation and feedback from home on the yellow sticky notes provided on the readers.
The staff and students at Turtle Creek Learning Academy wish all our families a Happy Hanukkah. The class enjoyed learning about this wonderful festival of lights that brightens these long dark nights. Last Friday, we shared stories of families gathering to celebrate the great miracle of long ago and enjoyed delicious latkes and learning how to play the dreidel game!
Categorised in: Ms. Krachie, News
