Force and Motion

How do things move? How do people move?

What is motion? What is force?
Can something move without touching it?

Testing force on objects of varying weight
Our latest science focus has Kindergartners "playing" around with these big ideas to ask questions and make learning discoveries. Students are being introduced to the basic concepts of physics through information text read alouds, small group activities, some structured experiments and playtime using balls and ramps, marbles and tubes. Students are learning to ask on-topic questions, make observations and put their thinking into action!


This unit is also a wonderful opportunity for building science rich vocabularies, and we are careful to name objects and actions accurately. Ask your child to share with you what they know about... how people move, and the location and direction of objects?

Celebrating!

Students celebrated earning over 100  hoots with a "movie" and lunch in the classroom.  We enjoyed listening to the story of Chrysanthemum, written by Kevin Henkes as we ate as a class community in the classroom this afternoon.  Students continue to work hard to show Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self Control throughout the day!  Nice job, Kinders! 

Bird Nests

Signs of spring - RAIN!  Even though the forecast called for 100% rain for 2:00, kindergarteners were prepared and ready for outdoor exploration in the inclement weather. Yesterday, students spent time with Mrs. Bates' class building birds nest to prepare for a predator/prey tag game, helping birds by building more feeders, and enjoying and warming up by the fire with a cup of tea!  Thanks to our parent volunteers and Amy Butler for your help!

Art Project with Mrs. Kane

We were inspired by French artist Edgar Degas, who is famous for his sculptures and paintings of ballet dancers.  For our sculptures, we turned "stick people" made of pipe cleaners into "super bubble people" formed with Model Magic Modelling clay.  Students looked at their own bodies as models for their clay figures.  Students then painted their own individual brown skin colors by mixing white and the primary colors red, yellow and blue.  We created fun costumes for our figures - who are active ballet dancers, gymnasts, ninjas and even pirates- because unlike stick people, bubble people can do anything!  

Mechanics of Writing

This past week, and over the next week, before we begin learning about persuasive writing, students are immersed in learning about the important mechanics of writing.  As our students develop fluency in their writing and quickness to get their thoughts down on paper, they often lose focus on handwriting, spacing, punctuation, neatness, capitalization, to name a few.  This week, we've been focusing on reviewing these important skills and spending time learning what a writing hand's job is, how our bodies look when sitting in the chair, how to form letters correctly, all with the overall goal of making our writing readable.  I am amazed at our hard workers every day, striving to do their best.  INQUIRE with your child how to spell their last name - another skill we've practiced this past week!

Kindergarten Art/Music Show

The end of the year kindergarten music show will be on Thursday, April 16th at 6 p.m. in the auditorium here at Union School. Immediately following, students and families are invited to walk through the big gym, where student artwork will be displayed. We are looking forward to a wonderful evening. Here are a few ways you can help your child prepare.

Students will meet in their own classrooms at 5:45 before the show. Plan to walk your child to their classroom, then head to the auditorium to find the perfect seat!

Please be sure your child wears black pants and comfortable shoes. Students will be entering and exiting from the the stage floor via stairs as well as standing on risers. Each student will have a color t-shirt to wear for the show, and should should wear a simple t-shirt from home to school. Teachers will provide students with their show t-shirt that evening. Other planned props will be provided in the classroom at this time as well.

It is helpful if your child has a light dinner before arriving. Students will be excited, and nervous tummies will feel best with this approach.

Please check your child's green communication folder tomorrow after school for an order form for the show t-shirts. All shirts are child sized. Please complete the form and return it to school in your child’s red folder ,with payment in an envelope labelled with their name. Please send cash only. No checks!

Cooperative math games

Math workplaces are a favorite time of day for many. Students sign up to play a partner game or  an independent activity.  Many choices are available to help students practice all numeracy skills, in a fun way.  INQUIRE with your child about tic-tac teen, beat the timer sea creatures, top it twenty frame, beat you to 20, spill the beans, or ask them about their favorite math game they played this week.  Students are working on building numeracy skills and becoming fluent with these.  Later this spring, we will be hosting a math night for families - to help you learn how to make math a fun family event at home!  

Parents can come back to read again - feel free to sign up to be another guest reader? Have another child who is a big brother or big sister that wants to come read to us - feel free to sign them up too! 

Choice time, as you heard is a favorite time of day for all.  Students work cooperatively together to practice key social skills, communication and empathy for all students.  

Yoga continues to be going well.  Thanks again for all your help to get this program going.  INQUIRE with your child what this week's story was that Becky read to us.  During and after the story, we incorporate many different yoga positions into the plot and act out the characters actions and feelings.

Green Day!

INQUIRE with your child if they thought they would like green eggs and ham and what they actually thought after giving it a try! How were they similar or different than the famous character, Sam-I-Am?

Green Day is Coming

Please help your child select a green item of clothing to wear to school on Tuesday, March 17th.We will be celebrating "Green Day". We plan to do many color blending activities, to taste "Green Eggs and Ham," and to enjoy the color green. Please do not go out and buy any new green items, just search for some green socks, shirts, headbands, pants, necklaces, or other green items. If you cannot find anything, do not worry. Kindergarten kids have a great ability to create, given green paper!!

ECO Throughout the Day

Bird Greeting at Morning Meeting

Bird Nest Observation

Mixed Class Learning - Sharing a bout what they author taught them.

Finding Deer Hairs from where they slept!

Observing fire making 

Coyotes make a bird home

Teamwork!

Blue Jays make a home for themselves!

Migrating birds will be so happy!

Excited to help the birds!

"Chickadee Sticks"

"Beaver sticks"

"Mouse Tails"