Monday, November 8, 2010

Fantastic Fall Happening in K/1

What’s happening at HEDP in the K/1 Room?
 
-The K-1 class kicked off November by recognizing Election 
Day. We began our unit by showing the children the process
 of voting; the teachers role-played how to vote on Monday, 
November 1st. The children were able to view the mini-play at 
Precinct 14 in The Heath School Gymnasium; this experience 
provided the children with a first-hand interactive look into 
voting. We will continue learning about the election process 
and responsibilities of being a citizen. The objective of 
this theme is to provide children with knowledge of how 
the hierarchy of government is run as well as seeking their 
rights and responsibilities as people and within the classroom.
 
-The k-1 students will be turning an area of our classroom into a 
precinct where the children will be able to vote on various elements 
that occur in our classroom, such as snack and art projects.
 
-Through this month we will be taking a deeper look into the 
fall season. Elements of this theme will include studying harvest, 
squirrels, the change of weather and exploring the changes that 
occur in nature. We will be bringing acorns into the classroom 
and discussing the fall of the leaves. 
 
-This month we will be incorporating baking and cooking into 
our curriculum. Due to the season we have an abundance of apples 
which we have used to cook with on Fridays. We will be making a 
variety of snacks. The opportunity to cook will allow the children 
to utilize various skills of following a recipe,  incorporating 
math and science, and using cooking tools such as, blender, 
measuring cups, skillet, a hand mixer and so forth.
 
 
Interactive Classroom-  A look into the projects happening at Extended Day-
 
-We will be designing a Ballot Box in which we will utilize when we 
have a class-wide vote in order to secure the right to privacy.
 
-American Flags or American Flag pillows using felt. The children 
will have the option to turn template into a flag or stuff it for a pillow.
 
-Cornucopia’s using classroom materials such as paper plates, 
magazines and paint.
 
-Autumn Wreaths designed by the children using objects of 
nature collected.
 
-Gourd Observations and Exploration- This activity will include 
children drawing and describing gourds using various math materials 
to measure and sense to explore.


A brief recap of the end of October
 
 
-We began a “caring chain” in our classroom. Our caring chain has 
become quite long since mid-October and the children are very proud! 
The purpose of the caring chain is to build community within our classroom 
and ensure that students are taking care and looking out for each other. 
In order to earn a caring chain link a child must be spotted completing 
an act of kindness and when he/she is spotted they may write their 
name on a link and the teacher records why the child is being recognized! 
Check out our caring chain for your child’s acts of kindness. When our 
chain reaches the end of the classroom we will celebrate with a party of choice!
 
 
-MAIL BOXES- Each family now has a mailbox for their children. 
The mailboxes are located on the doors entering Extended Day. Be sure 
to check your child’s mailbox as notices regarding our calendar and 
events will be going out. These mailboxes are available to keep you 
informed, so if you see mail, please grab it!
 
 
A look into your child’s day-
 
2:20-2:30 Children arrive from class, place belongings in cubbies 
and meet on Alphabet rug for attendance and snack overview.
 
2:30-2:45 Snack and quiet activities; when a child finishes eating 
their snack they may choose a library book on display, complete a 
worksheet, game or small activity related to themes or concepts 
being studied during the school day, or draw on a mini-white 
board independently.
 
2:45-2:55 Clean-up and Line-up for Outside
 
3:00-3:40 Outside Play. During this time children will be playing 
a whole class organized game for 15 minutes and then will be able 
to explore the structure and outdoors with peers.
 
3:45-4:15 Homework and Dear time- During this time the Kindergarteners 
are read a story and then paired up to complete a math or literacy 
game or activity. The First graders are taken out of the room to 
the cafeteria or 2-6 classroom to complete some of their homework 
packets and read for the remaining time.
 
4:15 Clean-up, re-group as one class and wash hands for  2nd snack.
 
4:30-5:00 Activity Time- At this time two activities occur; two 
art activities or an art activity and an interactive game .
 
5:00-5:30 Choice time
 
5:30-5:45- Clean-up and cool down read aloud
 

K-1 Classroom Wishlist
 
• Clorox Wipes
• Dry Erase Markers
• Paper Plates
• Magazines
• Paper Towels
• Lysol Spray
 

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