This week during Math Workshop our students learned about time.  We introduced them to the digital and analog clocks during a large group meeting, and then we explored the digital clocks and timers on the iPads.  Many children were curious to see what time it was in different countries where some of their family members live, so we took a time hop around the world. The children had fun working on an iPad to time a partner doing a physical activity for a minute; some of the activities included jumping jacks, squats, claps, and push ups.  After we were thoroughly worn out, we shared our results, and later we experimented with the Telling Time application on the iPad.  The children learned how and where to place numbers on a clock.  During choice time next week some children will make their own clocks.

As our Kindergarten year winds down, it is time for many celebrations. The children celebrated their final writing unit of the year when they shared their non-fiction books with family and friends this week. They not only researched and wrote their own material about an animal of their choice, but they also created a fun summary of the characteristics of their animal on the iPads during library class.  We are so proud of all of our young authors. This research unit is the beginning foundation for all of the research that they will accomplish in the future during their academic careers.  We are really enjoying our final days together in Kindergarten before our students take their next big step to first grade!!

"Show me the money!" The theme this week in kindergarten was all about money as we revisited our discussions about the penny, nickel, dime and quarter during our math workshop. The children worked together and turned their dramatic play area into a supermarket using their cash registers and play money. They took turns sorting coins and learned what it means to exchange money for goods and how much each coin represents. We then played the coin game to reinforce their knowledge and understanding of the value of the coins; children roll the money dice and draw coins, and then have fun adding up the sums of their money. Next week we plan to participate in more fun money-themed activities.

Over the past few weeks, kindergarten students have been diligently working during library class to research many different types of animals. The children have become experts on an animal of their choice and are ready to share their knowledge in their final kindergarten writing piece; they will publish their non-fiction books and share them with you at the final writing celebration. This week, the children learned what it means to transfer data.  They reviewed their notes from the library and decided what important information should be incorporated in their books. Afterwards, they completed the first page of their research book which was all about their animal's habitat.  We learned a lot of new information from the children, and it was fun for them to share their expertise. They are motivated and eager as they begin their work, and it has definitely ignited their interest to read more non-fiction books.  Who knows what they will become an expert on next!