Tag: books

Uncategorized

W is for Water Week: A Splash of Learning in Kindergarten!

NicoleLeave a comment

This week in our kindergarten classroom, we dove into an exciting and interactive W is for Water Week! Water is such an essential part of our world, and we explored its many wonders through hands-on activities, storytelling, science experiments, and math investigations. The students were fully engaged in learning about water’s journey, its importance, and the ways we can use it wisely. Here’s a glimpse into our week of discovery!

Storytelling & Literacy Adventures

Each day, we started with a water-themed story that helped us think more deeply about how water moves and why it matters.

  • Monday: Water is Water by Miranda Paul helped us see the water cycle in action, setting the stage for the week.
  • Tuesday: The Water Princess by Susan Verde opened up discussions on access to clean water and why we should appreciate it.
  • Wednesday: All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon taught us about water’s journey across the globe.
  • Thursday: Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portis helped us identify different forms of water all around us.
  • Friday: We celebrated W is for worm with a Letter W craft and storytelling about water’s adventures.
  • Our Water Superhero Storytelling Lesson was a huge hit! Students acted out all the different ways that they could save more water using story workshop materials.

Students also practiced their Letter W Writing by painting with water and brainstorming words that start with W, such as waves, waterfalls, and wetlands. We also wrote creative stories imagining, If I Were a Raindrop…, taking on the perspective of water itself!

Hands-On Math & Science Fun

Our math and science centers flowed seamlessly into our water theme!

  • Counting Water Drops – Using pipettes, we carefully counted how many water droplets we could put onto a water counting page after carefully rolling a dice to see the
  • Estimating Water Amounts – Comparing how much water different containers could hold.
  • Building 3D Shapes with Ice Cubes – A frosty math challenge that reinforced geometric concepts.

Creative Exploration & Play-Based Learning

Throughout the week, students explored water in different ways through our provocations and exploration stations:

  • Water sensory tub – involved tropical fish, blue kinetic sand, and water rocks.
  • Quantity explorations – students investigated different quantities of different sized containers and how much water they could hold.

W is for Water Celebration!

On Friday, we wrapped up the week with a Water Celebration Day!

  • Math Tubs: Measuring Water Volume – Students experimented with different containers to see which held more or less water.
  • ADST: Building a Boat – Using popsicle sticks, tape, pipe cleaners, and some recycled fruit cup containers we explored makings boats and then tested them to see how many elephants they could hold before they sank.

As the week came to an end, our classroom was filled with excitement, discovery, and appreciation for water’s role in our world. Through play, storytelling, science, and creativity, students developed a deep understanding of why water is essential to life!

Next week, we dive into a new adventure, but for now, we’ll remember that every drop counts! 💦🌍

100's Day

Celebrating 100’s Day week with Zero the Hero

NicoleLeave a comment

Welcome to our exciting 100’s Day Week in kindergarten, where we’ve been immersed in a world of numbers, letters, and creativity! This week, we’ve transformed our classroom into a vibrant and engaging space for exploration and play, all centered around our beloved character, Zero the Hero.

To kick off our week, we introduced the “Zero the Hero Collect the J” game, a fun and interactive way to reinforce number recognition and counting skills.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Zero-the-Hero-Alphabet-Sound-Quest-Game-11017299

Our students also had the opportunity to explore the 100-bead counting abacus, the 20’s rekenrek, and the ten-frame pop it, providing hands-on experiences with numbers up to 100.

For a twist, we incorporated the Zero the Hero alphabet bump game, using wooden alphabet letters to match to the letters—a delightful change that kept our students engaged and eager to learn.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Zero-the-Hero-Alphabet-Bump-10955090

To challenge our budding mathematicians, we introduced the 30-sided dice and 10 frames up to the number 30, encouraging them to match numbers and deepen their understanding of numerical concepts.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Zero-the-Hero-Math-Bump-Game-10960412

Our sensory table was transformed with numbers in different styles and laminated Zero the Hero figures, adding a tactile element to our learning environment.

In line with our focus on the letter J this week, we started with a captivating story, “100 Snowmen,” which sparked discussions about words that begin with the letter J. Our students then had a blast creating uppercase and lowercase J’s out of playdough, as well as crafting something that started with the letter J.

Even with Monday being a holiday (Family Day), we kept the excitement going by shifting our directed drawing activity to Tuesday, where we created adorable jellyfish artworks.

We wrapped up our first day with a engaging writing lesson. Building on our ongoing narrative writing practice, we read the charming story “When I Was Little” and invited our students to write their own stories about their early years. While the topic was suggested, students were encouraged to write about anything they liked, fostering a love for writing at this early age.

Wednesday was an extraordinary day in our kindergarten as we celebrated 100’s Day with a plethora of engaging activities that left us all smiling and learning together.

To start off the day, we embarked on a creative journey, crafting our very own 100’s Day crowns. Adorned with colorful decorations and the number 100 proudly displayed, these crowns were a symbol of our achievement and the perfect way to kick off our celebration.

Next, we delved into a special craft activity, creating monster 100’s day necklaces. These quirky and delightful necklaces were not only a fun way to explore numbers but also a fantastic keepsake of our memorable day.

One of the highlights of our celebration was the special 100-item show & tell. Each student had the opportunity to share their collection of 100 items, showcasing their creativity and counting skills. From buttons to LEGO bricks, the variety of items shared was truly impressive and showcased the unique interests of each child.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/100s-Day-Hundreds-Day-STEAM-Party-A-New-Way-to-Celebrate-2935317

We also had a great time participating in some fun STEM 100’s day challenges. We spent some time building towers To conclude our day, we teamed up with our big buddies for a special Zero the Hero math game. Using decade dice, we explored numbers up to 100 in a fun and interactive way. This collaboration with our big buddies added an element of camaraderie and teamwork to our celebration, making it even more memorable.

Despite our focus on 100’s Day, we made sure to include our regular activities. We dedicated some time to our J for jellyfish craft, where each child had the opportunity to personalize their jellyfish, reflecting the uniqueness of each individual in our classroom.

Finally, we continued with our narrative writing, reading the story “All the Places to Love.” This story inspired us to write our own special stories about a place that we love, highlighting the importance of expressing gratitude and love for the special people and places in our lives.


In conclusion, Zero the Hero has become a beloved character in our classroom, helping us celebrate the 100th day of school in exciting and educational ways. From math activities to creative crafts, Zero the Hero has inspired our students to think critically, problem-solve, and engage with numbers in a meaningful manner. As we wrap up our Hundreds Day Week festivities, we’re grateful for the fun and learning that Zero the Hero has brought to our classroom, and we look forward to continuing our learning journey together for the remainder of the year!

Uncategorized

Embracing Winter Wonderland: A Week of Snowman Inquiry

NicoleLeave a comment

As the winter chill settles in and snowflakes dance outside the window, there’s a special kind of excitement in the air in our classroom. It’s Snowman Week, a time dedicated to exploring the magical world of snowmen and integrating a variety of learning opportunities for our curious little minds. This week-long adventure not only captivates the students’ imaginations but also provides a rich environment for inquiry-based learning.

Setting the Stage:

The classroom is transformed into a winter wonderland with engaging activities at every turn. Each table is dedicated to a unique snowman-themed exploration, ensuring that every child finds something that sparks their curiosity. From literacy to math, sensory play to art, Snowman Week encompasses a wide range of learning experiences.

Literacy Table – Snowman Alphabet Bump:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Snowman-Alphabet-Bump-10808441

At the literacy table, students dive into the world of letters with the Snowman Alphabet Bump. This interactive game not only reinforces letter recognition but also encourages collaboration and friendly competition. As children engage with this activity, they build a foundation for early literacy skills while having fun.

Math Table – Mini Dice Snowman Bump:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Snowman-Bump-Math-Game-10808354

Over at the math table, excitement is brewing with the Mini Dice Snowman Bump. This game introduces the concept of counting and strategizing, all while building adorable snowmen. The mini dice add an element of surprise and challenge, making math a joyous experience.

Art Table – Creative Snowman Masterpieces:

Creativity takes center stage at the art table, where students express themselves through Snowman art projects. Drawing inspiration from their Monday-directed drawing session, the class collaborates to create unique and imaginative snowmen. The emphasis on creative expression allows each child to showcase their individuality.

Sensory Bin – Fake Snow Adventure:

The sensory bin is transformed into a snowy landscape with the introduction of fake snow. As children explore this wintry texture, they engage their senses, fostering sensory development and imaginative play. The sensory bin becomes a miniature snow world where students can build, mold, and explore the magic of winter.

Daily Soft Start and Letter of the Week:

The day begins with a soft start at table time, offering students the freedom to wander and explore the various materials set out on the tables. This week’s focus is on the letter “M,” providing a platform for brainstorming and creative activities related to this letter. Playdough becomes a tool for shaping both uppercase and lowercase “M’s,” as well as crafting items that start with the chosen letter.

Monday’s Directed Drawing:

Mondays kick off with a directed drawing session, promoting active listening and following directions. This week’s masterpiece? Snowmen! The collaborative drawing session allows students to work together, share ideas, and develop their artistic skills.

Adaptability and Student Interests:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hospital-Doctor-Dramatic-Play-1132721?st=6ac006e02bb4f40e56404f1e184d84ae

Flexibility is key in our classroom, and this week was no exception. Despite initial plans for a snowman-themed dramatic center, the students’ keen interest in playing doctor led to a spontaneous setup of a hospital dramatic play area. This adaptability ensures that learning remains dynamic and responsive to the evolving interests of the students.

Counting Safari – Math Exploration:

While the overarching theme is snowmen, the week also aligns with ongoing math skill development. The “Counting Safari” activity takes center stage, offering various counting collection bags, each adorned with different animal stickers. This clever integration of counting and animal recognition keeps the students motivated as they embark on a safari of mathematical exploration.

We finished the week off with an exploration into wet felting with a final project that we can use in our loose parts play in the weeks coming up. We created our mats out of felt and layered smaller pieces on top and added hot water and rubbed it all together!

Conclusion:

Snowman Week isn’t just about snowmen; it’s a holistic approach to learning that incorporates literacy, math, art, and sensory experiences. By fostering an environment of inquiry and adaptability, this themed week becomes a memorable journey through the winter wonderland, igniting curiosity and laying the foundation for a love of learning that extends beyond the snowy season.