Here are some pictures from literacy and math centers this week, as well as pictures of a project we did with our 2nd grade buddies...

We counted syllables.

We wrote CVC words and sorted them by vowel sound.

We walked around a giant game board on the floor and wrote the sight word we landed on.

During math time, we measured bunnies with jelly beans and rulers.

We made patterns.

We practiced writing subtraction equations.

Friends who finish early can do a "dessert" tray.  This week we have sorting tubs.

During buddy time, Mrs. Zellmer read a story called "Round Robin".  Then we used some cool 2nd grade tools like "tracers" and rulers to make our own robins.   Think Spring!!

We started a new writing unit this week..."Writing for a Reason".  We will be writing letters, book reviews, and persuasive (!) stories.  We started our stories by thinking of something we want to get or want to do.  Then, we had to think of 3 ways to convince the reader so we get what we want.

We've also been reading some fun leprechaun stories.  We've learned that leprechauns guard the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,  so today we tried making a rainbow on our wall by shining a flashlight through water in a glass bowl.  We did some "skittle math" (because they're rainbow colored!), and also made the skittle "s" float in a cup of water.  (Then, being the responsible teacher that I am,  I volunteered to eat all the skittles, because they're not a healthy snack to have at school. :)

We start our kindergarten morning with calendar and daily news.  Daily news is one of my favorite times of the day, because we get to learn about our friends and also practice literacy skills.  The kids each have 1 day during the week that is "their" day to share.  After they tell their story, we pick a "special moment" and I write their words on the chart.  During the beginning of the year me might also look for letters we know or count how many words are in each sentence.  By now, though, the kids are spelling words for me, noticing "chunks", and reminding me to put spaces and add punctuation. :)  We are learning sooo much about reading and writing!

Today we played a hands-on game to help us understand that when we write subtraction equations, the greater number needs to come first.  2 friends rolled a set of dice, then after we figured out the greater number we used cubes to take away the smaller amount.  Then we wrote number sentences to match, using our new symbol..."Linus the minus guy".  :)

We had an awesome snowshoeing adventure with Mr. Williams today!   We walked over to the Girl Scout woods and put on our new big feet.

 Mr. Williams showed us how to be "nature detectives" and look for signs that animals have been in the woods.  We found "scat", deer fur, and deer beds.

We also found holes made by a pileated woodpecker,

and had to look for shelter (like animals might do tonight).

Being a nature detective is so much fun!!

Today we read the Dr. Seuss story Oh The Thinks You Can Think.  We used our imagination to draw silly pictures, and then, of course, we had to make SCHLOPP!

"Schlopp, schlopp, beautiful schlopp,

Beautiful schlopp with a cherry on top!"

Then we asked our friends if they liked schlopp, and we filled out a graph to record their answers.

*If you'd like to make schlopp at home, the "top secret" ingredients are cool whip and strawberry yogurt.  :)