Kindergarten News Theme: Who We Are An exploration of the nature of the self; of our beliefs and values; of personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; of our families, friends, communities and cultures; of our rights and responsibilities; of what it means to be human. Title: Body Systems Central Idea: Healthy systems enable us to maintain well-being Lines of Inquiry: Exploration of how body systems work, how our systems interact, consequences of choices. Concepts: Function, Connection and Responsibility Learner Profiles: Balanced, Caring and Reflective Attitudes: Curiosity, Commitment, and Responsibility Updates and Announcements: April April 19th: Early Dismissal—Professional Development May May 9th: Denver Zoo 2300 Steele Street Denver, CO 80205 Departing school at 8:45 returning to school by 2:00. Please sign up if you can transport the learners on their rain forest exploration! May 11th: Annual Giving Campaign Spring Picnic May 17th: Kindergarten and PK presentation of Lemonade TBA May 21st: Eco-adventure Pow Wow In-house field trip 9:30 am through 11:00 am May 24th: Early Dismissal—Professional Development; end of 3rd Trimester May 27th: NO SCHOOL—Memorial Day May 28th: Field Day, Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd Grade Students May 29th: Field Day, 4th-8th Grade Students, Off Campus May 30th: Graduation Rehearsals May 31st: Graduation—9:00 am—Early Dismissal
Unit of Inquiry: We have been continuing our journey through the human body exploring our digestion system and respiratory system. It has been amazing to inquiry into how these systems work and interact within our body. We have found it amazing that we have so many “parts” in our body and how they function together and actually fit neatly inside of us. The students
April 16, 2013
Placing the skeleton system on our felt friend!
Measuring the length of a pig intestine during a lab!
Breaking down food during our digestive system lab
have been working diligently on their individual body parts and are excited about placing them on their life size posters which we will be doing with our middle school buddies! We began working in groups; creating posters of well-being that we will share with the 2/3 class on the importance of healthy lifestyles, including eating correctly, personal hygiene, exercise, and the importance of mind health. We have come to realize that these are important responsibilities in making positive choices in keeping ourselves safe throughout our life-time. The students have shown such curiosity in their learning through in-depth questions while we share together and have taken action in bringing in knowledge to share as well as items that have led to excellent discussions. They have all shown commitment in their work and are working together displaying cooperation and enthusiasm in their groups. Our field trip to the Denver Botanic Gardens was fun and the students communicated excitement as they were given a “sneak preview” of our upcoming unit on inquiring into finite and natural resources with our lens on the rain forests found in various continents. Daily Five/Café/ Literature groups/Language Arts:
Working on body parts for my life size body poster!
Ms. Lambert’s groups: The students have been working diligently on writing a variety of poems for their individual poetry books. They are committed to their individual goals and literature groups feeling confident in their ability as learners, applying/recognizing the Letterland lessons and writing skills that have been presented. The students journey through Letterland Two has presented the a,l and l combination to make the ‘all’ sound as in call and that when the ‘all’ becomes a prefix it drops one l as in ‘almost’. We will continue our learning with the irregular ‘o’ sounds of ‘uh’, ‘wuh’ and ‘oo’. We will be reflecting on our knowledge of past sounds and extending our learning of sounds of letter combinations that do not follow the already known rule we have learned. The students have shown growth in strengthening their sight words and we ask that they continue to practice their sight words at home as they read with you. They have set individual goals and are working with a true love of reading as they show growth. It is so important that your child read continue to read 20 minutes a night together at home. We ask that you check their comprehension, accuracy, new vocabulary, and decoding skills, through discussion and questions. In Mrs. Burns’ group: In our literature group we continue to read Frindle about a boy who invents a new word for pen- a “frindle”! We have discovered new vocabulary that is both unfamiliar and enlightening. The students are recording their new vocabulary which we will transfer for use in our Word Bingo Game. Our spelling group worked hard and synthesized their prior knowledge of spelling rules when we had a 20 word Spelling Review test. Great work!
Extended learning at the Denver Botanic Gardens!
We will also begin reviewing our weekly spelling words on the Wednesday before the Thursday tests to support study habits. Our students have also visited the First Grade and exchanged our Book Tote books for new books that challenge and engage us in new and relevant ways. Happy reading!
Warmly, Ms. Lambert and Mrs. Burns
We saw so many beautiful plants that grow in the rainforest!