What a week!!

In social studies this week, I taught the class about "wants versus needs." They learned the meaning of both concepts and we also studied each in great length. A NEED is something people must have to live such as food, shelter and clothing. A WANT is something people like but don't need to live such as toys, new markers, books, or video games. The class did a WONDERFUl job learning both concepts and today we finished the unit where I asked them to draw something they learned they "need" and something they "want." I was so impressed with what ideas they drew and how well they did choosing something that fit into each catergory. Way to go, K-!!

In literacy, we are continuing our theme "Home of the Brave" in HMH. We have been reading non-fiction books about holidays and about the wonderful country we live in. This week, we have read books that have focused on holidays and 4th of July in particular. The class did a great job connecting the information with the book to their own experiences in their lives. We have enjoyed talking about the holidays and ways we celebrate them with our families. Some things we do the same and a lot of my kinder friends have their own traditions with their own families. It's been fun learning about everyone's families and what is important to their family when they celebrate specific holidays! Alongside reading these books, we have also been learning about compouned words, nouns, adjectives and how to define a central idea. I am amazed with how quickly my kindergarten friends learned what a noun and adjective is and how well they can identify them in a story when I read it outloud to them. WOW! We have also continued to identify characters, setting, authors, illustrators, etc. They are learning so much as readers and I am thrilled with how much they are growing as learners!

In math, we are continuing to solidify addition and subtraction. I have even challenged them today with a game that they played with their 5th grade buddies called Addition and Subtraction War. It is the game of War but with addition and subtraction problems. Whoever had the bigger sum or difference got to keep the cards. This was challenging because it was math problems within 20. Not being able to use their fingers was "tricky' so I taught them how to use a handy froggie counter to help them. They LOVED playing this with their buddies and showing off how well they can add and subtract! Way to go, K-1! I asked them to play this game one time at home with their families for added practice. In math, we are also learning place value with identifying how many 10's and 1's are in a given number. They did great learning this concept and counting correctly. Yay, K-1!

In writing, they have all grown SO MUCH!!! When given a writing prompt, they are all writing 3 sentences with ease and are doing a wonderful job remembering to do all the things good writers do. Things such as: starting a sentence with a capital letter, putting finger spaces between words, putting the correct punctuation at the end and writing their sentences the correct way on the lines. Their sentences have such wonderful detail and so do their pictures that they draw to go along with their writing! I have a class of beautiful artists who's drawings can tell a story in themselves! Way to go, K-1! My kinders are truly amazing and each day, I am so excited to see the growth they are all making as learners! It's beyond AMAZING! They are more than ready for first grade already and I am so proud of all of them! They have been working so hard and wow....it sure shows! Have a great long weekend, everyone!