Hour of Code

Summer Time Apps for iPad

I have found a few good apps to help your child spelling, counting and making books over the summer!

Rocket Speller this app is great for learning to spell and figuring out which letter comes first-middle-last. This app has different levels of difficulty

Chicktionary this spelling app allows them to make as many words as they can with a given set of letters

Wings this math app helps them to recognize groups of numbers and "fly" to the side with more. Bonus-have them shout it out as they fly through "8 is greater than 5"! 

Find the Words who doesn't love a good word search challenge. Great for kids of all ages ;)

Scribble Press this app allows them to create their very own book with fun illustrations and words! 

iTouches

Today we had our first whole group lesson with our schools iTouches! We explored videos explaining the life cycles of a pumpkin, sunflower and apple trees. Then we compared them to each other and discussed how they were alike and different. Also...some VERY exciting and BREAKING news....K1 now how it's own iTouch to keep in our class FULL TIME!!! The learning possibilities are endless...

Earphones

Thank you so much for sending in earphones for your kiddo. They have LOVED getting the chance to use the iPods this week during our Daily 5 "Listen to Reading" time. If you have not sent a pair in...you still have time!

First trip to the...

Computer lab! Today we journeyed down to the computer lab and got better acquainted with Technology Toni (our technology teacher) and the 'ins and outs' of the lab. Before we left, she taught us a fun game called "log-on, log-off" where they got to practice their log-in and password and how to log-off, too!

Catching up...

Sorry for the blog absenses...every second of my day has been filled to the brim! Here's a few things to catch you up on K1 happenings this week!

This week we started our Math Stations Rotations! One group was working on the geo-boards, another was using the pattern blocks to create pictures and the other was creating patterns with objects.

We have been building up our reading stamina! You should be so proud of your Kindergartner...we have built up to reading for a whole 7 minutes!!! This is quite a big Kinder accomplishment!

Last but not least...I finally was blessed with a new computer that doesn't crash every 5 minutes :) let the good times roll.

Did you know?

Your child learned how to type capital letters on the computer?? Ask them to show you...

Sunflowers, Pumpkins and Apple Trees

What do those three things have in common?? We watched three videos about them on our schools iTouches today! Afterwards we shared out what our partner learned (lots of listening skills involved there!) We also each created a Thinking Map of our choice to organize our new and old information learned on these topics.

Last week happenings

Last week was so crazy I didn't have much time to post! Here are a few shots...

During "free choice" I looked over to the computers and saw this! WOW! For some reason it made me think of the stock exchange when everyone is gathered around monitors and yelling. So funny!

The weather last week could not have been more perfect for recess and practicing new things.

If you haven't heard of table tallies, ask your little one to explain it to you. Also, ask them what the winning table receives.

Ladybug update: the eggs turned from yellow to brown Friday. I thought they had possibly died?? Then this morning the eggs were white. I'm not sure what that means but we are still diligently watching the progress.

Happy Monday!

Bundle up for...

A VIRTUAL field trip! Yesterday we put our jackets on and took a REALLY long plane ride to the north and south poles! :) We learned about where penguins and polar bears are found. Ask your child if they know the three layers that help penguins and polar bears stay warm.

SMART Board

I am so excited that K1 has a SMART Board this year! This interactive white board is a great tool for a technology-enabled learning environment. Ask your Kindergartener what if they know the rules of the SMART board.

Fairy Tales-2010 Style!

This was probably the quietest morning in K5 history! We listened and watched Fairy Tales on our schools new Apple iTouches. Today we learned how to turn them on, figure out which ear belongs to which headphone :), adjust the volume, scroll the titles, and select the video. It was a surreal moment watching them listening and learning...it just made me think of how when I was in Kindergarten the highlight of my (half) day was playing with sand. It amazed me how quickly they learned and how many of them already knew how they worked! I wonder what the classroom will look like when they have Kindergarteners...