The SHAPE of Things Continued

A new shape has made its presence known in the classroom. Any guesses?

Muffin Monday

This past Monday, the students were treated to a special surprise as Mrs. Tenyenhuis arrived at school early in the morning with her arms brimming with baking ingredients, bowls, muffin tins and a recipe for banana muffins. A plastic cloth was placed on the floor of the learning carpet and the materials were displayed on it for all to see.

An S/K boy reminded the class that a 'recipe' was important to begin with in order to make sure we had everything to make our muffins taste delicious.

Everyone was reminded that BEFORE anyone could begin mixing, hands needed to be washed!

First, the dry ingredients were placed into a mixing bowl.

Wet ingredients were assembled in another bowl.

What would Banana Muffins be without...bananas?

Next, the muffin tins were prepared. Cool muffin wrappers, Mrs. Tenyenhuis!

Then, the dry and wet ingredients were combined.

Finally, it was time to scoop the batter into the tins and pop them in the oven.

Mmmm!!! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their Monday morning surprise. Anyone up for blueberries next Monday?

Natural Art

From time to time, students reach for a variety of natural materials in the classroom as a creative outlet. Rocks, pine cones, tree cookies, twigs and sticks make superb materials for artistic exploration. Lily chose to use birch tree cookies to create a 'robot girl.' Be sure to check out the pigtails.

Miracles Never Cease 

For those of you who have been following (and chuckling over) the pumpkin seed experiment, there is promising news to report. After much anticipation, we are pleased to announce that the seeds planted in the red cup with soil have SPROUTED! The discovery was made late yesterday afternoon. The seeds have been moved to a warm location in the classroom and the Writing Centre promises to be a hive of activity as anxious scientists commit some of their observations to paper. Take a peek at what we observed.

The Writing Centre is ready for business!

Funny, but we just can't quite figure out why those seeds which were planted in the play dough never amounted to much. ;o)

Puzzle Pals

Mighty machines and transportation vehicles have been strong themes which resurface almost every day in our kindergarten classroom. Three J/K amigos put their reasoning skills together and tackled a transportation vehicle puzzle without any adult assistance. Afterwards, the smiles and giggles clearly indicated that they were quite pleased with themselves.

Light, Colour & Rainbows

Several days ago, the sun shone beautifully through the window in the classroom in mid-afternoon. Suddenly, the children began to realize that there was a huge rainbow covering a significant portion of our meeting carpet. Through some deduction, we were able to link the rainbow to the glass jars of coloured water in our window. But then, it became obvious that there was more than one rainbow in the room. In fact, the walls were covered with many little rainbows. Light was shining through the prisms hanging in the window. Spectrums of colour were everywhere. The excitement and conversation that emerged out of that afternoon's discovery led to some of the provocations which you will notice below.

A variety of prisms, gels and mirrors were set out at the overhead projector for students to explore. Flashlights made it possible to investigate whether materials were transparent, translucent or opaque. 

A rainbow of Fruit Loops, some glue and a variety of construction paper allowed the students to think creatively at the Art Centre.

Rice dyed in seven different hues led to a lot of fun at the sensory bin. The rice managed to stay looking like this for only a matter of a few seconds before the colours were mixed and stirred together. 

The inquiry has led to a number of books being read on the topics of Light and Colour. Further investigation will continue this week as the children experiment at the water table with red, yellow and blue coloured water.

The SHAPE of Things

For the next several weeks, students will have an opportunity to explore a variety of two-dimensional shapes found throughout the classroom. As a kickoff to this mathematical study, the children were asked to go in search of objects in the classroom which are circular in shape. Here is what they came up with...

Later this week, our interests will turn to squares. 

Budding Beethoven

There has been considerable interest in the music centre since its introduction a few weeks ago. Students have had opportunities to explore rhythm sticks, sand blocks, maracas, wood blocks, a drum, a xylophone, an egg shaker and a musical triangle. Some students have taken their work quite seriously as they've begun committing their musical compositions to paper. After Mr. Pickett and several students explored ways of representing music on paper, many children have taken interest in composing. Here, one S/K child plays a composition which he wrote, notated and performed flawlessly. Bravo! Encore! 

J/K Classroom Observations

Parents and guardians of J/K students, please be on the lookout for a letter in your child's Zippy Bag concerning J/K In-School Observations which will take place between November 25th-December 6th. The observation and a short, informal interview will take approximately an hour of your time. After receiving your appointment time, please send a brief note back in the Zippy Bag as confirmation. If you are unable to make the appointed time due to a scheduling conflict, include 2-3 alternate times which would work for you. Morning observations will occur between 9:45 AM-10:45 AM and afternoon observations will occur between 1:45 PM and 2:45 PM. Ms. Campbell and I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

It All Started With a Jar of Can Tabs

Late last week, one of our J/K boys proudly arrived at school one morning with a jar filled with can tabs. He had every intention of adding them to our bucket of tabs that we are collecting for the school wide fund raising campaign. However, before the tabs could be dumped into the can tab bucket, several students took a keen interest in the variety of tabs inside the jar. With the help of Mrs. Tenyenhuis, several students poured the tabs into a white tub. Sorting of the tabs into a tray quickly took place.

After the sorting was completed, Mrs. Tenyenhuis probed the students about which colour/size of tab numbered the most and which one numbered the least. The students, with some guidance and direction, created a graph which represented their findings. Later in the morning, the group presented their graph to the class. And to think, it all began with a jar of can tabs.

Pumpkin Sprouts?  Well, Not Yet...

Several weeks ago, our kindergarten botanists conducted a classroom experiment to see if pumpkin seeds would sprout in a variety of growing mediums. I am sorry to report that there has not been any action in the sprouting of the seeds. In fact, our pumpkin with the soil placed in it began to decompose rapidly. Considerable amounts of fungus began growing inside the pumpkin as the outer shell caved in on itself. The seeds placed in water, rice, cotton and play dough showed no signs of growth at all. The smell coming from each of the cups was enough to suggest that germination would be highly unlikely. The seeds which were placed into a red cup with only soil have not yet sprouted, but we are still hopeful that something may occur in the next several weeks. Ms. Campbell, with the help of many excited kinders, dug a hole out in our play yard and buried the pumpkin and its contents down in it. Who knows what spring will bring? Stay tuned for further developments.

WELCOME, MRS. TENYENHUIS

It gives me great pleasure to welcome Mrs. Tenyenhuis to our ELP teaching team. Mrs. Tenyenhuis is a Pre-Service teacher from Brock University who will be joining us in our classroom until Christmas. She brings with her a wide range of talents and skills, not the least of which is a rich and varied portfolio in Early Childhood Education. While with us, Mrs. Tenyenhuis will be taking on many of the responsibilities of a classroom teacher, working with our children in a variety of academic and social contexts. When you see her on the ELP playground, I hope that you will take the opportunity to introduce yourself and make Mrs. Tenyenhuis feel at home here at Parnall School. We are extremely fortunate to have her and look forward to an exciting and rich month of learning, play and fun.

Scholastic Book Orders for November

Please accept my apology as there was an omission on the November classroom calendar. The Scholastic Book Club order due date for November is Friday, the 22nd. Book Club flyers went home this evening in your child's Zippy Bag. There are additional flyers in the classroom, if needed.

A More Peaceful World

As part of our observance of Remembrance Day, the students were asked to complete the statement,
I think we could be a more peaceful world if we___________.

Here were some of their responses.

I think we could be a more peaceful world if we would      be together.

I think we could be a more peaceful world if we shared our toys.

I think we could be a more peaceful world if we could share everything that we have.

I think we could be a more peaceful world if we go to Canada and go to the Pumpkin Patch.

I think we could be a more peaceful world if we could share and be friendly to each other.

I think we could be a more peaceful world if we could share cake.

I think we could be a more peaceful world if we share our friends.

I think we could be a more peaceful world if we bake a cake.

I think we could be a more peaceful world if we read books together.

Our Junior Ambassadors have some precious words to share with the world. Bless them all!

Which Might Sprout First?

On Wednesday, November 6th, you will recall that we had begun a scientific investigation to see which growing medium might germinate fresh pumpkin seeds. Scientists in the classroom decided that we should put soil inside the pumpkin from which most of the seeds had been harvested and see what happens. That sparked the question, "In what else could we try to sprout a pumpkin seed?" After giving some consideration to our options, additional growing mediums were prepared in red plastic cups. These included water, soil, moist cotton balls, rice and play dough. The following day, a survey was conducted to predict which growing medium would germinate first. Here are the results...

Students overwhelmingly thought that the seeds planted in the cup containing just soil would be the first to sprout. Only time will tell. 

Here you can see our experiment on the window ledge. We will keep you posted as news develops.

Our Colour Palette Wall is Growing

This past Tuesday, we began reading a short, non-fiction book entitled The Colours of Fall. Each day we read a different, two-page section devoted to a specific colour. At the end of each reading, students were challenged to seek out items in our classroom that matched that colour and lay them atop a piece of matching construction paper which had been strategically placed on one of the shelves. At the end of the day, the objects 'magically' were attached to the paper and hung on one of our whiteboards for the children to discover the next morning. Over the next several days, the challenge will continue as new colours will be introduced through the text.

For the Brave at Heart

This past Monday morning, an interesting creature awaited the students as they returned from their weekend of relaxation. The tarantula, preserved under glass, received mixed reviews as students checked out the science centre. Thrill seekers flocked around the table while others dared not go anywhere near it. Students will be given the opportunity to write their own 'I See...' books as an extension of this investigation.

As an added bonus, Mrs. Tenyenhuis brought in two beautiful spider puppets for the children to enjoy on Thursday. Those boys and girls who were a bit reluctant at first found the puppets to be a delightful and comforting addition. Thanks so much, Mrs. Tenyenhuis!

Fond Pumpkin Patch 

Memories Live On

Though our Bry-Anne Farm field trip is only a distant memory, an S/K student enjoys creating her own pumpkin patch out of materials found in the classroom. 

I am certain that Bryan and Anne would be honoured!

Which Might Sprout First?

On Wednesday, students created a bracelet to help them better understand the life cycle of a pumpkin.
The bracelet was made out of a chenille stem and some coloured beads. Students began by learning that the brown chenille stem was representative of the rich soil needed to grow the pumpkin. Next, a tan coloured bead was placed onto the chenille stem to represent the seed being planted down in the soil. Afterwards, a light green bead was strung onto the chenille stem to represent the sprout and tender stem that emerges from the soil. Then, a peach coloured bead was placed next on the stem to remind us of the blossom that forms on the vine. Another dark green bead was then placed on the chenille stem to signify the 'knob' or baby pumpkin as it begins to form and take shape. Finally, a bright orange bead was strung onto the chenille stem to represent the fully ripened pumpkin. The bracelets were sent home in each child's Zippy Bag at the end of the day. Be sure to review the stages with him/her when you have time.

Following the bracelet lesson, an idea was raised that we might want to do our own 'pumpkin growing experiment.' Mr. Pickett cut open one of the larger field pumpkins and scooped out many, but not all, of the seeds inside. Several cups of potting soil were placed into the bottom of the pumpkin and it was taken over and set on the Science Table for ongoing observation. Wonderings were shared among the group as to whether the seeds could be grown in other mediums. The experiment took on greater complexity as suggestions were made to try growing pumpkin seeds in a cup of water, in a cup of soil, in a cup of rice, in a cup of moist cotton balls and in a cup of play dough. Several seeds were placed in each different growing medium and placed beside the pumpkin at the Science Table. Students were asked to go home and talk about what we had done with their parents. Tomorrow, the children will be asked to respond to the question, 'Which of our containers of seeds do you think might sprout first?' Stay tuned for updates on our pumpkin growing investigation.  

Sorting

All around the classroom, students have the opportunity to sort and organize materials and learning tools in various ways. Students require sorting skills in order to classify, organize and group various objects according to their given attributes. Whether putting blocks away appropriately in the block centre or tidying up markers and crayons at the art table, sorting plays a significant role in our everyday learning in Kindergarten.

After reading the book 'The Button Box', students were presented with a classroom 'button box'. Inside are hundreds of buttons in various sizes, shapes and colours. Some buttons have four holes while others have only two holes or perhaps only a button shank. Intrigued by the endless variety of buttons found inside the box, students sort the contents of the box in many different ways. 

To further practice sorting skills at home, children might help by sorting and pairing socks when folding clean laundry. They can also put silverware away after doing the supper dishes or organize toys in their bedroom. These types of experiences at home enable students to make purposeful connections between what they are learning at school and how that learning transfers over into their daily lives.

What Awaits You at the Science Table?

A new creature awaits you Monday morning in the classroom. Be sure to check it out. It has eight legs, two fangs and is larger than your hand. What do you think it might be?

November Calendar

You can quickly download a copy of the November Calendar by clicking the hyperlink under 'Downloads' found to the right of this post. Hardcopies will be available in the classroom if you are unable to print them off at home. Just ask Mr. Pickett or Ms. Campbell and they will be glad to provide you with one.

Pumpkins are EVERYWHERE!

Last week, our young scientists put our classroom pumpkins to the test by engaging in a range of investigations which were educational and FUN!

We began by predicting whether or not our pie pumpkin would float or not when placed in a tub of water. Each scientist made a prediction and recorded it on a chart. We learned that scientists call these predictions 'hypotheses.'

When all of the hypotheses were in, we were ready to conduct the experiment.

After discovering that our pie pumpkin FLOATED, we couldn't wait to see if our field pumpkin and our Jack-be-Nimble pumpkin would float, too. They did!

A new day brought another investigation. How many seeds would we find in our pie pumpkin? Hmmm...??? Well, there was only one way to find out. Again, students made predictions as to the total number of seeds we'd find in our pumpkin and recorded them on a chart. Wow, our predictions covered quite a range. Carefully, Ms. Campbell cut the top off of the pumpkin and everyone peered inside. There were A LOT of seeds! The counting began. With the use of double ten-frames, students worked with partners to arrange the seeds carefully onto the frames so that an accurate total could be reached.

There were 467 seeds in all!  Whew!!!

Children delighted in other pumpkin activities found around the classroom.

Throughout the past several weeks, we have read a number of both fictional and non-fictional texts pertaining to pumpkins. We gathered some of our learning and recorded it on a classroom anchor chart.

More pumpkin investigations await us this upcoming week as we plant pumpkin seeds and create bracelets which will serve as a reminder of the life cycle of a pumpkin.