Math Workshop

This week we began a new routine in our classroom.  The boys and girls have started Math Workshop.  Children are broken into groups of 3-4 and are responsible for independently working at different math stations.  The work or tasks at each station are concepts that are review for the students.  Eventually, while the students are working at their station, I will pull groups of kids over to work with me on concepts that they need more practice in or that they need more challenge with.  Right now we are focusing on getting started right away, working the whole time, interacting with other group members appropriately and using our math thinking.  As of right now, Math Workshop has been a hit with the kiddos and they love getting to work in small groups!  Ask them to tell you about some of the math jobs they have been to. 

Election Day!

Today the Kindergartners at Bemis were able to participate in several election themed activities.  We have read several stories about job that a President does.  With our Boulan buddies this morning the kids did a writing activity where they shared what they would do if they were the President.  We also made patriotic hats to wear.  The PTO put on a mock election for the entire school to vote in.  We all had voter ID cards, voted in voting booths and got stickers just like a real vote.  The votes were tallied and announced at the end of the day.  The winner of the Bemis Presidental Election was Barack Obama for both the popular vote and the electoral vote.  Regardless of who won or lost, it was important lesson in our voting process! The kids had fun learning about and participating in our election. 

Baby Will

I thought I would add a picture of our baby, Will on his first Halloween.  He is too cute not to share! ;)

Happy Halloween!

Yesterday we celebrated Halloween at Bemis with a Parade and a Party!  We had so much fun watching all of the boys and girls in costumes parade through our classroom.  When the parade was over we got to go between all three Kindergarten classrooms for the party.  Mrs. Gadlage had the arts and crafts, Mrs. Summers had games and our class had food.  There were lots of cool projects and fun games to play and the food spread was quite impressive.  We do our parties together in Kindergarten to give the boys and girls the opportunity to spend time with other kids in their grade.  We have found this makes the transition to First grade a bit easier because they know more kids and have friends from other classes.  Many thanks to those parents that ran games, helped at art projects, and served food!  We could not make such awesome parties happen without your help and support! Our next party will take place on December 20th.  This will be a December Holidays party. 

Ps. I was busy running around like a crazy person so I was only able to take a few pictures!

Independent Reading Time

Reader's Workshop

We have been learning that there are 3 ways to read.
1. Read the pictures
2. Read the words
3. Retell the story

Today for the first time we went to our reading spots with our book boxes. Our book boxes contain books we have made in class and also other interest books. We are working on building reading stamina for reading as many minutes as we can.
When we are at our reading spots we have to:
1. Get started right away
2. Read quietly
3. Read the WHOLE time
4. Stay in 1 spot

 By the way we read for 6 minutes without stopping! We are going to keep working on building stamina! Out goal is 20 minutes of Independent Reading Time.

Upland Hills Farm

Friday we had our first field trip to the Upland Hills Farm in Oxford.  Even though it was a bit chilly and muddy, the kiddos had a fantastic time!  We got to watch a farm show and see different animals that live on the farm and what kind of food they give us.  We also got to take a bumpy hayride through the woods and go on a storybook forest walk.  The kids had lunch under the pavilion and got to explore the farm a bit.  they played on the playground and saw horses, bunnies, pigs and other animals.  We all got to pick out a pumpkin to take home.  Thank you so much to those parents that braved the cold and wet to come along with us!  We really couldn't do it without you!  Enjoy the pictures of our farm adventure!