From Old to New! (Innovations)

During what appears to me to be a very magical time of year, this month's theme seems to be just as magical!  We began the week speaking about "innovation" as being " a new and/or different way of looking at things."  We discussed items that are quite ordinary at first glance being transformed into something quite extraordinary.  For instance- the spoon!   We  observed different kinds of spoons and their particular uses-"slotted for straining", "teaspoons for measuring", and "ladles for dipping."  We then listened to a sweet story entitled Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal that told of  a spoon that envied the other utensil's abilities and  doubted it's own self-worth.   We then  created our own class member of a "spoon family" and wrote/dictated stories about them.  This activity sparked quite a bit of dramatic play using the embellished wooden spoons and the  Egyptian backdrop as props.   And speaking of Egypt, we also talked about the Egyptians as "innovators" of the mummification process and hieroglyphs.

  Another innovative idea seemed to have been stirred up (pardon the pun)  from our "spoon" activity.  Skye brought in a bowl made from wood from a walnut tree that fell in her Grandparents' yard during one of this past summer's storms.  Our K- Buddy Eli's Dad carved the bowl which makes it even more special! 

Skye's Dad came in to share gorgeous photos and awesome memories of his family's trip to Egypt!  Pictures include the great pyramid, explanations of actual size and scale of burial chambers, and amazing hieroglyphics!  

"I like this activity... I get to put on makeup"-Sana  re:  creating our Egyptian Pharaoh portraits located outside of our classroom door.  Also notice on the finished artwork the attached jewelry  made from "AB" patterned beading during Math class.



By the way, our Egyptian civilization was captured and defeated by the Romans of Elaine's class.  Ironically, they came in unexpectedly in full battle array, demonstrated strategic moves and military prowess then left.  Oh well, we'll just have to be "innovative" in our retaliation.



"B" Buddies (Mr. B's class) came in to demonstrate origami!

Writing/Journaling

We are presently listening to Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures Book #2:  The Great Egyptian Grave Robbery  created by Jeff Brown and written by Sara Pennypacker as our chapter book selection.  It is a story about a boy named Stanley who had been smashed flat by a bulletin board accident.  He is fine, however, and now uses this two-dimensional state to his advantage. He is able to travel all over the world tucked in an envelop!  Stanley has arrived at our Kindergarten class and has already had his first two adventures!  He traveled to Florida and collected sea shells and to Kentucky to visit some of his host family's old friends.  Now, Stanley is itching to have other adventures! Please look for a very individualized "stanley" in your child's cubby/backpack really soon! 


P.S.  Stanley also has the ability to replicate him/herself many times! He travels with a note of explanation for family members and friends who might be a recipient, journal pages, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.  These packets will go home for Winter Break.  We can't wait to receive mail about Stanley's many adventures over the next month or so!

Math

Math time has been a great opportunity to practice our one, two, and three digit number recognition.  We have been playing several rounds of the classic "Bingo" while discussing "rows" and "columns" and distinguishing between mirrored image numbers 35 and 53, 72 and 27 etc.  A precursor to this game has been our quest to practice writing our numbers and complete our "100s Chart." We identified patterns in our charts such as how all of the numbers in any particular column end in the same number and also played a game of "Guess the Number" using clues and deductive reasoning.

Another game involved sequencing three random numbers into as many different one, two, and three digit combinations as possible. 3, 8, and 0 became 3, 8, 80, 38, 83, 830, etc.

Another math challenge involved attempting to stack 16 cups into the shape of, what else, a pyramid!  

Snack Sign Up

Families, If you haven't had an opportunity yet, please sign up on the "Snack Sign up" sheet in the classroom or send an email.  We have the following  dates available.    Thanks! 

December 10-14th  _____________________________________________________________

December 17th-20th ____________________________________________________________

January 14th-18th  ______________________________________________________________

January 23rd-25th  ______________________________________________________________

January 28th-Feb 1st  ____________________________________________________________

February 4th-8th  ________________________________________________________________

February 11th-15th _______________________________________________________________

Also, a very special Thank You  to Claude's family for our new classroom refrigerator!

Happy Hanukkah to our celebrating Families!