Monday, January 14, 2013

Global Perspectives!



This month's theme  "Global Citizenship" began with defining "global."   Ks guessed it meant "the world...  the earth... the globe."  "Citizenship" was a little trickier with talk of Mind Craft and other topic offshoots.  We later agreed on "citizenship" meaning  "belonging to (the world).. having rights and responsibilities to... and caring for the world."

We listened to a story titled Yatandou by Gloria Whelan about a little girl who assisted her village in Mali Western Africa to earn enough money to purchase a millet grinder to replace their traditional and more time consuming pounding sticks.  We compared these pounding sticks to the mortar and pestle brought in as an innovation by a Kindergartner  a few weeks ago. 




 We also read the book, Silent Music:  A Story of Bagdad by James Rumford about a small boy who coped with his country's struggles of war by learning and depicting images of "peace" through beautiful calligraphy in the  Arabic language.  We discussed how the writing used a right to left format (as does  Hebrew) and the beautiful sweeping lines used to create the illustrations.  


Our "Innovations" unit ended with  discussions about innovators Leonardo daVinci and Mahatma Ghandi included in a book,  Heroes for My Daughter by Brad Meltzer brought in by one Kindergartner.   Ironically, yet another Kindergartner brought in currency from India on the same day that displayed a portrait of Ghandi on it's face.  True learning occurs when Kindergartners make their own real life and relevant connections to topics discussed at school and home.

Speaking of making  connections, Kindergartners are still interjecting their knowledge of Egypt's pharoahs  into Dramatic Play


pharoah's head dress
staff of Ra

During Math class,  Kindergartners examined several examples of  real Matryoshkas (Russian nesting dolls) and  used nesting measuring cups and measuring spoons  as tools during our Math activities.   We began the unit with identifying incremental sizes (1 Cup, 1/2 cup, teaspoon, tablespoon etc. ) and attempted to solve the problem, "How many tablespoons will fill a standard cup?"  We also discussed standard (measurements agreed upon universally) and non- standard measurements (Grandma's "pinch", "smidgen," or dab.)  We later put our measuring skills  to the test and  created a fresh batch of play dough.  












































During Social Studies, we examined various objects and attempted to identify "Where in the world would you find these items?"  throughout the world.  We enthusiastically guessed that the boomerangs came from Australia, the matryoshka from Russia, a bookend with heiroglyphs may have come from Egypt, and a box for smoked salmon from Alaska, USA.
More difficult challenges included a mask from Kenya, a lacquered container from Greece and a carved gourd from Peru.






Also, and after reading our blog on spoons as innovations,  We received a set of "Love Spoons" and guidebook from Wales from one of our Grandparents.  We added our spoons to our  Global treasures display after examining such intricate designs!  Additonally, we received an exquisitely decorated purse from India from our classroom volunteer Shaivi to add to our collection.










Kindergartners began Latin Classes in addition to  French Class with Madame this past week!

A Playground Grows at SK!



Kindergartners were pleasantly surprised when they returned from Winter Break to find a new addition to our ever evolving playground!  Thanks to the Weiser family,  we now have an awesome wooden play structure perfectly positioned between our tall pine and "Yonder" tree.   Kindergartners dressed extra quickly to go and try out all of its amenities that include a rock wall,  rope ladder, and pirate ship deck!  Even our Karl buddies (including it's former owner Danny) couldn't resist a turn on the curly slide!
Daily, multiple, and year-round outdoor recesses  are a vital part of the SK curriculum.  Research shows that  outdoor play and exploration in the fresh air  throughout the winter months cuts down on illnesses, provides  much needed vitamin D, and helps with one's focus in the classroom.      Also, appropriate (layered and waterproof) and adequate clothing (including full changes of clothes in cubbies) for inclement weather makes the time outside much more enjoyable!




While waiting for our structure to be secured by Cory, Kindergartners  helped build a snowman with their buddies and later warmed up with a reading from the chapter book, Matilda























Saturday, January 5, 2013

January 2012 Dates at a Glance!




                                 Happy New Year to Everyone!!!

This Month's Theme:  Global Citizenship!

Monday January 7th-No School -Staff Development
Tuesday January 8th- School Resumes!
Friday January 18th-Vision and Hearing Screening
Monday January 21st- No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
Tuesday January 22nd- No School-Report Writing Day
Thursday January 24th-SK Community Meeting, 7 PM
Friday January 25th- Trip to Wild Swan Theatre, "Under the African Sky"
Saturday January 26th SK Open House, 1-3 PM
Monday January 28th Trip to see "Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan" at Hill Auditorium