Kindergarten Capers: May 2012

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

School-wide Field Trip to PuppetArt Theatre, Detroit

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The Power of a Dollar!

Kindergartners ventured out to the Dollar Tree Store for a real life "Money Math" experience. Each child was equipped with a dollar bill, 6 cents, and an ever-changing idea of possibilities. We walked the isles exploring office supplies and pondered- Should we get more spools of tape for our creations? Index cards for all of our dictated ideas? Gardening tools? We eventually settled for buying sombreros for our Mexican fiesta snack, erasers, and more baskets for toting our treasures.

Previously in the classroom, we investigated coins- the value of each and which President appeared on each coin. We also practiced sorting and adding same and mixed groups of coins. We experimented with the best penny cleaning solution (dish soap worked best) and had rousing games of "penny derby" (flicking coins across the table to try to get as many coins as possible to land inside a bucket versus outside.) We practiced counting by 5 and 10 using nickels and dimes. We also discussed the significance of the leaf, Capital Building and Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home) being present on the back of coins.

Kindergartners browsed a bit then made individual purchases at the store. We each presented our money to the cashier and practiced our "please" and "thank yous" when paying for our selections. We also chatted with the store manager and showed her our purchases. This trip was a great culminating activity for our "Money Math" unit!

Back at school, we practiced our newly acquired skills during choice time. We took turns ringing up our dollar purchases (including tax), distributed receipts, and played with our purchases. Some even negotiated "buyer's remorse."

Trip to Maia's for Japanese Children's Day Celebration and Lunch

One of the best ways to learn
about another person
is to listen to them,
allow them to tell you about themselves,
and to show you who they are.

Maia allowed us the opportunity to celebrate her, her family, and her family's traditions.
We were greeted at the door of their home with a traditional Japanese greeting and bow from Maia's paternal grandfather. The warm welcomes continued from her grandmother and mom.

The family proceeded to lead us through various activities that included locating Japan and specifically Okinawa on the world map with Mom; a lesson in calligraphy and language from Maia's Grandmother; and the art of beautiful and appetizing Bento Boxes with Grandpa.

Prior to our arrival, Maia selected and illustrated our lunch menu for our bento boxes (personalized with our names written in Japanese) that included teriyaki chicken, pickled cucumbers, oranges, grapes, sweet rice in tofu wraps, and sushi. All of the Kindergartners ate this delicious meal in near silence ( a first for us) and returned for seconds (and thirds)!