Fire Safety Week

The class has been doing their very best to be safe, responsible, and respectful in all areas of the school. Even other teachers have noticed their stellar behavior. When I pick them up from Specials, the specialists always have the nicest things to say about my students. When I was gone last Thursday afternoon, I came back to school on Friday morning to read how pleasant the class was. When we walk in the hallway, we get compliments on how quiet and safe we are. This group of kindergartners is phenomenal. The growth I've seen already (it's only been one month) is so exciting. I can't wait to see what's to come!

Fire Safety Week
A few of the Prior Lake firefighters visited Jeffers Pond on Monday. We learned what to do if there's a fire in our home and what firefighters do to help make sure we are safe. They set up an outline of a house on the carpet and picked a few students to role-play how to safely get outside.

Jack acted as the "grandpa"

Mia was the "grandma"

Firefighters need to wear a lot!

To hear his voice, this firefighter has to yell through his mask.

Showing us how to get around in his gear

How do we get out of our bedrooms if there's a fire? We learned how to check the doors to see if they're hot and to crawl down low to avoid smoke.  

We got to go inside a real firetruck.

What are we learning?
In math, the class worked with their math boxes and trays. These math boxes hold a variety of manipulatives, including numbers 1-10 and red and blue squares. We practiced how to show a number using the red and blue squares. 

We used pattern blocks on our math trays to build and design.

In reading, we are establishing our daily routines including:

• How to choose a book in our classroom library
• 1. Look at the cover. 2. Look at the back. 3. Think about if you've read similar books
• How to read with a buddy
• "Elbow to elbow, knee to knee, I read to you, you read to me. Put the book in the middle so we can both see."
• How to sit in our reading spots
• Right now, their reading spots are assigned. If the class is able to read independently without distractions, they can choose where to sit later on.

Taylor and Beckett

Andres and Kate

Lauren and Riley

Mia and Max

Cali and Gavan

Xavier and Dylan

Liz and Cameron

Henry and Campbell

Leo and Audrey

Jared and Elle

Jackson and Kennedy

In science, we learned about the different parts of an apple, how apples grow on trees, and how to make applesauce.

Making our own paper apples

The stages of an apple

We sliced and put our apples into a hot skillet. We added sugar and cinnamon.

A few hours later, we have applesauce!

I encouraged everyone to try the applesauce. Many of us enjoyed it and had seconds. Some did not like it, and that's okay!

We made a graph with our apples.

Andres is counting how many apples in each category.

Third Grade Buddies
Our class is teamed up with Mrs. Trabing's third grade class. The kindergartners will be doing special activities with our third grade buddies each month. For October, buddies did a "getting to know you" questionnaire. Here are some of our buddies...

A few extras from the week

Math station using connecting cube at playtime

Kitchen station serving up some yummy food

Foam block station

We started Second Step with Mr. Giles. He brought his friend Bruno the Puppy and worked with the class on whole body listening.