Many memories...

Track & Field Day Fun
Last Thursday, the class and I spent the day running, jumping, throwing, competing, and cheering in different events! We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day of weather. Thank you to the parents who volunteered their time to come help. It was so much fun having you there.

This photo just melts my heart! I have the best kindergartners ever.

Jump roping

My favorite event: the tug o' war! Our class won the first round and lost the second. 

Team puzzle relay

Water relay

40 yard dash relay

Baseball throw

Long jump

Hula hooping

Koosh ball throw

Hockey puck goal

Last Friday was FUN FRIDAY where everyone got to bring in a stuffed animal. The kids got to sit where ever they wanted at their tables (no assigned seating--OooOooh!), played Heads Up 7 Up (my favorite game in sixth grade), and had an epic dance party at the carpet. 

My kindergartners have been working on a kindergarten scrapbook to help them remember their favorite memories this year.

Reading Cafe
On Wednesday, our third grade buddies came down to the kindergarten pod and visited our "Reading Cafe." The kindergartners wrote their own "menu" of books that their buddy got to choose from. There was a selection of books for appetizers, main course, and dessert and third grad buddies had to pick one book from each section. The kindergartners took their buddy's order, went into the kitchen (which was our classroom), and delivered their chosen books on a tray. Then they got to read to their third grade buddy. At the end of their reading session, the kindergartners handed them a Starburst treat and a receipt as a thank you for coming. This was a simple, creative way for our kindergartners to show off their reading skills that they've worked so hard at developing since the fall. :) Our third grade buddies were VERY impressed! 

First Grade Classroom Tour
On Tuesday, I took the class to Mrs. Stanley's room so my students can see what a first grade classroom looks like. I had them think of a list of questions beforehand that we could ask the first graders. It contained questions such as, "Do you get playtime and SMART? What do you learn in math, reading, science, and social studies? What's your favorite part of 1st grade?" As first graders answered each of our questions, we realized there are a LOT of similarities between kindergarten and 1st grade. For example, they have a schedule posted in the room, math books, a take-home folder, mailboxes, book bins, and lockers--just like we do. They do morning meeting and calendar time. They also go to the SMART room. There are also a few differences, but one thing remained evident--first grade is not a HUGE DRAMATIC change from kindergarten. There are some comforts that are similar to kindergarten and a few fun changes, such as having your own desk to store things and new learnings in reading and math. There is so much to look forward to next school year. 

Solar Oven Exploration
Two weeks ago, Sue Mohn from Three Rivers Park District visited our kindergarten classes to teach them about solar ovens. We explored different insulating materials...

Tin foil

Shredded paper

Wool

Peanut shells and felt paper

Then I put the class into small teams. They had to work together to see which material would be the best insulator in their solar oven. We put a cup of water inside each oven. 

Then we took our solar ovens outside to test them out in the sun.

While we waited, Sue went exploring with the class. 

After about 20 minutes, we checked on our solar ovens and looked at the thermometers. Most of them got up to 90 or even 100 degrees!

Sue had her own solar oven and measured the temperature. Hers got to up to 250 degrees!

The class learned that the fluffier materials worked better as insulators (wool, shredded paper, packing peanuts) compared to flat materials (newspaper, felt paper, foam paper).