This week in reading workshop we talked about activating prior knowledge before reading non-fiction. This is a way for your brain to start thinking about the topic and asking questions while reading:  Is what I thought true? Does it make sense? I didn't know that...  We also looked at details in non-fiction and why the author might include certain information.  We worked on comparing and contrasting two books on the same topic while continuing our study of text features.

In writing workshop we are continuing to work on how-to books.  We practiced writing with voice and talking directly to the reader using the word 'you.'  We talked about the way that how-to writers picture each step and then choose exactly the right words.  We started a class how-to book about getting ready for recess.  We imagined ourselves getting ready in slow motion so that we could think about each step and exactly what we should write.  We re-read how-to books and noticed that an author elaborates on the steps by adding warnings and tips to keep the reader from going wrong.  We worked on adding warnings and tips to our own writing-this was fun!

On Friday we read a book that I had made about "How to Make a Kite."  We practiced reading it together, then the children had to follow the steps to make their own paper kites.  The steps were posted for them to refer to as they worked.  This was great practice in reading, following directions, using a how-to book, and fine motor.

Our sight words for this week are: mother, then, when, do, like


In math we practiced making different
 groups to make 6, 7, 8, and 9.  We worked on writing the sum first, then the addends.  This was quite tricky last week, but the more we practiced, the easier it has become for children to grasp the concept.  We practiced making groups of 6 with bi-colored beans, then writing a corresponding number sentence.  We also practiced making groups of 6 with cubes, then coloring the paper strip to match and writing the math sentence.

On Wednesday afternoon we had a chance to see the fifth grade play, "The Knight The Castle Rocked."  The children were mesmerized and really enjoyed it.

 Station work

This week in reading workshop we continued our study of non-fiction books.  We focused on the illustrator/photographer's role.  The illustrator/photographer chooses pictures to help us learn something new.  The photograph can show what something actually looks like and helps us understand more of what the author is saying.  A non-fiction illustrator uses features that make a book more interesting and exciting to read.  They use photographs, diagrams, drawings, and cutaways.  We also talked about how the author and illustrator work together to create a non-fiction book.

In writing we continued writing how-to books. We talked about all that we have learned so far about writing how-to books and reviewed everything we know about what makes writing easy to read: it's neat, has finger spaces between words, letters for the sounds in words, capital at the beginning and period at the end of a sentence.  It's sometimes easy to forget since they are focused on a new type of writing.  We also discussed learning from mentor how-to books things like: A title that tells what the book is about, creating pictures that teach, making a list of things you will need, using bold writing to stress the important parts.

In math we talked about ways to problem solve such as using counters or objects.  We practiced our subtraction facts through five with the bean and spinner game, and we discussed different ways to make 4 or 5 with two groups.  When I introduced the fact that you can have the sum first, then the addends, the children were baffled.  I compared it to a balance scale, and how it doesn't matter which side you put the sum or addends in as long as it is balanced.  We practiced several examples, but this concept will take more practice.

Morning work finding sums

It's been another busy week in kindergarten!

This week in reading workshop we started talking about non-fiction texts and why an author would write this type of book.  The author wants to teach us true facts, or information about a topic.  We talked about text features and how the information is organized.  We read non-fiction books as careful detectives looking for text features.  The children also made the connection between the non-fiction books we read and the How-To books we are writing.

In writing workshop we are writing How-To books.  We talked about how they are different than fiction stories because they are true.  Also, How-To books 1. Tell what to do, in steps, 2. Number the steps, 3. Have a picture for each step, 4. Label the pictures to teach even more information.  We discussed many things that the children know how to do, and how to break down a task into steps; touching and telling the steps across the pages.  The children shared their books with a partner and gave each other feedback on how to make their writing even better.

In math we continued our unit on subtraction.  The children practiced using counters and cubed to listen to subtraction stories and solve the problems.  We practiced using the minus sign and solving differences.  The children had practice subtracting from groups of five playing a game with a partner.  They each started out with five beans, then spun the spinner to see what they were to subtract:  -1, -2, -3, or -4.  They then had to write the correct math sentence on their paper.  Here is a great video for practicing subtraction through 5 (which they should know fluently by the end of the year):

Five Finger Jive song