In reading workshop we have continued reading nonfiction books thinking about why an author may have used certain text features.  We discussed ways that text features impact a book and how they are different than in a fiction book.  We also talked about how we are a classroom of authors and there are text features that we can incorporate into our own writing.

In writing we have continued writing how-to texts.  We worked on using comparisons in our writing to help give the reader a clear idea of what we are saying and give them a reference point.  We talked about elaboration in how-to books and how to write a collection of how-to books to teach a reader even more about a topic.  All the while remembering what makes writing easy to read.  We even talked about writing chapter books if a topic is too big (ie: writing a chapter book about baseball with chapters such as setting up the game, hitting, and catching or writing a chapter book about all that we have learned about being a kindergarten student such as lining up, washing your hands for snack, and buying lunch).  Can you believe it?!  The children get so excited about writing and it is wonderful to experience! 

In math we practiced making combinations that have sums of 11, 12, and 13.  We also worked on decomposing numbers: breaking them down into tens and ones.  The children had to decompose numbers that I gave them, then they worked on ways to compose and decompose numbers that they chose.  We reviewed subtraction through 5 by playing the bean and spinner game with partners.

We finished our read aloud book Dolphin Tale today, then went online and saw a live webcam of winter at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  There was also a link to a short story that was done by the Today Show that had footage about Winter and her prosthetic tail.  The children were fascinated and it was a great tie-in to our nonfiction unit (proving that Winter was real).

Live webcam of winter

Have a safe and relaxing break.

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

This certainly was a quick week with only 3 1/2 days of school!

This week in reading workshop we talked about making predictions: thinking about what is happening, using what you know, and what you see in the book to predict what you think will happen next.  We also practiced making predictions based on the patterns in books- familiar patterns like the alphabet and growing patterns such as The Jacket I Wear In the Snow.

In writing workshop we finished our unit on narrative writing.  The children each had an opportunity to share a piece of writing that they felt was their best work.  It is amazing to see how much progress the children have made and how excited they are about writing!  Next week we will start a unit on informational writing.

This week in math we started a unit on understanding addition as joining sets of objects.  The children listened to math stories about objects and had to figure out how many there were in all.  We also practiced fluency by playing 5 frame cube.  The children have a 5 frame and 5 cubes.  I roll a die (the 6 is 0) and the children have to make the number that is shown, then say a math sentence to go with it. For example, if I rolled a 4 to start, the children would have to put on 4 cubes and say 0+4=4.  If I then rolled a 1, the children would have to take off 3 cubes so that 1 remained, then say 4-3=1.