And the experiments continue...

We had a science treat today with our melted snow! The students are determining what is in snow, and in order to do so, we filtered the water through a coffee filter which revealed tiny specks of dirt and even hair/fiber. They used magnifying glasses to see the dirt, and while they are still perfecting the technique of looking through a magnifying glass, most were able to see the dirt.

Our story today, "A Snowy Day", informed us that snow comes from clouds, which of course led us to the question "What is a cloud?". Some anwers that students gave are: cotton candy, fluff, fog, water, something fluffy, and ice. So, we covered our cups of water with plastic wrap, and tomorrow/Monday, the students will see what happens as the water evaporates. While these ideas are definitely difficult to understand, the experiments are allowing the kids to learn how to develop questions, propose hypotheses, and begin to understand the physical world. The kids are also finding that it is EXTREMELY important to be careful and follow directions in order to have the experiments work.

We had a guest in our classroom this afternoon, Mrs. Hetland, and she brought some dry ice in for us to see. As dry ice is actually frozen Carbon Dioxide, it does not melt but rather sublimates into gas form. The kids loved watching it "disappear", and, in the second experiment, blow up a balloon!

Science: See Above
Reading: "The Mitten" (and an activity to prepare them for Writer's Workshop tomorrow), "A Snowy Day"
Centers and Reading Tests to determine Reading Level
Math: Counting, Number Clues, Number Writing

Miss Kimpton

Science with Snow!

Yesterday, the students brainstormed questions they want to know about snow, such as: "How is snow made?" "Can we make snow castles" "How much does it snow?" "How much water is in snow?"

Today, we did an experiment to find out how much snow is in water by collecting snow in plastic cups, hypothesizing how much water would be in the cup when it melted, and then observing as the snow melted. The students learned that a cup of snow does not make a cup of water. They also learned that it is okay to have an incorrect hypothesis, and that is how we learn! This concept brought on a whole discussion of whether or not scientists can be wrong.

Morning Meeting: Focus test Level 3 (ask your child), naming random lettters and numbers
Science: snow experiment
Math: Solving Story Problems
Reading: "Where is Piggy", "The Hat" by Jan Brett
Reading Buddies: websites - Starfall, PBS Math, PBS Kids

Please note: The students are having difficulty with being respectful (interrupting each other and me) and listening and following directions. Please reinforce with your child that the reason he/she comes to school is to learn, and he/she can't learn if they are talking and not listening. We are losing a lot of valuable time practicing school skills and routines.

Enjoy the evening,
Miss Kimpton

The Annual Food and Clothing Drive starts this week and continues to Friday, Dec. 10. If you are able to donate gently used clothing or non-perishable food, please send it to school with your child. Thank you for helping those less fortunate!

Check the important dates as this time of year tends to get VERY busy, and it can be easy to forget special events. The Music Program will be on December 17, and we will have two performances that day at 9:00 and 1:00. This is a very important event, and if you can make it here to watch your child sing, that is fantastic! The students are working very hard learning the words and actions to their songs.

Morning Meeting: Greeting, Silly Song: Tooty-Ta, Yes/No Activity to answer questions
Social Studies: discussing Attitude (what it is, how it affects us) and watching a video about attitdue and optimism
Handwriting: write a sentence structure: "I see _______________."
Library with Mrs. Mayhall
And........
A special Snow-Hill Recess!

Enjoy the snow,
Miss Kimpton

Welcome Back!

Morning Meeting: Greeting, Respect video
Reading: "The Mitten", "Where is Piggy?"
P.E. with Miss Schaeffer
Handwriting: is, see, like, diver letters: r, n, m, p, h
Math:"3" poster
Centers

Brrrrrrr! It's cold.

What a chilly day! We did not go outside for recess today as the windchill was below 0 all day. Hopefully it will warm up a little tomorrow so we can enjoy the snow! Please, please, please have your child practice putting on their winter clothing. It helps so much.

Holiday Fun: Turkey puppets to accompany our turkey poems
Math: Writing the Number 4
Story: There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Pie
P.E. with Mrs. Trollope
Centers

Stay toasty warm!
Miss Kimpton

Our first Snow Day!

What a white, wintry day! Here are our snow rules for recess:

1. Children must have snow pants and snow boots in order to play in the field during recess. Otherwise, they stay on the blacktop and Big Toy.
2. NO throwing snow. Children can build snow forts, snow angels, etc., but they may not throw snow.
3. Stay off of the ice and leave ice chunks on the ground (again, no throwing ice).

A few tips to make your child's recess warmer and more pleasurable:
1. Warm gloves are a necessity. If you send your child to school with the inexpensive cotton mittens or glove (or any glove that easily gets wet), please send 2-3 pairs so he/she has a dry pair for each recess. Their hands get so cold wearing wet gloves.
2. Practice getting into and out of snow clothes as this can be a time-consuming activity. Have your child practice with zippers and putting gloves on.

Thursday/Friday Learning:
Morning Meetings: greetings, letter songs
Holiday: turkeys, turkey puppets
Readings: "Five Turkeys" Read Alouds, " A Turkey for Thanksgiving"
Math: Counting, Story Problems, Comparing Numbers
Centers
Extras: Recording VoiceThreads of things the students are thankful for

We did not send out purple poetry folders home this weekend as we are still working on new poems. The students will take them home for Thanksgiving Break.

Stay warm and safe this weekend!

Miss Kimpton

Miss Kimpton's Kindergarten