Week 15 of Kindergarten: A Splash of Learning and Fun!

Dear family, Welcome to our fifteenth week of kindergarten! This week was filled with exciting activities that sparked creativity, curiosity, and collaboration among our little Einsteins. Let’s dive into the highlights of our week!

Free Choice:

Every day after our first morning warm-up recess, we clean up and head back to the classroom for our "Free Choice" session. During this time, the children can choose any toys and materials available in our classroom, whether from the literacy corner, the math area, or any other corner they prefer. They can even select a book to read or write on the big whiteboard. Recently, our children have developed a strong interest in playing with pattern blocks. They enjoy either placing the blocks on the pattern cards or observing and copying the patterns on the mat. This activity supports their cognitive development, and they are quickly becoming experts at it!

Literacy:

We kicked off our literacy activities with a “Pop the Balloon and Read the Sentence Inside It”game. Our children were thrilled as they took turns popping balloons to reveal sentences hidden inside. Each balloon burst brought laughter and excitement, and our students practiced reading aloud with enthusiasm. This interactive task not only helps them practice their reading skills but also adds an element of surprise and delight to their learning experience. It was a fun way to combine movement with learning. The second literacy activity involved creating books. Our children each made their own book by drawing pictures and writing words, taking on the roles of both author and illustrator. They enthusiastically engaged in conversations with one another, sharing their stories and ideas, which fostered creativity and collaboration among them.

“I want to pop all of them and read all the secrets” Adelene

“I will pop it the first time” Leayene

“My title is zoo” Lucas

Math:

This week in math, we started with the “Number Line: What Comes Before and After” activity. Our students eagerly hopped along the number line, identifying numbers that come before and after given digits. It was a hopping good time as they practiced their counting skills! Our second math activity involved “adding using the number line”. Our children used the number line to visually represent their addition problems, gaining a deeper understanding of how numbers work together. This hands-on approach helps them understand the concept of addition in a tangible and engaging way. Their excitement to solve problems was truly inspiring!

“It looks like a zigzag line” Umar

“Why I draw number line? This easy” Lucas

Science:

This week in science, we conducted an “Apple Oxidation Experiment”. We sliced apples to observe the effects of various substances, such as salt, lime, vinegar, and left one slice plain. Our children were fascinated to observe how each treatment affected the apples’ appearance. They loved discussing which slice looked the freshest and why. This experiment will not only teach the children about chemical reactions but also foster their curiosity and critical thinking skills. Next up, we revisited the “animal habitats” we learned about previously. Children took turns explaining different habitats, demonstrating their growing knowledge. They then completed a matching worksheet, connecting animals to their corresponding habitats. They engaged in conversations to discuss which animals belonged in which habitats, asking their friends for help and offering assistance to one another. It was wonderful to see them articulate their understanding and share insights with their peers. This interactive review will ensure the children retain the knowledge they've gained and can confidently share their understanding with their peers.

“I want to try the salt, Phi” Abigail

“Mine are not brown” Tang Tang

“Zebra lives in grass land yeah Arsema?” Hekima

Art:

Our art project this week was an “Under the Sea” activity. Our children painted sheets of hard paper blue, creating a beautiful ocean backdrop. They sprinkled glitter for a touch of magic and then added colorful fish cutouts, turning their artwork into vibrant underwater scenes. Each child named their sea, with names like the Atlantic and the Pacific, and proudly showcased their creations. The classroom was transformed into an ocean of creativity!

“Mine is large large large, pacific” Junior

“Look, the fishes are swimming now.” Mickey

“Mine is Indian Ocean” Lucas

“Can I put it in my cabby?” Yeabsera

Cooperative Game:

This week, we had a blast with our cooperative game, “Musical Chairs with Drawing”! As “the chicken song” played, our children joyfully circled around colorful chairs, each paired with a blank piece of paper and drawing supplies. When the music paused, they quickly found a seat, ready to unleash their creativity with fun prompts like “let’s draw the figure.” The room buzzed with excitement as they concentrated on their artwork, sharing ideas and encouraging one another. When the music started again, they would move to a new chair, creating fresh drawings and interacting with different friends. At the end of the activity, we gathered to showcase their masterpieces, celebrating each of their creativity and imagination. It was a delightful way to combine movement, art, and teamwork, leaving everyone with smiles and beautiful creations!

Journal:

To wrap up the week, we gathered on the mat for some “journal time”. Armed with crayons, markers, and pencil colors, our children let their imaginations run wild. They had the freedom to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, fostering their self-expression and imagination capturing the essence of their week in kindergarten. It was heartwarming to see their creativity blossom on paper!

“What’s that animal?, it’s a koala. What’s that animal?, it’s an alligator. What’s that animal?………” Eliyab

Next week’s schedule:  

Monday – Math, Literacy

Tuesday – Literacy, Science, gym

Wednesday - Library, Math

Thursday - Science

Friday - Cooperative game

Specials:

Monday- Art

Tuesday - Gym

Thursday - Ethiopian center/ clay

Friday - Football

Reminders and notes:

• Next Wednesday your child will be coming home with a library folder and a story book in it. Make sure to read the story together and return the folder book back the other Wednesday so your child can get a new book. 


• Make sure that your child is wearing suitable clothes on Monday as we have art class and activities get messy sometimes.

We can’t wait to see what adventures the next week brings! Thank you for being part of our kindergarten journey!