Our Happy Harvesters

Greetings! First, thank you all so much for coming and supporting the Fall Festival at our school. The turn out was incredible! I really enjoyed meeting all your families. One of the biggest hits was the harvest soup the children made. I had a bowl before the festival started and I was amazed at how yummy it was! Here is the recipe if you would like to try it at home.

• Carrots
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Aunt Vida's Fine Homemade Noodles (Kriegers, Figaroos, and Al's Meat Market)
• Chicken
• Le Gout #95 chicken base (This IS the secret ingredient) and can only be bought at RSVP.

Simmer all day until tender. Add noodles and stir in at the last 1/2 hour. The base depends on how much you are preparing. We used 1/2 a jar for one roaster, so 4-5 tablespoons should be plenty for a family meal.

The children loved cooking with Franco and Mrs. Graves in the kitchen. Here are a few reactions from the children:

• "I liked scrubbing the potatoes." (Bella A.)
  
• "My favorite part was getting the dirt off the carrots." (Isabella M.)
  
• "My favorite part is eating it!" (Patrick)
  
• "I liked when we went out and got the vegetables and we put stuff in the pan." (Sophia)
  
• "I liked cutting the vegetables." (Jordan)

Here are a few pictures from their cooking experience in the kitchen

In math this past week, the children were introduced to the "teen" numbers. Ask them about the "Number Rock" song and see if they can sing it for you (with their air guitar, of course.) I will upload a video next week so you will see your little rock n' roller in action. In phonics, we have been concentrating on learning syllables. They did a much better job with it than I originally thought.... they are naturals! It was fun for them to think of big words and then clap how many syllables they had. We have REALLY been focusing on polite manners and social skills this week. Complimenting and encouraging classmates, learning the proper way to greet someone, and using polite words in various social situations has been the focus for this week. I hope they are taking what they are learning about manners home to show you as well!

Autumn Greetings!

Hello everyone!
Happy Autumn :) Autumn is my favorite season- I love the colors, foods, smells, and the experiences. We started exploring and observing the leaves even before they changed colors on the trees. We talked about the different shapes of leaves, and even the purpose of leaves. They were amazed that they eat leaves! They compared the difference between tree leaves and leaves that we can eat as food.

When they were investigating spinach, they were able to try a spinach leaf if they wanted.
Here were some of their responses:

• "Tastes like a regular, old leaf." (Marlo)
• "Tastes like a tree." (J'Lyn)
• "Tastes kinda weird" (Patrick)
• "Can we have more?" (Andrew)

The children have also been busy filling their noggins with facts about apples. On Wednesdsay, the children learned that there are different types of apples and they all have a different taste to them. They were able to taste a slice of three different types of apples. After we graphed what our favorite apple was, we found out that the children enjoyed the granny smith and gala apples the best (7 votes for each.) J'Lyn was the only one to like the red delicious apple best. Interesting to see! Next week, we will read a book about making an apple pie. I will have an apple toaster strudel warming up in a toaster, so the students should REALLY feel like they are making an apple pie. They will be able to make a special apple treat as well :)

In math, they have been exploring their shapes both within the classroom as well as throughout the outside environment. They were also introduced to their first math game! They were so excited! They couldn't keep their hands off the colorful game boards and spinners. At home, please keep emphasizing the standard "rules" of playing games with a partner. We talked a lot about sharing, taking turns, and cooperating with one another. Also, you will be getting your Kindergarten class phone book on Monday. The students worked so hard on them, so please utilize them to the fullest!

Did your child tell you about technology on Thursday? They got to work on "real" computers as they would say. Mr. Tom taught them the basics and responsibility they have when handling laptops. They are itching to play games on them!

In phonics, we have been learning about how sentences are made up of words and that words are made up letters. They also were about to form their names with playdough which they LOVED. They did so well that many of them started on their last names!

The children have been working on appropriate social skills when interacting with their peers. I have been doing many games and activities to help them form positive relationships with their classmates, but support and help from home would be appreciated! There will be many upcoming projects that we will be doing in the next few weeks that calls for extra helping hands, so I will be sure to contact parents to see if they would be interested in volunteering! Thanks! Please let me know if there are any questions, comments, or concerns!

Few more pictures of the KIA (Kindergarteners in Action)...

Isaiah constructing his tower. Patrick, Melania, and Aaliyah hard at work researching the type of scientist they would want to be.