Nice Hands in K0

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My youngest strand students, K0, have been doing a unit on parts of the body. We began the journey with I Call My Hand Gentle by Amanda Haan. "This is my hand, it is special." After we read the story we trace and decorate our hand pictures. 

Letter B - The Berenstains' B Book

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My kindergarten students find out what broke baby bird's balloon in this B-word BONANZA of a book by Stan and Jan Berenstain. During the read aloud I challenge the students to recite some of the b word repetitions, "big brown bear, blue bull, beautiful baboon, blowing bubbles, biking backwards..." It's great fun. Check out the video with your child below.

Try Your "Martian" Best

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My first graders read the 3rd Episode of First Graders from Mars, Nergal and the Great Space Race. We learned that everyone can't be the best at everything but you should try to do your best.  Jayden from Ms. Miranda's Class shared a story of how he learned to ride his bike without training wheels. He didn't think he would be good at it but his sister helped him and he can now ride his bike without training wheels. Mayara said, "all you have to do is just try, try your best." Some people are good at drawing, some people are good at running and some people are good at following directions...but we all are trying to do our "earthling best!"

You're Invited!

Stop by the Library and visit our Annual Scholastic Book Fair. The Fair begins Friday, January 6th through Friday, January 13th. Books may be purchased during your child's normally scheduled Library Class and after school. The Fair will be open everyday after school until 5:00 pm. You can preview the Fair here. All proceeds go to restocking our library shelves.

Letter A

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We read Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss! The Lion, Tiger and Dog challenge each other to see how many apples then can put on top of their head - up to ten. We count to ten forward and backward and it's a fun book to read with a group.

In the book I am making with your child, they have a page that requires them to put 4 apple stickers up on top. Ask them about the book and show them the fun little video below as a surprise!

Our Journey to Mars Continues

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In Episode 2 of First Graders From Mars, The Problem with Pelly we get to know Horus's friend Pelly.  Her family moved to Mars from the Moon Phobos and Pelly feels different when the class makes plans for a special visitor. Tera, another classmate, doesn't help by claiming that a picture Pelly draws of her family is "weird." Pelly questions whether her "fluffernobbin" is normal and wishes she could be "normal" like the other kids with "tentacles." Our students quickly identify the mean words of Tera and connect with sometimes feeling different from others. Our story ends beautifully and we all find out that what makes us different is also what makes us special. I love reading this story with my first graders.

Kindergarten Students Journey Through the Alphabet!

In library my Kindergarten students (K1 and K2) take a journey through the alphabet as they explore a variety of picture books from A-Z. Picture books are unique in that they combine art with stories and are an introduction to reading. Every picture tells a story and children get excited when they make connections with their world through the stories we read. I start our journey with a silly Dr. Seuss book, Dr. Seuss's ABC, to assess where the students are in their ability to sit and listen during a read aloud and their understanding of letters. Our last book of this project is The Alphabet Tree where students discover that “letters make words, words make sentences and sentences make stories.” During the school year your child will be introduced to over 26 books many of which they will cherish for years to come. Their culminating project is a book that captures all the books we’ve read during the year and other activities they’ve done in the library. The book is yours to keep! Check back on my blog to see what your child has been reading and read it with them. A great book can be read over and over again. Surprise your child by watching and singing this with them!