Wiggle, Waddle, and Witness the Wonder!

So...we are finally learning about animals in Science and we all know that the best way to learn is by experiencing hands-on, real-world learning. Therefore, we decided read stories about animals, do some whole group lessons on animals, write about animals, and interact with animals! Yes, I said it, kindergartens interacting with LIVE animals....scary...yet interesting thought.
Last week we brought in the goldfish to show one example of an amazing creature that may live in the water. One of my student's begged for me to bring in an Anglerfish. I explained that not all fish are exactly friendly fish! We discussed a variety of characteristics about fish - as well as how to care for them, how to feed them, and responsibilities of having a pet like a fish.

We also discussed warm-blooded animals like mammals and birds. We were fortunate enough to have an grandparent bring in an incubator filled with eggs. The incubator helps keep the eggs moist and warm. They were brought in yesterday - just in time because the first egg crack yesterday and three chicks today! My classroom, and the entire dome, was literally alive with the sounds of chirping all day - not only from the chicks, but the students too! Several times I caught them sneaking off to catch a glimpse the latest waddle or newest crack in the egg. Sneaky little detectives they are!

The last thing we investigated was cold-blooded animals. We were scientists as we brought in worms into our classroom. We used our 5 senses to discover unique features about them and also discuss interesting facts.

Overall, we have a good sense of some of the amazing animals that we may see everyday, but we still know there is a lot to learn. As one student put it "We gotta stay in school so we can learn about all this stuff, because t.v. doesn't let you play with everything like school does!"

Until the next adventure....

Happy Earth Day!

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Ready, Set, Tie!

There are many goals that we strive to reach by the end of the year. Some of these goals are academic based such as knowing our letter names and sounds, skip counting, reading books, creating number stories, etc. Other goals that we have are more developmental. Well as the year went on there was one particular area that I didn't see as much "growth in as I was hoping for. So I decided we needed a plan, moreso a program to help my pandas reach their goal.

On Monday we began our Shoe Tying Club. We talked about it all last week and covered all the rules. This eliminates a lot of questions and confusion BEFORE the club actually opens.

Here's the Rules:

1. You must tie your shoes at least three different times on three different days.

2. You must only show me you can tie your shoes first thing when you come in the morning, after recess, or during kid time– any other time will not count.

3. You will get a check for each time you can successfully tie your shoes, on your own, with no help or guidance from me.

4. After three checks, you’re in the club!

What do you Get?!

1. A fancy card, prominently

displayed in the classroom, announcing to the world that you can tie your shoes!

2. Your choice of fancy, fun, fantastic shoelaces !

3. You will become Miss Parr’s assistant and be able to help others learn to tie their shoes.

Needless to say I have never seen such determination from my kiddos. They come in practice their skills - showing me their improvement from the night before. They spend their brain break quietly practicing. They even spend their kid time helping each other and reciting rhymes. It's magical. And it's working~

Now...how to quit those knots from occuring...

The Pandas Podcasts!

 In our classroom we are working very hard to become fluent readers and expressive writers. We have done such a grand job that we would like to broadcast our ideas with the world. When we finish partner reading our books, we work as a team, or by ourselves to create sentences about the knowledge that we've learned. Please feel free to listen into our thoughts, ideas, and storytelling. 

We hope you enjoy the Pandas Podcasts!

Click on a name below to listen in:

Kahle and Carson
Katie and Paige
Ryeleigh and Olivia
 Aiden and Griffin
Jordan and Kenneth
Olivia and Anna 

Bricen and Joey
Brian and Anna 

Braeden and Eden

Alex and Lauren
Katie
Aiden 

Do You Believe?!

Today we had the tooth fairy come to visit our kindergarten classrooms. The entire day there was a buzz in the air about our "Friday Friend" and who he/she might be. When we walked into the room where our guest was waiting the kids were beaming. 

Was it Cinderella? Was it a Princess? 

When she announced that she was indeed the Tooth Fairy the questions started pouring out:

Do you still have my tooth?

Why did you give her a dollar and me a quarter?

Do you remember my name?

What do you do with all the teeth that you collect?

Did you go to college to become a tooth fairy?

Can you show us how to fly?

Now...if I was the Tooth Fairy, I would be stressed. All these questions and all these little eyes waiting for you to remember them. But she passed with flying colors. She turned up her smile and on her  magic wand and she was quickly talking about keeping healthy teeth, going to the dentist, and handing out tooth care goodies. 

Hopefully this Friday Friend brought in some new healthy habits, as well as firm believers that the Tooth Fairy really does exist.