Apples, apples and apples!

Kindergarteners are learning all about apples this week!  We began today by reading Apples A to Z by Margaret McNamara.  This was a great ABC book that helped us learn more about apples.  We created a brace map and jotted down some information we learned from the book as well information we already knew!

In Math, we reviewed our numbers 1-5 and played a math bingo game. Students' bingo cards had boxes of objects and when I called a number, they had to use one-to-one correspondence to color the correct box.  The rest of this week we will be working on numbers 6-10.  For the first quarter, Kindergartners are expected to use one-to-one correspondence up to 10 and identify and write numbers 1-10 correctly.  We will also be working on composing and decomposing these numbers, although mastery of this skill is not required until later this year.

Today I also asked each student to count as high as they could.  Our goal for the first quarter is to count to 21. I am so pleased that many students can do thus already!  I often find that 13 and 15 are the tricky numbers and ones most often missed. Pease practice this skill at home daily!  Below is a short video we often watch to help us count. 

Counting Super Hero

Teen Numbers Always Start With a 1!

Those teen numbers are tricky, aren't they?  Some friends in our class commonly transverse their numbers.  For instance, instead of writing "17", they will write "71".  I thought a catchy song might help us remember that teen numbers always start with a 1!  Our goal the third quarter is to be able to write numbers from 0-20.  Keep practicing at home!

The Action of Subtraction

Introducing the concept of subtraction is always tricky because it is the opposite of what we have worked so hard, and so long, on...addition.  Over the last few weeks, we have been working to understand that subtraction is when we start with a group of objects and "take away".  We have been practicing by using manipulatives and story problems.  You can help your child understand this concept by using any manipulatives you have around the house, including pennies, cotton balls, or race cars!  Make it fun!  We had fun making up story problems about animals on the farm doing silly things!  (For instance, there were eight pigs on the farm.  Six pigs went rolling in the mud and had to take a bath.  How many were left?)  We read a few different books to help us further understand the concept.

And...another fun video for you too!

Pattern Block Fun

Before break, students were given an opportunity during our centers time to explore with pattern block cut outs. Oh my, it's amazing what creativity we see when they are given free exploration! I saw students building people, making landscapes, using symmetry and more! Check out some of the awesome work below!