3-Dimensional Shapes

Kindergarteners have had a great time learning about 3-dimensional shapes recently.  Our goal for the 3rd quarter is to be able to identify the cone, sphere, cylinder and cube.  To help us better understand the differences between the four, we created an anchor chart.  We wrote about what we see when we look at each shape, including what shape the base is, how many sides there are, number of corners, etc.  We also talked about objects in our environment that are these shapes.  I was amazed at some of their responses! 

However, our FAVORITE part was learning a new song called "3D Shapes I Know".  This is highly requested and we LOVE to listen to it!  Check it out below!

That Hexagon is a Tricky Hexagon

That hexagon is tricky, isn't it?  It is for our Kindergartners anyways!  The hexagon is commonly confused with the octagon.  Knowing that some of our shapes are still tricky for the kiddos in Room 207, we have been reviewing shapes recently.  I introduced my Kindergartners to my friend, SHAPE MONSTER....

We practice "feeding" our shape monster shapes for breakfast!  The Kindergartners LOVE feeding him and never forget to remind me that he is probably hungry!

We also learned to play "I Have, Who Has:  Shapes".  Each student is given one or two cards (see below).  The first student begins by saying, "I have the red circle.  Who has the green square?"  Then, the person with the green square on the top reads their card.  We continue until all cards have been read!  This is a great game to not only review shapes, but it develops listening skills and reviews colors.

 

On another note, we celebrated Aidan's birthday today!  Mrs. Harnish came in to read us a story.  She read The Mixed-up Chameleon, which is one of Aidan's favorite books.  Happy birthday Aidan!

Kindergartners never cease to amaze me. During Snack & Chat today, some friends decided it would be fun to make patterns out of their snacks!  One friend started...and it quickly spread throughout the room.  Those who hadn't eaten all their snacks began frantically creating any patterns they could make.  Others whose snacks were gone began making patterns out of markers, crayons, anything around!  I LOVE seeing my Kindergartners take initiative in their own learning.  The shouts of "I made an AB pattern!" and "Mine is an ABC pattern!" melted my heart.  Way to go Kindergartners!

Where's your *SMART* finger?

Kindergartners have been working hard on using their *smart* fingers when reading.  Our *smart* finger is the pointer finger on the hand that we write with.  I encourage my Kindergarten students to always use their *smart* fingers when reading texts, as it helps develop one-to-one matching, left-to-right and encourages us to cross the midline.  This is a great skill to practice at home when reading books.  Parents and older siblings can model the use of the *smart* fingers too! 

Ava reads I See Shapes with her *SMART* finger!

 While reading our I See Shapes books, Kindergartners also worked on identifying their colors and shapes and practiced coloring inside the lines.  All the books that we create in class and send home are books that your child should be able to read on his/her own.  Each time your child reads these books to you, he/she can fill out a reading ticket!  They can also be read repeatedly for numerous tickets.  All books that your child can read can be stored in your child's book box!

2-dimensional Shapes

Kindergartners have been working hard on identifying their 2-dimensional shapes.  One of our first quarter goals for students to identify each of the following:  circle, square, rectangle, triangle and hexagon.  Yes...the hexagon...tricky isn't it?  The hexagon (6 sides) is most commonly confused with the octagon (8 sides).  While you are out and about, have your child look for not only this shape, but all shapes Kindergartners are required to know.  Identifying shapes in their environment is a great and interactive way to practice this skill.  Earlier this week, we talked about the characteristics of each of the five shapes and identified how many corners and sides each shape had.  We made the poster below together as a class.

Today, we practiced making each of the shapes using our bodies!

SQUARE

TRIANGLE

RECTANGLE

HEXAGON...this was a little bit tricky!

CIRCLE

Can't wait for the Twister-a-Thon later on today!