Work Board   

    Each morning, Monday through Thursday, we get into small groups to explore Work Board Centers. There are different activities available each day and the children enjoy these intimate learning experiences.  Some of the activities we do include Listening Centers, Poetry Journals, Guided Reading, Independent and Buddy Reading, Pocket Charts, Language games of all sorts, Reading Around the Room, and of course, all kinds of Writing.

Mrs. Piper, our classroom paraprofessional, is always available to help and instruct the children in any way she can.  

    A couple of times each day, we take time out for Choice activities. There are many options to choose from and, space or time allowing, the children may use any of them. Here are some of the many choices children may make: Play Doh, painting, crafts, sand table, easel art, puzzles, games, drama center, blocks, manipulatives, beadwork, puppets, drawing, writing, library, math games, discovery science, computer, and watching the tropical fish. Choice is a great way to learn communication and problem solving skills.

Recess Time 

 Each morning at 10:00 and afternoon at 2:00, the kindergarten classes enjoy a private recess. We will go outside as long as it isn't raining, wet on the playground, or too cold (wind chill 20 or less.) There are always at least 3 staff people supervising the play areas. Remind your child that the adults are all willing to help them with their play problems and concerns. Their own teachers may not be out on duty but the others will be happy to help.

Friendships 

Whether we are working or playing together, the children are developing good friendships. The time we spend together each day brings us all closer in mind and heart. We learn about each other’s interests and talents and share our thoughts, hopes, and dreams. The children experience unique challenges in these relationships as they go through the process of developing their own identities. One of our most important jobs in Early Childhood education is to help the children develop problem solving and communication strategies. Norris School is a Peace Builder School. A quote from this link explains, "It is a comprehensive program launched in organizations that shifts the entire climate to a peaceful, productive, and safe place for children, teenagers, parents, staff and faculty. " Ask your child to recite the Peace Builder Pledge.

Plants       

We will explore and discover more about plants and the environment they need for strong and healthy growth. This includes reading about plants and gardens, and writing our own plant books. In another activity, we get together in small groups and take an up-close look at our own classroom plants. The children are thrilled to share their observations with the rest of the class. We discover what all of the plants have in common as well as their differences. We ask questions such as, "What happens to the seed when you put it in the ground and water it? How does it grow? What does it need? Why is this plant different from that one?" To help answer these questions, we grow some seeds in the classroom. Some in plant pots, some in paper towels and baggies in drawers and on the window sill. We also soak beans in water overnight and examine the changes the next day. The germinating seeds show us all of the early-growth plant parts. When we plant in pots of soil, the children experience the growing process even more closely and learn that plants need air, water, food, and shelter - just as people do. We continue to watch our plants as the weeks go by. The plants, both old and new, that we care for in the classroom, provide information on flowering, insects, soil compaction and crowding, feeding and watering needs, as well as aesthetics. The children are proud to bring their plants home in the spring to plant and watch blossom. After our earlier learning experiences in Nutrition, we can now start to see the connections between all living things for air, food, water, and a safe habitat. We will further expand on this with our study of the farm. 

How does irrigation work?                                                                         

How does a venus flytrap work?

Make Way For Ducklings!

  At the end of April, we will welcome Mrs. Piper’s duck eggs to our classroom. We will probably have about 18 or so, which the children will place into an incubator. Our jobs will be to mark each side of the eggs with an X and O, to turn them twice each day, to keep the temperature just right, and to occasionally give them a spray of water. Everyone will take turns with these important jobs. We will look at the developing eggs with a strong light (called candling the eggs) to make sure they are growing. We will also make some little books to remind us of what they look like inside as each week goes by. After 27 or 28 days, they will hatch and our classroom will become an even more interesting place. The ducklings will need water and food. They will need to have clean bedding and warmth. We will be able to hold them and keep them in class with us for the rest of the week. They will grow incredibly quickly so they’ll need to find more roomy accommodations! At the end of the week, Mrs. Piper will take them home to her farm where they will be reunited with their families. Other classes will be invited to visit the ducklings and carefully hold them. The children will be able to talk with them about all that we have learned. 

During the week of their visit with us, we will hold a Family Night. All of the children's families are invited to share in the excitement with an evening visit. We will take lots of pictures and serve some yummy refreshments. It is a truly memorable event for everyone, young and old alike!