Kinder A/R

Monday, November 16, 2015

Dear Parents

We are sure you all had a busy but restful winter break and we look forward to sharing news of our second Unit of Inquiry.

Unit of Inquiry

We have recently started our ‘LIGHT and DARK’ Unit. So far the children have been very engaged and actively learning by being busy inquirers. The children were very curious during our timely school power cut before the Winter Break, as they were given this authentic provocation into the unit.

Through a detailed discussion we listened to interesting and informative statements leading to the first steps of inquiry. Some examples include:

“ Put on the switch and the lights will go on”

“There is no electricity, the lights are broken’

“If the lights are broken we can use flashlight.’

Our second provocation was lead by the teachers sleeping in their pyjamas in class. The children’s comments included.

“You do not sleep in the day.’

“Wake up wake up, night time is sleep time.”

“It’s time for breakfast”

Math

The children continue to make number sense and to build on their understanding of the importance of numbers in our daily lives.

Our daily routine and circle includes activities that help reinforce number skills and to explore further concepts such as one more, one less, bigger and smaller.

We have recently introduced the children to shapes such as square, circle, rectangle and triangle. They are learning the properties of the different shapes (It has 4 sides and it is curved.) as well as practicing their outline.Another major focus in math has been the concept of space with emphasis on position and direction. We have been introducing words like above, below, under, behind, inside and outside and practicing their use in the garden and during class time with simple questions.

Language

The first book we read was I Want MY Light On by Tony Ross. The children listened attentively and then shared their thoughts and feelings about the dark.

We also read ‘Go Away Big Green Monster’ by Ed Emberley. The children had fun making their own green monster.

Here are some of the comments they shared after listening to the story.

“There are no monsters under my bed”

“The moon shines through my window”

“Monsters are not real”

“I don’t like the dark”

"Monsters do not exist”