We count to find out how many.
We say each number and touch each object once. We have to keep track.
We double check to be sure we counted correctly.
Pick your books.
Find your spot.
Look at the pictures and the words.
Tell the story to yourself.
We looked for 3-D shapes around the room and learned to name them – sphere, cube, rectangular prism, cone and pyramid. We used Geoblocks to explore various 3-D shapes. We looked carefully for 2-D faces on the 3-D shapes. Our favorite 3-D activity was combining 3-D shapes to make a block that looked the same as the largest Geoblock. We worked carefully to find as many combinations as we could. Take a look at some of our work.
Due to the lack of recess during our harsh winter temperatures, our afternoon activity time has been more active than usual. Mrs. Knee brought in several large boxes from her new kitchen cabinets that the builder saved for us. We have enjoyed turning them into houses, caves and other imaginary places. Several large pieces of cloth and some clothespins were added as props for more fun. Tents were made with the tables and chairs. Some children created new spaces by attaching the boxes and adding flat pieces of cardboard. Mrs. Knee supplied some plastic connectors made by a company called Makedo. This construction work has connected to our math study of two dimensional and three dimensional shapes.
We have lots of time to work in the block area during our afternoon activity time. There are so many wonderful benefits to working with the wooden Unit Blocks. The blocks are called Unit Blocks because they are proportional in size.
When working in blocks, the KinderKids learn counting, comparison of length and width, names of shapes, and how to combine some geometric shapes to make other shapes. They are learning the basics of addition when they discover that two short blocks are the same length as the next size block.
The KinderKids learn science when they experience gravity as their constructions fall. They learn the use of simple machines such as ramps when building. Their language skills and vocabulary improve as they talk about their creations and tell the stories that they are representing with the blocks. Children learn to write as they make signs and as teachers help them write stories about what they are building.
Children learn cooperation and sharing when they work together with the blocks. They develop problem-solving skills and learn good work habits since they are responsible for picking up when they finish.
So, when your child tells you they played in blocks at school, they actually were learning math, science, and literacy while enjoying themselves through working with blocks.
Our days and weeks are filled with lots of activity. The KinderKids have adjusted well to their classroom schedule. There is a variety of work through the day. Here are some examples of the work we do. As you can see, we have very busy days.
Read to Self
Everyone does Read to Self
Read to Self
Writing Workshop
Math activities – sorting and counting
Science
Outdoor Time
and Lunch 
Activity Time
We’ve been counting the days we’ve been in school since our first day. Today was the 100th day of school. We made special hats that 100 things on them. We used 10 strips of paper and glued 10 things on each strip. When we count each strip, we count by 10’s. We can also count everything by 1’s but that takes longer. It took all day to put 100 things on our hats. We love our hats.