We learned how to needle felt and make a picture with wool fleece
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All of the kindergarten classes worked on this needle felting project so we could enter it in the Deerfield Fair. We made an apple tree in the different seasons. Our tree was the fall tree.
The judges liked our project. We got a blue ribbon for our work. It was fun to go to the Fair and see our project.
We each choose a book. We sit side by side, knee to knee and elbow to elbow. We take turns reading our book. We talk about the pictures and the words. When Read with a Friend is over, we put our books away.
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.
The KinderKids classroom is filled with routines, lessons, learning activities and much more. Here are some pictures that help show what we do each day.
Check in, greeting, set up the calendar and check our schedule. 
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.
We read a book called The Monster’s Party. The monsters were having fun at a party. They did lots of things. We made monster masks. This video shows the things our monsters can do.
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
It is time to set up the classroom and get ready for the new school year. Mrs. Knee and Ms. Knowlton will be working at school this week. We want the room to look good for our Open House on Monday, August 24 from 4:30-6:00.
If you are wondering what it will be like in kindergarten, these are some pictures of things we have done in past years. We hope you like what you see.
Ms. Smith asked her friend Chris, a soldier in Afghanistan if we could meet him on Skype. He said yes and stayed up late to talk with us. We had lots of questions for him and we loved talking to him. You can watch and listen to some of the things we talked about.
After our skype call with Chris, we read a book by Phil Cummings and Owen Swan about an Australian soldier from long ago. He was far away from his family and in a war. His wife and daughter made Anzac Biscuits (cookies) and sent them to him.
Anzac Biscuits were baked for soldiers, especially the Australian and New Zealand soldiers because they were nutritious and could last the journey to the other side of the world. They reminded the soldiers that the people back home were thinking about them. Anzac Biscuits have now become a common cookie in Australia.
We decided to make some Anzac Biscuits for Chris to remind him that we are thinking about him. We also drew pictures and wrote stories to send in the package.
These are the pictures we made for Chris.