Time Flies

I can't believe that I have just finished working on May's calendar, already! It just seems like last week I was meeting 20 new, excited, nervous kindergartners. And now, I am preparing to send them to 1st grade! Where does the time go?

This week we are studying plants. This is the beginning of the best 6 weeks of kindergarten, in my opinion. We will study plants, bugs, butterflies, frogs, Mother's Day, and Eric Carle over the final 6 weeks of school. These days are filled with fun projects, crafts, and exploration.
Today we planted flowers and practiced recycling by using empty soda bottles...pictures to come. Special shout out to "Mr. R" for volunteering as a Watch DOG and bravely helping us today!!! The kids really enjoyed planting their seeds and are journaling as we go about plant growth.

We also received a "letter" today from Beatrix Potter (OK, so I fibbed a little...it was me in disguise). Anyways, we read The Tale of Peter Rabbit and then, miraculously two hours later, we had a letter addressed to Miss Taylor's Kindergarten Class! Wow!
"Mrs. Potter" asked us lots of interesting questions about the book, and we wrote a letter back to her. The kids got really excited about it and formed some of the best sentences all year! YAY! (I wonder what author can write us next?!?!?)

Parents, I just want to take a minute to say that it has been a wonderful year! Thank you for letting me have the privilege of teaching your child, your baby... I consider it an honor to be a teacher, and do not take my job lightly. I worry about them, fret over them, celebrate with them just as you do. And sadly, my time of teaching is about to come to a close with them. Always know that your children have a special place in my heart, and I will always remember "Miss Taylor's Kindergarten Class 2011-2012"

Spring

It has been a wonderful but busy two weeks since spring break! We have continued learning about the continents, vowels, shapes, and greater than/less than.

This week we have begun work on antonyms! Check out our new song:

Tune of London Bridges

Antonyms are opposites

Fast and slow

Stop and go

Antonyms are opposites

They are different!

The students love this song too! We are still learning, so it may take a few days for them to rememeber all the words, but they are catching on fast.

We use songs during instruction because it helps the kindergarteners learn the material faster and retain it longer. We have found that if you can set educational material to a tune, the kids will be more interested, retain the information, and have the desire to learn more! (Bet you can remember a song you learned from your childhood too!)