It feels like I haven’t blogged in forever! I apologize for falling behind, but for the last three weeks I have been working on the Johnson School Yearbook for what seems like every free moment I have. However, it goes to the printer tomorrow (Woo Hoo!) and I can get my life back. Though it has been a bit of work, I have very much enjoyed getting to know our 6th grade students better and helping to create a beautiful book they will hopefully love in years to come. (By the way, this is just between us, but there may be quite a few kindergarten photos in there as well!)
I want to mention that this year’s Teddy Bear Float parade did not disappoint, and everyone’s floats were great. Thanks to all the parents who turned out to cheer us on and came out see the parade. I am always amazed at how different each float is and what original ideas are used.
What fun we had on Wednesday night at our Kindergarten Family Math Night at school! I was happy to such an great turn out. All the children and special guests engaged in math and having a blast! While doing a special event like this does require extra work, I feel rewarded by all the smiles and excitement. I love meeting all the families and seeing how proud the children are to share their learning with all of you. Thanks to our room parents for providing the special snacks. 🙂
Last week was a busy week in Kindergarten. We have been working on sight words and continued our independent center work. I am very happy to see the progress I am seeing in the children’s reading skills. They are recognizing more and more sight words and using all the word work skills we have learned to be “word solvers.” However, sometimes at this time in the year, I begin to see children doing more “hurry scurry” work than taking their time to do their best work. It would help at home to reinforce proper handwriting grips, and taking time to try to practice best penmanship. While this generation of children will probably doing their college courses from their dorm rooms on their IPADs, handwriting is still an important skill. It is especially important for young children who are still need to work on their small motor skills! Penmanship may not be a Common Core standard, but it is a Massachusetts standard. Take a look at this article in the Salem News over the weekend: Handwriting at Risk in Schools
Here are some ways to practice fine motor skills and have fun too:
– catch/ throw/ bat/ bounce/ balls
– cutting out with scissors
– duplo/ lego, pull apart etc
– craft/ drawing , stickers, stamping, stencils, tracing, glue stick activities
– cooking activities/ opening containers, stirring, pouring into bowl, cracking eggs.
– make believe- washing up, pushing dolls pram, work bench
– hammering/ screw driver
– lacing cards/ threading beads
– undoing/ doing up fasteners, zippers, lids, buttons, press studs, clips on dress ups, hand bags etc.
– balloon games, hitting and catching with two hands
– ‘bubbles’
– washing car (or anything around the yard!)
– sand pit games, bucket and shovel etc.
Speaking of fine motor, we are having another workshop in paper weaving tomorrow, which is another great strengthening activity.
Ms. Purdin 🙂
