We have been very busy over the last two weeks. Although January started with many indoor recesses, we have still been able to get some fresh air and explore the forest area. These outdoor experiences are so liberating for the children and for the teachers too! The toboggans have been put to great use and hopefully this week the temperature will allow us to make some forts and snowmen.
Thank you to Meko's mom for coming in and teaching the children about the importance of slowing down, breathing, and finding balance through yoga. Thank you also to Sam, Ben, and Connor's moms for coming in and assisting with the Scientists in the School centres. The theme was, "I Want to Be a Scientist" and the children learned that science is everywhere. They partook in centres that addressed astronomy, paleontology, chemistry, and marine biology. It really was a great day!
We have recently been working on a number of Math activities using Goldfish crackers. The children began by opening their small packages and counting the number of crackers inside. “Combien de poissons?” Interestingly, there were not the same number of fish in each package! On chart paper, we recorded the number of Goldfish contained in each student’s package. From the information on the chart, we identified which child had the most and the fewest fish. We also noticed that several students had the same number of Goldfish as a classmate. Next, the children made a pattern using their crackers by positioning their Goldfish in different directions. (For example, fishy up, fishy down; fishy facing left, fishy facing right.) Finally at the end, the children were invited to eat their Goldfish. I asked the students, “If you had 29 fish and one swam away, how many would you have left?” As well as using the crackers as manipulatives to help us subtract, we also looked at the numbers on the calendar to see what number would come before or after. Many students demonstrated excellent number sense and numeration skills.
The activities using Goldfish crackers addressed several specific expectations outlined in the Kindergarten Math curriculum. Our students:
• counted in French and practiced one-to-one correspondence;
• investigated the idea that quantity is greater when counting forward and less when counting backwards;
• analyzed data;
• compared and ordered quantities;
• created and extended a repeating pattern;
• investigated addition and subtraction through the use of manipulatives.
Have a great night and stay warm!