Some Writing and Counting

There's such focus as we learn to write our numbers! This dice game, called "roll and record" calls for the children to roll a dice and count, then write the number that they rolled. It's a very HIGH interest way to practice writing skills! We've also been comparing attributes and sizes, and this cube tower game helped us to organize by size, compare numbers and sizes, and work together! The children began creating a counting book with the numbers 1 through 12 and we will "read" them to the prek classroom when we feel that they look finished.

Anno's Counting Book is a beautiful book of changing seasons and simple number sense. 

Until Next Time,
Michele

Early Days in Kindergarten Math

 Kindergarten math in it's early stages is about following a routine, getting to know the math materials, and valuing the power of our math minds! The children take attendance by counting each day, sometimes constructing a block tower, sometimes counting, and then we participate in a group activity. We have described attributes and found objects that matched with at least one attribute. We played a game of sorting people in which the children were grouped according to one attribute and then we all tried to figure it out. The attribute  might be wearing the color green, or wearing crocs, or wearing sneakers. We'll continue with these math concept explorations through the year. The children are also given a large space of free choices with the math manipulatives. Later in the year, there will be games to play and rules to follow, but we've found that offering this free choice gives the children space to truly explore materials which they are then ready to count, categorize, sort, and follow rules with.

Until Next Time,
Michele

Adding the Final Touch

The children read their counting books to each other, and have added a final touch, silver paint snowflakes to add to the authentic Arctic or Antarctic feel.  

Until Next Time,
Michele

Project Based Learning

This week we read a beautiful counting book about animals in the snow, and have created our own counting books to showcase our number knowledge as well as our knowledge of the arctic and antarctic.  The children referred to reference books, their own memories, and a list of animals on the board to complete their books.

Until Next Time,
Michele

Playing and Making Games

We do a unit about board games in KMath, as a culminating event in math skills acquisition. The children each plan and make a board game after we talk about what a game needs to be played. All of the games are tried, some are very successful and some need some narration, but there is great pride for each child with regards to innovation, story, and colorful work!

Practice

This week we practiced our math skills, writing on worksheets, working together in a group, and reading books together that challenged our problem solving skills.

Until Next Time,
Michele

Domino Math

We practiced adding and subtracting using dominoes. The kindergartners counted and added using the squares of dominoes, and then wrote their number sentences on the board for each other.

Until Next Time,
Michele