Aquatics Unit Beginning Soon

Please see the following important information from our P.E. teacher, Mrs. Heather Bretzfield:

Dear KG/First Grade Families:

Our next PE unit, Aquatics begins next Sunday, September 22^nd. We will swim in the pool for all scheduled PE classes untilOctober 24^th. Please send your child to school with a swimming kit containing a swimsuit, goggles, towel, and hairbrush.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Warm regards,

Heather Bretzfield

hbretzfield@aisdhaka.org

"What's That Sound?", Smelling Jars, and a Blindfolded Obstacle Course!

We have continued to explore our senses and will begin wrapping up our Unit this week. A number of experiences have allowed us to more closely examine how our senses help us explore the world around us, including a listening activity in which we had to identify sounds solely through our sense of hearing. Many students realized that it was difficult to determine what was making the sounds when the other senses were removed. We found that sometimes this was true in regard to our sense of smell as well. Through a "smelling jars" activity we shared vocabulary and discussed how sometimes it's very easy to identify a smell, while at other times it is more necessary to have our sense of sight to help determine where the scent originates. This activity also brought forward the realization that smells often bring forth vivid memories.

Yesterday we joined the other kindergarten classes in an exciting lesson that encouraged us to be great risk-takers! We completed an obstacle course, but the twist was that we had to do it blindfolded! This really made us consider how important our sense of sight is in helping us function successfully on a day-to-day basis. We also realized just how important our other senses are when one sense is taken away. The discussion following the obstacle course was an interesting one as the students shared what it was like loosing their sight. This expanded into dialogue about people that are missing some of their senses, and we discussed this further today after reading the book Seven Blind Mice. The students showed empathy as they shared how difficult it must be for people who are blind. You can view a recording of this book on Youtube by clicking here.

Five Senses Language

I'm a Risk-taker!

We've continued exploring our senses through a series of sessions that have led to some new understandings. With the help of a mystery box, we saw how our sense of touch helps us identify unknown objects. Such vocabulary as hard, soft, spiky, bumpy, flexible and squishy came forth as we touched a variety of objects in the box. This vocabulary will prove to be very useful during writer's workshop as we examine how consciously thinking of our senses while writing can help develop a more interesting story for our readers.

The next day we went on a texture walk around the school and realized that our world is full of different textures. After making rubbings of the various textures, we discussed how textures can tell us more about objects. For example, the trunk of the tree on the playground was not only rough, but wet as well. This told us that it must have rained recently. The students also realized that we not only feel textures; we also see them! We discovered that sometimes we use multiple senses at the same time!

This discussion was followed up today with a closer look at textures and safety. One of the learner profile traits we are focusing on is being a "risk-taker". In order to be scientists and discover more about our world and ourselves we have to be willing to take risks. We did come to understand, however, that often our senses can warn us that something is unsafe, warning us that taking a risk is not such a good idea. The words sharp and hot were shared and we all remembered not so pleasant personal experiences involving items fitting these descriptions.

We will continue practicing being "risk-takers" under safe circumstances throughout this year. After reading the book Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee we developed a clearer understanding of what this term means.

Many students are already applying this trait to other areas of their lives. Aiden pointed out today during reading group, "I was a risk-taker today! I was a little nervous about reading because I didn't think I could do it, but I tried anyway and now I know I can. I read a book all by myself!"

Encourage your child to be a risk- taker at home!

Kindergarten Websites

There has been some interest in educational websites appropriate for kindergarten that the students can use outside of school. We have a wikipage dedicated to just this! Click HERE and bookmark this page for quick access. Additional sites will be added throughout the year. *Please note that while you will find your child's name currently entered in the site "Raz-Kids", individual reading levels have not been adjusted as they are still being determined. This will happen soon. In the meantime of course your child is welcome to begin exploring the site and reading the books shown. When asked for Teacher Username, enter kmolloyb.