Apples, Apples, Apples

We have had so much fun learning, experimenting, graphing, and cooking with apples.   Here are some of the highlights from our week. 

We started off the week by doing some apple investigations. We measured apples in several different ways and looked to see if they would float.  We made predictions before and then tested to see if we were correct. 

They Float!!! 

Here Sophie and Zachary are measuring the weight of their apple.

We mad an apple glyph based on questions that students answered about apples. 

Here are our results on the apple tree. 

After we created our glyphs we used the information to make a graph about what kind of apple our class liked the most.

Here we are washing apples for our pie

Here we are cutting apples. 

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Here is our apple pie and spiced apples ready to go.

Here are is our yummy apple pie and spiced apples all done. It was sooooo delicious.

Thanks to every one who donated apples this week. We had so much fun and learned a lot!!! If you want to make the recipe yourself at home here is the link for crock pot apple pie. 

http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-apple-pie-311774

Mrs. Smith 

Jack-O-Lantern Glyphs

This week we had some fun with making Jack-O-Lanterns.  Our Jack-O-Lanterns were no normal Jack-O-Lanterns. Each Jack-O-Lantern is different, and based on a series of questions.  

This is our Jack-O-Lantern Glyph. Each students pumpkin looks different based upon their answers to different questions. 

Here are our finish Jack-O-Lanterns. Aren't they adorable! 

After we finished making our Jack-O-Lanterns we tallied the results to each question. We also discussed that the word data is just another word for information.

After we tallied our information we decided to use that information to create a few graphs so we could compare information.  We added a key, and discussed why it was important when creating a graph. 

Here are two graphs we made as a class. The first shows how many people live in their house. The second tells how many boys and girls made Jack-o-lanterns.  At first they wanted to change the number because it didn't match the number of people in our classroom. I then reminded them that the graph showed how many people made Jack-o-lanterns, not how many people were in our class.  Overall, this was a fun week in math. There were lots of great conversations about graphing and collecting data.  

Exploring Color

Over the last few weeks we have been exploring color. We have been making list of color words, reading books with color words or a color theme, and mixing primary colors to create secondary colors.  We have learned a few fun songs about color too. Check out all the fun below. 

Here are the primary colors we explored. 

Here we are making secondary colors.  So sorry for the blurriness, they were so excited to see the color change and were jumping around with excitement! 

We made orange!! 

We made green!! 

Here is a view of all our little scientist working in the room.

In this experiment we wanted to find out what would happen if we mixed glow stick colors

We cut them open and put them in some bottles. We were so excited to see them glowing!!

Here were the results. We managed to create orange, but the red just turned pink and the yellow didn't really work. We also noticed that they stopped glowing once they were mixed.  We made some awesome observations this day! 

Ways To Make Five

We have been working so hard in math on number concepts up to 5. One of the fun things we recently did was explore the different ways to create a specific number.  In the examples below I called out a number and then we made that number  with unifix cubes on our fingers in several different ways.  We discussed that regardless of the configuration, or where you place them on your fingers the result will always be the same .  We also thought about the smaller parts that make up the number I called out. For example, if I said 3 it could be made with 2 and 1, or 1 and 2 etc.   Check out our little mathematicians at work below.

Every one at this table found a different way to create the number 3. 

Here we are showing ways to make 4 

This was a very fun and interactive way  for everyone to express their ideas.  Look at these smarties! 

Making Lists

Over the last few weeks we have been, exploring reasons why people write lists, making list as a class, and reading books that have examples of lists in them.  Here is some of their ideas in action. Thanks so much to everyone who brought in all of the great advertisements! 

We made grocery lists

We created lists of toys we thought were cool

We made lists of possible Halloween costumes

Here are some friends finding things for our list of electronics

Busy Fun in Kindergarten

Wow! We have been so busy learning lots of things over the last few weeks.  There is so much learning going on in all subject areas. I thought I would share a few fun moments with you! I am really enjoying this year so far.  We have a class of sweet, smart, and creative kids! I can't wait to see them grow throughout the year!

In Science we observed different types of Science Equipment that we would be using throughout the year.  We had lots of fun exploring everything. 

In math we have been reviewing properties of shapes.  We had friends create a variety of shapes with some ribbon.  

We have been working really hard to learn all about literacy centers.  This is our pocket chart station where two of our friends are creating sentences based upon our Pete the Cat book.  They can also practice writing the words that go into the sentences.

Mrs. Smith 

P.S.  Don't forget to check out the Friday Comments page each week. Also, Next week I hope to put up information about the kindergarten curriculum.  

Welcome To Kindergarten!! I’ve been waiting all summer to meet you!!

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Kindergarten!! My name is Becky Smith and I will be your son or daughter’s teacher this year. The whole kindergarten team has been working hard on developing lessons that will inspire and develop your child’s learning abilities. We also hope that they have a lot of fun while they are here as well.

This is my ninth year teaching here at Valley Oaks Elementary. I graduated from the University of Houston in May of 2005 with a degree in early childhood education.  I have a wonderful husband named Tom, and two adorable children. Tommy will be 3 in November, and Mackenzie just turned 1 in July!  Our other family members are our dog Yuna, and our very sweet cat named Buttons. When I have free time I enjoy cooking, biking, sewing and taking walks around our neighborhood.

I am so excited to be teaching your child this year. I have a real passion for leaning and I hope to pass that on to your child.  During the year I hope that we can work together to help your child reach their learning capabilities. 

I'm so excited that you were able to visit my class blog. My hope is that this will give you a snapshot into the fun things we are learning and doing, Please feel free to leave comments or ask questions.  I show the blog to students regularly, and post videos, pictures, and projects that we have been working on.  they are so excited to share their world with you!  

Once again, I want to express how excited I am to be teaching your child.  I can think of no other profession out there that I would rather be doing.  Please feel free to contact me through out the year with any questions or concerns that you may have.  My e-mail is

Becky.smith@springbranchisd.com

Here is to a wonderful fun filled year,

Mrs. Becky Smith