Halfway Through May 🌞

Ask Your Child About...

1. The characters in a story- what are they like, how do they change

2. How an author can write to persuade

3. Describe different attributes of objects around us

4. How their plant is growing

5. What they know about seeds

📚 This week in reading we focused on characters. We identified the main characters of a story, then analyzed them to figure out what traits they had. We discussed how a character's traits can stay the same or change throughout a story. We also explored what these traits meant for our story. How do the feelings and behaviors effect what takes place during the story? How could we alter what happens in a story by altering the feelings and behaviors of a character? Keep this in-depth study of character going at home by reading books together and mapping the characters within them!

🎇 Special shout out the the book series What do you do with.... (an idea, a problem, a chance) by Kobi Yamada. These were very helpful in mapping character traits, feelings, and actions!

🖊 This week wrapped up our How-To writing unit of study by picking a book we wrote that we are especially proud of and sending it to someone we think would enjoy it. We then celebrated by doing a few dances that tell you how to do the dance as you do it (the hokey pokey, peanut butter and jelly, etc.). We had a lot of fun sending off on this how-to unit! For the remainder of the year, we will be focusing on persuasive writing. We have learned that writers write to make things better! Writers do this by seeing a problem, thinking of why it is a problem, writing ways to fix the problem, and figuring out who they are sending their message to. We have also learned that writers express their persuasive thoughts through different means. This includes, but is not limited to: a sign/poster, letter, song, list, petition, and of course books! We are off to a great start! You can help by aiding your child in considering various areas of life they see problems occur, why it is a problem, and how they can suggest we fix it.

🔢 In math we have reached our last unit of Kindergarten study. This unit consists of some topics of review from preschool, as well as some new information to expand upon their previous learning. We are working with various measuring tools such as rulers, scales, and measuring cups. These tools help us identify length and height, weight, and capacity. We are then using these attributes to describe various objects. You can continue to help your child consider ways to measure by identifying objects and tools around the house, creating, cooking, or baking something that requires measuring in some way (rule, scale, cups/spoons). 

🌱 Our plant study started this week with a close look at seeds. We looked at a seed's journey from the plant into its own place in the world. We discussed how some seeds do not grow, while others will grow a little, and others yet will grow wonderfully. We explored various types of seeds- from flower to vegetable to fruit to larger plants such as trees! The kiddos investigated why seeds have different parts and what the purpose of each part is, as well as why some seeds look quite different from others.