Soil Experiments

As you know, we have been exploring trees and what they need to live. We have learned that they need water, air and sunlight to make food. After digging around in the ground for roots last week, some of the children began wondering what else they could grow in soil. As a result, a few different experiments emerged to find out.

We planted pumpkin seeds. Will it grow into a flower or a pumpkin?

We planted mung bean seeds. 

We planted a leaf. Will it grow into a tree?

We planted grass roots. 

We gave them water.

We blew on them to give them some extra air. 

We placed them by the window so they would get sunlight.

Now we have to wait and see what happens!

Beautiful Stuff

Thank you to everyone who managed to find some "beautiful stuff" lying around their homes! The children had a great time sorting their treasures. We will use them this week to create our very own self-portraits. 

Song of the Week: November 19

This week, the children and I enjoyed reading the big book version of The Five Little Monkeys and acting it out throughout the week. 

Sorting

The children have been exploring the mathematical concepts of sorting and classifying concrete objects and describing the rules they used to do so. 

Sorting our markers, crayons and pencil crayons by colour and tool

Sorting foam pieces by colour and shape

Sorting buttons by colour, size and number of holes

Sorting rocks by texture

At home: Sorting and classifying comes naturally to many children. Work with your child to sort objects around the home (e.g. socks and other types of clothing when you are doing the laundry, their toys when they are tidying up) and have then explain their thinking by describing how they have sorted the objects.

Song of the Week: November 12

In response to Remembrance Day, we have been discussing peace and what it means to us. Here is a lullaby that helped continue our discussions.

Eric Carle Inspired Art

After reading several books with illustrations by the famous Eric Carle, the children have enjoyed using one of his techniques, ripped paper, to create their own pictures.

Here are self-portraits created with ripped paper. 

We decided to turn our drama centre into the local Valley. Here is our Eric Carle inspired tree that we will use to track seasonal changes. 

At home: Try creating your own pictures using ripped paper. Tearing the paper is a very simple activity your child can engage in to strengthen the small muscles he/she needs for writing. 

Song of the Week: November 5

Here is a quick song the children had fun singing this week. The repetitive "ck" sound found in this song was a great way to practise our sound of the week "ck" and the letters C and K. 

Why Do Leaves Change Colour?

One of the most common questions that arose during our inquiry unit on trees was "Why do the leaves change colour?" Prior to the storm we experienced, the children drew the trees in our Kindergarten courtyard.

Some of the children decided that the leaves are yellow because "a painting man comes and paints them." To test out their theory, we conducted an experiment and painted a tree leaf black. When we revisited the tree, we saw that the leaf was no longer painted, since the paint washed off the leaf. 

Through this experiment, the children realized for themselves that their painting theory was not correct and we are coming up with new theories to explain the colour change leaves go through in the fall. 

Song of the Week: October 29

Halloween was an enjoyable day for the children. Some of us chose to dress in costumes and we all participated in the school-wide Halloween Parade. 

Here is the last Halloween song we learned together.