Mrs. Billups' Kindergarten Blog: February 2013

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Valentine's Day

The children enjoyed spending Valentine's Day with their friends! We had some very creative Valentine's Boxes and the children anxiously opened each and every Valentine card in their box! Our Math lesson included estimating the number of candy hearts that fit in our hand print! Much to their amazement, it took a lot more hearts then they thought! We also had lots of fun playing Musical Hearts and frosting cookies for snack!

Estimation

Musical Hearts

Valentine's Cards

Giving Hearts!

This year students at Kalona Elementary worked together to make over 150 Valentine's cards to give to each resident at Pleasantview Home in Kalona and Parkview Manor in Wellman. The students worked together for 45 minutes in the gym in hopes of bringing a little joy to our elderly community members! It was wonderful to see the older students interacting with the younger students and lending a helping hand!!

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Weaving

We continue to learn about fabric in Science. Earlier we learned that fabric is made with various kinds of threads. We discovered how to take a piece of fabric apart and this past week we learned how to make fabric by weaving with yarn. Mrs. Yoder's 4th grade class came to assist us while weaving. When we were finished we exercised together and had a healthy snack! THANK YOU Mrs. Yoder for taking time from your busy day to help us!

Weaving With Our 4th Grade Friends

Exercise Fun

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

A Lesson For Us All!

I have a favorite book I read with the kids each year around Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. The book, Young Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have A Dream, is about Martin Luther King Jr's life. It is written at a level that is developmentally appropriate for young children. The book tells about how children were not allowed to play together because of the color of their skin. When we were finished with the book we made a list of what makes a good leader and people they knew that were leaders. (See our list below.) Next I ask the children to close their eyes and raise their hand if they thought they could grow up to be a leader. Approximately half of the children raised their hands. I ask the children to listen carefully to our list of what makes a good leader and decide if they thought they do OR could do any of the things we listed. As I read each item listed, I could see the wheels turning in their little heads. As I continued to read, one by one, their little eyes begin to twinkle at the thought of being a leader! What happened next touched my heart....a child raised their hand and ask, "How will I know what laws are bad and which ones need to be changed when I become a leader?" It's days like this that no lesson plan can be followed....this is not the discussion that I had envisioned would take place after the book was read...I love these teachable moments!!! Children are so willing to accept others for who they are...not the color of their skin, the clothes they wear or who they know!! They greet others with a smile and warm heart! You have GREAT children and I am happy to be surrounded by little leaders everyday!!

Our Leaders
(Check out our silhouettes in the hallway!)

What Makes A Good Leader?
"Leaders want peace and want to help people."
"Leaders are kind."
"Leaders help you learn."
"Leaders help others make good choices."
"Leaders tell the truth."
"Leaders help make good laws."
"Leaders take care of people that fight and are mean to others.."
"Leaders treat others the way they want to be treated!"

Monday, February 4, 2013

Live Healthy Iowa

THANK YOU for your participation in our Live Healthy Iowa program! Continue to record fruits and exercise on your child's form and send back EACH day! I am recording exercise minutes and fruits during the school day. The children really enjoy our exercise breaks! On Day 5 we will be going to the gym with others to participate in group exercise time. Ms. Jenna came to our room today to encourage us to keep up the good work! IF you have questions, please ask!

Day 5 Exercise Time With Friends

Ms. Jenna