Kilcommins' Kindergarten: January 2017

I See, I Think, I Wonder is a thinking routine we use in the classroom to help teach children to think critically. We have used it to show thinking about an object ( art work or items found in nature) or to show thinking about about an idea. I See, I Think, I Wonder is a way for children express their ideas & thinking with others. It is a strategy developed out of Harvard's Project Zero. Originally developed to help children think critically about art and artwork. In our classroom we have used it for art but also when we are beginning a new investigation.

The idea of using a thinking routine in the classroom for me, is based on the importance and the value all routines have for children. We have routines for all we do, having one to engage in the critical thinking process seems only logical. This routine has been established in the same way we have with all others: modeling, plenty of practice, and into a gradual release of responsibility.

Click here to find out more about Project Zero's Thinking Routines

This week we created beautiful artwork for our classroom art gallery. To inspire the group we began by using the Artful Thinking Routine to look at this piece of art work. This piece was chosen as we began a new investigation of FEELINGS.

Image result for art that makes you feel happy

A sampling of children's responses included:

I See... I Think... I Wonder...

* "a tree" *"gumballs grew" *" If lollipop trees are real?"

*"lollipops" *"it is in Rainbow land" *"What are the letters for?"

*"gumballs" *"It makes me feel happy" *"How many blue swirls are there?"

*"a rainbow" *"The artist used their fingers"

*"red" *"There are 100 circles"

*"letters" *"The artist's name is Jeff"

*"circles"

*"lots of colors"

Photos of the process.

Painting the colorful background

Twisting the paper trees. A great fine motor activity.

Adding the "swirls"

Completed works of art.
Although we were all inspired by the same art piece, each finished piece of child's art is as individual as they are.

Extending learning into the area of math using familiar graphics.

I See, I Think, I Wonder.....

What do children see when they look at 2 different "Lollipop Trees". Here we are beginning to look and share NUMBER COMBINATIONS.

Responses from our class:

"4 purple and 2 purple make 6 purple altogether"

"1 yellow plus 2 yellow make 3 yellow"

" 4 blue swirls plus 2 blue swirls equals 6 blue swirls"

"14 on one tree and 6 on the other tree make 20"

In our classroom we use a variety of methods & activities to help children visualize and share thinking for number combinations. This video is a great way to see visualization in action in the kindergarten classroom. Visual Number Combinations

There is always so much happening in the room.

Until next time....

December is a busy time of year in and out of the classroom. In Room 218 we used several literacy selections of THE GINGERBREAD MAN to learn new skills & practice previously taught ones. The children never seemed to grow tired of the familiar plot. Each day brought joy, excitement and high engagement. The photo library posted below will hopefully provide you a glimpse into our classroom.

As I hope you can see, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) activities were incorporated as often as possible throughout this learning investigation.

Literacy selections used in the classroom:
Image result for gingerbread man books

Each selection provided us the opportunity to introduce and name several story elements:

Characters

Setting

Problem & Solution

We discussed similarities and differences.

We sequenced pictures from stories, retold, and even came up with different scenarios for endings.

Meet Gingy, our adventurous gingerbread boy!

The children were left clues to go find Gingy throughout the month. We illustrated and wrote in our Gingy Journals to document his adventures.

Incorporating kindergarten literacy skills:

Beginning sounds:

"I SPY A LETTER"- an opportunity for differentiated learning. Listening for beginning sounds or ending sounds. Finding the letter that comes before or after in the alphabet. Fundations letter chart used as a reference tool for some. For "morning work" the children added the matching upper or lowercase letter before "I SPY" was played in small groups.

"I SPY" sight words

Flip book __an word family (Run, Run as fast you CAN)

Illustrating and using our sounds to spell ACTION WORDS:

Dance, dance as fast as you can

Score, score as fast as you can

Sing, sing as fast you can

Build, build as fast as you can

Swim, swim as fast as you can

Making predictions and coming up with a different ending to the story...

Exploring writing by sharing our opinions.

" I liked the part that the dogs ran."

" I liked how the girl roped the fox."

Learning about text features such as SPEECH BUBBLES. From THE GINGERBREAD MAN IS LOOSE IN THE SCHOOL.

"What would you say if you were a gingerbread cookie?"

Using CHATTERPIX to record what a GINGERBREAD SUPERHERO would say.

Social Studies: Exploring MAP MAKING

Included on our map was:

Blanchard, a hospital, a church, houses, Dunkin' Donuts, a restaurant, the Police station, Roche Bros, a road, water, bridges, and traffic lights. All ideas came from what the children already know about the community they live in.