Pushes and Pulls

Today we joined the other kindergarten classes in centers to explore the concept of pushes and pulls for our new Project Lead the Way module.  In our class, we explored pushes and pulls using Goldie Blox and the Spinning Wheel kits.  The kids had a great time exploring, and are anxious to continue playing with these blocks.  In Mrs. Sigurdson's room, they used blocks to push and pull across different surfaces, and in Ms. B's room, they practiced pushing and pulling using whiffle balls.

Pattern Shapes

We are using the FREE app Pattern Shapes to practice making new things using existing shapes.  This is a really cool app for playing with tangrams.  The kids are building, then taking screenshots and posting to their math journals on Book Creator.

The Very Hungry Kindergartner Books on Kidblog

After reading the story "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, we made our own versions called "The Very Hungry Kindergartner."  The kids wrote the stories on paper, then used their iPads to illustrate (using Feltboard and Draw Tell) and type into Book Creator to make an eBook.  Book Creator is so easy for the kids to use - they were able to upload their illustrations from the camera roll on their iPads, and then type the text for each page, using their handwritten outline to assist them. Each student's book was then exported into iBooks on their own iPad.  We also made them into videos and posted to Kidblog, so if you haven't checked them out yet, please login to Kidblog and watch your child's book.  They turned out great!  Here are a couple sample illustrations.

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Student of the Month

#studentofthemonth pic.twitter.com/QvrFqn7zOU
— Mrs.Piltz' Kinders (@MrsPiltzK) April 22, 2015

Planets eBook

The kindergartners worked hard studying the solar system and choosing which planet they wanted to illustrate and write about.  After researching a planet, each of the kindergartners made 2-3 book pages using Book Creator on their iPads, and we then combined all of them into one class book.

We were able to do this by exporting each of the individual pages to Showbie.  Then I was able to access all of the students' pages from Showbie and open in the Book Creator app on my iPad.  I then clicked the + sign and "Import Book" to import each of the students' book pages into one class eBook.

We used photographs of Bearret's PlayDough planets for some of our illustrations. I think it turned out really cool!  Here are some sample pages...

To get a copy of this book that you can read at home in iBooks, click this link.  Then, choose the share icon and select "open in iBooks".  You should be able to use this on any device where you have iBooks (i.e. your computer, your iPad, your iPhone, etc.)

What is the Difference Between and Caterpillars and Butterflies?

Caterpillar Popplet

We have been observing our caterpillars, as they crawled around and grew, then made a chrysalis.  We are waiting for them to emerge as butterflies!  This Popplet shows our observations over the past couple of weeks.

Studying the Solar System

We have had a really fun time studying the solar system and learning more about being an astronaut.  The kids absolutely loved this site, which features many videos of astronauts in space showing how they do everyday things, like brush their teeth and eat lunch.  It is really fascinating!  We also made these cute art projects, and wrote what our favorite part about being an astronaut would be. 

We are studying the planets, and each child will choose one planet to write about in an eBook that we will make.  While Bearret was at home recovering from surgery, he wrote about the solar system and also created this awesome PlayDough model.  Super job, Bearret!  The kids loved it, and we are excited to use some images of the PlayDough planets in our eBook!

A huge thank you to Coen's mom, Mandy, for bringing in astronaut ice cream for the kids to try.  We ate the astronaut ice cream and regular ice cream, then graphed our favorites.  We also wrote describing words about the astronaut ice cream, and talked about why we did or did not like it.  These fun ideas were from Babbling Abby's 1st grade blog.

ZooMontana Field Trip May 8th

Information about our field trip to ZooMontana was sent home in red folders yesterday.  If you have any questions, or would like to chaperone, please let me know.  This is always a fun day for the kindergartners, and a great way to finish our unit studying animals and living things.

We Are Running Low ...

... on glue sticks!  If you can send in extras, it would be appreciated!  We could also use wipes, both baby wipes and Clorox wipes.  Thanks for your help!

Paintbrush Challenge

Our third Project Lead the Way engineering challenge involved building our own paintbrushes.  We used the Design Process to talk through the steps of choosing materials and designing a brush.  We then painted pictures using our creations.