Here was the process it took us to make our Huge Frame 'The World Is Our Village' for the Tiger Ball which took place last night at AISD. Wondering how much did PK4L managed to raise for the Tuition Fund?
Continuing from our immediate past unit, the wind was finally ascertained to be in the air and collaborating with our 3rd gr. buddies, we set off into the big field on Feb 26 to fly our kites.
... a short brief before we fly the kites ... how we need to work together with our buddy/buddies ... who holds the kite, who holds the string ... how to launch the kite .... questions anyone? Alright! Let's go!
We tried to take as many pictures and videos as possible .. it was a challenge trying to capture running kids and flying kites .. pure mayhem! Come back and visit this page as more photos will be uploaded, including video clips ... there's a technical glitch for now but hopefully it will be fixed by Tech Dept soon ... stay tune!
Dear Parents In our current on-going class discussions for this unit, we had a 'kite initiative' which came about from asking them what they would like to learn next. It prompted exclamations in various kids wanting to know how birds fly, how airplanes fly in the sky, and so on. The result? We learned how to make our own kites, courtesy of 2 volunteer expert 'kite-makers' arranged by Zayne's mom, Joya. In the meantime, check out the photos ... It took us 2 days to get the kites made, after 3 weeks' planning. Now, we are waiting patiently for the winds to descend on our big field ... what fun! Our class kids are very excited and happy with their own kites and can't wait to see what happens next.
Another exciting endeavour we undertook for this unit was to understand about 'commonality' on our 'home of origins'. Through visuals, kids were prompted and enticed to create their own homes, from what they know OF their own home using popsicle sticks. Creativity gave way to free expressions as each was absorbed in 'designing' their homes ... the results? Check it out for yourselves! We also incorporated visible thinking in the whole process!
First, the power of role-modeling ...
Next, creating our thoughts, making sense of what we are thinking through a tactile, hands-on application ...
Finally, making our thinking visible - to ourselves and for others to understand what we are thinking about 'out loud' ... read all about it! Come check out our bulletin boards in our Pre-K hallway!
... and there are some of us who continues to enjoy thinking out loud ...
Dear Parents and our class of Angelfish! I make it a point not to add so much words in our class blog, but having initial discussions straight after our experiences in the UN Day Parade and all those fancy dress-ups have gotten the class so excited. I have not actually started the unit, but their enthusiasm prompted the teacher in me to seize the moment and mood and garner their thoughts; we have had so much sharing of opinions that I feel I need to justify our children's thinking processes by sharing with you all that was discussed, so happy reading!
1st step: INTRODUCTION Introduce the Unit Name and prompt for children's prior knowledge and understanding
What does this mean? "WHERE WE ARE IN PLACE & TIME" ... do you know what this means? Can anyone help me to understand this sentence?
2nd step: PROVOCATION The class was then shown a world map to seek their prior knowledge of What it is? What does it do? PROMPT: WHAT IS THIS?
Absentees: Connor, Ameen, Zayne
On another day ... 3rd step: PROVOCATION Class was shown a globe
PROMPT: WHAT IS THIS? Ameen - a globe! WHAT IS A GLOBE? PROMPT: IS THE WORLD ROUND OR FLAT?
We took time off 'work' to appreciate some classical music by 'The Karlsruhe Concert Due' - Reinhard Armleder on Cello, and Dagmar Hartmann on Piano. The whole class impressed everyone with their focus and excellent attentiveness to a rare treat from Karlsruhe Germany! Thank you to the German Embassy and AISD for such a great opportunity!!
We managed to take time off 'work' again by relaxing in a Yoga session ... it was gratifying to see our class showing their enthusiasm in learning, practicing the various movements.
Dec 3, 2013 After our session at the ES Library, we have time enough to watch a movie by Dr Seuss, and extending our understanding on the similarities and differences of each other. Excerpt taken from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3yJomUhs0g: This is Dr. Seuss' view of prejudice: Some Sneetches have a star on their bellies, and some of them don't. The ones that don't have a star on their bellies are trying to be accepted but wind up being treated like trash. It's a shame that some people today are still prejudice--and proud of it.
We had to pause on several points in the movie as the class was very animated and moved to share a view/opinion on the story line and characters. We talked about differences in the different groups of sneetches and how each treated the other. The children pointed out aspects of behaviour they felt were 'not nice', how it would make the other party 'sad', and 'unhappy'. We talked about the benefits of having a Green Star vs no star at all. Does having a star determine if you are good/making good choices? If you do not have a star on your tummy, does it mean you are not good enough to play with? 'No! We are all friends!" shouted one of our Angelfish, and the whole class agreed :) We will take this learning a step further with a Mitten-Puppet where the class can role-play the story 'Sneetches' or use it to interact with each other and practice/reinforce their social & emotional skills. Do enjoy watching this movie again with your child and value the discussions you can generate thereafter :)
In the final week before the Dec break, we decorated ornaments for our class' Christmas Tree-Lights, lots of Christmassy crafts with Math/Literacy incorporated in them. We revised our alphabet songs, our number songs, our shapes, our knowledge acquired from the past few months of school. Good job Angelfish! Continue to grow, continue to be curious every moment! We ended our Dec school days with a Cookie Decorating Session.
Do visit the section tabs of our class website on 'VISUAL BLOG' and 'VIDEOS' ... you will learn more about your child has been up to in school!! ~ Always thinking of their best interests ~ Ms Lingle, Ms Rumana, and Ms Shama
Stories in our LIBRARY TENT .. WE ARE LOVIN' IT! We have been reading, and reading, and immersing ourselves in the wonderful world of stories ... be it in the Library, or listening to stories from Mr Prewitt, Mrs Clark and especially from our various Mysterious Story-Tellers, what fun!
What is a story? What does the word 'STORY' brings to mind? Where can you find stories? Only in books? Where else? Is it about a character? Why is there a story if there's no words? Is it lots of other things??! What other things? We processed our thinking through a picture book entitled 'WAVE' by Suzy Lee ... here is the result of our efforts, with a recorded transcript of the class' reaction below:
Stories comes in Books, Movies and Pictures … Let’s see if we can write a story based on these pictures.
We see two girls (Connor), Ms Lingle, we want a story! (Isobel) .. and seagulls (Aidan) … 1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. 5 .. 5 seagulls! Running .. the other girl .. walking …raining come in the shade, umbrella, cover … shadow …. Hot … it’s a Mommy (Riku) … beach … A girl .. and a strong wave … Ms Lingle, where’s the story?! (Isobel, Eli, Malak). This is our story, girls & boys, we shall write our own story J
Let’s start the story with ‘there was once a’ or ‘once upon a time?’ … ONCE UPON A TIME! (class shouts) . . ok, Once upon a time, … there was a little girl (Matilde) and there was a Mommy (Aidan), they go to the beach (Aidan). Mommy is holding an umbrella (Riku) … because it is very hot (Raahim, Zayne, Isobel). There is a shadow (Connor, Ameen), and the girl is running (Raahim) to the beach.
Picture 3
She’s looking at the water … What’s another name for water? beach … ocean … What about the birds? Are they looking at the beach? Or the girl?... seagulls looking at the girl .. (class)
SHE stops at the beach and she looks at the waves, and so did the seagulls (several answers). There’s no sound (Connor).
Picture 4
Water is coming .. ocean (class) …she’s running (class) … running from the waves and the birds? The girl is running away from the waves (Connor), with the birds. The waves crashed at her. The waves came and they’re running away! (class)
Picture 5
The girl roared at the waves, she’s mad coz she was scared (Aidan).
Picture 6
She’s closing his eyes (Rachel, Connor) .. she’s brave now (Malak) .. the wave is roaring and she’s in his spot (Connor) .. stay, not running … she’s scared … now she isn’t .. (several answers)
Picture 7
She’s saying to the wave ‘STOP’ ..’BYE” ‘Hello’ (Isobel, Malak, Raahim, Ameen, Matilde) and the birds are flying because they are .. is she still afraid? Not anymore … The wave is coming back (Rachel), and the waves stop (Eli).
Picture 8
She took one step and say ‘STOP’ … and the birds are saying?, “nnnmmmnnn …” (Isobel) and the waves are saying to the birds, “Sss-top! (Riku) … “mmn…nnn” (several answers).
Picture 9
She’s splashing in the water (Zohran) … she’s hitting the waves (Durham) ..she’s splashing (Connor).
Picture 10
It splashed at the seagulls, she’s kicking the waves, splashing … Do you think the waves are angry? Splashy! Splashy! (Connor). Waves doesn’t hurt themselves cos when you put the feet in, then they feel it, they don’t feel water, they just swim in it! (Connor)
Picture 11
It turned into a snake (Connor, Eli), it moved back … do you think the wave is trying to talk to her? If the wave could talk, what do you think the wave would say to her? “Stop!” (whole class)
Picture 12
He’s running, so many snakes (Connor) … even the seagulls are flying away (Connor). They make themselves into a snake (Eli) … what is she feeling right now? “Sad!’ (several answers) Sad? She’s running away .. so how would she be feeling if she’s running away from the waves? “Scare!” (whole class)
Picture 13
What is she doing? Kids got up and started to stick their tongues out at the screen (Connor, Isobel, Riku, Matilde)
She’s sticking her tongue out at the waves saying? … you need to run to me! (Riku)
Picture 14
Waahh! (whole class) What happened?Where is she? … pause … She’s in the splash! (Connor). We can’t see her! … pause .. she’s in the wave! (Eli)
Picture 15
No more water! (Connor) … she’s wet! (Connor). When the wave comes, it will then move back (Connor).
Picture 16
How is she feeling right now? Sad! Sad? Because she’s wet! (several others murmuring)
What did she discover? Play! Sea shells … >quiet pause as whole class looks at picture< look at the clues, look at the expression in her face she’s taking something in her hands … star fish … the wave brought her, her shells .. the birds are liking it too … (several others murmuring).
Picture 17
What is she doing now? What is she looking at? Is she holding something up? She’s showing his mom! (Connor) .. >quiet pause< Look at all the birds facing this way …. What’s that? Umbrella! She’s holding the wave up! (Aidan).
Picture 18
She’s showing Mom and she’s gone back to take more shells! (Isobel and others murmuring).
Picture 19
In the end they’re going home (Isobel) … Bye wave! (Isobel) Why is she holding her dress like that? Cos she’s carrying the shells (Aidan) ..
Picture 20
The waves are going home …to the ocean (Connor and several others murmuring).
THE END – WELL DONE EVERYONE! GOOD EFFORT FOR OUR 1ST TRY, BRAVO!
If your child hasn't shared much of a typical day at school, here's a glimpse of what they've been up to ... we had so much fun learning to have more fun, they probably couldn't decide which part of the day to share!! Judging by the children's enthusiasm everyday, they sure couldn't get enough of each school day ...
All About Friends!
Our many discussion on our Unit on Friends .. Why do we need friends? How do we make friends? What is friendship? What's special about us? What's special about our relationship with our 3rd grade buddies?
Our Blooming Friendships!
The many activities we do, and interactions we have with friends!
My own Halloween Ghost!
A familiar sight on our weekly visits to the ES Library ... Children engrossed in their book choices ...
Just look at the number of books and budding authors we have in class!! Hurrah for stories, hurrah for early literacy!
In Movement class, we learn about special types of positions using appropriate equipment to stimulate their sense of imagination, children had to WALK SIDEWAYS and again FORWARD on a shaky bridge surrounded by the mud and deep sea ... then CRAWL THROUGH a tunnel to get to the other side. Next, they had to bend and PASS UNDER a triangular bridge and not shake the foundations on the side. After that, they had to STEP OVER an obstacle without touching, a tricky balance there. Finally, they had to GO AROUND a tree before CRAWLING ON ALL FOURS to safety! Check out the photos and movie ... such awesome troopers cheering their friends through their movements. Great job being good friends Angelfish!
Next blog update: All about Stories and more!
Always here for your child, keeping their best interests our priority! Ms Lingle, Ms Rumana, and Ms Shama
Each week, we continue to learn all there is about being a good hriend, how to stay a good friend, the nice words we use, our p's and q's, and so much more. We have been in school for a total of 27.5 days since August-how time flies! We celebrated our friendship in different ways ...
We make friends with our 3rd gr. buddies and taught them how to sing our 'Hello Neighbor' song!
Coming soon: look out for a Photo Gallery ... too many photographs, so a gallery would be the ideal way to enjoy them!
We were so busy, doing this and that! Look at some of the things we did!
Painting our Angelfish to decorate the class ... Marble-Painting our personal Snack Mat ... fun at Blocks Corner ... at the Kitchen Corner, an instant hit with everyone!
So class, tell me! What is one thing you love about your 1st day at school?
Our 1st Life Skills session with Mr Prewitt, Teddy and Bunny! We also learned about TAKING TURNS!
See how much I've grown from August 2012 to June 2013! On June 6, we celebrated the end of Pre-K4 with a simple party in class. Parent volunteers came with lots of yummy treats and with 10 Angelfish, we played games and even managed a skype session with Adam in Vietnam. Unfortunately Yukino and Keston were not well and could not join us. This day was also Poppy's last day with AISD. Enjoy the snapshots!
To summarize this school year, we started with 13 Angelfish, and on our last day (June 11), it ended with 9 Angelfish. We miss Vanisha as she had to be back with her family in India while Mia had to leave earlier. Poppy's last day was June 6, and Adam left AISD March 21. Nonetheless, below is a snapshot of what our Angelfish were up to in the final days before they graduated from Pre-K4L ... busy re-learning and more learning!
Dear Angelfish, how do you feel today, on your last day of school in Pre-K 4L?
THE END is not the end, till you say it's The End! HAPPY HOLIDAYS ONE AND ALL!