March Newsletter

Notes from Ms. Wright’s “Kinder-Surprises”

Soup Day:  Thank you all very much for making our Soup Day so successful!  Almost everybody tasted our soup, and many returned for seconds – and often thirds.  We predicted how many items were in a bowl or package, and then compared the actual quantity to our predictions.  A bowl of 100 grains of rice, at first glance, appeared to be a far smaller quantity of items than 25 carrots.  A plastic bag of noodles, which the children predicted would hold 100 noodles, astounded them by being just as full after 100 noodles had been teased out.  Who knew there was so much learning in soup?  The curriculum focus was estimating numbers in a set, and collecting and interpreting information while preparing the soup.

Bird Feeders:  The students are very involved in planning and designing their bird feeders.  They’ve been asked to consider what different birds eat, how they’ll keep the feed dry and contained; what the birds will perch on; and where they’ll hang or attach their feeder.  We’ve looked at examples of bird feeders made from recycled materials, and hope to begin building our own before March Break.  Thanks to everyone who has sent in materials for this project.  Our curriculum focus is building 3-D structures (Math); making and communicating predictions and observations (Science); and presenting findings to others using a variety of media (Language). 

Spare Clothes:  The weather has been so changeable that our children frequently come in from recess with snowpants and mittens soaking wet.  Sometimes I have spare mittens for the children to wear home, but not always.  Please pack extra socks and mittens for your child this month, and consider packing waterproof splash pants as a supplement to their snow pants.

 Safety:  Because of recent incidents in this part of the province, we have been talking about ways to stay safe.  I downplay potential threats, and emphasize instead that children’s parents need to know where they are at all times.  We discuss the principle of only going someplace – even our best friend’s house next door - with the knowledge of our parents or caregivers.  We’ve talked a bit about ways people might try to trick us into going with them and how we can avoid being tricked.  This is done in a very low-key and matter-of-fact manner to avoid causing anxiety and making the children afraid of all strangers, since every day they encounter strangers in public settings such as the grocery store.  Please get in touch with me if your child seems to be displaying an unusual level of anxiety in this regard.

Kindergrad:  It has become our  tradition to present a slide/video show in June to celebrate the graduation of our seniors.  As the production takes many, many hours, I am taking some time during March Break to select some preliminary material.  The video is played for the Toniata students and for the kindergarten families, but is not distributed in any form because of privacy issues.  Please send me a note if you do not want any images of your child used in this video.

Reading:  This year’s crop of seniors are, on average, reading at the highest level I have seen since I began teaching kindergarten.  This is a tribute to you, their families.  You have been not only conscientiously reading with your child, but have provided invaluable feedback about your child’s reading abilities, preferences and development.  I cannot over-stress the positive influence you have provided for your children.  You have given them a wonderful start in literacy.  Thank you!

Other Notes:  Besides the curriculum focus  described above, we are collecting and examining data regarding objects that sink or float.  The seniors are beginning to use small picture dictionaries and other resources to support their writing, and we are trying to find small words in big words to help us read unfamiliar texts.

 Enjoy your March Break!