Life Science: Polar Animals

We had such a fun week back from winter break learning about life science and polar animals. We focused this week on Antarctica/penguins and got to do a lot of hands-on learning!

After learning about Emperor penguins and how the dad penguins have to take care of the egg while mom hunts in the sea, we borrowed some "eggs" from PE and had penguin races. The kids were so committed to being dad penguins & one group even made a huddle to strategize completely unprompted...

Teamwork!

We decided that the dads have a hard job... but our races were fun! We laughed so hard watching everyone waddle around the classroom! :)

We learned that penguins can't fly and their wings help them be strong swimmers! We did an experiment to see how their feathers have adapted...

We drew a picture with white crayon on white paper and then painted with water colors over it to see how the crayon repels the paint! This was also a good connection to our motion unit. :)

We learned how penguins stay warm in the ice, cold water by using our own version of blubber (crisco)!

Our Scholastic Magazine was about penguins...

...and we even had a math book called, "How Big Is A Million?" that involved penguins!

(There are a million stars on that poster!)

Lastly: our new favorite center is "Don't Break The Ice!" cvc words & cvc words + digraphs!

They decode the cvc word before they can hit the ice block... & they lose it every time our polar bear friend is close to falling through the ice! Pure joy!

**I turn almost EVERY household game into an academic game with a sharpie... if you want some ideas, please email me! The kids have caught on to this & called me out this week! ha!

Ask Your Child About:

-Phonics: "Wh" digraph- What do we say for Wh? (wh, whistle, /wh/)

-Phonemic awareness: Sound Manipulation in all positions

-Reading: Identifying key details

-Math: Mixed Facts: addition and subtraction within 10! Most of us are doing an amazing job of looking at the sign, but every once in a while we will add instead of subtract!

-Science: life science- physical properties of penguins

-Writing: Slowing down & doing our very best kindergarten handwriting using the lines the right way! It is now far enough into the year that I feel correcting their handwriting and letter formation isn't discouraging... please help me out by practicing handwriting at home or asking your child to re-do something if it is sloppy!

-Last names: Can you write your last name without looking yet?

Technology Link(s):

-Coding: The kids learned to code in technology with Mrs. Tucker this week!

Upcoming Dates:

-January 17th: Denver Zoo Field Trip!

-February 6th: 100th Day of School!

-February 7th: Stuffed Animal Sleepover at school (more to come on this later- the stuffed animals sleep over, not the kids!)

-February 28th-March 2nd: Dr. Seuss Week!

-March 19th-23rd: Spring Break

-May 25th: Kindergarten End of Year Ceremony @ 10:15 AM (more to come later, but put it on your calendar/request off work!)

STEAM Sign Up Genius:

Can you help our kids do fun STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, & math) activities with Ms. Ott & Mrs. Tucker??

Please sign up for something if possible! These activities are so enriching, but the materials come out of our teacher pockets! :)

Okay, I think that's it. We move on to the other pole next week to learn about polar bears, walruses, seals, arctic hares, etc! Have a wonderful weekend!

With SO much love,

Ms. Ham