Kite Day was a Blast!
We had a great time yesterday! Thank you to all the parents who were able to join us and help us fly our kites! In the morning we had an assembly where Mrs. Jenkins told us the history of Kite Day. This MPI tradition is about 100 years old, and first started with the boys of Mills College. The students especially enjoyed learning about the kite competitions, which ranged from the most beautiful kites to kites that could "battle." Later that morning, the entire elementary school walked to the football field and flew the sled kites we made this past week. It was breathtaking to see all the children running so happily through the field with their beautiful kites aloft in the wind. We were blessed with a very windy and overcast day, so the conditions were perfect! After the elementary students had a turn on the field, we watched the middle school and high school students fly their kites. All who witnessed the event agreed that it was spectacular.The
week of our Kahalaopuna opera will be busy with rehearsals. The students (and
teachers) will probably be exhausted and will need some quiet “down” time.
Please send in your child’s nap mats on Wednesday, 5/7. We will have the
students rest on Thursday and Friday, as they will have a total number of four
rehearsals and shows on those two days. On Wednesday, please also send in the
board shorts they will need to wear for the show and slippers, as they will be
barefoot during the performance. More detailed information regarding
preparation and performance times will be sent home by Mrs. Koshi.
This
week in math, we began our Shape Books. We worked with six different shapes –
circle, oval, rectangle, rhombus, square, and triangle. We first noted the
attributes of each shape and then looked for that shape around the room.
For
example:
Square
A
square has four sides and four corners; all the sides are the same; there
aren’t any curves.
The
computer monitor is square. The numbers and days on the calendar are square.
The windows (four panels) are square.
Then
we used a shape to make a picture and then wrote a description to match. Mrs.
Matsumoto used a rectangle to make the back of the director’s chair. The
description read, “A rectangle is a rectangle. When you add some legs,
arms, and a seat, it turns into a chair.” Each student is putting
his completed pictures into a book. To make things more interesting, most of
what is added to the shape is created in Eric Carle fashion. Take a look at an
Eric Carle book and ask your child how he creates the pictures. (Instead of
paint, we used crayon or color pencil.) The students drew in the more finite
details to create more realistic and detailed pictures.
When
their shape books were completed, the students began to explore making designs
with shapes using pattern blocks, Geoboards, and Play-doh. We’ll begin adding
drawings or pictures of these designs to our shape books next week.
All
of the students are building for their Manoa town, either in class or in
atelier. The idea of “scale” is
being brought up, as students are placing their buildings, natural
surroundings, plants, and animals next to each other. Natural surroundings were
made larger, and plants and animals were made smaller. Different materials are
being used, as the students realize that a sheet of paper does not stand up by
itself, as a tree or person does. Some students have continued to used paper,
but have found a way to make a three-dimensional object, while others have
moved on to other materials, such as clay, rocks, and sticks. It will be
interesting and exciting to see how this all comes together, especially because
both Kindergarten classes are joining to create our Manoa.
We celebrated the last of our Students-of-the-Week. It was so much hearing about our friends and
seeing pictures of their favorite activities or special trips. We learned that
we have a lot in common with a lot of our friends. Thank you, parents, for
helping to collect items to share in the classroom!
The
Kindergartners are practicing for 1st grade in many different ways.
We notice that
-
attention
and participation during group activities and lessons are improving.
-
writing
is improving, with attention to detail and grown-up spelling.
-
the
students are becoming more and more confident and independent as they move about
the classroom, requiring fewer promptings and reminders from the teachers and
performing or leading classroom routines.
Parents,
you can help your child develop confidence and independence by bringing them to
school before 7:30 a.m. Your child will be able to socialize with his/her peers
in the dining hall and then walk to the classroom with the teacher and class.
It also helps the flow of classroom routines when the class is able to start
the day together.
The
teachers acknowledge these practices daily to encourage the students in their
performance. Way to go, Kindergarten!
Upcoming
events and important dates to remember:
Monday,
5/5 – High School Spanish students will share the stories they wrote with the
children. We will also have a Boys’ Day Activity by Jonah’s mom!
Tuesday,
5/6 – The 6th grade Japanese class will share the stories they wrote
with the children.
Friday
and Saturday, 5/9-10 – Kahalaopuna
Wednesday,
5/14 – The Middle School Concert Band will give us a mini concert and introduce
us to the instruments they play.
Friday,
5/16 – Conference prep day for teachers (NO SCHOOL for students)
Thursday
and Friday, 5/22-23 – Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences (NO SCHOOL for
students, but students attend their conference)
Monday,
5/26 – Memorial Day holiday
Tuesday,
5/27 – Student Recognition Assembly
Wednesday,
5/28 – 5th grade leavetaking ceremony
Thursday,
5/29 – Field Day (last day of school)
REMINDER!
Newsletters and family learning activities will now be posted on Fridays. If
you subscribed to the blog, you will receive an email notification when the
blog is updated.
All
of our math games are available in the Math Center daily. Also, if you are
interested in learning how to play any of these games, let us know, and we’ll
be happy to send a game board home. You may either make your own game
materials, or you may borrow our classroom materials. Your child will be able
to explain the rules and objectives of the games.
If
you have any recyclable items we can use in our art center, please send them
with your child. Items need to be stored on a shelf in our classroom, so
please, no bulky items. Suggested items include paper towel/toilet paper rolls,
styrofoam pieces, and fabric/wallpaper squares. Thank you!
The new set of Family Learning Activities has also been posted. Some items have been removed,
but that doesn’t mean you can’t go back to them and complete the activity.
Remember, these activities are optional; please enjoy them, as your family’s
schedule and available time will allow.
Posted on May 1, 2008 11:08 PM | Permalink