Colors, Colors Everywhere

Since the first day of school we have been working with the students on colors.  In addition to identifying colors we also worked on identifying items in the environment that were that color, spelling color words, mixing colors, making shades and tints and we even made our own colors! The students also had a project to do at home. They had to find an object for each color and bring it to school. We used all the objects to make color collages. We had so much fun!

These our the color bulbs we made. Each time we learned a new color and color word we would put the paint in the bulb and hang it up. They really loved it when we started mixing to make secondary colors.

For each color, the students got to practice their pincer grip by using a cotton swab to paint with the color inside the lines of the word... They also got to make a picture of something that was that color.

When we got to secondary colors, we had the students mix the colors themselves.

For our color project, the students brought in items that were the colors we had learned. They sorted the items by color into bins.  Then we painted wood squares and glued the objects on to make color collages.

The students also got to make their own paint color by choosing paint, mixing it and then naming the color.  These paint color creations will go in our art center to be used for center time.

                  

And of course... You can't do colors without Brown Bear, Brown Bear! We read the story and sequenced the characters and then students made their own book page which will be compiled into a class book called Students, Students, What Do You See?

Play Based Learning Centers

This week we started our play based learning centers. Although it looks like the children are "playing" in these areas- they are actually working and learning.

The students did such a wonderful job this week working together. They are just starting to discover the things they can do in each center.

                                Math Area

                          Loose Parts Area

                              Art Area

                         Play-Dough Area

                        Home Living Area

                          Building Area

                          Writing Area

                         Reading Area

Community Building

Last year, when we knew we would be co-teaching in first grade, we knew we would have to work really hard to build a classroom community since two groups of students would be working together everyday.  Transitioning to kindergarten this year we knew it would be equally if not MORE important to start the year off by building the community again.

We start by discussing what a community is. From there we do daily lessons and activities about different topics that are important to a peaceful community and finally we finished it out by making a classroom peace promise.

 First discussion of the community.

 Our toothpaste kindness activity.

 The students had to say mean things while squeezing the toothpaste out.

 Then they have to try and get all the toothpaste back in using cotton swabs, toothpicks or spoons. Not easy!

 The message of this is that once you say mean words, even if you apologize, you can't take those words back.

 We also did a lesson on self control. Students could only pop the bubbles if they were in the category we called (ex: boys, girls). It's so hard to use self control and not pop the bubbles! We also read Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes.

(These are actually last years kids but I couldn't take a picture this year because I was blowing the bubbles!)

 We also spent a whole week on teamwork. We started the week with a puzzle activity. Each student received a small bag of 4-5 puzzle pieces that they are told to put together... But they soon found out they couldn't! They didn't have all the pieces. Then they worked with their team to put them together.

We also worked to make a beaded chandelier to hang above each table. Each student made a strand of their own beads... Then we tied them all together and swagged them from a tree branch above each table.

We introduced the students to loose parts by having them work in teams to create a line design masterpiece.

 At the end of the week each table worked as a team to make a friendship snack.

 We spent time discussing active listening. Along with listening songs, the students worked with a partner to play a back to back game. One student used their manipulatives to make something and then had to give their partner directions on how to make the same thing. The other person was not allowed to turn around... They had to listen very carefully.  Students also got to make their own designs when they were done and then sketch them. What fun!

We finished out our community building by making a peace promise. Each student signed it and put their hand print on the large canvas. We still have a few students that need to sign and do their hands next week. We will recite our promise everyday along with our rules.