Gingerbread House Making

Thank you to everyone for making our traditional “Gingerbread House Making” a most enjoyable event. You are all as amazing!

 

 

 

 

 

10 Frames

A 10 frame is a 5 x 2 rectangular grid.  When the top row is filled, there are 5 objects.  When the whole thing is filled there are 10.  When the first row is full, and the bottom row has 2 there are 7 objects.  When we ask the children what they notice about this quantity, some say, "There are 5 and 2 more so that makes seven." (5+2=7)  Others say, "There are 3 empty spaces, 8,9, and 10 are missing , there are 7 there." (10-3=7)  The children begin to instantly identify these quantities as their visual memory of the grid begins to strengthen.  Using 10 frames is a fun way to develop addition and subtraction skills.  It also helps children learn to count by 2's, 5's, and 10's.  The children took turns setting up their 10 frames, and then having their partner try to determine the quantity.  It was inspiring watching them invest themselves so deeply and joyfully in this relatively simple yet complex mathematical activity.

Winter Program

Water Dance
An Abington Friends School

Early Childhood and Lower School Winter Program

Inspired by the book Water Dance by Thomas Locker
Friday, December 21, 2012
10:00 a.m.
Abington Friends School Muller Auditorium

~ Winter Program Concert Attire ~
All students in grades K through 4 should dress in black shirts

(a collared shirt or a blouse) and long, black pants.  All students are encouraged to bring their concert attire clothing to school on Thursday prior to the program.  All students will be given the opportunity to change at school on Friday morning prior to the 10 a.m. performance.

Please note that all students will be involved in movement activities on stage and should wear pants and comfortable shoes (no heels please).

We look forward to celebrating our accomplishments with you on Friday, December 21^st in the AFS Muller Auditorium at 10:00 a.m.

Español con Kindergarten

¡Saludos a todas las familias, amigas, y amigos! Greetings to all families and friends! During our recent clase de Español, Jason had us fly into Cuba. Upon our return, we settled into this Spanish speaking country and gathered in a círculo and began our traditional greeting. Next, we had our first Morning Meeting all in Español. How exciting! The daily schedule was delivered in both the English and the Spanish language and the words were written on the board in both languages as well. Having to hear it and follow with the printed words reinforced our auditory learning and assisted us in recognizing written words in Spanish.

El Horario (The Schedule)

Tiempo Selecto (Choice Time)

Reunión de la Mañana (Morning Meeting)

Español (Spanish)

Merienda (Snack)

Juego al aire libre (Outdoor Play)

Talleres de Artes del Lenguaje (Language Arts Workshops)

Almuerzo (Lunch)

Juego al aire libre (Outdoor Play)

Libro de Capítulo (Chapter Book)

Tiempo de Descanso (Rest Time)

Compartimiento de Libro (Book Sharing)

Círculo de apreciación (Appreciation Circle)

Afterwards, we practiced the vocabulary words to describe the parts of a tree. To reinforce our learning, we played one of our favorite games, The Swatter Game. We placed some flashcards down on the ground and the Spanish vocabulary for a particular part of the tree was called out. Our job? Well, to “swat” the correct card of course. Two friends played at a time then we were asked to pasalo (pass it) to the next set. This is so much fun. After all the Kindergarteners had a turn, it was then their turn to do the calling while the teacher swatted the correct card. What an amazing thing to hear all the Kindergarteners speak in confidence. Ask us all about it!

Here are some other Spanish vocabulary words that the Kindergarteners are also learning, in addition to those used for greeting and for the parts of a tree...

por favor - please

levantence – stand-up

avión – airplane

montence– get on

vuela – fly

sientencen – sit

círculo – circle

muéstrame – show me

repite – repeat

tiralo – throw/toss

pásalo – pass it

 gracias – thank you

de nada – you’re welcome

 ¡Hasta nuestro proximo viaje! (Until our next flight.)

Paz,

Alicia

Hard at work in Outdoor Play

Outdoor play is an integral part of our day. Kindergarteners need daily opportunities to experience active outdoor play in which they can use their bodies to explore the environment while acquiring muscle control, balance, coordination, strength, hand-eye coordination and other related skills. It is essential for their physical development. Here are some ways in which kindergarteners are working hard during outdoor free choice play.

Language Arts Workshop

As kindergarteners develop, their curiosity about writing and reading grows even stronger.  They want to know how to make their letters just right, and they want to improve their reading skills.  During our Language Arts Workshop, children practice making letters with slates, wet sponge pieces, and chalk.  They also make letters out of our letter sticks and in their handwriting books with pencils.  The children also engage in games which offer them practice in the four areas of language arts; reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  Sometimes children will make books, play zingo, practice reading, write in journals, solve word puzzles, or play word bingo games.  We work intentionally with the children to stay connected to their natural joy in learning.  In the mind of a kindergartner there is little difference between play time and work time.  They approach every experience with an open mind and a sincere desire to enjoy whatever is presented to them.  It is in this spirit that we present academic work to them, and they respond with interest, engagement, and enthusiasm.  Establishing a strong foundation of the love of learning during this school year will carry them forward through their academic careers with a more positive attitude towards learning.