Music Notation and Reading

In April, Kindergarten students begin seeing and using music notation as a part of the preparation for first grade music.  The first set of rhythmic patterns we study include quarter notes and eighth notes.  We label quarter notes with the rhythmic syllable "ta" and eighth notes with the rhythmic syllable "ti ti."  In class, we created a manipulated the notes to create patterns at the smart board and then extended our learning to rhythm cards and hand drums.  As a challenge, we laid out all of the rhythm cards together and attempted to read them.  Students were so excited to be making the connection between sound and notation!

    

Baby Chicks are coming!!!!

Emilie the Farmer came to kindergarten and brought eggs with real growing chicks in them!  She also brought along the Momma Hen and Daddy Rooster chickens!

We learned that the rooster has 2 important jobs on the farm.

1.  Wake up the animals in the morning.

2.  Protect his family. For this, he has hackle feathers that rise to make him look bigger.  He also has spurs on his feet for fighting.

We also learned that the hens have 3 important jobs.

1.  Keep the eggs warm.

2.  Keep the eggs wet.

3.  Turn the eggs so the chicks don’t stick to the shell.

The children have been eagerly watching the eggs this week.  As we come back on Monday, it is likely that some of the chicks will have hatched!  Stay tuned for some adorable pictures of these fluffy friends with the children!!

Spring is here!

What a glorious day. Finally we can go out without our heavy coats. Yeah! The Kindergarteners were overjoyed (and their teachers too!).  Once the door was opened, the Kindergarteners quickly ran out and began play of every imaginable type. In the Messy Materials Area some were “building a house” as others decided to climb a tree. In the Dirt Digging Area some Kindergarteners were “digging for a treasure” while others ran around playing “Winx fairies.” In the Mud Kitchen Area a few friends chose to create an elaborate meal that included “beats, strawberries, string beans, corn, cabbage soup, carrots, and healthy chocolate.” In the Music and Movement Area some friends lounged around soaking up the sun’s warm rays while another choose to fly a paper airplane.  In the Pond Area one Kindergartener decided to “clear all the rocks to make a waterfall and to make space for more water and a new pond.” Ah, the wonderful joys of outdoor play.  Time spent playing outside is so valuable.  Children experience gains across all developmental domains in direct proportion to time spent in the great outdoors.