A Peek At Our Week- Aspen- Dr. Seuss Week

Hello Aspen families!  My apologies for the time lapse and gap between blog postings! But what better way to resume a blog post than a fun filled week of Dr. Seuss inspired fun.  It was a blast seeing all of the crazy socks, fun hats, mismatched outfits, mustaches, and occupational attire! At the same time, it was inspiring and interesting getting to hear what our students wanted to be when they grew up! We had lots of amazing aspirations and ideas to share with our classmates on Friday during line time.  The Aspen room sure has some awesome kids with amazing goals for their future. Besides, the fun mentioned above our week included a variety of fun activities promoting the importance of literacy and word play.  As a class we revisited the terms author and illustrator and discussed what those terms mean. During the work period the Aspen students were able to engage in word play with a Dr. Seuss rhyming activity where we matched pictures and words that had the same sounds, explored the vowel tree (for those students who are combining sounds), and were introduced to the pink rhyming material (for those students that have demonstrated decoding skills).  The Aspen students also engaged in a group activity where we experimented writing our own rhyming story as a class. During line time, we created a list of rhyming words and created our own short story.  There was a lot of silliness and laughter with this activity!  Check out our story posted in the hall outside our class.  The Aspen students also tried their hand at rescuing letters, counting or adding goldfish, engaged in color matching activities, and created daily Dr. Seuss themed crafts.  It was a Seussical experience in the Aspen Room this week!  Ask your child all about the fun we had.

In kindergarten the children started their introduction to the world of Geometry. The kindergarteners were presented lessons with the Geometric Cabinet where they learned the geometric terms for various shapes. They also discussed the concepts of angles, learned how to identify them (characteristics of angles), and learned their names.  The kindergarteners then applied their geometric knowledge during the work period!  They truly enjoyed finding right angles around the classroom.

During Reading Group, we took our Dr. Seuss theme and continued our fun with phonics and words by playing with different phonetic sounds.  Therefore, creating many silly words.  At the same time, we reviewed language rules while creating word lists.  After creating our lists, we then tried our hand at recalling the words from the list we created working on retaining information and comprehending what we read! We also practiced fluency skills reading simple sentences (some with sight words).

 

Advanced Practical Life work- scrubbing pennies!

 

Matching the Presidents of the United States in chronological order.

 

Learning about the linear sequence of numbers beyond one hundred.

Exploring the linear sequence of numbers to one hundred!

I mustache you a question!! Dr. Seuss fun with Lorax mustaches and our cutting.         activity!

 

Dr. Seuss inspired counting activity with goldfish crackers.

 

Working on phonics with the Phonics Workbook.

A Peek At Our Week- Aspen- 01/17/22— Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks

Hello Aspen families!! I hope everyone had a relaxing long weekend that was snowfun!!  Our topic this week in Aspen was all about Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.  During line time we discussed how these two individuals helped change our world for the better.  As a class the Aspen children shared their thoughts regarding inequality and how we can make the world a better place too!  Some of the ideas (thoughts) they came up with were being kind to everyone, helping people, listening to others, sharing (toys and ideas), and doing nice things for other people.  These Aspen children sure are amazing and will grow up to be amazing adults with thoughts and ideas like these!  We also read a few of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s quotes and talked about the speeches he gave and his peaceful protests.  One quote that  we discussed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was , ” Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” As a class we talked about what this quote means and the power of spreading kindness.  This quote is what sparked our discussion about making the world a better place and led to the children sharing their ideas.  Finally, we engaged in some role playing and did the Rosa Parks play.  With this activity we had children take on different roles to act out the event that sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.  Ask your child about the Rosa Parks play!!

 

In Kindergarten lesson the children reviewed their cursive letters and writing sentences and also worked on math equations.  During reading group the children reviewed the short e sound and were introduced to the long e sound.  We then practiced reading long e words and worked on our comprehension skills.

Next week our topic will be adaptation,  migration,  and hibernation.

BOOK SHARE:   Thursday, January 27, 2022

 

Matching the parts of a penguin.
Moveable Alphabet Fun!!

 

 

 

 


A Peek At Our Week- Aspen- 01/03/22 – SNOW

Happy New Year Aspen families!!! Wow…it was so nice to be back in the classroom after holiday break this week!  We all missed each other so much and were very eager to see our friends and share our stories from the last three weeks. After a much anticipated class reunion, Aspen settled back into their daily routine and classroom activity choosing challenging work!

This week our thematic topic was all about Snow!   The Aspen children learned all about snow; how it is formed,  why we have snow, and took a closer look at snowflake ice crystal shapes.  Did you know that temperature,  humidity,  wind velocity, and the route a snowflake takes determines the type of ice crystals a snowflake has? Therefore, the saying  that no two snowflakes are the exact same is a true statement.  The Aspen children also watched a SciKids educational video about how snowflakes form.  Did you also know that the ice crystals in a snowflake attach themselves to particles of  dust or pollen in the atmosphere?  This helps give a snowflake its shape! Soooo…when we catch snowflakes on our tongue,  we are catching dust particles!! The Aspen kids thought this was interesting and disgusting!!

While we discussed snowflakes and the formation of ice crystals we also took the opportunity to talk about liquids, solids, and gases. We learned about these three states of matter and looked at the properties of each one.  We discovered that the particles in a solid are tightly packed together giving it volume and a definite shape,the particles in a liquid are free to move around each other but are still attracted to each other,  liquids have volume but they do not have a definite shape (they take the shape of whatever container they are in), and the particles in a gas move randomly with little to no attraction to each other, gases have no definite shape or volume.  We then used this knowledge to complete an activity gluing beads to represent the particles in these states of matter.

In Kindergarten lesson the kindergarten students were introduced to multiplication with the Stamp Game and explored the process of multiplication in depth.  They also reviewed handwriting skills by connecting letters to form words to create short sentences.   In Reading  Group we discussed the short e sound by practicing our phonics with short e words, and practiced our Comprehension skills.

Next week our topic is all about the Arctic and Antarctic !  We are going to compare and contrast these environments while learning all about the habitats (biomes), animals that live there, and their various geographical characteristics.

Book Share will be on Thursday next week!

 

Learning cursive with a friend!

 

Learning about Australia and coloring a map of the Australian territories and states.

 

Using a pin to pinprick the outline of a snowflake.
Teaching a friend how to cut a snowflake.

 

Continue reading…


A Peek At Our Week- Aspen- 11/29/21- Conifers

This week in Aspen we revisited our lesson on trees focusing on conifers or trees that stay green all year long!  We learned that these types of trees remain green all year and they keep their leaves through the winter. During group lesson we learned that these leaves are called needles and conifers bear cones that contain seeds.  At the same time, we also learned how to identify and name different types of conifers and evergreens. We also got to observe and touch differnt types of conifer branches that our classmates brought in for our botany tray. We then watched a very interesting Scikids video about conifers and watched another video that taught us how to determine if a tree is a Spruce, Pine, or Fir tree.  The Aspen kids were then given a mission to investigate, observe, and report to the class if they had a conifer or evergreen in their home or yard.  Many of us realized we had one in our living room to celebrate the holiday season!

This week in Aspen we were also busy practicing our songs for the upcoming AMMS Christmas Show! We practiced singing our songs, how to stand on the stage carefully , respectfully, and  practiced saying our lines (for those students that have them).  If your child has lines for the program have them practice at home as well.  This week during group lesson we will be practicing for the Christmas program.

BOOK SHARE WILL BE ON FRIDAY THIS WEEK!!!

 

                 

Fun with the Moveable Alphabet!  Working on beginning sounds and building words that match the objects in our phonetic object basket!

 

More Moveable Alphabet fun! Learning how to create and read words in cursive.

 

Making bubbles with the whisking activity.

 

Working on addition with the gingerbread button activity.

 

Working on the sponge painting wreath craft. Gluing sequins, bows, and pom poms to decorate it.

 


A Peek At Our Week- Aspen- 11/15/21- Pilgrims, Native Americans, and Thanksgiving!

This week in the Aspen Room we learned all about the Pilgrims, Native Americans, and the origins of Thanksgiving.  We learned all about the Pilgrim’s journey to the New World, what they found upon arriving at the coastline of Massachusetts, and how they survived (lived).  As we researched the life of a Pilgrim we discovered that they were given some much needed assistance from the Native Americans.  Living in a new unknown environment held many obstacles and without the help from a Native American Tribe called the Wampanoag the Pilgrims may not have survived or established our tradition of Thanksgiving! The Wampanoag showed the Pilgrims the best places to fish and hunt, what foods were safe to eat (berries, plants, and fruit), and a very unique and new way to plant corn ensuring a fertilized and healthy harvest.  Ask your child about this special way of planting that the Wampanoag taught the Pilgrims!  Because the Pilgrims were so grateful for the help and assistance from their Native American neighbors they held a huge feast or a “Thanksgiving” for all that they had.  The Pilgrims invited the Wampanoag to join in their celebration of Thankfulness thus establishing the tradition of Thanksgiving!  After learning all of the above information, and exploring the lives of the Pilgrims and Native Americans, we took our turn sharing what we are thankful for during group lesson.  All the children had many kind and thoughtful things to share and expressed their love and appreciation for their families, friends, and pets!  It was such a heartwarming experience listening to all the things that the Aspen children were thankful for!

It was also a very busy week in the Practical Life area as well!  This week the Aspen students explored a variety of transferring, mixing, and fine motor exercises using utensils they see family members using  during the holidays.  We learned how to measure with a measuring scoop, mix with a wire whisk, and use measuring spoons.

In Kindergarten with Mr. John the kindergarten students explored U.S currency learning all about coins (change) and dollars!  They learned how to identify a variety of coins while learning the corresponding amounts they equal.  In Reading Group we reviewed past phonograms (letter teams), practiced fluency (learned the definition of fluency), practiced comprehension skills finding information in a text, and challenged ourselves with a new phonogram!  We also reviewed our rhyme, “when two vowels go walking the first one does the talking!”

Next week our topic is Table Manners and Place Settings

BOOK SHARE WILL BE TUESDAY NEXT WEEK!!!

Associating quantities with their symbol (number) with a fun Thanksgiving math activity!

 

Learning how to whisk and measure while transferring!

 

Fun with quantity and the Decimal System!!

 

 


A Peek At Our Week- Aspen: 10/18/21- Living and Non-Living

This week the Aspen class learned all about Living and Non-Living things!  Aspen spent the week examining the characteristics of Living and Non-Living things and then used our knowledge to make classifications.   We classified objects within our environment into these two groups. Some of the characteristics we learned about Living things are; living things grow, living things are made of cells, living things have some form of movement,  living things respond to the environment, and living things reproduce. Throughout our week we took a look at a variety of living things and got to observe some of their charicteristics.   The children observed Oreo moving and reacting to the environment around him. To our amazement Mr. John brought in Charlotte the Tarantula for us to observe and ask questions about spiders. Finally, we took a look at plants and how they fit into the classification of being living organisms.

This week in Kindergarten the children learned all about Insects and Arachnids.  They learned how to classify them and label the parts of each. Mr. John also enlisted the help of Charlotte the Tarantula to illustrate charicteristics of Arachnids! In Reading  Group, we practiced our Sound Detective skills utilizing our previous knowledge from past Reading Group lessons. Thus, reviewing the phonograms (letter teams) and sight words that we have already learned.  At the same time, we practiced the lowercase cursive letter u paying particular attention to the lines on the paper.

Next week our topics include; bats, spiders, and all things Halloween!! We will be learning some Halloween words or phrases in Spanish!

         

Charlotte stopped by the Aspen room to say hello!!

 

Ms. Tonya had a Spider plant that reproduced and grew baby spider plants. A young spider plant is called a spiderette or a pup! The Aspen class had the opportunity to take a look at this amazing plant up- close and observe the roots beginning to grow on the baby plant.

A better look at one of the Spiderettes!

Having fun in art class practicing our fine motor skills and following directions! The Aspen class drew different types of lines to create a fish.
Practicing handwriting skills with the dry erase board.
Sensorial exploration with the Color Tablets by learning to grade color from dark to light.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Peek At Our Week-Aspen Room: The Skeletal System- 10/11/21

This week in Aspen we learned all about the Skeletal System!  During group lessons we learned the names of the bones in our body and where they are located, discussed how bones help us and their functions, explored what bones are made of, practiced what we learned by working with the Skeleton  Puzzle, and learned some fun Skeletal System facts!  Do you know how many bones an adult human has?  Who has more bones an infant or an adult? Do you know where your longest and strongest bone is? What about the location of the smallest bone in your body? Your child knows the answers to these questions and more! Ask them about what they learned this week.

This week in Kindergarten they learned all about mammals, birds, reptiles,  and amphibians! They classified charicteristics of each group and learned all about the animal kingdom. The kindergarteners then practiced tracing, labeling, and naming the Zoology Puzzles! In Reading Group we continued to study the rules of our language, engaged in word play, discussed the CH phonogram, practiced the lowercase cursive letters  t and u, and practiced our Comprehension skills.

Next week our thematic topic in Aspen is Living and Non Living!

 

                                 

Painting a pumpkin with puffy paint and a popsicle stick!

 

Putting together our skeleton floor puzzle.

 

Weaving ribbon with the Weaving Frame.

 

Creating designs with the Brown Stair and Pink Tower with Sensorial Extensions applying the knowledge learned from previous lessons with this activity. Exploring and discriminating size comparisons.

ASPEN- A Peek At Our Week : October 4, 2021- The World Of Color!!

Color is all around us and this week in Aspen we explored all things color! First, we learned all about Primary Colors and then experimented with them with our Color Mixing work! We discovered that when we mixed certain primary color combinations we got new colors!  These new colors are called the Secondary Colors.  After creating our color mixing combinations we then experimented mixing secondary color combinations! Ask your little artist/scientist what they discovered while color mixing this week! Many of the students figured out how to create various shades with their color mixing experimentation. As a result, we then discussed the color wheel and the concepts of warm and cool colors. We then applied the concepts we learned to create suncatchers for our windows.  Finally, we learned our color names in Spanish with Ms.Sandy and read a book Olivia brought in to share with us! It sure was a fun and colorful week in the Aspen Room.

In kindergarten it was all about landforms this week. They discussed lake, island, cape,  bay, peninsula,   and gulf with Mr. John during kindergarten lesson. We then explored these concepts further with our Land and Water forms activity! In reading group we continued to work on our confidence with a variety of Sound Detective games, phonograms (letter teams), and Fluency.  We also engaged in a Reading Comprehension  activity by reading a nonfiction informative paragraph.  The kindergarteners then took turns answering  questions pertaining to the paragraph. Therefore, exploring concepts such as finding information within a text selection,  recalling facts, and linking facts to practice reasoning skills.

Next week our topic is Skeletons!

Practicing to refine the fine motor skills by using the tweezers to remove sunflower seeds from a sunflower!

 

Indirect preparation for writing! Practicing using the pincer grasp by using tweezers to remove sunflower seeds. Also, note how focused she is! This work also allows for the child to learn how to engage their mind to focus and concentrate for lengthy periods of time.

 

Sorting pictures by color!!
Exploring the concepts of Warm and Cool Colors by sorting and classifying them.

 

Ms. Emily came in and taught us how to Sign the letters of the Alphabet! Ms. Emily will be presenting weekly American Sign Language lessons to the children every Friday!

 


Peek At Our Week: September 27, 2020- Pumpkins!

 

Hello Aspen families!!  This week it was All About Pumpkins in the Aspen room. We learned how they grow, where they grow, studied the life cycle of a pumpkin, and watched a How They Grow: Pumpkins video on YouTube.   At the same time, we also practiced our fine motor skills with a variety of pumpkin themed activities from our Practical Life shelf! We practiced pumpkin patterns, pouring pumpkin seeds, spooning pumpkins, transferring pumpkins using tongs, and scrubbing pumpkins. We also discussed the parts of a pumpkin and cut open pumpkins and a squash to observe each part. Ask your child about our pumpkin botany tray.  Finally, the Aspen  class explored number concepts counting pumpkin seeds!

The Kindergarten  students have been discussing the vocabulary of location of where they live from largest to smallest.  For example,  Galaxy, Cluster of Planets, Hemisphere, Continent, County,  State, County,  City, and Street Address.  They have also been practicing writing their address.  Next week the kindergarten students will be learning all about land forms!

In reading group we continued to practice CVC words or consonant vowel consonant phonetic words! We first discussed what consonants and vowels were and then took turns sounding out phonetic words practicing being “Sound Detectives”. A Sound Detective uses sound(letter) clues when reading a word. They were all amazing detectives so to challenge them more we discussed how our language has many words that do not follow our phonetic rules! Therefore,  we discussed that sometimes being a good sound detective requires us to learn new sound rules like letter teams.   The kindergarten students then practiced sounding out words with letter teams like SH, FL, ST, and EE. In Montessori we call these letter teams phonograms. This week the kindergarteners also began work with their handwriting journal pages! We practiced forming each letter by sky writing with our hands and then practiced on lined paper. They learned the names of each line and where to form the lowercase i on the lines. The lowercase i is considered a swing letter because you have to swing up to the midline before returning to the baseline (bottom line).

 

Helping a friend with the Fall Classification activity!

 

Using tongs to transfer pumpkins into a pumpkin shaped ice tray.

 

Scrubbing pumpkins!

 

 

 


A Peek At Our Week: September 20, 2021- All About Apples

 

This week in Aspen, it was All About Apples!  We learned how apples grow, classified different types of apples, and discussed the parts of an apple. We also took an apple taste test and tried different varieties of apples!  Ask your child what kind of apple was their favorite! After exploring these concepts we watched a video called How Does It Grow: Apples. We learned many interesting facts about apples. For example,  did you know… that apples are actually part of the rose family? Did you also know… that the apples we eat today were not native to North America?  Your child is now an apple expert, they can tell you all about these facts and more! We also explored various numerical concepts and fractions as we sliced the apples for our taste test. For fun thematic crafts, we created apple prints with the apples we sliced and made apple sun catchers. It sure was a fun week! Ask your child about their apple adventures in the Aspen room this week!

Kindergarten students continued their work with geography and hemispheres this week!  They also learned some interesting geographical facts.   Please make sure that your child is completing their homework and returning it the following day.

 

       

 

Having fun counting apples on an apple tree! (Equating Numbers with their corresponding symbols)

 

Exploring the linear sequence of numbers.

 

Fun with the phonetic sounds (letters)! Moveable Alphabet work.

           

 

 

Using the dropper to transfer water!
Cylinder Block extension activity and memory training activity! Grading knobbed cylinders from a distance.

 

Fun creating works of art with Ms. Varela.