Kindergarten
Patterns in My World, Patterns in My Hands
Throughout the school year kindergarten students are introduced to patterns in our surroundings. In mathematics, students learn how numbers, pictures, shapes, colors and symbols can be used to create, repeat and extend patterns. We begin by demonstrating simple ABABAB patterns in a variety of forms. Students become adept at naming the “pattern chunk” that repeats itself. Numerical patterns emerge as we keep track of our days in school on our 10 x 10 one hundred chart. In addition, big books used for shared reading feature a variety of patterns that children identify and share with the class. High and low voice patterns are also explored introducing the musical concept of pitch. As the year continues, this learning is extended as students discover more complex patterns. In science, children notice the pattern of the seasons, life cycles, and physical forms of nature through observation and hands-on manipulation of objects such as shells, feathers, and leaves. Pattern as it exists in language and text is continually visited as children develop their early reading and writing skills. During music instruction children tie their observation of pattern into the creation of rhythm. Students explore more in depth patterning through group drumming and playing of repetitive and familiar songs with hand bells. Our year culminates with a kindergarten performance of drums and hand bells. This initial focus on pattern paves the way for students to extend their learning in math, science and music.
Beautiful Bats
Students complete a multi sensory Bat Book in which they study bat bodies, species, food, habitat and family. Each page of the book incorporates a different aspect of our study. Science and math are integrated as students label a bat body, collage the textural differences between a bat’s body and wings, identify and name different bat species, estimate and count the baby bats in a nursery, and watercolor a nocturnal environment.
In addition, students study bat echolocation as a way to introduce and explore sound, a key component in musical understanding. The linear nature of sound waves as they collide and travel is modeled through the use of a large slinky. Children create a group wave as they pass a motion from one child to the next while studying shoulder to shoulder. Visually, children explore sound while observing the effect of a vibrating tuning fork as it is placed in water. Children interact cooperatively as they design and create a bat cave. Finally, during a visit from the CU Science Discovery program, Bat Tales, the children have the opportunity to touch bat specimens. Experiencing a bat’s furry body and smooth wings makes it all real!
Ladybug, Ladybug
Kindergartners begin the school year with an in depth study of ladybugs. Students learn that as scientists they must be gentle with living creatures as they observe ladybug metamorphosis from larvae to adult in our classroom ladybug house. During this study, students investigate the mathematical concept of symmetry as they observe the arrangement of spots on each ladybug and later create their own symmetrical ladybug model. In addition, kindergartners paint a freeform ladybug habitat mural. Musical ideas are featured when students explore cadence and rhythm during the recitation of the poem “Ladybug in the Grass.” Stories and informational text are also incorporated throughout. At the end of our study, each kindergartner becomes a winged ladybug and participates in our class ladybug parade. During the parade, students demonstrate their knowledge by pointing out all the features of their ladybug attire including underwings, overwings, symmetrical spots and antennae. The adult ladybugs raised in the classroom are then released in the Bear Creek xeriscape garden to hibernate for the winter; the lifecycle will be complete as we look for them in the spring.