Friday September 20

Hello families! This week in kindergarten we completed our first NWEA MAP tests and the kids showed a lot of persistence completing even the items that were still beyond their ability. The test is meant to find each child’s level and then track growth, but it could take a couple times taking it to match them. We will take it again in January and at the end of the year.

This week we began labeling the room together by sharing the pen and sounding out words. Look! We even labeled Mama and Baby Echo. Next week we will begin labeling in our own writing.

In math, we’ve been exploring why counting is important, how to test whether there is enough for everyone, and how to represent quantities with numbers. We learned the formations for 0-5. If you would like to use them at home, here are the poems we used to learn how to write them.

During our daily LEAP times, the kids have been noticing and commenting on the changing of summer into fall. They've noticed small changes in nature that are much more nuanced observations than usual. We are so lucky to have this open-ended time to be curious in nature every day! Below is a small "special things" collection they've made and placed on the science table this week.

Thanks to the families who donated cider and fall treats today! We read a few fall books and the kids rotated between all three kindergarten rooms. We learned the difference between oak and maple leaves, ate and colored mini s’mores, and played fall BINGO! On our fall walk, we stopped and took a picture by this tree for comparison, because soon it will be spectacular! 💛❤️🧡