Winter break review

Dear Parents, 
Can you believe we are half way through the school year? We have worked very hard and 
your child has grown so much linguistically and academically.  
We want you to enjoy your winter break. Below you will find some videos to help your child review the numbers, the counting sequence, days of the week and months of the year. 
We appreciate all of your help and support. We look forward to continue to teach and see your child grow.

Week 16 Dec. 11-15

Math

In Math this week, we will continue composing numbers. We will be showing our students several strategies that can be used to show ways to make the number 5. Students will use academic vocabulary to explain the strategy used to solve their addition problems. We encourage you to support your child at home by using different objects and demonstrating combining numbers. There are many games that can played as well to assist with this. Below you can see the vocabulary we will be specifically targeting this week.

Science

We had a wonderful week discussing the basic needs of animals. As we continue focusing on living things, we will begin to discuss animal parts. The students will be identifying parts of an animal such as head, eyes, and limbs. We will be going over a variety of animals and will talk about the differences and similarities between these animals. 

https://youtu.be/NxQOHkjuybw

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Week 15 Dec. 4-8

WELCOME DECEMBER!

In Math this week, we are continuing with joining numbers. Students are learning different strategies to use when joining numbers. We are also working on verbal expression. This includes being able to explain the strategies uses as well as using academic vocabulary when stating the answer. You can support your child at home by using different objects to practice combining numbers and have them explain how they got their answer.




In Science, the students have been learning about living and nonliving things. As we continue focusing on living organisms, we will begin to learn about the basic needs of living things. These basic needs include things like water, food, and shelter for animals. The focus for the week is on animals as this will lead up to our upcoming lessons before winter break. Below you can see the vocabulary we will be using in class. Feel free to use this as a resource for home support.

Week 13 Nov. 13-17

Math 

 This week, we will be reinforcing different skills that we  have been learning.  We will be using number lines to make sens of numbers and to use a a resource to identify one number less and one more than a given number.  This is a skill that we will continue to work on throughout the year.  We will also be working on subitizing, recognizing dot arrangements instantly, and we encourage you to continue supporting your child at home.  You may use ten frames, dice, dominoes, or even make your own form of dot arrangements.  These are examples of resources to use at home:

Science

This week, we will continue to learn about force and motion.  Throughout the week, students will be observing and describing how objects can move.  This is a great opportunity for us to incorporate dance into our classroom as many of the movements we are teaching are also taught in dance class. Below is the vocabulary we will be using and we hope you can support your child at home as we complete this unit.

Week 12 Nov. 6-10

SCIENCE

Hello third six weeks! This week we will continue our force, motion, and energy unit. Throughout the week, we will begin using positional words. Students will observe and describe the location of objects in relation to another object such as above, below, behind, in front of, etc. The vocabulary we will be using can be found below. Simon says (Simon dice) is a great game to play at home using these words!

MATH

In Math we are still focusing on adding and the different strategies we can use to solve a problem.  In addition, we are strengthening our counting sequence forward to 20 and back to 0.  Below is one of the songs that can help reinforce this skill.

Week 11 Oct.30-Nov.3

Math

This upcoming week, we will work on joining numbers. One of the key concepts that students must learn is to solve word problems. We will begin with very basic numbers. Students should understand that in Math, there are multiple ways to represent mathematical ideas. A representation can be thought of as a tool such as a diagram, graph, symbol, or manipulative that expresses a mathematical idea or concept. While it might seem very simplistic, it is important that students are encouraged to explore different representations. You can find vocabulary below that will assist you with working on this skill at home. Also, we are including an example of the type of word problems we will working on to begin with. 

Ex: There were 4 squirrels playing on a tree. 2 more squirrels came and joined them. How many squirrels are playing on the tree in total?

Ej: Habían 4 ardillas jugando en el árbol. Llegaron 2 más a jugar. ¿Cuántas ardillas juegan en el árbol en total?

Science

This upcoming week, we will begin learning about force. Students will begin exploring the interaction between magnets and various materials. As students observe how magnets interact with different objects, the students should be able to distinguish between magnetic materials and non-magnetic materials. It is important for students to know that energy, force, and motion are related and that they are a part of every day life. This week will be the last for this 6-week period and we saved the best for last, students love magnets! You can support your child at home simply by allowing them to do their own exploring at home with any type of magnet. Below you will find the vocabulary that will be important for students to acquire throughout the week.

WARNING! Keep magnets away from computers and TVs! :)

Week 10 Oct. 23 - 27

Math

 For problem solving skills, students should understand that in math there are multiple ways to represent mathematical ideas. A representation can be thought of as a tool, such as a diagram, graph, symbol, drawings, or manipulative, that expresses a mathematical idea or concept. 

Because different representations can illuminate different aspects of a mathematical idea, multiple representations should be explored and encouraged. 

Strengthening the ability to move between and among representations improves students’ understand and retention of ideas.

This week we will be helping students see that mathematical ideas are interrelated and will fill in or deepen their understanding of and connections to previously taught content. We will be analyzing math relationships in our everyday life.

This is how you can help us, please, take a picture to capture when your child is counting anything. For example: counting the amount of apples you will buy at the grocery store. Feel free to be creative and email us the picture so we can display it in class.

                                                                                        Muchas gracias!

Science

This week we will continue to utilize the  five senses to observe different sources of light by identifying similarities and differences when we conduct science experiments using real sources of light.

Please refer to last week's post for vocabulary.

Week 9

Math

This week we will introduce addition; joining numbers.  Also, we are strengthening our counting sequence forward to 20 and back to 0.  Below is one of the songs that can help reinforce this skill. You can continue to practice the shapes and their attributes in Spanish.

Science

As we continue learning these six weeks, we will be working on different types of energy. The focus will be on three different types: Heat, sound, and light. The students will be making observations on the relationship between these energies and the five senses. Students are also expected to identify sources of these energies such as distinguishing between a man-made light source and natural light source. As we learn about these types of energy through investigation, students will begin to understand that they can be observed, measured, and controlled in many different ways. This is a very complex concept, however, students have notions about energy and teachers can easily build on these notions. Below you will find the vocabulary we will be using for these concepts. 

Week 8

Math

This week we will focus on the following shapes and their attributes.   Please review the vocabulary in Spanish. 

In addition, one of our daily routines involves problem solving.  This week we will focus on counting all the sides and vertices of shapes.  For example, if I have one square and one triangle, how many sides are there altogether?

Science

Last week we had a lot of fun experimenting with melting ice, crayons, butter, and using the STEM lab to conduct experiments.  This week we will continue to observe changes in matter when they cool or freeze.  You can refer to last weeks post for the vocabulary.

Week 7

Math

This week in Math we will continue to review the shape's attributes.  We will also begin our Fine Arts integration project involving shapes and lines.  We will learn about the artist Piet Mondrian, he used mainly squares and rectangles in his art work.

Thank you for participating in the color of the day, it was very successful!

Science

These six weeks we are focusing on observing the properties of matter.  The students will observe how heating and cooling changes matter.  For example, we will conduct experiments that show objects when they are melted or frozen and we discuss how they change.  The main emphasis is for them to see the change from solid to liquid or liquid to solid.

Week 6

Math

This week we will focus on the attributes of shapes.  Through numerous experiences exploring and discussing shapes, students begin to understand that certain attributes define what a shape is called (number of sides, number of vertices, etc.) and that other attributes do not (color, size, orientation).

Below you will find the vocabulary we will be using.

Parents:

This week we would like to reinforce the colors we have been learning in Spanish class.  We would like for the students to wear a particular color each day of the week.  For example, if the color of the day is red, then the students will wear any clothing that is red.  The colors for each day are the following:

Monday:  Red/rojo
Tuesday:  Blue/azul
Wednesday:  Purple/morado
Thursday Green/verde
Friday:  Black/black

This is a fun option to review the colors and it is not mandatory.

Science

The week we are continuing to learn about the properties of matter but this week we will focus on the texture.  Below is the vocabulary we will be using.

Week 5

MATH
This week we will learn to collect, sort, and organize data into two or three categories and describe how they are sorted.  For example, "I put all the red ones here, all of the blue ones here and the green ones here."  This is a skill that we will build on throughout the year.  Below you will find an example of what this looks like. 

SCIENCE

This week we will describe the properties of matter by focusing on their color, size and weight.   You can help by pointing out real life examples and comparing them.  For example, an elephant is heavier than a dog.

 Below you will find one of the songs we will use for colors and vocabulary.  

Week 4

MATH

We will continue to learn to count in Spanish forwards and backwards from 0-10.  In addition, we will be reading, writing, and representing whole numbers from 0 to at least 10 with and without objects or pictures.  Feel free to use the song below:

Counting forwards and backwards

Another important number sense skill is recognizing instantly the quantity of a small group of objects in organized and random arrangements.  This is called subitizing.  By the end of the week, we will make our own dot arrangements using paper plates so that each student can practice at home.  This will provide an opportunity for you to "play" and recognize the arrangement of dots quickly without counting each dot.

SCIENCE

We will keep reviewing the 5 senses.  You can continue to review vocabulary from last week's post. 

In the homework calendar, you will see for each Monday of September, an activity dealing with the 5 senses.

Week 3

      Welcome to Mrs. Ruiz's Blog!👦👧
                     2017-18

MATH
As students begin Kindergarten it is important that they explore the math tools they will be using and the core concepts that make up the math curriculum. These include counting, geometry, and sorting and classifying. These concepts will be gradually built to mastery of grade-level expectations over the course of the year.  

Currently we are using this song to help us count.  Feel free to use it at home.



https://youtu.be/6FEyfy5N3Nc


In addition, we are learning to identify two-dimensional shapes, including circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares.  Below is the vocabulary we will be using.

In addition, we are learning to identify two-dimensional shapes, including circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares.  Below is the vocabulary we will be using.


We will also be using the following video.

https://youtu.be/nthv8Lbujec


SCIENCE

In Kindergarten, students observe and describe the natural world using their five senses.  Below you will find the vocabulary we will be focusing on throughout the week. We will focus on one sense a day.

Week 33

Math

This week in Math we will continue with sums and differences and will focus on using a number line. The number lines that we will be using have missing numbers. Below you will an example of the number line. Continue to practice at home with your child using this number line.

Science

We will be reviewing the parts of a plant this week. The students will also begin to sort plants by their different characteristics such as color, size, and length. Have your child look around outside and find differences in the plants they see.

Week 32

Math
In Math this week, we will continue focusing on counting and reinforcing adding and subtracting. Please continue to support your child and practice counting up to 100. You may try starting to count from random numbers up to 100 so that your child can practice counting on. 

Science

We are beginning to cover parts of a plant in Science. The students will be learning the parts of a plant and will be able to observe how a seed grows and how those parts start to appear after time. Below you will find the vocabulary we will be using in class. Have students practice using this academic vocabulary by having them explore the plants they have around the house and have them tell you the parts.

We have also created a song which the students may practice at home. Feel free to use this song at home for more vocabulary support. The kiddos just love to sing!

https://youtu.be/ryoDkfIFWBg

Week 31

Math
In Math this week, we will continue focusing on addition. As we go throughout the lessons, we will use different strategies to compose numbers. The students will demonstrate ways to make the same number. For example: 2+3=5, 1+4=5, 0+5.
Continue practicing adding and subtracting at home with your child as this will be the main focus for the next few weeks. Using story problems at home is always a great support for your child.

Science

This week we'll dive into plants and their needs. Students will get to observe how important these needs are for the life of a plant and will see what happens if those are taken away. This is a continuation of what we started learning during the last week. Please refer to the blog post from last week as a resource to use for Spanish vocabulary.

Week 29

Math

We have made it to the final week of the 6-week period. This week in Math we will be going further into coins by distinguishing the value and characteristics of a penny, nickel, dime, and quarter. In Spanish, there is no single word to name these coins. For that reason, we will name the coins by using the following sentence stem:

"Una moneda de ___ centavos."

This directly translates into "A coin of ___ cents." The students will fill in the blank with the correct value of the coin shown.

We will also continue learning about 3D shapes and will focus on how they are like each other as well as what they have in common with 2D shapes (example: The faces of a cube are squares). See chart from week 19 post for vocabulary support.

Science

In Science, we will be reviewing the basic needs of living things. This will lead into our next unit that will focus on plants. The main focus for the week will be solely on the needs of plants and we will be comparing them to those of other living things such as animals. Below you can find the vocabulary we will be using in class throughout the week.

Week 28

Math

In the next couple of weeks, we will continue working on adding and subtracting. While this is the main focus, we will also be reviewing shapes and other skills such as using number lines and graphs. The students have also begun to work on 2 more and 2 less and are focusing on using ten frames to practice this skill. You may use ten frames such as the one shown below and change out the quantities. An example of what you can ask your child is:

"How many dots are on the ten frame?"

¿Cuántos puntos hay en el marco?

11.

"How much is 2 more? How much is 2 less?

¿Cuánto es 2 más/2 menos?

9.

13.

Science

In Science we started learning about objects in the sky such as the moon, the sun and the stars.  We are focusing on the fact that day and night is a pattern.  We encourage you to take your children outside and observe the night sky and describe what you see.  Below you can find the vocabulary we will be using in class.

Week 22

Math

This week in Math we will continue working on composing and decomposing numbers. We will be focusing on using objects and different pictures to solve word problems. Typically, we add and subtract up to 10 but we do encourage modification at home if necessary as this is something that we do in class as well. We also are practicing with ten frames on a regular basis. A couple of weeks ago we put some examples of what questions are being asked while using the ten frames (identifying quantity of dots and how much is one less or one more). Please continue practicing at home as we are quickly approaching the end of the six weeks. 

*Please see past blog posts for vocabulary or visual support 

Science

We will continue talking about the different bodies of water this week in Science. Also, we will focus on the properties of water and how it can be different from other bodies (salty, clear, etc.) Please refer to post from last week for vocabulary support.

Week 21

Math

This week in Math, our primary focus will be subtracting. We will be using different strategies to solve problems and practice the skill of taking away numbers. The strategies we use include using different resources in order to see the problem visually such as using ten frames, number lines, and pictures. We always remind our students that these are skills they can practice at home using many different things. Food is always a great way to start! "You had 10 grapes and you ate 4. How many do you have left?" Below you will find the vocabulary we use in class while working on subtraction.

Science:

This week we will be learning about the bodies of water, what water is used for, and the clarity of water.  Below you can find the vocabulary we will be using as well.  

Week 20

Math

This week we will continue with counting strategies. As you know, our goal is for students to count forwards and backwards from 0-20 with and without objects. We love seeing them progress! We count beyond 20 on a daily basis and encourage you to do so at home. We will also be focusing on ten frames. Students are expected to recognize instantly the quantity of dots on a ten frame. Since our focus is 0-20, we are using double ten frames and practicing one less and one more. Counting on can be a difficult concept to grasp so this is also something we encourage you to practice at home. For example:

How many dots do you see on the frames? Can you tell me how much is one more? How much is one less?

Students must know the quantity without counting and at first glance. Counting on will greatly assist the students. 

Science

This week in Science, we will begin our unit on rocks. Students will be looking at different types of rocks and will be using some of the vocabulary we have used throughout the year to describe the different characteristics. We will be focusing on the texture, color, and size of the rocks. We also will be discussing what rocks are used for and what materials can be found in them (this includes rocks being used to build buildings/other structures and some minerals that can be used for other purposes). For home support, you can simply go outside and see what kind of rocks you have in your neighborhood. Ask your child questions on how they can describe what it looks like and what do they think the rock is made from. Below you can find the vocabulary we will be using this week.

Week 20 Science

This week we  have been learning about animals and their characteristics.  Each student has picked an animal to focus on and describe it's characteristics.  Below is a list of the vocabulary we will be focusing on as we learn about each animal.

Week 20 Math

Math
In the last week, we used non-standard tools to measure the length of different objects. This included using cubes and wooden sticks. As we continue number work, the focus for the week will be on counting forward and backwards to 20. We are also beginning to introduce 3-D shapes in which the focus will be to recognize these shapes in real-life objects. Below you will find the vocabulary we are using.