What happens during "activity" time?

Working at our learning centres is a big part of the Kindergarten day.  1 full hour of student directed choice time is recommended.  This time may be referred to as "choice time", "learning centres", or "activities".  Sometimes the children simply call it "play time"!  Here are some of the activities students may chose to engage in:

Puzzles

iPad games

SmartBoard games

Sorting and fine motor skill development

Reading

"Fishing" for numbers

Matching, sorting and memory game

Take a peek at Writer's Workshop in action!

Here are some photos from our first Writer's Workshop on Wednesday!  It was an amazing start to this program, our students have so many stories to tell!

Another interesting outdoor activity!

We spent some time practicing proper pencil grasp and strengthening our fine motor skills outside today!

Dominoes parking lot

Here is a peek at a math game we're playing to practice numbers!

Play Dough

Looking for an easy way to keep your kids busy on a rainy day?

Play dough is an easy, inexpensive activity that is enjoyed by children of many ages.

Here's a great recipe that uses common kitchen ingredients:

1 cup flour
1/3 cup salt
1 teaspoon cream of tartar (sold near the spices in most grocery stores)
1 cup water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
several drops food colouring

Combine all ingredients in a pot over medium heat on the stove.  Stir until it heats up and holds together (about 8-10 minutes).  Let cool and enjoy!  Store play dough in an air tight container.  Usually last for a week or two, depending on frequency of use.

A double batch might be necessary to be shared with a brother or sister.  Make 2 separate batches of different colours and experiment with mixing colours!


Playing with play dough is an excellent way to strengthen fine motor skills (small muscles) which are necessary for printing, colouring and cutting with scissors.  The way to use play dough is only as limited as your imagination!
-Use a rolling pin and cookie cutters to cut out shapes
-Use an empty egg carton and roll play dough eggs to fill each section
-Mould play dough into letters to spell your child's name and family members names
-Use child size spoons and knives to "cook" a pretend play dough meal
-Use straws, dried pasta or small cars to extend your child's play

October Newsletter

Our October Kindergarten newsletter was sent home today!  Here's our update for this month.

Inquiry Projects

Throughout September we were busy working on our “Not a Box” project.  Some students have created cars, computers, printers, fire trucks and puppet theatres.  This inquiry has led to our next project which will be our focus in October.  The students demonstrated interest in creating music from found objects.  This inquiry began with students using wooden blocks as drums, guitars and microphones.  We are extending their thinking by introducing recycled and found materials to create a “rock band”.

Dramatic Play

In Room 104, the students have demonstrated interest in making pizza and serving pizza to their teachers and friends.  This month we will transform our dramatic play area into a pizza kitchen!

In Room 129, the students have demonstrated interest in pet stores.  They are making homes for their animals and writing advertisements for puppies.  We will continue to explore this topic throughout October.

Important Dates

October 11^th – PA Day (No School)

October 14^th – Thanksgiving (No School)

October 30^th – Photo Retakes

November 15^th – PA Day (No School)

November 23^rd – 50^th Anniversary Celebration

Halloween Party

For students who celebrate Halloween, costumes are welcome on October 31^st.  Costumes must not be longer than the child’s ankle to prevent tripping and face masks are not permitted.  Weapons that accompany costumes should be left at home.  Due to allergies and food restrictions we cannot accept ANY treats from home.  We will provide a special class treat for our class party. 

Pumpkins

Before Halloween, we will explore and investigate pumpkins as part of the natural environment.  We will carve a Jack ‘o Lantern and explore the pumpkin’s insides.

Outdoor Classroom

We begin each day with outdoor play.  Your child must be dressed appropriately for the weather at 8:40am.  As the colder weather approaches send coats, hats, gloves or mittens. 

Morning Routine

Our morning routine consists of unpacking our backpacks and storing lunches in the lunch bin.  These routines are important for developing independence.  It is very important to be on time for school so that your child learns these routines.

~Roywood Kindergarten Team 

Our Next Inquiry Topic

As we wrap up our "Not a Box" inquiry project and celebrate the students' fabulous creations we're moving towards our next project.  Several students have used classroom materials such as wooden blocks and sand toys in new and creative ways to create rhythms and music!  We're going to use recycled and found materials to create a "rock band" of new sounds.

Please send in any recycled or found materials that your child indicates could be an instrument.
For example:
-plastic bottles
-boxes
-cardboard tubes
-coffee cans or formula cans
-wax paper or parchment paper

Thank you for your continued support!