Mr. M's Mighty Kindergarten M&M's

... and so ends our week of getting to know each other and our classroom.  Have to say from my standpoint it was a great week -   Respectful children helping each other, and learning our routine.  I find as the kids move from the home or preschool environment to the kindergarten classroom, they seem to struggle with understanding the difference between learning time and play time.  So transitions from one activity to another or when starting a new subject seem to be the biggest challenge for them and myself at this time.  But we are learning.  Fast forward to October and they should be in the swing of things, and know exactly what is expected of them.

A big thank you to Heather Brabec for stepping in to watch the class for me while I did a preliminary evaluation on the children outside the classroom.  I be sending you the results of the evaluation of their phonics awareness and alphabet understanding.

Our book of the day was Dinosaurs Wear Underpants and now your children know why dinosaurs are extinct.  Just ask them.  As you might guess, there is a purpose to you knowing what's going on in the class and their comprehension and understanding of what is being taught or discussed.  If your child can talk about things they learn, then they are comprehending.  They may not remember all the details, but hopefully some of them.

We had another special visitor today, or I should say visitors.  Our friends in Miss Suzanne's class (3rd and 4th grade) came up to our classroom and introduce themselves as our kids new big buddies.  My little M&M's immediately showed the big buddies around the classroom and took great pleasure in the cards the big buddies made for each one.  Each of our kids (little buddies) now has a big buddy assigned to them for future partners in reading, crafts, and just having some fun between classrooms.  I introduced Puff to our big buddies and did a quick science lesson on bearded dragons.

We finished our day with the monthly chapel assembly lead by Miss Kim.  It was a fun and entertaining get together for all of the elementary classes in christian fellowship.  The children were asked to think of a mascot for our school to increase recognition and promote what a wonderful learning experience it is at Hillside Academy.  I am kinda partial to dragon mascots, but I can't vote.  I think.

Again, it was a wonderful week, and I thank you for sharing your children with me and the Hillside Academy community.

Mr. M