Asia- Chopsticks

To learn about Asia, we went to the country of Japan in our minds.  We learned how to say Hello (Konichiwa) and Goodbye (Sayanora).  We also learned how to eat marshmallows with chopsticks (well we tried to learn but I am not very good at teaching it since I myself struggle!!)  We all did learn though that we only hold the chopsticks in one hand and we don't stab out food with them.

Penguins

To remind us that penguins (and not polar bears) live in Antarctica, we made penguins on icebergs in cooking club!  We used olives, cream cheese, carrots, and red peppers for the penguins, and jello and a marshmallow for the water and iceberg.  They turned out so cute...and yummy!

South America

We went to the South American rainforest in our imaginations last week.  We got to see jaguars, monkeys, snakes, birds, spiders, frogs, and smell a stinky plant.  We then got to make the rainforest!  They turned out great! We also learned that in South America, they don't call soccer soccer...they call it football!

The North Pole

We read a story about the North Pole and part of the story talked about a pipeline that was built there.  We had a great discussion as a class about whether there should be pipelines there and if so, what do we do about the animals.  If not, what do we do for oil.  The kids had some great ideas!  The kids that answered are listed below by their initials.

GH- We should have a pipeline but build it higher so animals can go under it.
EB- We should have a pipeline and just make more land for the animals
AV- Build pipelines and give the animals a new home
CR- All of the animals could move to the South Pole with the penguins and walruses
RB- Make the pipes smaller so the animals have more room
NB- Make a smaller pipeline
MA- Cut the pipe down...let the animals have their home.  We can get lights and stuff from electricity.
ST- Put the pipes where people are...give the animals their land back.
CR- Put the pipe underground
NB- Make pipe higher so animals can pass under
MH- Build the pipes out of wood so animals could climb on it and play
CL- Build the pipe somewhere else
SR- Put the pipe by a deer's house to give it light
RK- Build the pipe right next to the water to give the animals more space

What a class of thinkers we have!!

Cooking club

Most Fridays in kindergarten we do a cooking club to learn math in real life!  This past Friday we got to make smoothies and it was a blast.  The kids learned about how to keep things clean when cooking, different kinds of fruits, and how to use a blender!  The best was their smoothie mustaches when they left for the day!

Passports, suitcases, and plane tickets

In kindergarten we get to learn about the seven continents!  To prepare for this around the world adventure, we made passports and suitcases.  Today when the kids arrived at school they were given a plane ticket and our first stop today was the North Pole to see the polar bears (no penguins!)  Tomorrow we get to go to Antarctica/South Pole to see the penguins...brrr!  I was their flight attendant today and we learned how to be on an airplane! 

Inside recess

Last week....our first week of school with all of the kids... was also SAT 10 testing week.  So, we did not get to go outside for recess!  Yikes!  Instead we had fun playing in the classroom!  The kids enjoyed being able to get some of the things off of the shelves that they had been eyeing during meet and greets!