Category Archives: Parent Resources

Websites and information for parents to support students in extending learning from the classroom to home.

Researching Under the Sea

Posted on by

0

The students in Preschool 5 have been working hard researching the characteristics of many sea creatures.

The students have been using the iPads to scan QR codes and reading non-fiction texts from the library.

One website which the students have enjoyed exploring is the National Geographic Kids website. It contains many interesting and age-appropriate videos about various sea creatures, as well as a range of factfiles and photographs for the children to explore.

Please see this link to one of the videos if you wish to explore this further with your child at home.

Reading Strategies

Posted on by

0

This week, we continued to talk about making predictions during reading. Students used various aspects of books like pictures to make guesses about what will happen next in the story. We also began to talk about making connections. When students make connections to themselves, the world, and to other texts, they have a deeper understanding of the story and it becomes more meaningful to them. Please encourage and work on using these strategies at home, too.

predict       Making-Connections

Kelso’s Choices

Posted on by

2

This past week, we introduced the students to Kelso’s Choices. We are teaching them to become empowered and confident (one of our attitudes) in themselves to solve their own small problems. A wheel of choices should have gone home with the students. Please go over it with them at home and have them practice making their own choices to resolve issues. Some of them have already been using the different choices at school. Great job, Preschool 5! We hope that you remember that you are “Smart enough and strong enough to solve your own problems.” -Kelso

kelso wheel

 

Reading Strategies

Posted on by

2

This past week, students learned about Stretchy the Snake and Eagle Eyes to help improve their reading and writing skills. They, additionally, reviewed asking questions before, during, and after reading as well as making predictions. Please continue to reinforce these strategies when you are reading at home, so that students will make it a habit to utilize these strategies independently.

IMG_2674IMG_2671

IMG_2672 IMG_2673

Science Experiment Excitement!!!

Posted on by

3

Our students have really enjoyed conducting science experiments during this unit. In our next unit our focus will not be on science but we would like to encourage students to keep up their enthusiasm and conduct experiments of their choice at home. Below are links to great resources with ideas for simple experiments that the whole family can enjoy. Please try to do at least one experiment with your children. Students can bring in pictures of them completing the experiment for show and tell!

Science Bob

Zoom Kids

Science Experiments for Kids

Kidz Zone Science

Science Projects for Preschoolers

Education.com

For our last experiment, students tested the affects of acid pollution on sea shells. We filled one cup with water and the other with vinegar. Next, we chose two similar looking seashells and placed one seashell in each cup. Students then observed the seashells throughout the day and recorded their findings. Here are some pictures of our investigation.

IMG_8155 IMG_8154 IMG_8153 IMG_8146 IMG_8149 IMG_8148 IMG_8131 IMG_8134 IMG_8136 IMG_8138 IMG_8139 IMG_8141 IMG_8142IMG_9996 IMG_9991 IMG_9990 IMG_9995 IMG_9994 IMG_9988 IMG_9986 IMG_9993 IMG_9992 IMG_9985

Scientific Method

Posted on by

2

Students were thrilled to begin learning about the scientific method and conduct science experiments. Below are screen shots of the posters we use in class to explain the scientific method. Please feel free to use the same language at home when explaining them. We are also attaching photos of the students conducting the experiments. This week we inquired into the differences between fresh water and ocean water.

Story Elements

Posted on by

0

Hello and welcome back! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday! In ELA this term we will move from phonics to story elements, reading strategies, and writing. This week and next students will be learning about characters, setting, and plot. We have watched Brain Pop jr. about each of these story elements and have completed or will complete a variety of activities for these elements. Below are the anchor charts we use in class to explain the elements.

Kelso’s Wheel…as Demonstrated by Preschool 5

Posted on by

0

This week students were given the challenge of creating their own display to show Kelso’s Choices. We have discussed and participated in small role plays for all of the different Kelso Wheel Choices. On Tuesday, students used their knowledge to create their own wheel. Each group chose a strategy such as walking away or talking it out. The groups decided how to show the choice through a picture. Our pictures were then displayed in the main hall to help all students remember the problem solving strategies. Try to guess which choice each group is demonstrating. Feel free to post your answers as a comment.

Tricky Words

Posted on by

0

Tricky words are frequently used words that are difficult to sound out or spell phonetically (using the sounds). We describe them as words that do not follow the rules. As these words are used often, it is important for students to be able to read and write these words automatically. Tricky words are also called sight words depending on the curriculum that is followed. As we use Jolly Phonics, we will refer to them as tricky words. Currently we are working on the following words:

She, do, are, he, the, was, all, we, me, to, and be. Please practice reading and writing these words at home.

These links have wonderful online games that students can play to practice a variety of tricky words (the words included in the games go beyond what we are currently practicing in class):

http://www.familylearning.org.uk/sight_word_games.html

http://www.iboard.co.uk/activity/Phase-2-Tricky-Words-Bus-747