Bear-y Important News

Happy 2012!

Your kindergartners have hit the ground running with their new expedition, The Strength of a Bear.  This expedition explores bears from two angles.  In our first case study, “Bear Necessities,” students will dive into the structure and functions of black bears.  They will examine how these creatures are built, their diet, why they hibernate and how they fit into the ecosystem.  In Case Study #2, “More Than a Bear,” we will focus on the bear as an important symbol in our local community and beyond.  We will look at how bears are featured in folklore, the CA state flag, in our SELS logo and more.

During this past week, the kindergartners engaged in several EL protocols that served as our Building Background Knowledge workshop–introducing our new topic of study and setting the stage for further learning.  At the start of the week, students did a Gallery Walk in which they moved from table to table examining objects, artifacts and photographs related to black bears.  They discussed ideas with table-mates to confirm and redefine their prior knowledge about black bears. Following the Gallery Walk, they completed a sentence frame in their writing notebooks– “I know that bears…”  

On Tuesday, we completed a drawing activity meant to activate schema (knowledge) and ensure that all students have some beginning knowledge about bears.  First, the kindergartners were each given a brown colored pencil and asked to draw anything that pertained to bears (physical, food, habitat, etc.). Next, we read aloud a chosen section from a non-fiction book on black bears.  Students were charged with listening carefully to the text and then adding to their drawings with a blue colored pencil.  This process was repeated again…The kindergartners listened to a second section of text and then added final details to their drawings with a green pencil.  They were thrilled to see their learning literally increase before their eyes.  We were impressed by their focus and their successful use of listening skills!

On Wednesday, our 5th Grade Buddies helped us with our first “jigsaw” activity.  Buddy pairs were each given a black bear fact and photo.  Their challenge was to become experts on that fact and create a mini-presentation to share their knowledge.  The results were wonderful!  A favorite was watching two kindergarten “bears” “tree” themselves on fifth grader, Carson Murphy’s, shoulders (after the mama bear sensed danger)!  

Thursday and Friday brought further investigation of the den habits of black bears.  Kindergartners took their pulses (in a resting state) to better understand the concept of hibernation.  They explored the various types of bear dens (caves, hollow trees, nooks under tree roots/fallen trees, hillside dug-outs) and then searched the Wild West in “bear fashion” for prospective homes. They compiled their learning onto an informative anchor chart about dens and hibernation.  

Simultaneously, we have been using the bear study to make daily literacy gains.  Your youngsters have been reading several new poems and songs that help them practice two important reading strategies–look at the pictures; get your mouth ready for the first sound.  We have included the poems/songs below for further practice and enjoyment. 🙂  In addition, your youngsters have been playing sight word lotto and completing letter puzzles in the shape of bears–matching lower/upper case letters.  Finally, we have been assessing the literacy gains of each of the kindergartners.  As a whole, they are making wonderful strides toward becoming readers and writers!  We certainly had a fact-filled/fun-filled week in Kindergarten!  

Overall, it was exciting to see your children take responsibility for their work this week and collaborate so successfully in small groups!

Bear Necessities

Field Work: Wednesday, 1/25.  Please save the date. Details will follow via email.  
Homework: Handwriting pages are now included in the Red Folders.  Please help your child form all letters starting at the top!!!
Scholastic Book Club Orders: Book orders will be sent home this week in the Red Folders.  All orders are due by Monday, 1/23. 

SELS News
 

Expeditionary Learning Family Night at SELS:  Do you still wonder what Expeditionary Learning is all about?  If so, this is the night for you.  Come to SELS on Thursday, January 26th from 6:00 – 7:30 pm to learn about CURRICULUM and CULTURE AND CHARACTER in the classroom.  This evening is designed to have you experience Expeditionary Learning as your child does every day they are at SELS. 

 
Dates to Remember:

  • Monday, January 16:  NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr. birthday
  • Monday, January 23: KG book orders due
  • Wednesday, January 25:  KG field work
  • Thursday, January 26:  SELS Family Night – 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Poems/Songs

Teddy Bear
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Turn around.
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Touch the ground.
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Go upstairs,
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Say your prayers.
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Turn out the light.
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Say goodnight.

Furry Bear–A.A. MIlne
If I were a bear,
And a big bear too,
I shouldn’t much care
If it froze or snew;
I shouldn’t much mind
If it snowed or friz–
I’d be all fur-lined
With a coat like his! 

The Bear
Here is a cave, (make a fist)
Inside is a bear. (put thumb inside fist)
Now he comes out
To get some fresh air. (pop out thumb)
He stays out all summer
In sunshine and heat.
He hunts in the forest
For berries to eat. (move thumb in circle)
When snow starts to fall,
He hurries inside
His warm little cave
And there he will hide. (put thumb back in fist)
Snow covers the cave
Like a fluffy, white rug.
Inside the bear sleeps
All cozy and snug. (cover fist with other hand)