Our Fish and Snails have arrived!

After predicting what would be placed in our aquarium:

the students anxiously waited....

Until early last week, when the students were pleasantly surprised with guppy fish, snails, and live plants.

My growing scientists spent a lot of time observing the fish and snails and were excited to share their observations with one another.

My friend Gus quickly noted that many of our observations would need to be made with our eyes. He made this sign:

(Please do not touch, LOOK)

After learning more about our fish, we sketched one in our Science Notebooks and labeled it's body parts.

I am so proud of the students!

They asked great questions, made predictions, researched, shared facts, worked well in cooperative groups, used their science notebooks, shared their learning with others, brought in resources from home, and so much more.

We look forward to taking care of our new pets.

Great job, Kindergarten Friends!!

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Last week the students learned about Martin Luther King, Jr.

We had a wonderful discussion about Martin's dream. It was so great to listen to the children as they shared thoughtful reflections about how they could carry Mr. King's dream on.

Check out their adorable MLK portraits:

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Water and Ponds

In Science, we are getting ready to set up a classroom aquarium.

To prepare for this new addition to our room, the students have learned:

- how important water is to animals, plants, and humans.

- how to locate water on maps and globes.

- about different types of water environments (oceans and ponds).

- which animals live in and around ponds.

- what fish need to survive.

- the parts of a fish and how to label them like a scientist.

- what snails need to survive.

- the parts of a snail.

The students worked in cooperative groups to draw and label pond life. It was such a pleasure to watch them work together - brainstorming, problem solving, and using their new science vocabulary.

Check out their ponds:

The students also drew what they thought should go into our aquarium in their science notebooks.

Check back soon to see what we put into our aquarium!

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Last week the students shared their New Year's traditions and made resolutions for 2011. We discussed the huge celebration held in New York City. One of my kindergarten friends said she "almost... really I ALMOST made it til the midnight drop".

Check out our resolutions:

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We look forward to an exciting 2011, filled with learning and laughter!