Polar Express
'Twas a week before Christmas and all through the halls
The classes were all a bustle including those of kindergarten...
I guess the story doesn't quite go like that, but the students definitely know Christmas is right around the corner. The halls are filled with much excitement with the chatter of children all about. In the classrooms we try our best to keep the learning going. So to infuse the two together my class looked to "The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg". We read the story a couple times, completed activities involving it, listened to the story, and finally watched it on the white screen. The class really worked hard when using their comprehension skills. They made several great predictions as to what would happen next or what the author may have been describing. They were able to identify basic elements of a story such as characters, setting, problem and solution. I loved how they took chances within their writing. Way to go! They were also able to retell the story by sequencing the events.
Did I tell you that we got a special delivery today too? We received a package via a delivery man that came straight from the North Pole. Santa gave each student a reindeer bell. We know they had to come from some place cold because the package was cold . Only place that made sense was the North Pole (and it had a return address).
Back to academics, we did a little math when we measured the ingredients to make some delicious hot cocoa for us to enjoy along with the popcorn and movie. This was a great time to review our science too. Students were able to identify the ingredients according to their state of matter. We reviewed chemical and physical changes when we watched the chocolate chips melt and the milk ingredients change color.
In years past, I have had the students take home some reindeer food to set out on Christmas Eve for Santa's reindeer to enjoy. Since this year seems to be a "brown" Christmas I changed things up a bit. We decided the reindeer will have plenty to eat with the grass and fields not covered in layers of snow. So instead we mixed together our own 'reindeer chow' to enjoy. Before students could eat their snack they sorted the various ingredients. They also showed me which foods they had more or less of.
We ended the week with a fun filled Christmas party hosted by several moms.
I'd like to take this time to thank all the parents who helped make the party a huge success. Thanks goes out to those who have helped my classroom in any way this year. I appreciate all the items and time that have been donated. All those little things are a big deal in kindergarten.
My class and I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I look forward to seeing everyone again in 2012!