TK - Miss Kristine & Morah Raizel

FROM MS. KRISTINE 

This week we worked on the sound for /Z/.  We made fun zebras.  The children painted the background with vibrant colors and drew distinct zebra patterns to make each one look unique. The contrast with the black and white zebras and the bright backgrounds was very eyecaching. After painting, they cut out and added their parts to make very unique zebras. We followed with our word match. Some children also copied some words that start with Z.  Remember, we are exploring the letters phonetically, so we are not quite done yet.  /Z/ is close to the end because it is very hard for some children to say and isolate. It can also be confused with /S/.  

As a fun art activity, we made zig zag art. They children drew freehand zig zag patterns, and painted in their pattern lines to make very cool, very unique abstract art.  This activity is similar to the scribble art we did way back at the beginning of the year. However, this took more control.  The lines were designed and patterned, rather than random. They were also way more confident to paint in the lines with care and more control. This project showed me how far our children have come with skill and confidence. 

For literature we read King of the Zoo by Erica Perl.  I started by asking the children who they think the king of the zoo might be.  I got great answers like, "The lion, because he's king of the jungle". I also got responses like the gorilla because they are so strong and the cheetah because they are so fast. A popular animal was the giraffe because they are so tall. One child even said the zoo keeper. Everyone had brilliant responses because they followed with a reason for their choice. This is a fun book about a chameleon named Carlos who thinks he's King of the zoo.  Once he finds out he's not the only 'king', he goes to challenge each animal and does what chameleons do, blend in.  He returns to his home defeated when a little girl notices him, which is hard to do, and thinks he's the greatest. Once he gets love from just one girl, his heart is full. It's a sweet story.  For our story connection, the children drew a picture and wrote about their favorite zoo animal, or who they would pick to be king.  Here are their answers:

My favorite zoo animal is:

Ari- giraffes because I love Avi

Avigail Ninnette- zebras because they are pretty to me

Chaim- monkeys because they can do tricks

David- chameleons because they swing with their tails and they can pattern (be invisible)

Elias- elephants because I love when they squirt water out

Goldie- giraffes because they are tall

Hannah- giraffes because they have long necks

Jackson- lions because they roar so loud

Netanel- cheetahs because they are so speedy

Nuna- dolphins because I love their color

Pearl- zebras because they have stripes

Ruby- monkeys because they don’t hurt people

Samuel- lions because I just like to see them

Shiloh- pandas because I like when they are black and white and that’s my favorite colors, black and white

Shneur- cheetahs because they are fast and they can camouflage ( because of the spots) 

Tohar- giraffes just like Avi

Tzivia- hippopotamuses because they are so cute

Zalman- lions because of their hair

Our next swimming day will be next Wednesday, March 25th.  Please bring your child’s swim gear by next Monday if you have not already done so.  It is so much more relaxing for everyone when items are in the cubby before actual swim day. 

Thank you,