Kindergarten Learners

Current Unit: Module 8: From Plant to Plant

Summary of Unit: During this unit, students will aim to answer the essential question: “How do plants become food.” Students will learn how plants go from crops on a farm to the supermarket. We will also explore how we can eat different parts of different plants

Reading: Does everyone in your family like the same foods? We each have our own opinion about which foods taste best. Over the next month, we will read books about how food gets from plants to our plates. We will even take a look underground to find out about special animal helpers that work behind the scenes to make gardens grow.  At home you can support your child to keep conversations going: • Make statements that start with “I wonder” to get your child talking. • When your child answers with one word, ask questions to find out more. • Encourage your child to ask you questions. 

We encourage you to continue to use Raz Kids and our classroom lending library to read at home.  Here is how you can support your child as you read together: Make a special time and place to read with your child every day. While you read: • Ask questions to compare characters, such as, How are the characters the same/different? • Ask questions about sequence, such as, What happens first/next/last? • Look for and talk about words that have more than one meaning (bark, watch, ring).

Wilson: Students are expected to use what they have learned regarding letters and sounds and apply it to read and write sentences independently. Many students are doing this already and we are so proud of them! It is important that your child uses the sound each letter makes so they can read and write independently. As we approach the end of the year throughout the end of May and June, we will begin to expose students to first grade phonic skills such as adding s to make nouns plural, constant blends at the start of words, and vowel teams (ea, ay, ai, ee, ey, and others).

Writing: We will revisit opinion writing, which we had previously worked on in the fall. We will be writing opinion pieces about various topics. Students will be able to form an opinion and then use reasons to justify it. Each week students will be able to form an opinion on a different topic and find reasons that support it. Students will be writing about their favorite fruit; What is the most important animal to have in a garden? Why?; What is the most important animal to have in a garden? Why?: and What is the most important animal to have in a garden? Why?  Students will be creative in coming up with their reasons why. They will state an opinion/topic sentence, they will write 3 reasons why (using the word because), and they will write a closing sentence, in the form of a question. They will use sequencing words: first, next, last, to tell reasons. In addition, we will continue to look at parts of grammar such as, adjectives in terms of size, shape, color, quantity and number, as well as when to use punctuation (period, exclamation point, question mark), fixing incomplete sentences, as well as using the past, present, and future tense verbs (ex: I talked, I talk, I will talk). Throughout the module we will reinforce how to be brave spellers (using letter sounds we hear to write unknown words), correct letter formation, the U.P.S checklist  (uppercase, period, space) for conventions of writing. Students self-assess using the Rainbow Rating tool. Students will be assessed on their writing with an opinion writing rubric. You can help at home by encouraging your child to form opinions about various things and challenging them to use reasons why. In addition, you can inspire them to write opinion stories by reading fiction books with your child and having them look for opinions and reasons. You can also help by encouraging them to label their drawing, motivate them to be brave spellers (use letter sounds to write unknown words), reinforce correct letter formation and re-reading, as well as using the U.P.S checklist.

Math: In math, kindergarten students have now learned about two-dimensional (flat) and three-dimensional (solid) shapes. Students will identify the names of various 2D shapes, including triangles, circles, rectangles, squares, and hexagons, based on the number of sides and vertices (corners) that each shape has. Students will look for these two-dimensional shapes in the environment, such as seeing a circle on the face of a clock, or a rectangle in a birthday card. Afterwards, we will move into learning about three-dimensional shapes, including cone, cylinder, sphere, and cube. Students will match 3D solids to objects in their environment, such as matching a cylinder to a paper towel roll and a cube to a tissue box. Next, students will identify the relative position of shapes in their environment using terms such as below, beside, next to, above, in front of, and behind. Finally, students will analyze, compare, and sort two- and three-dimensional shapes based on their similarities, differences, and attributes. 

Students will end the year learning about different attributes used to measure and compare objects. We will focus on length, height, weight, and capacity. Students will compare objects using words such as shorter and taller, shorter and longer, heavier and lighter, and empty and full. Students will learn about the different tools used to measure these attributes including rulers, tape measures, scales, and measuring cups.

At home have your child practice looking for shapes in their environment. Ask them to describe the position of objects using words such as above, behind, next to, between, beside, and in front of. Also, have your child compare objects in your home using words such as lighter/heavier and longer/shorter.

Science: This month in Science, students will explore the fascinating life cycle of a butterfly. Building on our previous unit about living and nonliving things, we will learn how butterflies grow and change over time. Students will observe and discuss each stage of the butterfly life cycle—from egg to caterpillar, chrysalis, and finally butterfly. Through hands-on activities and discussions, students will deepen their understanding of living things and how they develop

At home, you can support their learning by talking about butterflies and other living things they see outdoors. Visiting a park or garden and observing insects can help children make real-world connections. Reading books about butterflies, drawing the life cycle, or even acting out each stage can reinforce understanding in a fun way. Encourage your child to use the vocabulary words in conversation and to share what they are learning in class (larva, chrysalis metamorphosis). Asking simple questions like “W

Social Studies: This month in Kindergarten, students will begin an exciting project focused on caring for and improving our community. Together, we will explore what a “community” is and discuss ways people help one another. Students will practice identifying needs in their own community, such as keeping spaces clean, helping others, or being kind. We will work collaboratively to create a simple action plan to make a positive difference. This project encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and building a sense of responsibility, all while empowering students to see that their actions matter. 

You can support your child’s learning by having conversations about ways to solve community problems at home and in your neighborhood. Talk together about small problems you notice, such as a messy room, sharing toys, or keeping shared spaces clean. Both you and your child can brainstorm simple solutions. While walking around your neighborhood, discuss what the community might need such as litter pick up or helping a neighbor. This can encourage your child to think of ways they can be part of the solution.

Music: Students in Kindergarten music are continuing to practice and identify steady beat in a variety of songs, and match their movements and instrument playing accordingly. The students will be expanding their knowledge to identify the rhythm in songs, learning that “rhythm is the way that the words go.” Students in Kindergarten will be culminating their musical learnings in a performance for families, which will take place during their Stepping Up Day Ceremony!

Bollywood and Creative Dance Partnership with Lotus Music and Dance: Students have begun participating in a three workshop residency with a teaching artist from Lotus Music and Dance to learn about the fundamentals of Bollywood and Creative Dance. Their learnings connect to our schoolwide AAPI Month celebrations. The students will be sharing what they learn for their peers in a culminating sharing session and celebration. The students will also be viewing a performance by AJNA Dance Company on May 29th. Students   

Parent & Student Voice

“I love watching our caterpillars grow. They are so big! Soon they will be butterflies.” -K013 student

“We appreciate all your support. She has continued to learn and grow in your class and is very happy to attend school each day.” -K013 parent

“We’re very happy to hear about our child’s progress and really appreciate all the support you’ve given.”- K011parent

“I can see how much my child has grown this year. I am very happy with her progrss.”- K011parent

“Very grateful for all the effort you make so that our children improve everyday.” -K012 parent