Eagle Tree

If you get a chance to visit the Ft. Randall Dam this winter, you will be surprised at all of the Bald Eagles that are there.  They are wintering there because it is the only open water in the area where they can fish.  Go below the dam to the "tail race" parking lot.  I took this photo from there of a tree across the water.  There were 14 Bald Eagles in this tree and I counted 50+ Bald Eagles in the area.  The Bald Eagles often fish there and you will also see many ducks and gulls as well.  I think your kindergartener will enjoy it as well as you!  Bring your binoculars and camera!  The Ft. Randall Dam is only 30 miles from town.

Christmas Party

Here are some photos of our Christmas Party Day.  We went to school a full day on this Friday.  We had regular classes in the morning with a Christmas spin on some of them.  Then after lunch the K-4 students were able to choose which of three movies they would like to watch and go to that classroom.  They were treated to a can of pop and popcorn.  Then after the movie it was time for the individual class parties.  We were surprised when Santa Claus stopped in and talked to each of the children!  The kids had a good time!  Thank you to all who helped at this party!  We really appreciate it!

Buddy the Bald Eagle

A very nice person donated money to "The Wildlife Center of Virginia" in the name of our kindergarten class. They have a wildlife hospital there and one Bald Eagle had Avian Pox and had a deformed bill.  It can never be released into the wild again because it needs care, so it is an educational animal that is being used to teach others about Bald Eagles.  We will be checking in on "Buddy the Bald Eagle" occasionally.  We will watch the "Buddy Cam" periodically to check in on his progress. 
                         http://wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/education-animals/all-about-buddy

Journal Writing

You may think that it is unusual that young children write in a journal everyday, but it has proved to be a very good way for them to learn to read and write.  At first they just make scribbles, write letters and draw a picture.  Then as they learn that what they say can be put into words, they begin to write words.  They may use the Word Wall as a tool to help.  After they have finished each day, they bring it to me and I to the "adult writing" below their "kid writing", so that they can learn.  I love to see what they come up with each day!  It is a wonderful keepsake for parents as well.  Here are some students hard at work!

Nature Observation Journal

This year our class is keeping a "Nature Observation Journal" for each season.  It has been very enjoyable!  For the fall journal I did the writing and they watched, but for the winter journal they will do the writing.  It has taught them to be more observant of their surroundings at the lake and at school they are noticing animals, plants and the weather in their area.  It also teaches them reading and writing skills as well as telling time.

Hot Cocoa Party

Occasionally we will have a hot cocoa party in the afternoon.  I use this as a reward for good behavior during the week.  The kids love it and it warms them up after being outdoors on these cold, winter days.  If you would like to donate hot cocoa to our classroom, it would be much appreciated! 

Krazy Kindergarteners!

Halloween Party

The Halloween party was their first school party.  They loved dressing up in their costumes and they really enjoyed the party!  Thank you to all involved in making this a fun time for the kids!  We really appreciate it!

Veteran's Day Art

We have been studying American landmark poster cards, so for the Veteran's Day art I had them draw one of the landmarks of our great nation.

Thanksgiving Kids

The lessons about Thanksgiving were interesting for the students.  They also enjoyed dressing up like the Pilgrim and Native Americans. 

My Wiki Space

I created my wiki space with children in mind.  Check it out when you have time.  There are links to learning games and to lists I've made with ideas of things to do outdoors and ideas for when your child is bored.  If you have any good ideas of things I can add to my wiki, just let me know!

http://armourkindergarten.wikispaces.com/

Cool Bird Videos

The k-kids watched these in class one day and begged me to give you the link.

Osprey video:
http://www.arkive.org/osprey/pandion-haliaetus/video-00.html

Bald Eagle Video...watch until the end.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/87xNpOYOlQ4?rel=0

One of my favorites that the kids absolutely love!
http://www.youtube.com/v/xHkq1edcbk4?version=3

Freddie Frog's Fantastic Flapjacks

For the letter Ff, I decided we would make flapjacks/pancakes and I'd introduce the children to how to follow a recipe, understand measuring, understand that flour comes from wheat and is used in many of our foods and how some foods come from animals, i.e. honey, milk, and eggs.  Each child was a chef on this morning and measured the ingredients into a cup to make the batter.  Then with help he/she poured the batter onto the griddle.  Then they got to flip their flapjack.  Best of all was eating their creation!  I think they really enjoyed it because they keep asking to do it again.  Here is the recipe in case you'd like to make some at home!

Freddie Frog's Fantastic Flapjacks

2 Tablespoons of flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 pinch of salt
Add above ingredients together and stir.

1/4 tsp. honey
2 Tablespoons milk
1 tsp. beaten egg
Stir only until blended.

Pour pancake batter onto a hot griddle.
Turn when edges are brown and bubbles pop.

Birder in Training

Here is a boy naming the birds on the bird flashcards.  He is pretty amazing for a 5 year old!

Sandhill Cranes

We do a number of projects in kindergarten and one of them is about migration and the needs of birds.  We chose to take a closer look at the Sandhill Cranes.  I put together a Power Point slideshow that we use to learn about these cool birds.  We will also be watching the Crane Cam from Nebraska.

We are in the path of their migration, so keep your eyes and ears open as they have a distinctive look and sound.  We will watch for them during the day while we are here, but you may see them while you are out and about. 

Here is a photo of a Sandhill Crane taken by photographer Doug Backlund.  Also I've added a link to hear their unusual sound.  If you see them on the ground, watch their unusual behavior.  They are an interesting bird that is as big as a kindergartener!  Good luck finding some!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLtMlOcvXMg

 

http://sdakotabirds.com/species/sandhill_crane_info.htm

  Length: 36"- 48"    Wingspan:  70"-90"

New Class Photos

Jazz and Blues Assembly

Our K-12 students were very lucky to be exposed to some awesome jazz and blues music!  A member of this group explained how this music started and how it affected the history of music.  The kids were very interested!  The kindergarteners sat very well and even a band member commented about it afterwards.  The children made "thank-you cards" the next day to send to them.  It was a great experience for the students!

Hallway Owls

I had the k-kids decide what they would like to teach others about owls and then they wrote up some captions {with my help}.  Then we made a display in the hallway for others to see.  I included their drawings and some photos of owls by Doug Backlund a SD nature photographer.

Is it snowing?

It isn't snowing yet!  I brought in a cattail one day and as the days went on the students started to notice that it was getting fluffy.  I took the kids outside and explained that the inside of the cattail had many seeds and when the wind would blow it, the seeds would spread and someday, some seeds would sprout into more cattail plants if the conditions were right.  On this windy morning, I swatted the cattail against the building and the seeds started to fly.  You can see the kids trying to catch them.  They thought it was great!  It was a fun way to learn about seed dispersal.

Owl Art

Today we did a step-by-step drawing lesson on owls.  The k-kids did a great job of following directions and they were so happy with their creation.

Owl Pellets

Today the little kindergarten scientists learned about owl pellets.  They learned that owls swallow their prey and when they can't digest all of it, they cough up a pellet of fur and bones.  The students each had their own pellet to take apart and look for bones.  They found skull bones of birds and rodents, other bones, and teeth.  It was so quiet and they were so interested in it.  I was surprised!  Then they begged me to keep them, so they glued them to a sheet of paper.  They wanted to show their family!