This week our class is taking a look at China and Chinese customs.
Twenty years ago here at East Elementary the kindergarten classes began celebrating Chinese New Year. This year is no different. As part of our celebration all kindergarten classes will parade through the halls of our school to wish all GUNG HEY FAT CHOY! The parade will show-off our Chinese flags, masks, lantersn, hats, and banners. We even have a big Chinese dragon in the parade. We will make alot of noise with our musical instruments and shout GUNG HEY FAT CHOY to all.
This year,2007, is THE YEAR OF THE PIG. One hundred years ago, in 1907, it was THE YEAR OF THE SHEEP. We are going to research the customs practiced then and see if they are the same practiced now. We will let you know what we find out. Enjoy the new year!!!!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
1st Grade is Traditional
After the teacher's field trip to Calcedeaver, the children enjoyed hearing about the Native American Traditions. They loved seeing the photos of the dancers in their beautiful clothing, the village that was set up with the different types of homes, and the toys that were hand-made. After talking about the Native American's traditions, we talked about our family's Thanksgiving traditions. Each child interviewed a relative to find out their family's traditions at Thanksgiving time. We made a podcast about our Thanksgiving traditions. Then we started talking about our December holiday traditions. The children made a beautiful quilt with pictures showing their holiday traditions in December. After viewing the third grade field trip to The American Village, we will compare now to long ago. Then the children will make a flip book comparing clothing, transportation, games and toys from now and long ago.
Monday, February 12, 2007
We're in High Fashion
As we in kindergarten look back 100 years, we have come to realize many things are different. Last week we took a look at the way people dressed. Through our research we found out many interesting things.
Did you know that New York's 5th Avenue fashion district began in 1907. We also found out that Neiman Marcus opened in Dallas that same year!! It was a great time for fashion.
It is referred to as the Edwardian period of fashion. Children often wore "sailor suits". Little boys suits had short pants. Little girls wore dresses with long waists.
We took a look at the way men and women dressed too. It was much more formal than men and women dress today. Men wore suits with vests and hats. Ladies wore dresses which draped the floor. Hats were also very fashionable.
Our Internet research allowed us to collect pictures of 1907 fashion. We copied several of the pictures for a display in our class. We have also written on our THEN and NOW charts about how people dress.
Did you know that New York's 5th Avenue fashion district began in 1907. We also found out that Neiman Marcus opened in Dallas that same year!! It was a great time for fashion.
It is referred to as the Edwardian period of fashion. Children often wore "sailor suits". Little boys suits had short pants. Little girls wore dresses with long waists.
We took a look at the way men and women dressed too. It was much more formal than men and women dress today. Men wore suits with vests and hats. Ladies wore dresses which draped the floor. Hats were also very fashionable.
Our Internet research allowed us to collect pictures of 1907 fashion. We copied several of the pictures for a display in our class. We have also written on our THEN and NOW charts about how people dress.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
The Biography Project
Now that kindergarten is on it's way, 2nd grade is ready to join in! February is traditionally the month 2nd grade studies famous Americans; and our 21st Century project is going to take this unit to a whole new level. Once the 3rd graders get their presentations on American Village ready, my class will be able to witness their learning (and learn right along with them). I have a feeling the 3rd grader's experiences will light a fire under the 2nd graders, when they get to see "history come to life" through interviews and real footage American Village (only through the use of technology, of course.) I love the idea of bridging the past and the present with 21st century tools.
In the meantime, 2nd graders will pick their own famous American to research. Students will start by discovering the basic facts about their American-- where they were born, how they lived their lives, what they did to contribute to society--and by the end of it, will literally become their American at the Tucker's Treasures Wax Museum! We're going to write poetry, do intensive online research, and make a digital story compiling all that we've learned. Just like with the American Village trip, technology tools are going to be essential. The 3rd grade presentation is going to be a great jumping off point!
In the meantime, 2nd graders will pick their own famous American to research. Students will start by discovering the basic facts about their American-- where they were born, how they lived their lives, what they did to contribute to society--and by the end of it, will literally become their American at the Tucker's Treasures Wax Museum! We're going to write poetry, do intensive online research, and make a digital story compiling all that we've learned. Just like with the American Village trip, technology tools are going to be essential. The 3rd grade presentation is going to be a great jumping off point!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Two US Presidents
Our kindergarten class is well under way with our project. We are comparing life today to life 100 years ago. This week we are learning about our current President George W. Bush and President Theodore Roosevelt. Much of the information we have gained came from the White House website. I sent a note home to our parents encouraging them to visit the site with their children.
Several children came to school today and told me about visiting The White House website. One child told us about sharing the information with his parents that he saw on the site in class!!
Today we read a book about Teddy Roosevelt. It is a book from our school library.
Sorry, I must have put the book in the scanner crooked.
The children loved the book because it was a "chapter book". I had not intended to read it in one sitting, but they were so "into it" that we read the entire book. I am amazed at the amount of information they gained from the story. We have made a chart of facts about Teddy Roosevelt we know. We will continue to add to it.
One very interesting fact that our class learned today is the teddy bear was created and named for him. WOW! That is just about the coolest thing ever!! Imagine having something as wonderful as the teddy bear being named after you!!
Tomorrow we will be celebrating TEDDY BEAR DAY in our class as we continue our study of the 46th president!!
What a great day we will have with our teddy bears!! We will have so much more to share after tomorrow!
Several children came to school today and told me about visiting The White House website. One child told us about sharing the information with his parents that he saw on the site in class!!
Today we read a book about Teddy Roosevelt. It is a book from our school library.
Sorry, I must have put the book in the scanner crooked.
The children loved the book because it was a "chapter book". I had not intended to read it in one sitting, but they were so "into it" that we read the entire book. I am amazed at the amount of information they gained from the story. We have made a chart of facts about Teddy Roosevelt we know. We will continue to add to it.
One very interesting fact that our class learned today is the teddy bear was created and named for him. WOW! That is just about the coolest thing ever!! Imagine having something as wonderful as the teddy bear being named after you!!
Tomorrow we will be celebrating TEDDY BEAR DAY in our class as we continue our study of the 46th president!!
What a great day we will have with our teddy bears!! We will have so much more to share after tomorrow!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Now and Then... The Beginning
I am Charlotte Wilson, a kindergarten teacher at Vestavia Hills Elementary East.
We have been in school 100 days!!! The official day was January 23, 2007. This is such a "big deal" in kindergarten! We have been preparing for this all year.
When we returned to school after the holidays we began collecting canned goods. Our goal was to collect 100 cans of food by the 100th day of school. We line the cans up in the hall outside our classroom. A number is written on the top of each can. It is a great way to practice counting. We use the cans for sorting activities. We sort according to kinds of food, brands, sizes of the cans, and label colors. This is just an excellent way to help the children develop a concept of what 100 really is.
The best part of this activity is that it gives the children a true hands-on opportunity to help others. The food is donated to THE UNITED WAY to be distributed to local food banks. THE UNITED WAY brings large barrels to school and places them at the end of our hall. On the 100th day of school the children gather the cans and walk down the hall to place them in the barrels. This is the moment when they can see the goodness of their work. We have done this at Vestavia East for several years. All kindergarten classes participate in the project. Even some classes in other grades have joined us!
As we consider what 100 really is, we look at 100 in the area of time. We reflect on 100 years ago. This is where our project begins. We are gathering information about life 100 years ago and comparing it to our life now. Please stay tuned and watch our project develop right before your eyes!!
We have been in school 100 days!!! The official day was January 23, 2007. This is such a "big deal" in kindergarten! We have been preparing for this all year.
When we returned to school after the holidays we began collecting canned goods. Our goal was to collect 100 cans of food by the 100th day of school. We line the cans up in the hall outside our classroom. A number is written on the top of each can. It is a great way to practice counting. We use the cans for sorting activities. We sort according to kinds of food, brands, sizes of the cans, and label colors. This is just an excellent way to help the children develop a concept of what 100 really is.
The best part of this activity is that it gives the children a true hands-on opportunity to help others. The food is donated to THE UNITED WAY to be distributed to local food banks. THE UNITED WAY brings large barrels to school and places them at the end of our hall. On the 100th day of school the children gather the cans and walk down the hall to place them in the barrels. This is the moment when they can see the goodness of their work. We have done this at Vestavia East for several years. All kindergarten classes participate in the project. Even some classes in other grades have joined us!
As we consider what 100 really is, we look at 100 in the area of time. We reflect on 100 years ago. This is where our project begins. We are gathering information about life 100 years ago and comparing it to our life now. Please stay tuned and watch our project develop right before your eyes!!
Friday, January 12, 2007
Visit to American Village
The American Village
In early December, the third grade classes visited the American Village in Montevallo, Alabama. What a treat! We learned so much during our visit. We participated in a classroom from Colonial times and learned to write with quill pens. We sat in the Colonial classroom and found out how learning was so different to how we learn today.
Writing Wasn't So Easy!
Also, we learned several dances that men, women, and children enjoyed performing. The Colonial times had a lot of fun and enjoyed socializing together for entertainment.
Then, we met George Washington and two of his troops. We saw that his army had very little to work with and the sad conditions in which his army endured to help our country win the Revolutionary War. They had very little to eat and did not receive new clothes, shoes, etc. when they became worn out.
George Meeting With The Classes
The Troops Getting Ready to Eat
Later, we participated in two games that they used to play. One game was a lot of fun; you had to knock clothes pins down with a ball. This game is similar to bowling, except on a much smaller scale. The other game was played with rings. The person who ended up with the most was the winner.
For a final treat, we met with Mrs. Abagail Adams. She taught us so much about life during Colonial times. We learned from her that children had a lot of chores and responsibilies. They woke up very early and dressed for the day. The girls helped their mother by cleaning the house and preparing meals, while the boys went into the fields to work. They did most of their studying at night. They would find out information and news from close neighbors or when they would visit the town's general store. Most of their transportation was by horse and buggy or by walking. It was very common to walk as far as three or four miles to go somewhere. The women, with help from their daughters, made most of their clothing. The children were taught respect and responsibility.
Mrs. Abigail Adams Met With Students In The Oval Office!
Our visit to the American Village was so enlightening and fun. What a neat way to learn about Colonial life!
We Definitely Had A Fun Time!
In early December, the third grade classes visited the American Village in Montevallo, Alabama. What a treat! We learned so much during our visit. We participated in a classroom from Colonial times and learned to write with quill pens. We sat in the Colonial classroom and found out how learning was so different to how we learn today.
Writing Wasn't So Easy! Also, we learned several dances that men, women, and children enjoyed performing. The Colonial times had a lot of fun and enjoyed socializing together for entertainment.
Then, we met George Washington and two of his troops. We saw that his army had very little to work with and the sad conditions in which his army endured to help our country win the Revolutionary War. They had very little to eat and did not receive new clothes, shoes, etc. when they became worn out.
George Meeting With The Classes
The Troops Getting Ready to Eat Later, we participated in two games that they used to play. One game was a lot of fun; you had to knock clothes pins down with a ball. This game is similar to bowling, except on a much smaller scale. The other game was played with rings. The person who ended up with the most was the winner.
For a final treat, we met with Mrs. Abagail Adams. She taught us so much about life during Colonial times. We learned from her that children had a lot of chores and responsibilies. They woke up very early and dressed for the day. The girls helped their mother by cleaning the house and preparing meals, while the boys went into the fields to work. They did most of their studying at night. They would find out information and news from close neighbors or when they would visit the town's general store. Most of their transportation was by horse and buggy or by walking. It was very common to walk as far as three or four miles to go somewhere. The women, with help from their daughters, made most of their clothing. The children were taught respect and responsibility.
Mrs. Abigail Adams Met With Students In The Oval Office!
Our visit to the American Village was so enlightening and fun. What a neat way to learn about Colonial life!
We Definitely Had A Fun Time!
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