Mrs. Heitke's Kindergarten Class

Friday, June 11th

2010-06-11T12:07:00.000-05:00

OHHHHH!
Cubbies are empty...,
Name tags brought home (on purpose)...,
Even the glue bottles that drove me crazy are gone.

(Look in backpacks for them and you'll maybe see how they could be a tiny bit frustrating! "Mrs. Heitke, Mrs. Heitke, Mrs. Heitke, my glue won't work!")

What a bittersweet day.

The sweet parts...successfully creating a "spiderweb" of string for our morning greeting, eating Jello Jigglers for snack (courtesy of Mrs. Heitke making the Jello and Mr. Heitke waking up early to cut them out!), and getting our first memory books!

Have a GREAT summer!

(I will be busy...teaching summer school

and getting ready for a new job next fall.

Full-time Title 1 math at Rockford

Elementary...where I went to school!)

(Our last poem page...)

Thursday, June 10th

2010-06-10T12:37:00.000-05:00

We made wood sculptures today! (I can't, for the life of me, figure out why this won't rotate!)

Then, we got to read through and take home our finished poetry books!!! Ask to see it!

Wednesday, June 9th

2010-06-09T11:47:00.000-05:00

Letter Luau today!

It was a fun celebration of all the kids have learned this year about letters - their names and sounds they make. We chatted for awhile about all the progress and they loved realizing how they've grown!

...Play Letter Bingo with real bingo daubers...

...Find the way through the Alphabet Maze...

...Make a Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom tree...

...Make a Luau girl/boy...

...Eat a first initial of whipped cream and sprinkles...

...letter sticker station...

Monday, June 7th

2010-06-08T12:16:00.000-05:00

(Whew! Good thing Field Day was yesterday, not today!)

Here's some pictures I snapped. All morning kindergarteners and all first graders were out together (and my camera battery died) so I only have a few.

Here's a picture of the picture frame that Mrs. Whitcher and the kids made for me! (See the June 3rd post for more info...)

Friday, June 4th

2010-06-04T12:41:00.000-05:00

Today we experimented with sandpaper and blocks of wood! SO FUN!

...Photos of those who got the most sawdust...

Thursday, June 3rd

2010-06-04T12:33:00.001-05:00

What a big day today was! First of all, we're nearing the end of our ABC Literature Books. We read Earthlets as Explained by Professor Xargle and then created a view of the earth from outer space!

Then, of course, it was ICE CREAM SOCIAL day! (This is our last hoorah, in place of a "graduation." Kids like ice cream better anyway...) It was SO much fun! The kids sang the songs we've been practicing so wonderfully! The ice cream sundaes were tasty! AND (the best part for me), was recieving an absolute keepsake that one of the parents put together! (Thank you again Mrs. Whitcher!) Check out our morning...

...WAITING TO START...

...WELCOME...

...SINGING "KNEES UP"...

...SINGING "1ST GRADE"...

...SINGING "TONY CHESTNUT"...

(Tony Chestnut knows I love you = Toe-Knee-Chest-Nut nose eye love you)

...GETTING OUR ICE CREAM!...

...EATING OUR ICE CREAM!...

(It was a very hectic cafeteria...so sorry if I missed you and your child!)

...THE SIGNED CLASS PHOTO!...

Wednesday, June 2nd

2010-06-02T20:29:00.000-05:00

Today was a great science day! Special thanks to Mrs. Adhikari (Jay's mom) for all her help! We were investigating the properties of different types of wood and also how they act in water! The kids worked in partners (pictured below).

Investigations:

1. Smelling, feeling, looking at 4 kinds of wood.

2. Testing absorbency with eye droppers.

3. Testing floating/sinking.

4. Trying to make blocks of wood sink with paper clips.

Friday, May 28th

2010-05-31T18:04:00.000-05:00

Today we read about Mrs. Wishy Washy. It's a great story to practice retelling. It was fun making putting ourselves in the story...

Thursday, May 27th

2010-05-31T18:01:00.000-05:00

Today we... learned about telling time. We made our own clocks and practiced telling time to the hour. Some of us even tried time to the half hour!

An "action" shot... :-)

Wednesday, May 26th

2010-05-26T14:51:00.000-05:00

Only 11 days till the end of kindergarten! :-(

Today we read a wonderful Eric Carle book titled, The Very Lonely Firefly. Just like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, there are beautiful illustrations and a great lesson. Check out more of his books at this link: Eric Carle's wesite

After reading, we did a directed drawing where we went step by step and shape by shape to draw a dragonfly. They turned out GREAT! The kids will be looking for the glittery tails tomorrow as I did them after they left...

Tuesday, May 25th

2010-05-26T14:43:00.000-05:00

Today we read a book called Under One Rock by Anthony D. Fredericks. We loved deciding what sort of creature to put under our rocks!

Monday, May 24th

2010-05-26T14:42:00.000-05:00

Here comes the catching up from the last 3 days!

Monday...was our day to send representatives to the library to lead the pledge for the morning news for the whole school!!! Way to go Erin and David for remembering all the words! The rest of us watched them on EC-TV.

Also, our seeds grew enough to come home! I hope the plants made it without any mishaps! We were SO excited to draw and write about them.

(I'm not sure where the pictures of yellow and red tables went!)

Thursday, May 20th

2010-05-20T12:43:00.000-05:00

YESTERDAY, we illustrated the well-loved (I found this out as the kids sang the song the whole work time and again today...) poem/song "Mr. Golden Sun."

TODAY, we read really funny books: Bark, George and The Bear's Toothache. We learned you always underline a book's title while writing.

Successes of Choice Time (and kid-requested pictures ...)

Tuesday, May 18th

2010-05-18T12:31:00.001-05:00

We started out the morning by working with coins! We learned a new song by Dr. Jean called "I Have a Penny." Then, we sorted coins at our tables. Keep practicing at home...it's easy to get mixed up!

THEN...in the middle of Choice Time, Mrs. Heitke got a very polite reminder call (whoops!) that it was time to VISIT 1st grade! It was soooo fun to meet one of the teachers (Mrs. Singh) and new first grade friends.

Mrs. Singh welcomed us...

...taught us a new song...

...and read us a story.

THEN, we got a tour from first grade tour guides.

We learned about desks...

...lockers...

...and lots of other things.

Then, before we left, Mrs. Singh read some jokes.

Congratulations Bella for guessing one correctly!

Monday, May 17th

2010-05-18T12:20:00.000-05:00

Today we did our last word builder of the year. It's amazing to remember back to the first one last fall and to see how far the kids have come! Mrs. Morris worked with a small group in the hall and I had one in the classroom...

Friday, May 14th

2010-05-17T12:43:00.000-05:00

WHAT A DAY!

We had the Fun Run today - it was a blast! I loved being able to run with the kids and say, "Just keep running!" They LOVED it!

Cooling off with juice pops!

After the Fun Run, Mrs. Topliff stayed and helped us plant our very own seeds.

Wednesday, May 12th

2010-05-12T12:41:00.000-05:00

Today we created our very own Rainbow Fish, based on the story by Mark Pfister. It was a huge task...check out what was on the projector screen to support the multi-step directions...

Tuesday, May 11th

2010-05-11T11:48:00.000-05:00

We began our day today using math manipulatives to represent teen numbers. The kids used 10-sticks and 1-cubes to do this. Some chose to draw a representation on paper instead. This choice was given to support how different students learn. :-)

There was a great success at choice time in the puzzle department!

Thank you Loryn for the lilacs! They are my favorite!

Monday, May 10th

2010-05-10T11:57:00.000-05:00

I hope you all enjoyed the Mother's Day gifts! The kids worked so hard on them!

Today, we read the book Q is for Duck by Mary Elting and Michael Folsom. It is a unique, animal guessing book and we had fun predicting why "A" is for zoo or why "R" is for lion! Check it out at the library to find out!

We illustrated the page that the book's title comes from.

Some girls hard at work during Choice Time. Playing with plain, wood blocks like these inspires creativity and imagination!

Friday, May 7th

2010-05-07T11:46:00.000-05:00

Lunch at school day!!! It was VERY fun! The following quote, overheard by wonderful volunteer Mrs. Topliff (Bella's mom) sums it up...

"This is the best day of my life! It's better than all my birthdays!"

Almost ALL of the kids knew their lunch numbers - that is certainly due to your work at home! THANK YOU!

...Waiting in line...

...Entering lunch number...

Tuesday, May 4th

2010-05-04T11:49:00.000-05:00

We are practicing for Kindergarten-Lunch-at-School Day! We started learning lunch numbers today. It isn't easy! Look for it to come home tomorrow in the Wednesday envelope so you can practice at home before Friday!

I also wanted to share parts of notes I've gotten from various members of Damon's family.

1. I want to let you know how much we appreciate what you have done for Damon. He seemed so happy at Kidstop today. It’s a hard week for many of our students with Mother’s Day coming up and a joy for others. Thank you to the volunteer who organized the meals and all who cooked and delivered them. Thank you for your prayers. Have a beautiful Tuesday.

2. This was such a wonderful and thoughtful thing to organize. I know my parents are amazed and so very grateful for the kindness and generousity brought forth. ... Thank you so very much (all of you) for everything you have done! Damon is very fortunate to be a part of such a great class.

I will add MY sincere THANK YOU to these as well. We've come to the end of our meal-sign ups. I'm working with Damon's aunt to see if it could be opened up to the greater public on Damon's mom's CaringBridge sight. The Mundahl's have a long, stressful, uncertain road ahead.

Thursday, April 29th

2010-04-29T12:29:00.000-05:00

Here's just an obscure, sneak peek at the top-secret Mother's Day project...

Remember NO SCHOOL for kids tomorrow!

Wednesday, April 28th

2010-04-28T10:35:00.001-05:00

We had a class picture taken yesterday.
If you missed ordering, and would like to, you have 2 days left!

Students may turn in an order form with payment by Thursday, 4/29. (It came home in the Wednesday envelope last week.)

OR
You can call this number: 1-800-244-4373 to order (again, by this Thursday).

Tuesday, April 27th

2010-04-27T12:40:00.003-05:00

No update to post because we are working on top-secret Mother's Day projects....

Friday, April 23rd....continued

2010-04-27T12:40:00.000-05:00

...with the Elm Creek school carnival! Mr. Heitke and I, pictured below were the cotton candy makers all night long.

It was so fun to see some of the kindergarten families. We saw: Anyla, Isabel, Terrence, Jazmyn, Gabe, Loryn, Damon, Vivian, Erin, Kieran, Bella, Arizona, Jay, and Allyiah!!!

Thursday, April 22nd

2010-04-23T12:31:00.000-05:00

Today was Earth Day. We got to do some "Deskercise" and learn about how it all began in 1970. "Deskercise" is a cool part of a subscription our school has to a website called Learn 360.

We also re-read the story The Kissing Hand and reminisced about September when we first started school (because we read it the first day)!

Wednesday, April 21st

2010-04-23T12:27:00.000-05:00

The MN state flower is the Lady Slipper.

I am SO PROUD of the kids for their focus and determination - you try making a lady slipper sometime... :-)

If your child isn't pictured, he/she is not quite done yet...

Tuesday, April 20th

2010-04-20T10:33:00.000-05:00

Did you know...the Minnesota state tree is the Norway Pine? We finished up this page in our Minnesota books this morning.

We also read a story called Ice Cream Everywhere and worked in our ABC Literature books. I LOVE the creativity that came through. We had everything from a simple one-scoop cone to a lavish double waffle cone with sprinkles. :-)

Monday, April 19th

2010-04-19T12:40:00.000-05:00

Today we very closely observed our class goldfish. Each table had a fish in a clear container to examine and then they drew the fish environment (the aquarium) and the fish in their "Discovery Journals"

Thursday, April 14th

2010-04-15T12:40:00.000-05:00

Today was fish day!

1. The goldfish are here, the goldfish are here!

Some tadpoles too!

2. The Minnesota state fish is the walleye.

AND...

Vivian's mom, Mrs. Gilbertson came to read! What a FULL day!

Wednesday, April 14th

2010-04-15T12:37:00.000-05:00

The Minnesota state butterfly is the Monarch! This was a really fun page to create using only black crayon and a wash of orange water color.

Check out the video we watched: Monarchs

And here is how we finished the project on our OWN when we got to school in the morning! (We LOVE our projector!)

...Hard at work...

When we finish morning work, we get to read until Morning Meeting.

Monday, April 12th

2010-04-13T11:51:00.000-05:00

The beginning of Monday was a touch more hectic as students saw the fish tank we prepped last Friday. I've fielded probably 35 questions about the lack of fish already! (I can't find the fish...where are the fish...they must be hiding...haha)

We are anticipating the arrival of our fish for our "Living Things" unit sometime this week!

We completed the labor intense agate for our Minnesota books today!

Sunday, April 11th...

2010-04-12T12:16:00.000-05:00

...was Mrs. Heitke's 1st anniversary! Yay!

Friday, April 9th, continued...

2010-04-12T12:11:00.000-05:00

Arizona's mom, Mrs. Walker, came in to read one of Arizona's favorite books. (Emphasis on one of her favorites because when Mrs. Walker sat down and introduced the book as Arizona's favorite, Arizona said, "No. It's not. Mom, I told you to bring The Lorax.") :-)

Arizona and sister, Mira.

Our littlest kindergartener.

Friday, April 9th

2010-04-12T12:05:00.000-05:00

Today was Loon Day! We made the page below for our MN books after watching a few videos of loons and hearing their call.

Check out the links we watched in class!

Two Loons Calling

Mom and Baby Loon

Dancing Loon

Wednesday, April 7th

2010-04-07T12:06:00.000-05:00

A highlight of Choice Time:

Update from Damon's mom's CaringBridge journal (posted by her sister):

Tuesday, April 6, 2010 9:28 PM

"Sam was moved to Bethesda hospital today. This is where she will be doing her rehab. They plan on starting some of her therapy tomorrow."

Tuesday, April 6th

2010-04-06T12:42:00.000-05:00

An update on the baby calves. :-)

The whole "family"

Monday, April 5th

2010-04-06T12:40:00.000-05:00

We're back at school! Yay! (I'm sure you feel the same...go ahead, admit it!) We had a fun experience today. We cracked open an oyster from a kit that Bella brought back from a family vacation to Florida. Inside the oyster was...you guessed it - a pearl!

Thanks for such a cool discovery Topliff family!

Friday, March 26th

2010-03-26T11:35:00.000-06:00

"ROCKIN' ROBIN"

He rocks in the tree tops all day long

Hoppin' and a-boppin' and singing his song

All the little birdies on Jaybird Street

Love to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet

Rockin' robin, tweet tweet tweet

Rockin' robin' tweet tweetly-tweet

Blow rockin' robin

'Cause we're really gonna rock tonight

Every little swallow, every chick-a-dee

Every little bird in the tall oak tree

The wise old owl, the big black crow

Flappin' their wings singing go bird go

Rockin' robin, tweet tweet tweet

Rockin' robin' tweet tweetly-tweet

Go rockin' robin

'Cause we're really gonna rock tonight

Yeah, yeahhhh!

Wednesday, March 24th

2010-03-26T11:19:00.000-06:00

Pointillism painting like Seurat!

Get Well cards for Damon's mom

(Forgot to rotate - sorry!)

Tuesday, March 23rd

2010-03-26T11:16:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know I'm posting in "the past". At least I'm not pretending I'm not behind on posting! I'm putting the photos with the correct day they were taken! :-)

Shape Art

...Some very hard working puzzlers...

Tuesday, March 23rd

2010-03-26T11:12:00.000-06:00

At the end of Phy. Ed. yesterday, when I picked the kids up, I saw the most amazing thing. Mrs. Lokken, the Phy. Ed. teacher is one of the master teachers I get to work with. She was explaining how to fold up the tumbling mats, "into an 'M'," before sliding them to her to put away. Here's how it looked! Your kindergartener is capable of amazing things like this! If you ever run into Mrs. Lokken, commend her for her awesome teaching skills!

A Need

2010-03-24T21:30:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone,

In case you haven't yet heard from your child, the mother of one of the students in our class (Damon) was in a car accident last week. She is still in the hospital and will have a long recovery from a brain injury. If you are wondering about details, look at her CaringBridge website.

www.caringbridge.com/visit/samanthamundahl

My purpose in sharing this is an update to kindergarten families of course, but also a request, if you are able to think about helping his family out. Right now, the best way to do so would be to volunteer to bring a meal to them. I just heard from Damon's grandma and she said, "I know all my guys here have been suffering as far as meals go but everyone is eating."

Healthful meals are a necessity when stress levels and emotions are high. It's also a way to take one thing off the family's mind in this uncertain time. Please check out the following website that I am using to coordinate this and be in touch if you have questions.

www.takethemameal.com

Last name: Mundahl

Password: 1234

Monday, March 22nd

2010-03-22T10:01:00.000-06:00

We had an active, healthful day today. Oh, and we learned a lot too! Ask your kindergartener about the Tiny Tumblers that live on Math Mountains...

We got to eat clementines, or "Little Cuties" as several kids called them (successful marketing on that one!) for snack.

We got to do tumbling on the mats in Phy. Ed.!

Enjoy the sunshine!

March 15th - 19th

2010-03-19T11:40:00.000-06:00

This has been ART WEEK, all with the goal of hanging our Kindergarten Art Gallery for next week's visiting families as they come to Kindergarten Orientation. We wanted them to be able to see some cool stuff we're doing!

Mission accomplished. Jill Topliff just left after making about 4,689 tape loops to hang the art work. THANK YOU JILL!

Check out why I've been too busy to post!

PICASSO PORTRAITS

PRIMARY COLOR PAINTINGS

THE FINISHED PRODUCT WITH PRINT-MAKING AT THE BOTTOM...

Monday, March 15th

2010-03-15T16:17:00.000-06:00

Today was a big science day! We investigated staining fabric with different foods and then washing them out. Your kindergartener may be a little more interested in laundry from this day forward...

The stains were made from ketchup, chocolate syrup, grape jelly and toothpaste. Thanks to Mrs. Morris (Kieran's mom) for helping out!

Cleaning up a minor flood -

a good opportunity to teach responsibility!

We also created our Weekend News, being it is Monday. I know you've seen it come home but here it is in process...

Thursday, March 11th

2010-03-11T11:36:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, in addition to Art Adventure, with volunteer help from Mrs. Whitcher (David's mom) and Mrs. Adhikari (Jay's mom), we dove into our new science unit on fabric. The kids got to pull apart the threads making up burlap, and look at them under magnifying glasses. They learned that the vertical threads are called the "warp" and the horizontal threads are called the "woof."

...Taking fabric apart...

Today brought Mrs. Adhikari back for a chance to finish the weaving we also started yesterday and a brand new investigation into the world of sewing. Many thanks to her as we tried these very new and very difficult tasks!

...WEAVING: putting fabric together...

SEWING is HARD!

VERY impressive, Vivian!

Fabric Collages

Wednesday, March 10th

2010-03-11T11:24:00.000-06:00

Today we had a special guest visit our classroom from the Minneapolis Institute of Art. This was courtesy of a program called "Art Adventure," and is a GREAT way for kids to gain some exposure to "real" art! The pictures below show Barbara, the guest presenter along with the three different paintings she presented. Along with each painting, she had prepared a line of questioning to draw out various art elements such as light and dark colors, different brush strokes, and artist style!

Tuesday, March 9

2010-03-09T11:52:00.000-06:00

RAD Zoo day!

There was a presentation at school today from a zoo keeper at the new RAD Zoo in Minnesota. RAD stands for Reptiles and Amphibians. And that's just what we saw! The program was in the cafeteria and we went with Mrs. Swanson's class as well as 3rd graders. With all the excitement, I am so proud of the kids for their group behavior. You try sitting cross legged as a man up front pulls out a baby alligator or a giant, yellow python! They were absolutely captivated by all of the different creatures, though the highlight was definitely that snake! (By a vote 11-8 back in the classroom, sorry tree frog.)

Back in the classroom, after our FULL day of RAD Zoo and Music!

Friday, March 5th

2010-03-07T15:19:00.000-06:00

Today was the day for a much anticipated Morning Meeting greeting - the Spider Web greeting. This is a greeting where we use a ball of string and roll it across the circle to each other as we say "Good Morning" with each child holding onto the string after being greeted... in effect creating a spider web in the center.

A few weeks ago, as Jill Topliff can relate, we tried the Spider Web greeting. It ended almost right after beginning it as there were several important rules broken. These rules:

1. Everyone does the greeting, no passing.

2. Only one person talking at a time, unless it's a song.

3. Pay attention, look at who's talking. Focus!

have been better established and reviewed since then and so, today was the day to test them! (A side note, the last time we tried, I envisioned the ball of yarn I chose running out before everyone had a chance to go which, understandably, would have been almost like the end of the world! Let's just say I was more prepared this time!)

It went off with only a few hiccups, one of which christened Mrs. Heitke as the "String Helper." Only the "String Helper" can touch the string if it's not her turn and only the "String Helper" can walk on the spider web! A special thanks to Mr. Klema (Clayton's dad) for being part of the circle and helping out.

We DID it!

Note to self: Next time, use ANY other color except for BLUE, being we have a BLUE rug!

We also practiced writing numbers to 100.

Look at the concentration!!!

(After getting as far as they could write...

keep on practicing at home!)

Thursday, March 4th

2010-03-04T14:53:00.000-06:00

We had a visit from a leprechaun right away this morning - and it wasn't Maddie! As a result of Elm Creek students reaching their reading goal for "I Love to Read" month by reading 207,000 minutes, (that's above and beyond actually!) Mr. Meyer had to dress up as a leprechaun! He visited our classroom during our Morning Meeting and passed out some sparkly, rainbow pencils! Thank you to all of those who submitted reading minutes and contributed to reaching our goal!

Our resident leprechaun, Maddie, left evidence of her presence today with a sneaky little trick. She changed the classroom helper's name on our Morning Message. Terrence was the real helper but the message said Bella. (Bella was the helper yesterday... could "Maddie" have taken the blame for Mrs. Heitke forgetting to change it? We'll never know...) She also asked for some hand drawn pictures from the kids, who gladly obliged throughout the day.

Tuesday, March 3

2010-03-03T14:58:00.000-06:00

We have a new little member of our class - Maddie, the leprechaun. No one has seen her yet but she added her name to the morning message this morning and also left a little note on the TV.

She wrote:

(In teeny, tiny handwriting for a teeny, tiny people girl...)

"Good Day Lads and Lassies,

My name is Maddie and I am a wee little leprechaun. I am so happy you invited me to your class. I love the rainbow chain you've started making - can you make it stretch around the room? I love pictures and drawings from children, will you make me some. Be hard workers and you may just find a treat from me someday. You might even get some of my gold!

Love, Maddie

I'll post the happenings as they occur. We are all VERY excited about the sneaky little person!

Saturday, February 27th

2010-02-28T20:46:00.000-06:00

There is something new at Mrs. Heitke's house!!!

Check it out!

A new baby calf!

We are working on getting the Momma to adopt the spotted one too.

Feeding it by hand until then.

Friday, February 26th

2010-02-28T20:40:00.000-06:00

We started a new Friday activity today that will happen, usually, every Friday from now on. This is a GREAT way to practice number writing. The kids LOVED the challenge!

Writing to 100!!!

We also had a "Reading is Fun" giveaway - an opportunity for each student in the entire school to pick out a book to take home to keep. This was a novel idea, being our trips to the library always revolve around "borrowing" books, NOT keeping them!!! So, if you see a new book around the house that you didn't buy, don't worry! :-)

Wednesday, February 24

2010-02-28T20:32:00.000-06:00

Today was the 100th day of Kindergarten! I can hardly believe it! We started the day out by adding a new activity to our calendar routine - counting ALL THE WAY to 100! We were accompanied by a Dr. Jean song called "Techno Count to 100."

As our Morning Meeting finished, Mrs. Whitcher (David's mom), Mrs. Topliff (Bella's mom), and Mrs. Worlobah (Vanwor's mom) joined us for the rest of our activities. The first task was making a book called "My 100 Things Book." Because of such willing volunteers, each table had their very own helper to help them figure out some of the tougher tasks, like drawing hearts and stars! (Try explaining to your child how to draw a 5-point star! It's easier said than done!)

The next project was sorting out 100 pieces of different snack food. Some children chose to line them up by type. Others simply filled the 100 grid in whichever order the pieces came. A special thanks to Mrs. Adhikari (Jay's mom) and Mrs. Pladson (Ford's mom) for counting the snacks out yesterday - they were so careful, we had not a single missing Skittle or marshmallow!

Check out the pictures of the day!

Wearing our 100 day hats.

"My 100 Things Book

100 Snack

A patient volunteer!

Still working!!!

FINISHED!!!

Friday, February 19th

2010-02-19T15:24:00.000-06:00

Today was a rather new experience that we put under the category of "getting ready for 1st grade." It was math test day! Some had a tough time, but most rose to the challenge of the quiet, "testing" atmosphere.

We FINISHED our Abraham Lincoln books with the grand finale of adding a REAL penny to the last page which says: "His face is on the penny."

AFTER school is when the fun really began. I joined some of the families in our class at the Elm Creek Park Reserve sledding hill. Check out the pictures below.

We also enjoyed the company of younger siblings.

That's Lilly Morris, Kieran's sister, in the green. :-)

If you haven't already, join the "Mrs. Heitke's Fan Club" Facebook group to be alerted of fun after-school group activities in the future! (Just search for the group by that name or click the link below.)

Join Mrs. Heitke's Fan Club on Facebook

Tuesday, February 16th

2010-02-17T20:09:00.000-06:00

The New Projector!!!

We are SO excited to start using the new projector, purchased and given to our classroom by the P.T.O. There are so many new and exciting possible uses and it will definitely extend the learning opportunities of kindergarten. If you're not familiar with the term "projector," it's basically a tool that allows whatever is on my computer at my desk to be seen on the overhead screen.

One of the things we did today that used this very cool technology included reading a story online about Abraham Lincoln (illustrated and posted by a 1st grade class in Maine!) to introduce President's Day. You can look at it at the following link.

http://www.berwickacademy.org/lincoln/timeline.htm

We also did an "updated" version of the Word Builders you've seen come home using Powerpoint. The possibilities are endless and we'll continue to explore different uses for the technology.

Thursday, February 11th

2010-02-17T19:57:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day Party

Today we had our Valentine's Day Party. It was a few days early due to the 14th being on Sunday and a long weekend for President's Day. The day began with each kindergartener getting to pass out the valentines he/she brought for the class. Right as we finished, the parents and grandparents (and MR. Heitke) started showing up.

Each volunteer had a group to take to each of the Valentine's Stations. These stations were: Valentine Story, Valentine Treat (STRAWBERRY floats...yum!), Valentine BINGO and, the much-anticipated Valentine Opening! It was a GRAND success! Check out the pictures below!

Friday, November 13th

2009-11-15T14:06:00.001-06:00

Today we had Popcorn Day. All day long we talked about popcorn. The day started with our popcorn poem and continued with a book about eating TOO MUCH popcorn. We worked as a group to make patterns with different kinds of popcorn. Finally, after we got back from Music with Mrs. Slater (Mrs. Healy was out sick), we made our own patterns. THEN, we got to taste it all and vote on our favorites. Each student put a post-it note with his/her name on the board to make a class graph. We'll make our own graphs on Monday and then YOU can see who liked cheese, caramel or plain the best!

Wednesday, November 11th

2009-11-15T14:01:00.001-06:00

Today, we made thank you cards for veterans. Mrs. Heitke is going to send them to the members of the Osseo VFW. We were happy Loryn suggested using oil pastels because it made our cards very bright and colorful!

Our favorite parts about today were:

* Going to the library and checking out new books!

* Making robots during choice time.

Wednesday, November 4

2009-11-04T18:32:00.000-06:00

Check out these pictures of our Pumpkin Math day last week.

Check back often as we'll start to write about our day!