Westford Kindergarten 2021/22: we can learn and grow together!

This week, kindergarteners had so many opportunities to practice their 'partner power' and work together to learn and grow! Keep reading to see how kindergarteners learned in their partnerships.

During Fundations on Monday and Friday, children got to work with a partner and play teacher! They practiced identifying four pictures each day (Monday: box, chop, pot, sock. Friday: dog, fox, lock, dot), and then writing those words on a whiteboard. One friend dictated the word as the teacher, and then the other friend practiced carefully listening for and transcribing each sound. Children practiced tapping and blending words together, and they supported each other as they figured out how to write some new words!

Teacher Acadia is supporting Bryn in writing some tricky words!

Brianna and Elena are really taking their time to write the word 'pot'. Can you tap and blend the word 'pot'?

We had more partner work during our Partner Playdate during Friday's Reader's Workshop. In pairs, children explored books in their baskets; they got some new, challenging books this week, so partnerships worked hard together to figure out new words and sounds! Reading with a partner helps build confidence as a reader, and also helps practice important verbal communication skills.

Asher and Kiki spent some time in the Word Loft figuring out words and sounds in Asher's new book, 'Road Race'.

A new academic choice was added this week: Hedbanz! Eleanor has been teaching groups of friends how to play this new game. In Hedbanz, a guesser has to guess a word that is on their 'headband' by asking questions. The other players respond with 'yes' or 'no' until the guesser guesses the word! Kindergarteners also get reading practice (using their picture power and sound power) when they point to and read every card. Look at how much fun everyone had!

The first day of playing 'Hedbanz'. Look at those big smiles!

We play 'Hedbanz' as a group! Kiera and Autumn are working together to get the picture card to stay in the headband.

We had community work when we explored 'Not a Box' this week. On our morning message, we worked together to find different 'noticings' in the sentences "What are you doing on top of that box?" and "This is not a box". We created a community book where every Kindergartener's careful writings and drawings are on display. Lastly, we had a theatrical share on Friday when we explored what our 'not-a-box boxes' were. Some examples included: a jet pack, a piano, a drum, a hot dog, a glove, and a hat!