Field Trip: Our class was so very fortunate on the weather we received this week for our field trip! The sun shone, the temperature was comfortable and the staff at the Hemlock Crossing County Park was so welcoming and best of all, Kindergarten ready! Our time at Hemlock Crossings was both educational and exciting! It included a hike through the forest, wetlands and meadow. We observed with our five senses (minus taste, but that was okay, because we saved that for lunch time at Hagar Park!) the many wonders of nature that we all so easily take for granted. We found many different types of plant life, we had a review lesson about the parts of a plant and what it needs to grow. I was so impressed by how much the children were able to contribute to the discussion. A big thank you to our wonderful tour guides and for doing such a nice job with our kids! We all had a great time connecting our learning! 
Here is a glimpse of the memories we shared together during our time at Hemlock Crossings:
Science- Bean Plants: Every student’s bean plants is growing! The varying times for spouting and height has lent to an important conversation that, just like people, each plant is special and grows at it’s own pace. The children are fascinated and quite happy and excited for about caring for these special living things! A majority of our plants arrived home this past Thursday, along with their observation journals. We are nursing a few more and anticipate their arrival home later this week. Please keep us updated on how your plants are doing at home – we’d love to hear about it!
In science, we have also continued our learning about the parts of a plant and compared the different connections and understandings that some plants we eat can be the seed, flower, leaf, stem and root. It was fun experimenting with Mrs. Bohl’s and her class!
Math: We are nearing the completion of Unit 5 and hope to take our final assessment sometime this week.
Writing Workshop: We began our final writing unit for the year on Opinion Writing. We discussed how to take a position and explain why we feel a certain way. The students are really gaining an understanding of this style of writing and are now providing two reasons when defending their opinion. The children are connecting to this lesson and are off to a great start!
Mystery Reader: Olivia was genuinely shocked to see her dad enter through the door as our Mystery Reader this week! It was great! Her dad, Mr. Voss, stopped by to share a favorite book titled, “The Mysterious Tadpole,” by Steven Kellogg, which I think has now become a favorite of our class. The boys and girls enjoyed hearing Mr. Voss read about about how the tadpole kept growing and growing and not turning into a regular frog. Thank you, Mr. Voss, for this great story and for visiting as a Mystery Reader!
The babies have arrived! Our Momma robin’s babies have hatched and the class is so excited! Momma Robin has been busy delivering worms to her new little ones, and the class and have had a glimpse of their little beaks pointing upward wide open. Spring is here!
Super Stars of the Week: This past week, we began our final round of Super Stars for the school year (where has the time gone!!). Keep a lookout for our Springtime journal binder.
Popcorn Words for the Week Were: “have,” “on,” “of”
Important Information and Reminders:
- Library: Please help your child remember to return their book for our final library visit.
- Backpack Snack: Everyday – remember to pack a healthy daily snack.
- Fri., May 26: Wear your red, white and blue to school!
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 29 – No school.
- Kindergarten Olympics: Friday, June 2 (please return your blue slip this week before May 19, if you are interested in volunteering to help.).
- Last Day of School: Friday, June 9 -dismissal at 12:15pm.
The Kindergartners and I would like to wish each of the wonderful mom’s, grandma’s, aunt’s and women who are in the lives of these special Kindergartners, a most joyous Mother’s Day holiday and weekend!
: ) Mrs. Estefan