Final Week: Just Open a Book
It's has been a pleasure reading and chatting with our Kindergarten friends this year!
We have one last book to share together!
Let's read: Just Open a Book https://youtu.be/G-K-SbeT3Yw
Happy reading! Happy chatting! And have a great summer!
Week Twelve: The Wonderful Book
Back in September when we were first beginning to read and chat , we read The Wonderful Book by Leonid Gore. We talked about reading, learning, and chatting together. We began to talk about good manners for speaking with and listening to friends.
Always remember, it's important to...
*look at the persons you're talking with
*speak so that they can hear you
*listen carefully
*keep your body in control
*and give personal space
Let's read: The Wonderful Book https://youtu.be/WHi2cK0FR9s
Happy reading and chatting, friends! Stay tuned for one more read-aloud of the school year! See you next week :)
Week Eleven: Happy June and I See Summer
As June begins this month, I like to wrap up our four seasons studies and discussions by reading the fourth book in a season series called, I See Summer.
Let's Read: I See Summer https://youtu.be/RUHZ1WImYPo
Then, chat about your favorite summer sights, sounds, and activities.
Play a summer I Spy Game- look around for early signs of summer and describe them to each other. See if you can guess the summer object. You might say "I see something you wear on your feet in summer. They are not sneakers for running. They are not fancy for dressing up. They do not have laces or buckles but slip right on your feet! (Flip Flops)
Or you can use this game board to give clues and ask questions about the summer pictures. Try to use as many details as you can! Think color words, number words, size words and more! Summer Game Board.pdf
One of my favorite things about summer is going to see fireworks on the 4th of July and celebrating my birthday a few days later. Happy Birthday to all my fellow summer birthday friends :)
Happy reading! Happy chatting! And Happy almost summer!
Week Ten: The Yoga Game - In the Garden
This week, we're reading a fun picture book full of garden animal and insect clues. Encourage your kiddos to listen to the details and try to guess the garden creatures. Then, pause to see how the matching yoga pose can be made and help your little ones stretch for a bit of exercise.
Let's read: The Yoga Game - In the Garden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD95HVEmUyE
If you'd like to chat and stretch some more, open the PDF and scroll down to the description cards. Give your kiddos some clues to decribe the pictures and objects. See if they can guess from your clues. If they guess correctly, read the directions for the stretch and try it together. If they're up for it, help your little ones try to describe the picture. Help them give clues to tell about the object, then read the directions and stretch some more. Yoga.pdf
Happy reading! Happy chatting! Happy stretching!
Week Nine: Using our Imaginations reading Bananas Sometimes and Our Show
It's fun to use your imagination to pretend! This week, we're reading two Easy Reader text that encourage young readers to use their imaginations.
First, Bananas Sometimes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T62ODi2lN4
Do you think it's possible to compare bananas to any other objects? Like the moon?
What does a banana peel look like after someone has eaten the banana? An octopus?
How are a smile and a frown alike? How are they different?
What other fruit or vegetable can you use to make another book like this?
If you chat about other fruits or vegetables,make a picture of another banana-like object, or have a chance to make another fruit/veggie book, please share with me at [email protected]
Up next, Our Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T62ODi2lN4
How do the children feel about putting on the show? How do you know?
What other things might the children do in the show?
How might readers describe the boy and girl in the story?
Did the author write this story to persuade us about shows or to tell as story about a show? How do you know?
Encourage your kiddos to put on a brief show...might they sing, dance, read to you or so much more. Could it be a puppet show using toys and stuffed animals.
Most importantly, have fun using your imaginations! Happy reading and chatting!
Week Eight: Near and Far Away and Bird Goes Home
Earlier in the year, we spent time talking about position or "where" words (prepositions) such as in, on, over, under, next to, in front of, behind, and between. This week, we will revisit these important detail words by reading two easy reader book together. Then, I've included three chatting games you can play together to practice discussing position words and distance.
First, Near and Far Away https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6-dtUWUiI4
If you were the author of this book, what other animals might you include?
Can you name an animal you would like to be near?
Can you name an animal you would rather stay far, far away from?
Then, Bird Goes Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_6iTGT1Vhc
When the bird gets back to her nest, what do you think will happen next?
What are some other places the bird could fly over? Think of places in our community.
How did the bird feel about going home? How do you know?
How are the mother bird and baby birds alike? How are they different?
Do you think the birds trip was short or long? How do you know?
Chatting Games to play and practice position words
1. Red Light, Green Light: simply discuss distance- how you start out far apart but move closer to the finish line the longer you play.
2. Mother May I...?: Teach your children the game. Begin far apart. Guide your children in asking questions such as "May I take three giant steps? two dinosaur (big) steps? five Ballerina twirls? seven frog jumps? one bunny hop?" etc. Be creative and come up with your own ways to move. Practice saying "No, but you may...?" so that your kiddos have to pay attention and listen for your response :)
3. Hot/Cold: Pick an object around you and guide your children to ask questions to figure out your object. They might ask "Is your object near the refrigerator?" You reply with hot (near) or cold (far). Continue helping your children ask questions until they get the hang of the game. Maybe then, they can pick and object and you ask the questions!
Happy reading, chatting, and playing!
Week Seven: I Set the Table and The Picnic
Each May, I like to begin reading several easy-reader books with the children. These books use simple, repetative sentences and many of the kindergarten sight words that the children have been learning and practicing, so this week, we're reading our first two easy-readers:
Up first, I Set the Table https://youtu.be/Y5YODr0Jems
Follow-up questions for chatting:
1. Many things are needed to set the table. What are some other things that you might put on the table?
2. The boy finished setting the table. What will probably happen next?
3. The boy set the table all by himself. What are some other chores he might be able to do all by himself?
4. Is I Set the Table a real or make-believe book? How do you know?
Next, The Picnic https://youtu.be/-Esd2fuByE8
After reading questions for chatting:
1. What did Ted put in the basket after Peg put in the sandwiches?
2. Why do you think the mouse was in the basket?
3. As Ted and Peg put more things into the basket, what did the mouse have to do?
4. If you were going on a picnic, what would you bring?
For fun, you might play the memory game, "I'm going on a picnic and I'm going to bring..." Help your kiddos listen carefuully, pay attention and try to remember the successive build-up on the picnic list.
Maybe you could plan a simple picnic lunch or snack.
Happy reading, chatting, and snacking this week :)
Week Six: Reading Makes You Feel Good!
This week we're chatting about the things we like! I like to read, and together, I hope we're instilling a love of reading in your kiddos!
Let's read Reading Makes You Feel Good together! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RToChlusr0I
Then, chat as a family about the things you like best!
Talk about interviews (We did this when we chatted about which community helpers we want to be when we grow up and why) and try to host a mini interview with each other.
Some basic interview questions you can ask include:
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite animal?
What is your favorite food?
What is your favorite holiday?
What is yout favorite movie?
What is your favorite sport?
What is your favorite game to play?
And the list could go on and on...
Try to use more than one word to answer :) In school, we talk about giving more information and anwering in sentences. You might say, "I like..." or "My favorite...is...because..."
Encourage your children to share why they made their choice- Ask them, why they like ... best? When we use the word "because" we practice clapping our hands together then opening them up wide.
You can share my answers to these questions- From Mrs. Mills:
I like the color yellow because it reminds me of the sun and daffodils.
My favorite animal is a horse because it is fun to brush them and ride them.
I like to eat salad because I like most vegetables (I like ice cream too :)
My favorite holiday is the 4th of July because I like to watch the fireworks!
My favorite sport to play is tennis but my favorite sport to watch is hockey.
I'd love to hear about some of your favorite things this week! If you'd like to send a message or short video to [email protected], I'd be happy to send a short video chat back to say hi!
Week Five: Spring and Peter Rabbit
Some days it rains, some days it's windy, and some days the sun shines. It is spring!
Let's read Peter Rabbit together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4XLek-Kg7s
Then, use this game board to play our spring picture game.
Spring Game Board.pdf
Your kiddos might remember the fall and winter versions we've played. There are two ways to play.
First, we drew a picture card (in this case, you might focus on/pick a picture on the board) then give details or clues about the things you see and encourage your children to search the board for the picture you describe. For instance, you might say "I see green grass, a girl with (...) hair and (#) of butterflies." When your children discover the picture, switch roles and take turns. Try to encourage them to use more language than the phrases "Right here" or "Right there."
Or you can play by focusing in on one picture and encouraging your children to ask questions about your picture. Prompt them to ask, "Does your picture have a boy in it? Does it have a blue background? Is there a trash can in your picture? etc."
You can play similar chatting games using objects around you, whether you're inside or out. "Is your object red? Is your object round? Is you object soft? etc. Similar to the game Guess Who?
For an alternative idea, think about all the obstacle that Peter encountered- you might try to come up with your own family obstacle course! Click this link for some ideas :) Backyard Obstacle Course.jpeg
Happy spring reading and chatting!
Week Four: I See Spring!
As the season changes, we shift from our familiar stories unit to reading and chatting about the spring season: warmer weather, green grass growing, flowers blooming, birds chirping, rain showers, rainbows, baseball, butterflies and bugs, bunnies, etc.
I will post a read-aloud of our story, I See Spring.
https://youtu.be/EU8UhTu42WM
You can take a walk and chat about the many signs of spring you see.
You could also make a book of your own together. Simply use the words “I see…” (They can practice their handwriting) and guide your children to draw their own pictures.
Extend the conversation by comparing the four seasons. How are winter, spring, summer, and fall alike? How are they different?
Play a game of “I Spy…” to describe spring things. Encourage your children to give descriptive details, including color words, size words, number words and more.
Again, I’d love to see and hear about ways you’re enjoying SPRING! My favorite thing about spring is seeing all the flowers grow and bloom again!
Week Three: The Three Little Pigs (continued)
The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark and The Three Little Gators
We will continue our focus on The Three Little Pigs stories with two new versions. I have included a brief retelling of both stories and posted the read-alouds below.
Before reading, chat about the versions we’ve already read and make some predictions about the details you’ll expect to see and hear in these two new stories. Once again, it’s always more fun to read/retell with expression and a varied voice (especially for the big, bad character in these stories).
After reading, compare the details between the two versions.
Try to use your imaginations to think of another setting, different animal characters, and other possible house materials- you could come up with your own family version!
You might try to use toys and household objects to build a little house and see how strong you can make it. Come up with a plan, build it, and chat about ways to make it better or stronger. Would it be most like the straw house, the stick house, or the brick house?
I’d love to see and hear about your chats, so email a short note or picture, if you’d like
A read-aloud with Mrs. Mills
The Three Little Fish and The Big Bad Shark - https://youtu.be/oYyEi3qL1YE
Another read-aloud with Mrs. Mills
The Three Little Gators - https://youtu.be/RF4i7dL61_o
Week Two: Introduction to The Three Little Pigs
We will continue our focus on familiar childhood tales by shifting our focus to The Three Little Pigs. I have included a brief retelling of this story along with a read-aloud.
Before reading, discuss any already known details and possible predictions. Once again, it’s always more fun to read/retell with expression and a varied voice (especially for the big, bad character in these stories).
You might also read/listen to The Three Little Aliens and the Big, Bad Robot.
After reading, compare the details between the two versions. Try to use your imaginations to think of other animal characters and house materials- you could come up with your own family version.
You might try to use toys and household objects to build a little house and see how strong you can make it. Come up with a plan, build it, and chat about ways to make improvements. Would it be most like the straw house, the stick house, or the brick house?
The Three Little Pigs script.pdf
A read-aloud with Mrs. Mills :)
The Three Little Pigs -
Another read-aloud with Mrs. Mills
The Three Little Aliens and the Big, Bad Robot - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2QOPPrN9vY
One more, just for fun!
The Three Little SuperPigs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJEIxzgTRUE
Week One: Review of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and variations of the traditional tale
We have read several versions of this well-known childhood story and focused our discussion on sorting familiar things. Below, I’ve included a basic retelling of the text to share with your children.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears story.pdf
Before reading, discuss the sequence of events (Goldilocks tries the porridge, the chairs, the beds before the bears come home).
When reading, encourage your child to change their voice to sound like the different characters (Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear)…this makes reading and retelling more fun! Try retelling the tale as a play (taking turns) or as a puppet show.
After reading, talk about the objects in the story and different ways to sort the objects. You might gather some things found around your home to sort into groups (or simply chat about them). Guide your child to name their sorts (food; clothes; toys; furniture; objects by color, feeling, size, etc.) and describe the similarities and differences between each group, as well as objects within a group.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears also lends itself to a discussion of comparisons, such as size.
No matter the topic, if you’ll take a little time each day to read and chat with your children, it will be “just right!”
Other Tips for Reading and Chatting at Home
In addition to these suggestions…try to read to your children every day!
Before Reading- chat about the title, look at the pictures, make predictions
During Reading- take breaks to talk about the characters, the where and when of the story, the events, and the problem
After Reading- talk about the ending, what would happen next or how could it have ended differently
More Chatting Games and Activities
Take turns giving and following directions through children’s games (i.e. Simon Says; Mother May I; Red Light, Green Light)
When eating, practice everyday table manners such as “Please and thank you,” “Please pass the…,” “Would you like…?”
Focus on Favorites! Chat about your favorite things (colors, foods, seasons, games, books, characters, etc)
A bit of background about the class...
Book Chat is a unique special area program for our Kindergarteners. In addition to attending art, gym, library, and music once a week, each Kindergarten class has a fifth special area. This fun, academic program focuses on reading, language and social skill development. We meet for 40 minutes each week to share different texts and chat about the books we read together. We practice important speaking and listening skills as we read a variety of literary pieces. Overall, my goal is to support our young learners so that they will be able to understand, talk about, and enjoy the books they read. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email me at [email protected]
Sincerely, Mrs. Diane Mills
Happy reading and chatting!
Mrs. Mills