Transitional Kindergarten News

 

Hello TK Families,

 

G’day Mates! The Transitional Kindergarten class is in the middle of our final unit - Down Under the Deep Blue Sea. We have been learning all about Australia and the ocean and are transforming our classroom into these amazing places.

Recently, we had a brave Australian visit our TK room to share about his life down under. Tomas hails from a city near Sydney, Australia and currently plays on the Drake mens soccer team. Students got a chance to play the didgeridoo with our very own Tim Schieffer! We jumped like kangaroos and measured our jumps. Aaron and Bode sprang up as our class kangaroos, both jumping a length of 4+ feet! We also taste-tested various Australian foods, including Vegemite, which surprisingly received a warm welcome from the class - although, TimTam biscuits emerged as our favorite! Students erected eucalyptus trees for our Australian forest and worked collectively on a mural of Uluru in Australia’s Outback. They also practiced writing Aboriginal symbols on a collaborative class snake project.

Next, we dove into the Great Barrier Reef, exploring coral, reef animals, and currents. Students painted coral, drew coral reefs, investigated shells, and measured sea creatures using both standard and non-standard methods. Currently, we are studying ocean animals and are learning to identify crustaceans, mollusks, fish, mammals, cnidarians, reptiles, and more. We collaborated with some helpful 7th graders for an animal research project, where each student chose an animal to study. Our group projects include Jonah’s whale, a giant octopus, paper maché fish, jellyfish, a pirate ship, and more. We’re gearing up for shark week next week!

This unit will culminate in a TK open house to share our learning and hard work with our families. Feel free to pop in after school on May 14 (from 4:30-6) to see the amazing work these kids have done!

 

Things We Collect

Non fiction picture books

Ribbon

Paper lunch sacks

Water bottle caps/milk jug caps

Cardboard tubes

Bubble wrap

Smooth rocks

locks/keys

Nuts/bolts

Stationary/envelopes

Stickers

Craft items

Cardboard egg cartons

Baby food jars

Click here for general TK information.