It's Hard to Fix a Wrinkled Heart

Do you remember how we read Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes last week?


In the story, the main character Chrysanthemum was being teased by others in her classroom about her name.  This is a great opportunity to begin to teach about bullying.
So we read the story again.  But this time, each time something hurtful was said, we wrinkled a big heart.  We discussed that some words can try to fix a wrinkled heart, but the wrinkles never come completely out.  This visual really helps kids in understanding that the words we use can have a lasting effect on others.
Take a look:

When something hurtful is said or done, I have been encouraging the kids to say, "That wrinkles my heart."  This helps them to become more independent in solving problems with others.

Today, we discussed the difference between kind words (words that keep hearts straight) and words that wrinkle:

Unfortunately, Kindergarteners do say some of these wrinkle words.   I am teaching the kids two things: (1) to stop and think about their words BEFORE they same them and (2) fixing the situation when they do say hurtful words.

We will also discuss more positive ways to deal with our anger.  I encourage you to continue this discussion at home with your child.

So, what else have we been learning? 

Look at an example from our shape collages:

We are learning to describe the characteristics of each shape.

For example, a square has 4 sides that are all the same length, 4 corners, and straight sides.  A circle has 1 curved side and no corners.  Using this vocabulary at home will help to reinforce the learning we do in the classroom!

In Phonics, we have been focusing on syllables this week.  Watch this video at home with your child:

Try this chant at home with the names in your family:

Hickety-pickity bumble bee

Won't you say your name for me?

Caitlin

Let's say it: Caitlin

Let's clap it: Cait-lin

Let's whisper it: Caitlin

This chant led into a perfect graphing activity: we graphed the number of syllables in our names!

We also did some shared reading with a syllable chant:

I love pizza

Yum, yum, yum

I love pizza

In my tum!

(On pizza, we pat, clap, or count the syllables on our fingers.  Then we replace pizza with other food we like to eat!)

Ask your child to teach you at home!

Ok, time for a shout-out!  This is what I LOVE about Literacy Work Stations.  This week, we had a Whiteboard Station where students practiced matching letters on the Alphabet Linking Chart.  Well, these two kiddos thought of something NEW to do with the letters: they put them in alphabetic order!!  I love seeing great thinking like this!