Math Journal

 

Some of the students have shown a keen interest in the area of Math. They are independently challenging themselves to create complicated patterns using the various coloured cubes and then further challenging themselves by finding things in the classroom that are the same length or longer than the length of pattern they have created.

 

This is proof to me the success of the Kindergarten program. The Kindergarten Curriculum states what strands the students are required to learn in the area of Mathematics. I offer the students mini lessons and then put out various manipulatives that I think will promote their learning. Then the students take the lead and often they challenge themselves by connecting what they have learned and often they incorporate two strands together in order to demonstrate their learning.

 

Just a reminder the Kindergarten program is a two year program. This means a JK student has two years to demonstrate their learning in the various Mathematical strands.

 

At this time the students are being introduced to the strand of measurement in the area of mass. Many of the students enjoy working with the teacher. Today the students were introduced to a Math Journal in which they were asked to draw (write) about two things in the classroom that were heavier than a water bottle and two things that were lighter than a water bottle. Some of the students rose to the challenge and completed the task independently. Other students required a little prompting from the teacher in order to successfully find something that was either heavier or lighter.

 

This was an excellent observation for me because now I know which students may require additional assistance to understand the term (heavier) or (lighter) and which students can move onto a more challenging task in the area of Mass.