Each day just before our second recess we do a component of our math program called Number Corner. This time is used to introduce, reinforce, and extend skills and concepts. Number Corner includes the same 5 routines each month, with slight variations depending on the month.

Over the course of any given month we 

• record the number of days we have been in school by writing numbers on a number line and visually representing it with links and dots on ten frames
•  place new markers in our calendar and make observations and predictions about the pattern that emerges 
• create a monthly collection of objects (cubes, craft sticks, pattern blocks) that we use for counting and comparing in different ways
• practice the counting sequence and number recognition on a segment of the number line  
• work on computational fluency, often using finger patterns or ten frames.  

For the month of October our calendar pattern has focused on maple leaves, which occur in a repeating color pattern: red, green, orange, brown. A similar pattern occurs in the direction the leaves point: up, right, down, left. With every set of 4 markers, the number of leaves increases by 1, so there is 1 leaf on the first four days, 2 on the next four, etc. Children have had fun predicting what the next calendar marker will look like.

We have completed 42 days of school so far. Each day a volunteer writes the number on our white board and we use the 10 frames and links to practice counting by 10's.

Our collection for October has been green and blue cubes. Our math helper spins a spinner  to determine how many cubes to add to the collection. We make a prediction about how many could be blue and how many could be green and then the helper takes the corresponding number of cubes out of a bag. We also keep track of how many of each color we have collected so far.

On the number line this month we have focused on the numbers 1-20. Children really enjoy playing a game in which they try to find hidden smiley faces behind numbers on the line. They have to name the number before checking to see if the smiley face is there, which gives them practice matching the written numeral to its name. 

Finally, we have been practicing recognizing and making numbers 1-10 on both 10 frames and with fingers. When children instantly know a number, without counting, we often talk about how they knew, which leads to some great observations: 5 and 1 is 6, so 1 more is 7, if we have 10 fingers and 1 is down, then there must be 9, etc.

 This week we spent our reading buddy time carving pumpkins. These will be displayed on Loop Road  (Old County Road) on Halloween night. Thanks to the PTO for donating the pumpkins!

Our reading buddies also happened to have a Pj day today. Lots of PJ day fun!

During our literacy blocks we are working on many skills including recognizing and producing rhymes, hearing the individual words in a sentence, and hearing the sounds in individual words, all important early literacy skills that help set the foundation for learning to read and write. One of the most important skills we have been working on is identifying letters and their sounds. We use a program called Fundations, which pairs each letter with a key word to help students learn the corresponding sounds. Perhaps you have heard your child saying "b, bat, /b/" or "f, fun /f/", connecting the letter to its typical sound.

As we learn the letter names and sounds, we are also learning how to write them with the correct formation. We use a variety of multisensory methods to learn and practice them, including sky writing  (writing them in the air using big motions), writing them on our promethean board, writing them in colorful sand, and writing them on white boards. Many students are beginning to apply this knowledge during writing, labeling pictures with first sounds they know or attempting sentences by writing sounds they hear. 

Some fun ways you can reinforce these skills at home include playing "I Spy" using letters or beginning sounds (I spy a letter m...I spy something that begins with /b/"),  playing ABC go fish with letter cards, and playing ABC matching games by matching upper case and lower case letters. A few years ago during kindergarten Zoom meetings children also enjoyed going on treasure hunts in their homes, finding 2-3 objects that started with a given sound.