It was all things rocks this week in the Hippo Class. We began our week by observing different rocks- how are they the same, how are they different, how do they feel, how heavy or light they are, what colors do you see....... We added a few more facts for the hippos, such as rocks are really old, there are three different types of rocks, a geologist studies rocks, and rocks can be found in many different places. Thank you parents for helping your child find rocks to bring to our classroom. We used these rocks and many others to paint, sort, pretend, play games, decorate, build, match rocks to an outline, count, match letters, observe, weigh, etc. During our gym time we practiced using our gross motor muscles as we played Magic Rock, Magic Rock turn into a ..... Lastly, we made stepping stones with concrete mix, water and rocks! (goals-fine and gross motor, sensory, matching, observing, letters/numbers, comparing numbers, participating as a member of a group, respectful behaviors, taking turns, answering questions, confident behavior, showing curiosity, following directions)
In order to show the three different types of rocks, we showed a picture of a volcano with magma then showed how it hardened and became a lava rock (I had a real one). It hardened representing the igneous rocks. We also observed a sedimentary rock made from sand and pebbles. Finally, we all stepped on slices of bread stacked together to show how metamorphic rocks were formed by adding pressure (our feet). It was fun watching and learning some "wow" words-
IGNEOUS, METAMORPHIC, and SEDIMENTARY! In addition, we watched a video on being a rock detective. You may want to watch it again with your child. It goes over the three types of rocks.
Our letter this week was N for next, net and nice. We made the letter with our long strips. Our 2nd steps
lesson focused on playing together, taking turns, making trades and setting a timer.
Since it is almost St. Patrick's Day, we had a leprechaun in our room who kept moving each time we would leave for specials. Thursday, he left our room and left clues as to where he went. We finally found him by the gym and he gave us each a gold coin!!
Questions to Ask your Child:
1. What does a geologist study? (rocks)
2. How many types of rock are there, 5 or 3? (3)
3. Are rocks new or old? (old)
4. Where do lava rocks come from? (a volcano)
5. When is your birthday?
6. How did we we make the metamorphic rock with the bread? Did we play with it or step on it?
(we stepped on it)
Books we read:
Let's Go Rock Collecting
If Rocks Could Sing
Waiting is Hard
Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll
YouTube Video Be a Rock Detective!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNs1gqkYerg
Rock Song: (To the tune of "Three Blind Mice")
Rocks are hard
Some are soft
Rocks are old
They cover all the world.
Some are very big rocks and some are very little rocks.
Some feel smooth and bumpy.
All rocks are old.
Rocks are old!
Coming Up Next Week:
Desert
Things to Do At Home:
Continue collecting rocks to add to your shoebox. Also, try drawing with a rock on a sidewalk or driveway! Use a magnifying glass to observe the properties of your rocks.
Reminders:
3/17-3/21 Spring Break
4/8 Profession Development -No School
4/14 and 4/15-parent teacher conferences
Enjoy the pictures!!
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| Garden Fun! |
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| We washed some rocks with soap and toothbrushes. |
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| We went on a Leprechaun hunt and found him next to the gym! |
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| Magic rock, magic rock, turn into a ...... |
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| frog! |
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| Matching numbers using rocks. |
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| Coloring rocks different colors. |
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| You found me! |
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| We found lots of clues as to where our leprechaun ran. |
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| Art fun! |
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| Our dinosaur bulletin board! |
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| These pet rocks are really cute! |
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| Show and Tell |
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| Show and Tell |
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Show and Tell
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| Using our finger muscles to push pebbles into tennis cans. |
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| Rocks and ramps |
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We played an ABC game with rocks. At the
other side of the orange table we placed rocks on our 100 chart. |
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| It was fun to make pet rocks. |
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| We were geologists as we hammered rocks out of ice. |
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| Music fun! |
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| What is your favorite rock? Which numbers are equal? |
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| Here are our 3 types of rocks. |
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We measured our rock before we applied pressure
to it and after we applied pressure to it by stepping on it.
This represents a metamorphic rock. |
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| Rocks and dump trucks |
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| Playdoh and rocks |
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| Building with big rocks. |
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| We went on a rock hunt in the classroom. |
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We shook the can. It had rocks, paint and paper
in it. We discovered a really cool painting! |
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| It was fun to decorate our rock boxes. |
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| We build with little flat rocks as well. |
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| We matched rocks to their outline. |
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| We used magnifying glasses to inspect rocks. |
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Each child picked a rock from their collection.
We then observed the size and color
and if it was bumpy or smooth. |
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| We matched letters in the words OLD ROCKS. |
