Canada: Ice Fun | Are We There Yet?

The class wants to spend Winter Break Here!!

Why Nature Loves Hexagons

Today we learned about HEXAGONS!!

Teen Numbers

Homework Help for Next Week!
TEEN NUMBERS!!

The Importance of Setting in a Story

The CVC Word Song (Version 1)

The Letter Sounds Song

If your child still needs help with Letter Sounds, this is a video we use in class.

Sesame Street: Outer Space ABC's

If your child still needs practice with their letter names, this is a fun video that we use in class.

What a Plant Needs to Stay Alive | Springtime Song | Science Song for Ki...

Here is a video that we watched in class today to learn about what plants need to survive.
The class wanted to share it on the Blog so that they could watch it at home with you!!

For those families looking for a FUN way to practice Sight Words!!

So we started this video in class today, and the kids LOVED IT!!
Feel free to let your children watch it at home a few times each week and see if it helps them learn their sight words.  (I didn't make the video, so obviously some of the words are not related to our content, but they are still good words to practice in addition to our class list!)
-Mr. Linnet

Crafts Ideas for Kids - Shoebox Monster | DIY on BoxYourSelf

Families, this month I would love for your children to create a shoebox container for the many books they will bring home this year in Kindergarten.  It doesn't have to be a Book Box Monster like this one, but something fun and personal that they will be excited to visit regularly to practice reading their Take-Home books throughout the year.  Be creative, get messy, and have FUN!

Project Requirements: Box needs to be a shoebox size or larger, and able to close.
                                     Box needs to be fully decorated on the outside (not just a box).
                                     Box needs to have student's name visible on the outside.
                                     Student needs to be able to open/close the box by themselves (to get books).

At-Home Project is to be completed by Monday, September 30th.  Students may bring in their completed box at any time once they have completed the project, to share with the class.  Books will start coming home next week, so the sooner the complete their Box project, the easier it will be to store the books that are coming home.  Students should read for 5-10 minutes every night in Kindergarten, so this will be an easy place for them to get the books to practice each night.

I can't wait to see your Book Box Monsters, Princess, Animals, Aliens, or other cool things you come up with!!  -Mr. Linnet

The Elephant Song - Cool Tunes for Kids by Eric Herman

So I shared this video with the class at the end of the day today and they LOVED IT!!
After 10 students asked me how they could find it to share with their parents, I decided to go ahead and share it on our class blog.  The digital art is a little crude, but the song is cute and it is always fun to play at the end of a busy day.  Hope you like it!
-Mr. Linnet

Welcome to Kindergarten!!

Hello Families and welcome to Kindergarten at Cordelia Hills!

My name is Nic Linnet and I will be teaching one of the early classes this year.  It is my 17th year in education, and my 15th in Kindergarten.  This will be an exciting year, as we are in a new classroom on campus, we be at school for a longer day, and I will also be working towards my Master's degree and Administrative credential through CSU East Bay.

Please check out the provided link with information for the First Day of School (8/26):
August Newsletter

To help you get started, I wanted to share a link that you might find helpful.  It is a basic handwriting document that comes from our state-adopted curriculum.  Feel free to make copies at home if your child needs extra practice with handwriting.  We will be working on these skills a lot in the first trimester, so the easier it is for them to identify and write the letters, the sooner they can begin using these skills with beginning reading and writing.

Handwriting Basics - Benchmark Advance

Please check out our class blog regularly, as I try and keep it updated throughout the year with links, activities, and just cool things we are learning about in the classroom.

Thanks so much for checking this out, and I look forward to an amazing year with your children!! 

-Mr. Linnet

Why Does the Moon Change?

Today we learned about the phases of the Moon.  The kids had a fun time learning about our closest neighbor in space.  Enjoy discussing the various phases of the moon, and why it changes throughout the month. -Mr. Linnet

Outer Space: "I'm So Hot," The Sun Song by StoryBots

We are learning about the Solar System this week. Watch this fun video, then ask your children what they learned about the Sun today!

6 Experiments With Magnet

Here is a fun video we watched today about magnets.  I bet you learn something new!!

Fun with Magnets!

STEM Project:  Exploring Magnets!!
Magnets are so much fun, and kids love exploring magnetism.  Check out this video, then have fun working with magnets at home.

STEM Activities with Kindergarten (NGSS Forces & Interactions: Pushes & ...

I am challenging my class to explore "pushes and pulls" as they create their own STEM project, inspired by this video.  Make a pulley, construct a golf course, build a Rube Goldberg machine, or come up with your own creation that models "Forces and Motion".  Have FUN!!!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Song For Kids | The 3 R's of Recycling

A wonderful song that the class liked today when we learned about the 3R's!!

Why Can’t You Throw Away Batteries?

A great video we shared after counting our Class Collection of Old Batteries.
We are going to recycle all 146 old batteries that our class collected to help keep the chemicals out of landfills and water.  Thanks everyone for helping us teach the students about how to safely dispose of an everyday item like old batteries!!

Plants Life Cycle - Kindergarten

Check out this short clip on how plants grow!

What is a Plant? All About Plants for Kids - FreeSchool

Today we started a unit on Plants. Check out this informative video about how plants help us on Earth!!

Example of a Student Weather Report

Be a Weather Watcher | Science for Kids

We are starting a unit on Weather and Seasons this week in our class.  Here is a nice video to help you better understand weather.  What kind of weather are we going to have at Cordelia Hills???

HARRIET TUBMAN - A Kid Explains History, Episode 13

Here is the video we shared today in class about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.
The students learned that the Underground Railroad wasn't an actual train system, but instead a secret path to freedom for the slaves before and during the Civil War.

Student's Challenge:  What was Harriet Tubman's Birth Name???
Tell me when you find out to get a prize!

Questions Start with These (song for kids about questions vs. statements)

Today we learned about Question Words.  Check out this cool video and discuss when to use different question words in sentences. 

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Martin Luther King Jr.

This is a great book that shares the story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Watch the video with your family and discuss his life.  How did his story make you feel?  Think about Martin's Big Words.  Which words make you feel strong?  Do you think Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made the world a better place for all people?  Why??