Saturday, November 14, 2009

Here in the Galaxy Room we are studying North America. We have been learning to identify all the continents by name and location and cardinal directions. The students have been learning to create their own compass rose, and reading maps of our school, our classroom, our neighborhood and the landmarks on the North, South, East and West side of each. This helps them in the process of understanding maps, directions and locations. We are also learning the various biomes of North America, and the plants, and animals of each. In the upcoming week we will continue to learn about the history of North America, more specifically, the United States of America. How it originated, the Native people of America and their culture and way of life. We will focus specifically on the Pilgrim voyage and early settlement in America and their relations with the Wampanoag tribe, Squanto and the first Thanksgiving. In afternoon kindergarten, we will also be incorporating more about Early America, the thirteen colonies, Louis and Clark expedition, and Louisiana Purchase. As a class, we are learning traditional songs about America, the history of the songs, and the composers. We will be learning to identify significant states (those of significance to each of us, and of course New York, Washington D.C., Florida, California, The Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, etc.) If there is a state in which friends or relatives live, or that your child remembers visiting on vacation, be sure to let us know so we can make mention of this in our discussions and mark it on our map!!