Can't Catch Me!

Run, run as fast as you can. You can't catch me I'm the Ginger Bread Man! Well, that is what we were told anyway! We learned about the nursery rhyme Ginger Bread Boy this week and when we returned we found a letter from him - giving us hints as to where we could find him. We put on our Ranger Hats and set out to find him. Follow us along as we hunt for the Ginger Bread Man!

Starting off, this is the note we discovered in the classroom:

"I've left my friends for you to snack,
But I'll bet you'll never get me back!
Look for me where there are lots of books!"

This is the note we discovered on our classroom door! The Chase is On!

This is the note we discovered in the media center:

"I've read lots of books,
But I'm gone, can't you see?
I'm a gingerbread man and you can't catch me!
Look for me by a friendly face who answers phones in a busy place."

We didn't find the Gingerbread Man, but he did leave a clue behind in the Library

We made a prediction that there are friendly faces and the phones are always ringing in the office, so we headed there next and this is what we found!

"The secretaries have a friendly face,

And answer phones in a busy place.

Find me by the leader(s) of our school."

With the Secretaries in the Main Office!

We know the leader of our school is the principal, Mr. Kamphoff, so we headed off to his office next. Unfortunately, the Gingerbread Man wasn't there either! This is what he left behind!

This is the principal's office.

They're nice, you know.

They told me not to run anymore,

But to walk, wherever I go.

Go find me where we eat together.

The note we discovered at the Principal's Office!

We knew that we always eat lunch in the cafeteria, so we figured we would try to catch the Gingerbread Man there! This is what we found waiting for us.

"This is the lunchroom.

These friends like us a bunch,

And always make sure we have a good lunch.

I'm getting a bit tired as you can see,

  The Rainforest Room is where I'll be!"

He got away again! Outside the Cafeteria!

Well we finally made it back to our room. It took awhile for us to find him, but when Mrs. Rehder opened the snack cupboards, our final clue was waiting for us!

"I've run and run and I need some rest.

I think this room is the best!"

Our Snack Cupboard!

 After the long hunt we rewarded ourselves by enjoying some delicious Gingerbread cookies!

She Comes From a Land Down Under!

G'Day Mates! Well it is true! We had an Aussie visit our Rainforest today! I taught over in Australia for a semester and Mrs. Jodie Riek was my mentor. She is now here visiting over their school holiday to observe classrooms and colleges - or unis, as she calls them! We had a wonderful time with her today! She sang to us, taught us their alphabet, took pictures, and she even read us 2 of her favorite stories - Wombat Stew, written by Marcia K. Vaughan and Possum Magic written by Mem Fox. We showed her our Hoover Husky Pride throughout the day and even reached a new goal when doing "Read to Self" for the Daily 5 today - 8 minutes! Mrs. Riek and myself were VERY impressed! Enjoy the storytelling!

Partner Match

On Monday we got to explore our first Math Activity. We learned all the songs and dances that we sing at Calendar time, we learned about the temperature, the date, the days of the week, how many days we've been at school, and patterns. Whew! We've definitely been busy! But we also had a lesson on shorter, longer, and the same lenght. We each had a strip and had to find our partner without talking at all! It was tough, but we just lined up our ends and if our strips were the same lenght, we knew we were partners. Once we found our partners we sat down with them and measured to see who's hand, feet, hair and bodies were shorter, longer, or the same length! Check out our teamwork! 

Matching up their strips! 

Comparing Hands

Comparing Feet

Teamwork!

First Day of School!

Well the day has finally arrived and already passed - can you believe it?! We started our day talking about how to be Respectful, Responsible, and Safe Rangers. But most importantly we discussed how to Try Our Best each and every day! Then we read the story "The Night Before Kindergarten" and shared drawings with the class.

Next we went on a Safari Hunt with our Rainforest Ranger hats and we used our binoculars to "spot" new areas and new friends. During the safari we discovered that we have an office, a library, a computer room, a music room, an art room, a gym, a cafeteria and A LOT of teachers and classrooms! As one Ranger said "It's like a BIG high school, for little people!" And indeed it is.

We also read "The Kissing Hand" and painted our own hands on puzzles and placed hearts in the middle. This symbolizes how a parent can kiss a child's hand and their love will stay with them throughout the day, no matter where they are.

We had a very busy, yet fun-filled day! We cannot wait until tomorrow! Day Two...Bring it On!

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Kindergarten

Welcome to Mrs. Rehder's Rainforest! 

This blog is to let me keep you updated on all those little moments that mean so much - the first day jitters, the successes, the struggles, the mishaps, the accomplishments, etc. Let's be honest, Kindergarten is FILLED with them. Those little worries, wonders, experiences, and memories that happen day in and day out. In a sense, it is my open journal to share with those who might be experiencing the same first year wonders, it might be for the parents that want to know "what really goes on in Kindergarten." Some days it might provide a comic relief, while other days I may just ask questions and share ideas.
Welcome to our classroom. 

Hope you enjoy the journey.