Independent Investigation for Kindergarten

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Lesson 1 Preschool to kindergarten (ages 4 to 5) Independent Investigation

Proficiency in: independent investigation

Materials needed: math manipulative box    See: Math Manipulatives

Activity: observing attributes and characteristics of manipulatives to prepare for patterning experiences.

Duration:

   Possibly 20 minutes of hands-on observing. Some young children may only want 10 to 15 minutes. This experience should be practiced for a minimum of five school days, (Monday through Friday). Prepare for some reteaching time on the following Monday and Tuesday before transitioning into patterning experiences.

Model of teaching approach:

   Using your gathered manipulatives simply allow your child to “sort” the materials using common “attributes” observed belonging to each item. An example might be to put all the yellow-sided pencils in one spot and all the blue-sided pencils in another spot. The main feature of the lesson is to allow the student to explore and identify that characteristics and attributes of the items collected. By grouping materials this will prepare students for a smooth transition into patterning.

Here are a few ideas for enjoyable reading material you can share with your child to support the main idea of the lesson as well as connecting the concept of reading throughout all subject materials.

*Note: Please simply share these fun stories and exploration time by reading and discussing with your child.

1) All About Pockets: Storytime Activities for Early Childhood, by Christine Petrell Kallevig, Jaym Wilkinson, and Eric Skarl

2) Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak

3) The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle

4) Cars and Trucks and Things That Go, by Richard Scary

5) Big Books of Things That Go, by Richard Scary

6) James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl, Lane Smith (Illustrator)

7) Mio, My Son, by Astrid Lindgren, Ilon Wikland (Illustrator)

8) King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub, by Audrey Wood, Don Wood (Illustrator)

Mary Joy Lewis, M.Ed.

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