Kanata Academy Senior Kindergarten

The SKs just wrapped up their book report on ‘Spookley the Square Pumpkin’, a heartwarming story about a pumpkin who stands out because he's square, unlike all the round pumpkins around him. Through Spookley's journey, we learned that our differences make us unique and that being true to ourselves is something to be celebrated. This story helped us explore the importance of kindness, celebrating our differences, and compassionately treating ourselves and others. It fit perfectly with our Halloween and pumpkin patch theme and made a wonderful addition to our social-emotional lessons.

Proper printing formation takes practice! In SK, I use a Science of Reading curriculum along with Handwriting Without Tears to help my little learners master proper letter formation. We’re working on writing inside the lines, and the kiddos are nailing it! Look how proud they are of themselves! 🖍️👏

I’m all about bringing fun themes to my classroom! 🎃 This month, it’s Halloween! I’ve transformed our cozy reading corner and set up new dramatic play and centers that tie into our current learning goals. Here’s what we’re doing:

🧙‍♀️ Math/Fine Motor: Witch's Stew
🔤 Literacy: Letter & Ten-Frame Number Hunt
👀 Sensory: I-Spy Beginning Sound Mats
🎃 Dramatic Play: Pumpkin Patch
✏️ Small Groups: October Journals & SOR Frequency Read-Alouds

The kids are loving it, and it’s great to see them engaged while learning! Stay tuned for future centres!

Yesterday, we went on the most popular field trip of the year—Saunders Farm! 🌽👻 The kids had a blast exploring corn mazes, zooming down witches' slides, bouncing on giant pillows, braving haunted wagon rides, and playing on all kinds of fun structures. We even had a few sleepyheads on the way home! 💤 Such a fun day!

This group of SKs is absolutely into all things spooky! From loving our Spooky class decorations to creating Pablo Picasso-inspired witches, and now, our latest art project—Tim Burton-style self-portraits! 🎃🖤

As part of my social-emotional curriculum,we’ve been learning about the Zones of Regulation! The Zones of Regulation is a curriculum that helps children recognize and understand their emotions by categorizing them into four colour-coded zones (Blue, Green, Yellow, and Red). It also teaches strategies to manage those emotions and move towards calm and focus, especially when in the Green Zone.

We're exploring how our bodies and emotions feel in each zone and practicing strategies to manage them. Every morning, we start our day with a check-in during calendar time, discussing what zone we’re in and why. If someone needs a boost, we work together to help them feel better! Here’s a quick look:

🔵 Blue Zone: When we’re feeling sad, cold, hungry, tired, or low-energy.
Strategies: Take deep breaths, ask for a hug, get some water, move your body or stretch.

🟢Green Zone: Feeling happy, calm, focused, and ready to learn.
Strategies: Keep going with your work or share your good mood with a friend!

🟡 Yellow Zone: When we’re a little frustrated, anxious, or excited.
Strategies: Take a break, do some jumping jacks, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or talk about your feelings.

🔴 Red Zone: Feeling really angry, out of control, too excited or overwhelmed.
Strategies: Count to 10, take some deep breaths, squeeze a stress ball, lift something heavy, progressive muscle relaxation or take some time alone to cool down.

We've launched our Class Pet, Show and Tell, & Star of the Week programs! These activities give students the chance to practice public speaking, build confidence, and feel special and accomplished. These programs also help students improve their presentation skills while asking and answering questions with their classmates.

Positive reinforcement strategies are the key to my success when it comes to classroom management. Why? because it focuses on celebrating the behaviours I want to see more of! Rather than simply reacting to misbehaviour, I emphasize acknowledging and rewarding positive actions. This approach fosters a supportive environment where students feel valued and motivated to thrive. Proactive over reactive, every time! By consistently reinforcing good behaviour, my students build confidence, develop stronger social skills, and become more engaged in learning. Without positive reinforcement, studies show that relying solely on consequences for misbehaviour is punitive and less effective when looking at long-term behaviour change. When students know their efforts are appreciated, they’re more likely to stay focused and give their best! I use positive reinforcement to shape behaviours like using kind words, always trying their best, following directions, working hard, and being helpful. When students see these actions recognized, they’re encouraged to keep making positive choices and form habits that extend beyond the classroom.

Circle time is a great way to build important skills like days of the week, months of the year, counting, number recognition, patterning, and even learning about the weather! Plus, when students lead calendar time, it boosts their confidence and leadership skills!

This month in our sensory bin, we're all about letters! The kids are having fun exploring letter identification, and learning letter sounds through hands-on play!

Brain breaks are an essential strategy for promoting self-regulation, improving focus, and enhancing learning in the classroom. These movement breaks allow students to "shift gears" by providing an opportunity to relax, breathe, and refocus after concentrating on a task or problem. Short, high-energy breaks that get the whole body moving—especially through rapid cardiovascular activity—can increase the breathing rate and oxygen levels in the bloodstream, which may boost concentration and focus. The most effective brain and body breaks are those that engage the entire body, helping students recharge and return to learning with renewed energy.
A fan favourite in my class is ‘The Wiggle Dance’

I love when centers serve multiple purposes! This week in our math review center, my SK students picked a card with a number on it and using their fine motor skills they then strung beads onto a pipe cleaner. They've turned it into a fun game by racing each other! It's all about counting 1:1, building those fine motor muscles, and practicing teamwork!