Week+of+10.24.11

=Topic=


 * Navigation and Numbers

=Activity=

Today the Kindergarten will continue their work on TuxPaint. They are definitely getting used to the idea of choosing a tool, choosing a color, and even choosing different features. There's a lot of clicking, scrolling, and decision making going on during class.

We will also take another new step - learning to open TuxPaint. The icon is on the taskbar (located at the bottom of the screen), and students need to click on it to activate their TuxPaint session. So far, when the students have come in, the program has already been open for them. Today, they will open it for themselves.

Once everyone has the program open, students will write the numbers 1-10.... the goal is to create a three step pattern (of course I can't remember the pattern we picked!).... for example a skinny pink number, then a skinny red number, then a wide blue number... if your student's picture does not demonstrate the pattern, no worries! They may have spent more time on their number formation this week.

There may be a question or two as to why we're working so hard in TuxPaint.... after all, clicking and navigating seem very easy, and perhaps your child has been operating the DVD player since they were 2! However, learning to transfer skill sets to the different pieces of equipment they use is a higher level of learning and application, and when combined with other tasks, becomes more complex. So while it may not sound like a lot of work, but they are definitely working hard and learning a LOT!

=Assessment=

I am still observing their navigation skills, their decision making, and today will add opening a program to the list of assessed activities.