Transitional Kindergarten
Summertime!
Is there anything better than being a kid in the summer? Drinking from the hose, running around barefoot, climbing trees, and decorating the sidewalk with chalk… summer is full of fun, freedom, and play.
And you… you’ve been working hard all year to teach your children. You did it! You all made it through! While it’s easy to fall into the trap of planning for next year, worrying about learning gaps and stressing about them falling behind… don’t do it! I challenge you to give yourself permission to let them play and let yourself relax into everything that summertime can be. Take this time to sit back, relax, and enjoy them enjoying themselves.
Kids are constantly learning. They may not be sitting down writing letters or adding numbers, but their brains are always growing. Figuring out how to navigate the backyard without burning their toes on the concrete- problem-solving. Digging in the dirt, chasing bugs, making mud pies- science experiments. Swimming, jumping rope, scaling the playground- motor skill development. Laughing with their friends as they conquer imaginary dragons and wage epic squirt gun battles- imagination at its best.
So grab a popsicle (I always hide the red ones for myself), set up your favorite lawn chair, bring along your favorite just-for-fun book, and enjoy all the learning that’s happening under the summer sun! “Real” school will be back before you know it.
For more information about learning through play, visit learningthroughplay.com.
By Rebeka Heath
Social Studies
Social Studies for TK students is broad. Our TK I CAN Statements offer a great outline of what Social Studies can look but can also be a bit overwhelming. To help narrow things down a bit, here is a list of Social Studies activities and work sample suggestions. So what exactly is Social Studies anyway?
Following the rules, and knowing the consequences of breaking rules is Social Studies.
What rules do you have in your house? Have your student draw a picture or write a short sentence about what rules you have in your house then submit a photo work sample.
Knowing State and National Symbols is Social Studies.
Color a US or California flag, or create a mini-book of our State Symbols (you can purchase a template or get inspiration here)
Practicing and knowing the order of days, weeks, and months is Social Studies.
Have your students copy these on a sheet of paper, or submit a photo of them helping with the family calendar.
Map Skills and knowing how they fit into the world is Social Studies.
A “Me on the Map” project is a perfect way to end your TK year! Create your own, or use this free book.
By Rebeka Heath
Science
One of our favorite (and easiest) ways to have some science time in our house is food science. You can do so many simple experiments with your younger students that only require common household food items. Scientific exploration starts with a simple question, introducing some basic science words, and seeing what happens! For example:
What happens when we freeze 3 different liquids?
Which do you predict (or hypothesize!) will freeze first?
How can we make observations about our experiment?
What pictures would you draw to record your results?
Here are more ideas for simple kitchen science that your students will love!
Candy Rainbows- All you need is colored candy and water!
Peep Science- Including Peep Slime, How do you make a Peep sink, and What happens when you heat a Peep?
How Dirty are your Hands?- A simple experiment with slices of bread
What reacts with Baking Soda? Demonstrate with vinegar, and then invite your students to find other liquids and predict what will happen!
Have students in multiple grades? Have older students learning more about the scientific method record the experiments more formally, set up variables and controls, and/or research why the experiments have specific results.
Want more awesome kitchen science ideas? Check out these books on Amazon:
Kitchen Science Lab for Kids and Kitchen Science: Edible Edition by Liz Heinecke
The Complete Cook Book for Young Scientists and Kitchen Explorers! by America’s Test Kitchen
Kitchen Science Experiments from Brain Games STEM
By Rebeka Heath
Math
One of my favorite things about teaching younger students is that life is their classroom and everything can be a learning experience. Snack time is no exception! Next time your student is munching on goldfish, gummy bears, or any other small item, try this trick: Draw boxes or circles on a napkin and write a number in each section. Then ask them to count out the number of snacks that go in each box. Ask which group they would rather eat (and why!). If you have students who are learning to write, you can have them number the boxes at the start as well. The best part- they get to eat their math when they’re done! This simple activity is teaching number recognition, counting, one-to-one correspondence, and comparison. Snap a picture, add it to our photo work sample template, and have your student dictate a sentence or two about what they are doing and you have your math work sample!
By Rebeka Heath
Language Arts
Letter recognition and letter sounds are the building blocks of learning to read. Knowing the ABCs is such an important early learning skill that can be incorporated into everyday play and activities. With just a few supplies you can surround your TK student with opportunities to recognize and name their letters and start to build simple words. From meal times with alphabet soup or ABC nuggets to playtime with letter blocks; “helping” in the kitchen with magnetic letters on the stove or fridge to bath time with foam letter pieces— it really can be that easy to teach your little ones these skills! If you want a few extra hands-on activities, try adding some flashcards that they can use alongside their letter toys, letter puzzles, making letters with dough, or using painters tape to make giant letters on the floor of your home.
By Rebeka Heath