Kindergarten Connections to Castles

Did you know there are one hundred forty-six castles alone in Germany? Wow, that’s a lot of castles (schlosses in German)! We didn't even know that until we decided to do a fun study on castles. There are haunted castles, castles in ruins, castles that are lived in, castles that are tourist attractions and restaurants and even castles that are for sale.

The most famous castle that we have seen in Germany is the Neuschwanstein Castle located in Bavaria. This castle is the castle Walt Disney used as an inspiration for his castle design logo.

Frankenstein Castle is a fun castle to visit, especially around Halloween. There are claims that this castle had an influence on Mary Shelley’s work.

What is amazing is that many of our students have had the chance to visit one of the one hundred forty-six castles in Germany. They were able to relate to what a castle is and contribute to the discussions and activities using their prior background knowledge!

This is a definite bonus of being a military child living in Europe! The experiences and memories that they will carry with them throughout their lives will hopefully benefit and broaden their relationships with others and their outlook on life!  

Below are more pics from this week's unit of study on castles!

Kindness Book of the week:

The Smartest Princess – Mary Lee

Every year, girls from all over the world compete to see who is the smartest. Violet appears and gives a new meaning to what the contest should really be about. She may not be the smartest little girl; however, she manages to demonstrate some very kind behaviors.  This book places a high value on intelligence, but it teaches a nice lesson on kindness. 

Castles in Europe

iPad Apps: Purple Carrot Castle

This popular game from The Prisoner of Carrot Castle iPad book app is a game of dress-up the knight. Slide the battle gear into place. Then once the knight is dressed, receive a reward of animation and “cheers.”

This game is helpful for developing fine motor skills. Targeted for 3 to 8-year-olds, but anyone can enjoy the game.

iPad App: Medieval Life

This app brings together sights, sounds, text, and photos of Medieval Life. One can learn about banners and knights in Castle life.

I want to share pics of the castle right down the road from my home - Baldenau Castle! 

Freebie and new product!  

Visit my Pinterest Board on Castles for more ideas!

Photo slideshow made with Smilebox

I truly hope you have a royally beautiful week and are treated like a king or queen! 

Oh, The Places You Will Go!

Oh, the places you’ll go when teaching for DoDDS.

How exciting to be hired, I don’t know the odds.

They may send you to Germany, Italy or Japan.

Flying in airplanes, you must be a fan.

Once you arrive, new people you meet,

new teachers, new parents, new children so sweet.

A new country, a new language, new customs and foods,

you must try them all, you mustn’t be rude.

Oh the places you’ll go when teaching for DoDDS.

The chances to travel can leave you quite awed.

Venice with bridges and lots of canals,

shopping in London with some of your pals.

Paris, Berlin, Lisbon and Rome,

a week in Croatia and then it’s back home.

Guinness in Dublin, paella in Madrid,

Belgian chocolate for breakfast, heaven forbid!

Oh, the places you’ll go when teaching for DoDDS.

How fortunate I am to be living abroad.

To do what I love, to teach the military child, to represent
 the USA with a happy heart and big smile!

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Kindness Book of the Week: Horton Hears a Who

One of the most lovable and caring characters of all Dr. Seuss’ characters, I feel, is Horton the elephant. who signifies kindness and perseverance. Dr. Seuss' message was: despite the differences, we should try to care about one another. This book will allow teachers to discuss how we judge people based on how they look, rather than on their actions. After all, a person is a person no matter how small."
 

My Home - Where DoDDS Sent Me!!

 

Bridge maps:

What better time to work on rhyming than Dr. Seuss week? 

Using a rhyme bridge map can show how words relate to each other. A bridge map is a type of thinking map that will show how two concepts are related. The top word relates to the bottom in the same away across the bridge.

 

My Little bird tale of Places DoDDs sends us to teach!

 

• Click to view my tale.
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Freebie Time: 

  

Dr. Seuss Pinterest board link:

 

 

Fotosketcher program:  This week's tech tool is not an app and it's free. Simply go to fotosketcher.com to download and play with it!  It will turn your photos into art - pen and ink, oil painting....Your friends are gonna think you are so artistically talented!  LOL!  

This week's activities: 

Retelling story map: 
  

 

 

Setting and Characters: 

 

Problem and Solution:

 

Art Activities:

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We hope you have a fun week celebrating Reading Across America!