Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Today was all about collaborative conversations. I loved setting them up and then watching them soar!

The "work" of kindergarten today involved a big helping of the letter M (Mimi Mermaid), talking about a book I read yesterday (Tikki Tikki Tembo-a favorite from my own childhood), and another go at the math games from yesterday. 

The afternoon class had science and started working in the iPads. 

Oh, and picture day! Everyone looked fantastic!!!

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

My favorite part today was recess. Perhaps I'm a big kid. Here's why I love recess: kids running, kids smiling, kids helping each other on swings or other equipment, and it is just fun!

In reading we reviewed sounds, the sight words I and can and started "reading!" 

We read "top to bottom, left to right and point to every word." Today I modeled this (again and all year long), but the kids got a turn to read a page as well. They quite surprised themselves. 

Both classes had art. No pictures, but it sounded like they had fun!

The kids played multiple games during math and taught me a lot about how to teach games. We will try them again tomorrow. 

The afternoon kids have really taken to flexible seating. 

During a lesson:

During work time:

Sometimes, when I'm writing this and looking at the pictures, I don't want to wait until tomorrow to teach again. I'm ready to teach Right Now!

These Kinders are so special and I'm proud to be their teacher!

Monday, August 29, 2016

What an Amazing Monday!!! Kids learning, smiling and helping each other.

The morning class started learning how to use the iPads in science.

Both classes learned about Ollie Ostrich and the short sound o makes.

They played many math games. The first one was moving the beads (one by one) and saying how many were there.

And sorting objects by the number that they had.

Today was also a library lesson day for both classes. They will have their first check-out day on September 9. I'm so excited for them!

I love our small classes, but am very eager to have everyone together all day and get to the really good stuff of Kindergarten.

I'll keep you posted!

Friday, August 26, 2016

The rainy morning did not stop us from having a fabulous day!!!

We had Friendship Salad for our snack today.  (Smiles everywhere)

The ingredients were: kind kids, kids who share, hard workers, kind words, happiness and one rotten banana (which did not make the final cut into the salad). I love the lesson of making the salad and then eating it was pretty awesome. Everyone loved it and wants me to send the recipe home. :-)

In other news...

A picture of the wonderful art mural that hangs outside our room.

Two classmates giving a high five and greeting each other (as a way of learning to know each other, names and just a great social skill).

A Circle Map of Names of Games.

The Friendship Salad.

A sorting activity in math (sorted objects I brought from home for three kinds of weather: sunny, rainy, snowy).

The swings were busy at our afternoon recess.

Ending the day with some light reading.

It was a great week!

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Today was one of those days. 

A day when we were so busy and having fun learning that I took only one picture!

Both AM and PM had library today. It was with Mrs. Sunderland. Thursday's will be the checkout day (when that starts). 

Other things we did: practice reading to ourselves (in preparation for the time I can work with small groups), figuring out the sorting rule I used for toys and then the students, reviewing sounds and letter names, writing with the word I, and counting to 7 (7th day of school today). 

So, we did a lot and I'll bet we are all tired. Can't wait for tomorrow!!!

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Part of today (for PM, AM did this on Monday) was learning about respect. Our last school expectation. It's a difficult word, so Chrsanthemum helped us think about Respect.

We learned about Uncle Upton and the sound short u makes. 

The kids had fun (I think) learning a new center. An ABC center. Today they worked with a partner to put the alphabet in order. I loved the talking and sharing they did with each other. 

Math was fun playing a "show me the number" game. 

Math ended with a cut and glue sorting page. I'm pretty impressed!

The afternoon class met Mrs. Schmidt (the science teacher) today. 

Stop by the hall to see the art mural the kids made yesterday--it's awesome!!!

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

It's kind of crazy how fast the days go. I love having a smallish class, but I will be very happy when we have more time to do fun kindergarten things!

Today both AM and PM got their first art lesson with Mrs. Voth.

She is wonderfully creative and super with the kids.

The PM class experienced the first birthday. We sang a special song and then shared a snack. It was lovely. The kids waited patiently while the cookies were passed out.

Then we waited while the birthday girl had the first bite. (And then we all got to eat our cookie.)

Both classes learned about using dry erase markers and boards today. Another tool has been added to their pencil box.

Already, I feel very attached to these special kids and look forward to tomorrow!

Monday, August 22, 2016

We did not even skip a beat! Today was amazing. :-)

A quick run down:

Both classes got to go to the library with Mrs. Bowen. She has the lesson with the kids. (Later in the week they will have an opportunity to check out books with Mrs. Sunderland.)

Mrs. Bowen is very caring and shares her love of books in fun and fabulous ways.

The AM kids got to have science with Mrs. Schmidt today. The PM kids will have science on Wednesday.

Recess of course is a big hit.

We started our reading with reviewing or learning about Polly Panda and the letter p and the sound it makes.

And we learned our very first sight word! The word "I."

In math the kids practiced working with a partner and counting beans. (They seem to be pros already.)

And we increased our vocabulary by describing how things are "exactly the same" or not and why. Love the way these kids think!

As a way of helping each student remember to write their name on their paper, they have to use a highlighter to make a line through their name before they turn it in. Not a single no name paper. LOVE THIS.

Our days are very filled, and I wouldn't be surprised if some of the Kinder Kids are as tired as me!

The First Week (August 17-19, 2016)

I cannot even believe it has been only 3 days!!! We have learned so much and I am so pleased with each Kinder Kid.

What have we done?

Part of school is learning the school expectations. I love using books to help with this. One school expectation is to Be Safe. I loved reading The Recess Queen and talking about how to be safe. The second is Be Responsible. David Goes to School is great with this.

We are starting the process of learning each other's names with a daily greeting. (I'm happy to report that I know each one's name! That is perhaps the scariest part of a new year for me--remembering names.)

Recess each day. Walking in the halls. I do not require bubbles and ducktails-- just straight lines, no talking and hands to self. And golly!!! They are doing it, and getting compliments from grown ups as we pass in the hallway.

Friday was the first day to do the "When you get to class routine." Here it is... Put away your backpack. Get your spiral notebook. Trace your name. Write your name. Draw a picture.

Friday also was pretty great with learning how to "Read to Self" during our reading time.

But the BEST part of Friday??? Foodie Fun Friday!!!

I hope that each Friday will have some sort of food/science/fun. This time the Kinders made school buses. Happy kids for sure!

I'm really looking forward to more great days and more great learning.