Happy Thanksgiving from my Kinders to yours

What a week.  I'm not even sure I survived.  I'll let you know in week or two.  To end our study of thanksgiving we made Thanksgiving story bracelets.  They enjoyed it and were able to retell it later.  What do you do special for Thanksgiving?  I'd love to get some new ideas.

What are we doing this Fall

This is my favorite time of year so far.  My kinders have our routine down and we can do some fun stuff without my constant correction.  The freedom makes our days go so much better.  In Math we have been talking about measurement so i gave them a piece of yarn and let them explore the room and document their findings.  This student labeled their picture without my prompting. WOW !!!

Each month we will create a way to display words we are learning.  They made this tree by tracing and cutting out their hand, then using precut leaves (if they cut them they may be too small to write on )  Next time we're going to try for a turkey with word feathers, and....... hopefully they will write some sentences with the words.  I'll try to share that later.  What are you doing for fun?

So much to Learn

I have been so motivated to change up things.  After 21 years in K I needed a kick in the ---.  So many inspiring blogs have done just that.  I knew I was in a rut, but could figure out hwo to get out of it.  Now my mornning starts with a Message and Greeting. This one comes from Kindergarten Smorgasboard, the shoe Greeting.  The kids love this one.  I have different ones on sticks and we draw one each day.  They ask for this one alot.

I am also encouraged to incorporate Interactive Notebooks.  This is one of the word sorts.So much more to do, but babysteps will get me there.  

Math has always been more hands on, so using Chinese Jumpropes to make shapes was a no brainer.  

What have you been doing differently?  I would love to know. 

Are You Scared?

It's that time again.  

I made it out of my little World

I'm so excited to be shared on another site.  I use Halloween to win a Drug Free door decor.
It's one of my favorites and as I perused to net I came across it and got so excited. Go by to visit and see if you can find my "Wanna be Vintage" blogpost ( pre- T is for Teacher).
click  to see it here

Getting into the Routine

Routines are set.  We're moving on at a pretty fast pace, but it's going as smooth as expected. Yes, there are meltdowns, me and them, but I'm blessed to have a good bunch of kinders and a fantastic Para. These are some of the things that we have mastered so far.

This is the first year I have used Interactive Notebooks and I'm loving it.  After 22 years of Kindergarten I still love the excitement of doing something new.  We have been doing ABC Bootcamp (from Kindergarten Smorgasboard) and we have pages for each letter.  This is our first sorting activity we have put in it, they did it all.  Isn't it GREAT!!!  How do you use the Notebooks?

We do Math Tubs following the lesson everyday.  This independent time has proven to be helpful in so many ways.  My favorite is that it gives me time to work 1-1 with each student on a skill while everyone else is engaged; and they get to choose whatever they want to work on.  

More Classroom Angles

Guess where I am this morning?  Not on vacation that's for sure.  But this is one of my favorite places for some strange reason.  This is my Center shelf.  I have Literacy centers on one side and math on the other (the backside).  Each group will work in their color baskets each day while I pull groups to my table in the corner.  From this angle it looks like a mess, but it's getting better by the minute. 

Getting Ready

This was my room last week.  I couldn't figure out what to do with tables.  There's something on every wall so I have to make things visible from everywhere.

So I turned them on an angle.  What do you think?  They don't spend much time there anyway.  

When you first walk in the room.  This is straight ahead.  I have computers on the far table.  I'm still working on this area.  Tell me what you think.  

Back to School Brag Tags

I'm seeing alot of hype about Brag tags on the internet, so I thought I would join in.  I'm going to get some binder rings them my littles to keep them on.  Just don't know where to keep them.  I've made my first one to get started.  If you want to try them out I've posted them in my TPT store.  Click
here to go.

T is for teacher is having a SALE

To celebrate our INDEPENDENCE I am having a sale at my TPT store.  Since my prices are already low, this will make it even more affordable, so come by and see if there's something you want.
T is for teacher Sale

what do you think?

Now that I'm comfortable at my new school, I want to get organized.  Don't we all?  lol
Since we're the "WILDCATS" I made a teacher binder set with that theme.  Get a free copy and let me know what you think.
Get your  Wildcat Teacher binder freebie
I still don't know how to get a cover picture, but I'll keep working on it.
PLEASE let me know what you think.
Thank you

thinking ahead

 I was in Dollar Tree and saw all these cute cut outs for school, so I got a pack and brought them home to decide how to use them.   This is what came to me.  My Kinders usually need work on beginning sounds and matching so .........  They simply match the pictures with the same beginning sounds.  And it only cost $1 for one set.  I hope they have more when I go back.  Now if I could just figure out how to rotate the picture when I insert it.  Any suggestions?

summer to do list

I confess, I am addicted to school.  All these wonderful blogs have reinspired me to shake things up for my classroom.  Twenty one years in a Kindergarten classroom can cause one to get in a rut, but not me.  Schools out and I still have school in the back of my head.  Do you?  I think all teachers spend time off figuring out things to make "next year" better.  I have a list of things I want to learn to do for next year.
 Figure out how to post TPT items on this blog, instead of just the url.
 Figure out how to post from my phone to my blog.
 Create new center activities.
 Blog stalk study.
I was going to participate in one of the book studies, but disn't sign up, so I will just follow along.  There's several others things, but right now these are the ones on top.
Do you have the same problem I have?

I'm Already thinking About Next Year

My change to a new school has really inspired me.  I am so excited to be a part of such a encouraging team.  To show my excitement I'm having a 20% sale off everything  at my TPT store, next week, June 1 -4, so come grab something for next year.
                            

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/T-Is-For-Teacher

-oo- words

We have been working on -oo- words.  It's been a "hoot" because they love being  the one to name the "p" word.  Today as a finale we used Cheerios to make -oo- words.  As I worked with my "red" group I simply let them choose from two words, which one said -oo-.  As I got to one I said, " does moo or cow have -oo- in it?  he answered, "horse".  OK I am so ready for summer.  How about you?

Have you come to the point in the year where you would like a little more quiet?  I know I did, plus I was really bored with the humdrum of the ordinary.  That's why I love blogging, I can stalk other GREAT teachers and steal incorporate their ideas.
I've seen this over at Kindergarten Smorgasbord, carpet seating  and several other blogs, but Greg motivated me enough to put my own twist on it.  I use it as behavior incentive.  When my Kinder have a GREAT day, they get a "seating pass", which allows them to sit anywhere they want to. They actually get a Pass which has to be turned in to receive the privilege. I noticed from the beginning, students who got to move were ones who were usually quiet anyway.  when they were able to move it took away temptation to talk at the table so "talkers" didn't have anyone to talk to.  I loved it!!  Big Round of Applause!!!

They can get a clipboard if they don't like the paper on the carpet, but otherwise they liked the freedom and privilege.  

UUGGHH!!!

AAARRGGHH!!!!!  I know everyone must be going crazy from being cooed up inside with the ice.  In my neck of the woods we have gotten nothing, but freezing temps and some ice.  It's enough to keep the schools closed, but not enough to go out and have fun in.  Right now I would choose the chaos of 24 5yr. olds, over the insanity I call home.  

How are you weathering this winter?