Centers and Fun Science

I can't believe I'm still sane.  This time of the year is always crazy. Here's some of the things that help break the monotony.

We did a fun science experiment.  This is the food coloring, milk and dish soap experiment.  I loved the amazement on their faces when they saw the reactions.  THAT'S WHAT KEEPS ME COMING BACK!!

Louisiana celebrates Mardi Gras and here is one of the beginning sounds centers using symbols from my state.

We are doing more writing.  This project took multiple days.  They did the four corners page for ideas, then used it as a reference to create the story. 

And of course I'm still using the Sit Anywhere Pass for good behavior.  We also have a No Shoes Pass.  

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.