Louisiana Teacher Blogger Meet Up

I am so excited to finally get to attend a blogger meetup here in Louisiana.  There is so much I would like to share, but can't figure out how. Now maybe I'll get the therapy help I need.  do any of you go to blogger meetups?  I've never been to one and am so excited.

Easy and Fun Math

My kinders love playing with these linking cubes, usually just building instead of something wonderfully academic. Soooo... I decided to make these Count and Stack cards.  They simply have to identify the numeral on the picture and make a stack of that many cubes.  When the card is full they can play with the cubes, their favorite part. (surprise)  I made them for the entire year and have 2 levels for differentiating the activity.  I have it in my TPT store. Go over and check it out.  

Count and Stack

Quick, Easy and Fun Center

I found these test tubes at DT and picked up a few hoping to figure out something to to with them. I did!

I created words and added glitter.  These were the only ones that were easy to read.  I will number them and my littles will write the word when they figure it out.  What do you think?

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.