A rewarding day -- mostly...

 
 I've been trying to get my kinders to write sentences for a while -- most can manage one or two -- rarely more.  But I was happy today to finally see them get excited about writing. I've been teaching them about labeling their pictures for a couple weeks -- and after the brief snowfall yesterday, I pulled out a snowman picture I'd been saving for this very occasion.  We carefully labeled it -- scarf, carrot nose, hat, eyes, etc.  Today I asked them to use the labels to write "How to Build a Snowman." And wow!  They really got into it!  When the first child asked for a second sheet of paper, it really inspired the rest of the class.  Soon I was giving a second, third, and even a couple asked for a fourth page!! Now, I know they write BIG letters -- but it almost became this wonderful competition to see who could write the longest story.  And considering that most couldn't even write their name just 100 days ago, this is pretty incredible. The stories weren't great -- "First poot on the eyes, thin poot on the carrot nose.  It is orange," But I was almost doing the dance of joy as I was stapling 4 pages together.  I love these "breakthrough" days when they start to "get it".  Even the struggling little one tried really hard -- even though he just wrote a string of letters, he filled the page, and that is progress.
    On the downside, one kid used the scissors today to cut a big hole in his shirt.  Guess I still have work to do...

100 Days + RTI

 This was the 100th day of school -- the day was full of fun activities like making 100 bead necklaces, 100th day hats, 100th day glasses, 100 link paper chains, and writing numbers to 100 and "When I have $100, I will....  In the midst of all the craziness, my principal came in to do my observation.  I was just starting to read one of my favorites, "The Wolf's Chicken Stew," and the kids were already pretty excited by the whole celebration, so their enthusiasm for the story was even higher than usual. I always ask lots of questions when I read, trying to elicit some of the higher order thinking skills -- but never knowing what kind of answers I will get.  This was a very good day, though -- they were really on the ball.  I asked "What happened at the beginning of the story?"  One little boy said "The wolf went fishing." Now, there was nothing in the story about fishing, so I was a little doubtful about that answer, but then I noticed that there were fish bones on the wolf's dinner table in the first illustration. So I said,"How did you know he went fishing?"  And another boy said, "I could infer from the picture." GREAT ANSWER!  Then I asked if they could make a connection to another book, and hands went up everywhere. Lots of good answers, but the best was "Little Red Riding Hood because both the wolves were trying to trick someone."  I keep a bucket of little plastic soldiers, firemen and policemen from the Dollar Tree on my desk to give to kids who use the "make a connection" strategy, because soldiers, firemen, and policemen use strategies in their jobs. They really rack their little brains to think up connections to books we have already read, and I am often amazed at their ideas. Anyway, my principal was impressed by the responses, and so was I -- sharing a good story is my favorite part of the day, especially when the kids get so excited about books and reading.

The other good part of the day? I got to leave at noon to go to a great workshop and leave all the craziness of the rest of the day to the capable hands of my assistant, my student teacher, and a great sub.  The workshop was excellent -- I finally understand RTI a lot better, and I am eager to get back tomorrow to start applying what I learned.  I LOVE MY JOB!!

Why a blog?

   

I originally wrote this a couple years ago, but my sweet blogger niece, Kellie Lewis, reminded me about why we write blogs, so I decided to run it by again.  Probably nobody read it the first time, anyway!       

   

 This weekend I was a part of the "virtual kindergarten expo" -- four of my favorite teaching bloggers gave wonderful presentations that I could watch while I relaxed in front of my computer -- and unlike some of the school workshops I have attended lately, these were chock full of ideas that I could use this week. I took notes as fast as I could, then realized that I could pause it while I walked to the kitchen for  a snack -- and even watch the whole thing again and again -- even at 2:00 a.m. in my pajamas when I couldn't sleep.
     One of my favorite speakers, Crystal, at Kreative in Kinder, talked  about Writers Workshop -- and I have already used one of her ideas in my classroom this week. We made a poster titled, "Why Do Writer's Write?" and the kids told me the reasons -- to learn, to tell the news, to make people laugh, because you LOVE writing, etc. Then in the faculty meeting today, our principal asked, "Who has a blog?" and she asked me to send the link to my blog to the rest of the faculty. So, in case anyone is actually reading this, here are the reasons I write a blog:
1. to learn
2. to tell the news
3. to make people laugh (or at least smile)
4. because I love to write
     There are other reasons, but I realized that the kids were right -- all those reasons fit me.  I started writing mainly because I wanted to be a part of the amazing and rapidly growing community of "teaching bloggers."  I have learned so much from these talented teachers who share so many wonderful and creative ideas.  My blog is mainly for my own enjoyment, but I LOVE it when I find that someone is actually reading it and leaving a comment. And although I only have a few people who "follow" my blog, I am THRILLED with each new follower, especially since I have no "freebies" to offer.  If you want to read some really great blogs, check out the ones I follow -- these teachers are constantly offering new ideas and lessons  -- many for sale on "Teachers pay Teachers" but also lots given away for free. I appreciate the opportunity to share their ideas with my students.  And I love it when they say "Look at this cool thing I found at the Dollar Tree -- this is what I'm doing with it." I rush right down to Dollar Tree and buy whatever cool thing they discovered, just like other bloggers all over the country!  I love this kind of collaboration!

       When my kinders did something amazing, I used to go down the hall and try to find someone to appreciate the picture or story my little one produced.  Now I just take a picture and put it on my blog. And guess what? I have now had over 50,000 hits on my blog!  

Student teacher

So, I have a student teacher this semester, and I am just figuring out how to help her learn all about being a teacher of 5 year old children.  It's great to have an extra person in the room -- math stations go so much better with a teacher at every station!  And I let her read the story after lunch this week while I pulled individuals for assessing.  But the problem is -- I really LOVE teaching, and it's a little hard for me to let someone else have all the fun!!  I teach so many things that are NOT in the lesson plans -- and I will probably drive her crazy if I interrupt her lesson every time I think of something else to squeeze in.  So it looks like it will be a balancing act for a while as I help her get ready for taking her own class someday -- and still make sure that my children are learning everything possible to get ready for first grade.  I am excited about the possibilities this semester -- it will be great to have three reading groups going at the same time -- but I need to write more detailed lesson plans since she probably won't be able to read my mind.  It should be an interesting semester!

Penguins!!

One of my little boys came in today and asked,"Is this the day we are going to learn about penguins?" YES!!  I love teaching this unit -- not only are penguins incredibly cute -- and interesting -- but it gives me a chance to get my kids excited about reading and writing non-fiction.  I found this little penguin on Pinterest, and I've been collecting toilet paper and paper towel rolls so we can make them. We stopped at the Barbeque place for supper last week -- the one with a roll of paper towels on the table (not too classy, but great barbeques).  Luckily for me, there was an empty cardboard roll that I grabbed and stuck in my purse.  Sam started to say "Why..." and my son said."Don't ask!"  It's going to be a fun week!!

Merry Christmas 2011

I love teaching kindergarten, but one of the best fringe benefits of teaching is Christmas vacation. I enjoy having time to celebrate with family and friends, time to clean my house, and time to start making plans for the second half of the year.  Time slips away from me so quickly -- how did my babies grow up so fast??  Anyway, from my house to yours, Merry Christmas!!

Operation Christmas Child is a great means for my children to learn about helping others.  I was so proud of them for bringing in enough items to fill 5 shoeboxes to send to needy children in another country.  One mom said she was going to buy a sweater, but her little one was so determined to buy things for another child that she put the sweater back and bought shoebox items instead.  I look forward to going to Boone in December to help process shoeboxes at the Samaritan's Purse warehouse. 

Race for the Cure

Celebrating today because my assistant and dear friend, Judy Austin, is finished with radiation and chemo.
It has been a hard year since she was diagnosed in February, but she still came to work every day during radiation.  I don't know how she has the strength to do it all, but I have great admiration and gratitude for all she does to help me teach our kindergarten class.

Alphardy.wmv

I CAN READ!

Another great moment today -- one of my little rascals was in reading group with me, and we had one of the first little books to "read."  It was a rebus story  with text of "My shoes"  "My socks" "My jacket" and pictures to give them a clue about the word.  He read the whole 7  pages, then started pumping his arms in the air and said "OH Yeah!  Oh Yeah!!  I CAN READ!"  It made my day!

Outstanding!

After 3 weeks of seeing his clip moving down to "Think about it" and "Parent Contact" on the clip chart, one of my little boys went UP today -- he made it all the way to "OUTSTANDING!" I gave him a "My teacher is so proud of me!" sticker and pencil -- and he was so proud of himself, too.  On the way to the bus, he said with amazement "I was good today!"  We were both very happy! Is it too much to hope for 2 in a row?

DonorsChoose

My DonorsChoose Project
I am so excited to report that my DonorsChoose project has been fully funded -- we are getting a colorful new carpet for our gathering place!!  For a long time I have wished for a nice place for my kids to sit when they gather around to hear something new.  And now, thanks to some generous people, we will be getting a "magic" carpet.  Woo-hoo!!! Thank you!!

Clip Chart

I love my new clip chart for behavior management.  I've used a stop light with magnetic cars for the past 7 years, and I liked it a lot. The cars were moved for bad behavior. But this one is an  incentive for extra effort, since everyone is aiming for OUTSTANDING behavior at the top of the chart.  With my previous system, most followed the rules, and that was good.  But this clip chart recognizes the "Bucket Fillers" -- the children who are helpful and show kindness to others.  When a teacher notices and comments on a child's good behavior, their clip is moved up. And clips can be moved up and down throughout the day, so one infraction can be reversed with a little effort.  It just makes the children more aware of ways to help others in our little community of learners. In only 10 days of school, I've seen children voluntarily pushing others on the swings, picking up paper towels from the bathroom floor, taking responsibility for picking up crayons and toys, pushing in chairs for others, and lots of other little random acts of kindness. My favorite part is that the whole class CHEERS when a classmate gets up to "Outstanding." Thanks to my co-worker, Mrs. Franzen, for telling me about this system -- and to all the blogging teachers who have "filled my bucket" by sharing so many wonderful ideas this year. 

What did you do in kindergarten today? (Day 2)

When you ask,"What did you do in Kindergarten today?" and the answer is "Nothing..."
Here's what they really mean --

• Read the morning message together and practiced the words "Dear Class" and "Love, Mrs. Spencer"
• Found out the difference between a word and a letter.  Counted letters in a word.
• Said the pledge to the flag
• Listened to stories/poems -- "I Love my White Shoes" and "Rocking in My School Shoes" and "Mary Wore Her Red Dress"
• Sang and learned motion to several songs
• Practiced air writing Aa and Bb and heard a song and story about Annie Apple and Bouncy Ben
• Sorted long and short names
• Explored math stations and learned 4 ways to show the number 6
• Learned about the calendar and named days, months, and seasons
• Practiced saying the rules of the classroom
• Practiced 3 ways to read a book
• Visited the library and learned the procedure for checking out a book
• Found out about different voice levels in the classroom
• Colored a picture of Annie Apple and tried to stay in the lines
• Used a whiteboard and markers to write the letter "a"
• Sang a song about counting to 100
• Practiced reading and spelling "red" in a song
• Walked quietly in a line
• Carried my own tray and ate lunch in the lunchroom
• Cooperated with a partner to use math manipulatives
• Told the teacher which letters I recognized
• Observed a live turtle and learned about reptiles
• Watched a short video about a turtle
• Sat in one spot and read a book quietly for 3 minutes
• Compared shapes to see how they were alike and different
• Went to the gym for PE

This is NOT your mama's kindergarten!!  There is a lot to learn this year, and you will be amazed at all they will accomplish in the next 178 days of school!

I Love my White Shoes video

This is my new favorite story -- I love Pete the Cat!  After I read it to my new class, they couldn't wait to get it and "read" it themselves.  I also have the new book -- "Rocking in my School Shoes"