Wednesday, June 27, 2012

What I'm pinning Wednesday!


I'm linking up with Laura over at Kinder Kraziness for What I'm Pinning Wednesday!

1.
Students must highlight their name before turning in their paper.

I thought this was a neat idea.  To make sure your little friends write their name on their paper.. they have to high-light it before turning it in! Genious!!  You know they'd love that too!

2.
Printing on to Post-It notes - who would've gussed?

Seriously, this is awesome! So glad I found this pin.  Learning to print on post-it notes. Very cool!

3.
Dry erase boards made out of picture frames! This would be awesome for a teacher's desk to keep reminders/to do's on. Wouldn't get lost in all the other papers :) I should make these for my team... Hmm!!

I think I'm going to make these for my Kindergarten team.  They are mini dry erase boards for your desk.  It would be perfect for bus change reminders, faculty meetings, etc...

4.
Magnetic spice jar for Box Top saver. The big slot is perfect for the box tops, convenient right on fridge - excellent!
I should make this!  I need somewhere to put my boxtops I collect (instead of in a random drawer).

Welp, that's it for today!! I hope you are enjoying your summer break.  Click the top picture to link up with Laura.


Monday, June 25, 2012

Kindergarten Daily 5- Ch. 2


1. Do you trust your students? How do you build this trust? Are you able to trust them and allow them to be independent throughout all aspects of your day? Are you going to be able to stay out of their way?
To be honest.. in my 3 years of experience I have given very little trust.  It's not that I don't want to, it's just a lot harder than it seems.  I guess that's why they call it trust!  Of course I have had those students that I could have left in charge and then on the opposite end those sweet little friends you cannot turn your back from..  However, this year I plan on allowing the students to hold themselves more accountable.  So that means-- TRUST!  Because I cannot just assume they will do everything that I ask.. I am going to use this little checklist.  That way they will know what still needs to be finished before the end of the week!
My class will only have time for 3 choices each day.. so I only have 15 pictures on the page.  I will add others with more pictures for those of you lucky enough to have more time during reading. 
(The adorable clipart is from Melonheadz.)
2. How much choice do you give your students throughout the day? Do you go over your daily schedule with your students or is it just 'posted' in the room?
I have never really offered much "choice" before.. this is really new for me!  But very exciting too!  I have always had assigned groups that rotate around the room in assigned literacy centers.  You could tell by November some of them were very bored with the activities.  I would switch them up as much as possible.. but I think it will help allowing them a say in how they learn for each day.  I plan to thoroughly introduce each center before implementing, but the idea of choice-- I know will make them more satisfied with their work and success!
3. How are you going to create that sense of community where students will hold each other accountable?
The first few weeks of school are spent discussing rules, procedures, class community, etc... I also always read the book The Crayon Box That Talked.  It talks about how each color is unique, but together they can work to make a masterpiece.

I think this year, instead of just having my rules posted.. I want my kids to be a part of coming up with the rules.  I have seen other teachers make charts that each child gets to sign.  Not only did they help come up with the rules but their class mates witnessed them agreeing to them as well!
  
4. Student ownership in learning? How do you instill this in every child?
I always hate hearing, "Why do we have to do this?"....  This is something I have struggled with in my teaching.  Explaining why we are learning something!  Or why I am reading this book, writing this sentence, etc... This year in TN our observations changed.  Well, one thing I do like about them (maybe the only thing) is the fact that in your lesson you have to state the standard and explain what you are teaching.  Of course some standards are hard to understand-- but it is still very important for kids to know why they are doing/learning/experiencing what is required.


5. Stamina! How are you going to build stamina with reading? independent work? Will you use a timer? Will you set goals?
I am not quite sure how to implement this.  I think it's incredibly important!!  But I think I will need to come up with some kind of system: whether in a binder, on note cards or just a spiral notebook.  I want to come up with something to keep track of my kiddos on a daily basis, instead of just during their 9 weeks assessments!
Later this week head on over to Tammy's blog to discuss Chapter 3!


Friday, June 15, 2012

Kindergarten Daily 5- Chapter 1


1.Teaching & Learning Behaviors
This is something I seem to struggle with.. Just when I think I've modeled enough someone does something completely off the wall in my classroom and who do I blame-- of course the student!  WRONG-- the answer is me.  I need to model until those kiddos are carrying out my procedures in their sleep!
2. Expectations About The Students:
I need to realize that whatever I may think kids should know before entering Kindergarten.. they DON'T!  If I assume this from the beginning I will rule out frustration and confusion on both my end and the student.

3. Monitoring Student Behaviors:
Did that book just say the words self-moniter... hmm.. I need to see this in action before I believe it.  I'm not even sure how to go about implementing this.. **confused teacher**  I plan on implementing a 3 ring binder for myself to moniter them better using Erin's notecard idea.  Click here to see that post.
 
As far as discipline, if a student is off task, being disruptive, etc.. I have a chart where they clip down.  However, my kids also have the chance to clip back up (twice). 

4. Individual Student Not Exhibiting Desired Behavior:
I of  course just mentioned my clip up/down chart.  I use this to show that everyone makes mistakes.  It's how you act after you realize what you've done (kinda like God forgiving us).  I try (sometimes it's very hard) to be forgiving with them and show them how to be a model student.  They are rewarded by clipping up!  However, I need to focus more on what I am "noticing" rather than saying the same student over and over is doing great!  I'm sure that'd annoy me-- yes we know they never talk, yes I see that person writes better than me.. that's what they are thinking!  I want every student to want to be "noticed!"  Teacher: I notice you are working hard in your journal.  Good thing you're friends around you are not being disruptive.

5. Locus Of Control
I'm just not sure how I feel about this.. I LOVE the idea of letting them choose, be on their own, etc.. but I like structure just like every other teacher out there. So, the question remains... how to implement this successfully???

6. Whose Classroom Is It?
Which day do you mean?.. haha (joke).  Well, I'd love to act like I share it willingly.. but I'm a little selfish. So i'll confess-- I say it's mine.  But, I promise I'm working on the idea!

7. Where Are Supplies Kept?
Their eveyday supplies are kept at their tables.  However, their journals are not.. I think this needs to change. I'd save almost 5-7 minutes in transition alone if they had easier access to their journals.  I'm stilling working out a new classroom layout in head for the fall.  We shall see...
 
Don't forget to head over to Kindergarten Smiles for Ch. 2.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Back to School- Kindergarten Math & Literacy Stuff!


I know what you're thinking.. why in the world is she thinking about back to school stuff?!?!?  Well, I'll tell ya... because it's SUMMER!  I've been able to think about planning, and work on more products for my TpT store!  I don't know about yall-- but I sure do have a passion for making units/packs.  And of course clipart-- that's more of an addicition.. anywho!  Just wanted to stop by realy quick to let ya know I finished it early!  Click on the picture to check it out!!!

What shall I do next?... Any requests????  I'd love to make something someone needs!


Saturday, June 9, 2012

The Daily 5- Kindergarten Book Study!


I must say, I'm all kinds of proud of myself that I'm going to be doing some learning this summer!  

I have heard (through bloggy world of course) all kinds of different things about the Daily 5.  It seemed this year, that was the new trend.  I wasn't quite sure what it was all about... but wanted to know-- seeing as how so many awesome teachers were already using it.

So------ I lucked out when I found on Tammy's blog a post that she will be hosting a Daily 5 Book study for Kindergarten teachers!!!  I was so excited!!  I immediately went to Amazon and bought the book.  Yay for summer reading! 

If you are like me and want to know what all the fuss is about, click her button to check it out!
Live Love Laugh

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Currently, Back from the Beach, & Flash Sale!

I am linking up with Farley over at
Oh' boy fourth grade
for her June Currently.  Click the picture to join in the fun!


I also wanted to apologize for my absence.  I just got home last night from Panama City Beach.  My husband and I had sooo much fun!  Here are a few snapshots from our trip.


Ahh, I miss it already..  but it's back to reality!
Ohh wait-- no it's not! haha

If you made it this far, I've decided to have a Flash Sale on my Ocean Unit.  For the next 2 hours (only) it will be $2.00.  Go snatch it up!!!  It's normally $10.00!  When I come back from working out, the price will be changed back.