tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33369615430659367822024-03-12T21:48:50.940-07:00Adventures in KindergartenLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-57486897549822278422013-09-06T09:32:00.002-07:002013-09-06T09:32:34.832-07:00Coloring owls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We color a lot in September. They are learning to join in and follow the routine. They are learning to work independently. They are building stamina and fine motor control for writing. Plus, kids know how to color. It can be soothing and comforting to have an assignment that they completely know how to do.</div>
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I am not making judgements here... but LOOK at the personalities of my students, as displayed in their coloring today!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE REALIST. I'm not going to need the other 62 crayons.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">THE STUDENT. Following directions, and, "Can I get extra credit for the tail?"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="direction: rtl; text-align: center;">!THE PERFECTIONIST. This is going to take a while, but I will get it right</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE ARTIST. I have my own way of doing things.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">THE FREE SPIRIT. Turn over the paper, I can make my own owl.</td></tr>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-45123343822283082592013-08-27T12:00:00.001-07:002013-08-27T12:00:23.777-07:00Classroom library<p dir=ltr>Aggggghhhhh! The good news is that I have a lot of books. The bad news is that I have a LOT of books!!</p>
<p dir=ltr>At the beginning of summer, I knew I was leaving a very disorganized classroom library, and I had every intention of organizing everything before school starts. Well, here we are. I have just a few days left. </p>
<p dir=ltr>It was a messy process with stacks of books everywhere. I'm so happy to have all the books organized by holiday, topic, genre, or in one of the general piles for decodable books, read alouds, pattern books, or wordless and label books. This is going to pay off this year, right? And MAYBE it'll be easier to set up for next year??</p>
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<p dir=ltr>Today, I get to meet the students and do some beginning assessments. They are identifying letters, writing their names, and counting. They are excited and hopeful. Just like the poem on the bulletin boards</p>
<p dir=ltr>Hoot Hoot<br>
Hoot, hoot hooray!<br>
We are in school today. <br>
We'll read and run, <br>
And have some fun.<br>
Hoot, hoot hooray!</p>
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I love this time of year, with all the hope and anticipation, everyone looking forward to the Big Day. I love knowing that I get another chance, another set of little hearts to share this room with. I'm always filled with new ideas to try and new songs to sing.<br />
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And then there's the old. I realized as I finished a classroom bulletin board that I made this same tree about 15 years ago, when I started teaching. It has such great appeal to me because it is warm and happy... and free. Yeah, free is important to teachers.<br />
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As I move forward with my second year in kindergarten, there are many new things I want to try. But I also have many old things that I'm excited to reuse and recycle. It's going to be the best year yet.<br />
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-83150173867693931772013-04-22T16:30:00.001-07:002013-04-22T16:31:19.848-07:00What We Learned in Kindergarten<br />
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Wanna know why I love these kids? Well, I can't really explain that. Love is never easy to explain. But I can give you a little glimpse of how wonderful these kids are. Today, they each told me something that they learned this year. We are compiling these thoughts for a class memory book. Read their responses and you'll see a little bit of why I love this class.</div>
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I learned that when you are nice, you can make a lot of friends. I learned how to add.</div>
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I learned how to make friends and how to hang up my coat and backpack. I also learned how to play with people. I learned not to throw puppets around.</div>
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I learned not to drag your backpack when there’s no wheels on it. I learned not to throw toys and I learned that you make friends when you play with them a lot and be nice to them. </div>
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I learned that if someone is hurt or their knee is scraped, you should help them and get them a band-aid. I also learned that you should be quiet in the line.</div>
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I learned that I like school. I learned that my brain is smart.</div>
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I learned how to read. I learned “Don’t throw your pencils on the floor.”</div>
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I learned how to do math like subtraction. I learned that if you keep your pencil box clean it will look much nicer. I learned that you should share at centers.</div>
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I learned not to throw crayons at people. I learned to be respectful. I learned that a fire drill is a practice for keeping people safe. </div>
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I learned not to wear mittens all day. I learned to not run around too much. I learned to only paint on the paper.</div>
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I learned how to pack my backpack. I learned to walk quietly to line up. I learned how to draw pictures.</div>
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I learned not to scribble on the words in a book with black. I learned “Don’t be mean.” I learned all kinds of dances.</div>
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I learned how to write and read paper books. I learned that swinging on the playground is fun.</div>
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I learned how to write the ABCs. I learned to bring boots to school. I learned that you should be nice to your friends. I learned how to be good and listen.</div>
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I learned how to count to 100. I learned to sing the Days of the Week song. I learned that it is easy to make friends.</div>
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I learned that you can’t fight outside because you will get in trouble. I learned how to read and how to be responsible.</div>
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I learned my teacher’s name. I learned that “We are nice” is the number one rule. I learned how to write stories.</div>
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I learned the ABCs. I learned that I can ask people to be my friend. I learned that I can get toys out and play with someone. I learned how to count to 100.</div>
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I learned that playing around with my friends is fun. I learned my ABCs. I learned that you have to give your lunch money to the lunch lady.</div>
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I learned that writing the ABCs makes you very smart. If you practice writing, you can write poetry. I learned how to play Bump in math.</div>
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I learned how to write poems. I learned that if the ball bounces over the fence, the teacher has to go get it. I learned how to build a robot.</div>
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<td style="border-color: #cbcbcb #cbcbcb #cbcbcb #cbcbcb; border-style: solid; border-width: 0.5px 0.5px 0.5px 0.5px; padding: 0.0px 5.0px 0.0px 5.0px; width: 450.0px;" valign="top"><div style="font: 14.0px Chalkboard; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
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I learned how to listen and be nice. I learned that if you crawl on the ground at recess, you will get dirty. I learned that if you make a mess you have to clean it up.</div>
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I learned how to write “How To” books and how to write poetry. I learned not to drag my backpack.</div>
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- - - -So there you have it. Makes me want to squeeze them and keep them in kindergarten. </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-11795024057115055632013-02-10T03:27:00.001-08:002013-02-10T03:27:31.049-08:00After School Clubs<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
In February and March our school has after-school enrichment activities for kids. </div>
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This week, I met with the Drama Club on Monday, helped out with the Running Club on Tuesday, and taught a pillow making class on Thursday. No after school club on Wednesday or Friday. I'm such a slacker.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUTkzTK-IzI/URTnszt6xXI/AAAAAAAAA5k/_4QTzcdaeBk/s1600/20130207_163322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUTkzTK-IzI/URTnszt6xXI/AAAAAAAAA5k/_4QTzcdaeBk/s320/20130207_163322.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The fleece pillows came prepackaged from Oriental Trading </div>
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with the heart shape and fringe already precut. Hooray!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqyWKPQ8lhg/URTnTxB8a8I/AAAAAAAAA5A/pjeYVUPIn3Q/s1600/20130207_163303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqyWKPQ8lhg/URTnTxB8a8I/AAAAAAAAA5A/pjeYVUPIn3Q/s320/20130207_163303.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The nice thing about after-school clubs is that they all signed up because they want to be there. </div>
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The kids were excited to get started on their pillows.</div>
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I was glad I had a nice mix of older kids and younger kids. Many of the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students finished their pillows pretty quickly and went to help a younger student.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDExwv8cRKc/URTniFRclAI/AAAAAAAAA5c/9CGgalv_Wmk/s1600/20130207_164522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDExwv8cRKc/URTniFRclAI/AAAAAAAAA5c/9CGgalv_Wmk/s320/20130207_164522.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_AKRTkf8FI/URTnyQJCMHI/AAAAAAAAA5s/H_RWgvAiJvs/s1600/20130207_163339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_AKRTkf8FI/URTnyQJCMHI/AAAAAAAAA5s/H_RWgvAiJvs/s320/20130207_163339.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Everyone was pretty happy with the results. A very cute, super soft Valentine pillow! Love!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0eqDcUWSWM/URTnf18izdI/AAAAAAAAA5U/rZP2-7DhlOc/s1600/20130207_164429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X0eqDcUWSWM/URTnf18izdI/AAAAAAAAA5U/rZP2-7DhlOc/s320/20130207_164429.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-34411873924100239002013-02-05T12:27:00.002-08:002013-02-05T12:27:54.619-08:00Post Office<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The kindergarteners are sending and receiving letters this week. :)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIjI5UguXVU/URFqmLX5vJI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/pDLiwov7jsY/s1600/mail6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tKN4HcXsgeY/URFnEvEF5CI/AAAAAAAAA3s/2E3l53bpt8Q/s1600/mail+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tKN4HcXsgeY/URFnEvEF5CI/AAAAAAAAA3s/2E3l53bpt8Q/s320/mail+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I seriously love snail mail, and I'm happy to share this fun with my class by setting up a post office so they can write letters to each other and send them through our own postal service. Thanks again to my teaching partner for having these great dramatic play boxes set up for use every year!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nGPnJN_jjtw/URFnEk-7ZLI/AAAAAAAAA3w/3Ummn7RtQTM/s1600/Mail2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nGPnJN_jjtw/URFnEk-7ZLI/AAAAAAAAA3w/3Ummn7RtQTM/s320/Mail2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIBtw425Uko/URFnEl2DMuI/AAAAAAAAA38/vi_FEKXfi2M/s1600/Mail1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIBtw425Uko/URFnEl2DMuI/AAAAAAAAA38/vi_FEKXfi2M/s320/Mail1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yeah, it's kind of a mess as they play with all the envelopes, stickers, scrap papers, and other VERY important papers. Parents sent in envelope and sticker donations to support our mail habit.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SvnajSGj2WY/URFnFX86dAI/AAAAAAAAA4A/W-fq3ferdCo/s1600/mail4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SvnajSGj2WY/URFnFX86dAI/AAAAAAAAA4A/W-fq3ferdCo/s320/mail4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6euosjTdNbo/URFnFUPP5qI/AAAAAAAAA4E/vMzau3hFsZs/s1600/mail3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6euosjTdNbo/URFnFUPP5qI/AAAAAAAAA4E/vMzau3hFsZs/s320/mail3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We're getting ready for Valentine's Day and sending great messages. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIjI5UguXVU/URFqmLX5vJI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/pDLiwov7jsY/s1600/mail6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIjI5UguXVU/URFqmLX5vJI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/pDLiwov7jsY/s320/mail6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(with invented spellings. love!)</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-55399640859799459742013-01-23T11:44:00.002-08:002013-01-23T11:44:34.589-08:00100 Tally Marks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KkTPZfcP9cc/UQA7t90F0gI/AAAAAAAAA1A/hN5phSn4BRc/s1600/tally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KkTPZfcP9cc/UQA7t90F0gI/AAAAAAAAA1A/hN5phSn4BRc/s320/tally.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These kids are so lovable.<br />
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Today, we were rolling dice and counting the dots with tally marks. </div>
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I mentioned that people might use tally marks in games or or keep track of how many times something happens. Then one of my cuties chimes in with: "Or in jail!" Where? "Jail! like, to make tally marks on the wall!"</div>
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Yes, dear. That's right. I'm teaching you a skill that might come in handy if you are locked in jail for an extended period. Awesome.</div>
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These kids continue to amaze me with their sponge-like brains that soak up anything around them. We are going to have a big focus on counting and using numbers to 100 for the next couple of weeks as we prepare for our big 100th day of school party. I wonder if they have 100th day of jail parties? Yeah, probably not. <br />
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Here's a link to the tally mark practice page we used: </div>
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<a href="http://www.mathwire.com/seasonal/100day.html">http://www.mathwire.com/seasonal/100day.html</a></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-73165418857642164192013-01-16T11:05:00.000-08:002013-01-16T11:09:39.688-08:00More Sweater Monsters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F235k8a0D64/UHL71koG4LI/AAAAAAAAAb0/WB-z3tWILww/s1600/monsters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F235k8a0D64/UHL71koG4LI/AAAAAAAAAb0/WB-z3tWILww/s320/monsters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Sweater monsters in my classroom were such a hit that I now have a monster factory in my dining room. They've been for sale at craft fairs and local shops, and now I have listed my first sweater monster on Etsy. I'm so excited to send these guys to their new homes! </div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/120689943/wild-sweater-monster">https://www.etsy.com/listing/120689943/wild-sweater-monster </a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqzAY-KK0pw/UMtiqTUDnYI/AAAAAAAAAwE/H6HyIaOqsQs/s1600/665088_10200168481040051_57274558_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqzAY-KK0pw/UMtiqTUDnYI/AAAAAAAAAwE/H6HyIaOqsQs/s320/665088_10200168481040051_57274558_o.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqzAY-KK0pw/UMtiqTUDnYI/AAAAAAAAAwE/H6HyIaOqsQs/s1600/665088_10200168481040051_57274558_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqzAY-KK0pw/UMtiqTUDnYI/AAAAAAAAAwE/H6HyIaOqsQs/s1600/665088_10200168481040051_57274558_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sD1mksgkYSo/UMtiqj3sRpI/AAAAAAAAAwM/vN1ViqN95d0/s1600/703975_10200167957746969_796628566_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sD1mksgkYSo/UMtiqj3sRpI/AAAAAAAAAwM/vN1ViqN95d0/s320/703975_10200167957746969_796628566_o.jpg" width="238" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-46898257153970120972013-01-14T12:11:00.002-08:002013-01-14T18:56:12.115-08:00Kids' Favorites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I asked my students to help me blog this week by taking pictures of some of their favorite stuff in our classroom. One of the things I love about working with these kids is the opportunity to see the world through their eyes. Here are some of the things they chose. Aren't these kids the best? </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ktnydNmX-cs/UPRdcACl9VI/AAAAAAAAAzY/DM1fyeDoP_M/s1600/abc+magnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ktnydNmX-cs/UPRdcACl9VI/AAAAAAAAAzY/DM1fyeDoP_M/s320/abc+magnet.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ABC Magnets on cookie sheets. Really? THAT'S your favorite thing in the whole room? Awesome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RpL_GVdKrKk/UPRdcOBbdRI/AAAAAAAAAzc/EPQ4yfFktWA/s1600/critters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RpL_GVdKrKk/UPRdcOBbdRI/AAAAAAAAAzc/EPQ4yfFktWA/s320/critters.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea what these things are called. Just a great garage sale find this summer! They are like big pipe-cleaner-thingies and they have faces and feet the kids can attach. We had them out in the writing area and kids gave their critters names and wrote little stories about them. So cute. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6p1nnEzUH_M/UPRddBn1DjI/AAAAAAAAAzs/HPVXgd2laYk/s1600/measure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6p1nnEzUH_M/UPRddBn1DjI/AAAAAAAAAzs/HPVXgd2laYk/s320/measure.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring stuff is great fun. Our carpet is 217 cubes long, but sometimes we measure again.<br />
Just to double check.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vpNA3o9d6p4/UPRddBOCweI/AAAAAAAAAzw/qzkZARTAH08/s1600/lab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vpNA3o9d6p4/UPRddBOCweI/AAAAAAAAAzw/qzkZARTAH08/s320/lab.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Computer lab. I love the lab, too. The kids are really independent and there are so many great <br />
activities for them to do here. When students need help, they usually ask each other :) <br />
45 minutes every Wednesday. 45 awesome minutes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-saST0N5PSU8/UPRdc-DmjII/AAAAAAAAAz0/tsExvJR3BeU/s1600/parking+lot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-saST0N5PSU8/UPRdc-DmjII/AAAAAAAAAz0/tsExvJR3BeU/s320/parking+lot.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm so glad they like this game. Students practice sight words and letters by parking little Matchbox cars in the spot that their partner calls. A cute game board created by my teaching partner. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J7xzUfg6Fiw/UPRddup5IFI/AAAAAAAAA0A/PMt-WANvlHs/s1600/shapes+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J7xzUfg6Fiw/UPRddup5IFI/AAAAAAAAA0A/PMt-WANvlHs/s320/shapes+poster.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was shocked someone wanted to take a picture of this shape poster. <br />
Really? That's the best part of the room? K.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OS7-2AsiTvE/UPRdd_DRmeI/AAAAAAAAA0E/5YI-2zn_lds/s1600/wikki+words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OS7-2AsiTvE/UPRdd_DRmeI/AAAAAAAAA0E/5YI-2zn_lds/s320/wikki+words.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0AR0PML8PlQ/UPRdeN_szwI/AAAAAAAAA0I/0c4cigdxkKg/s1600/wikki+sticks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0AR0PML8PlQ/UPRdeN_szwI/AAAAAAAAA0I/0c4cigdxkKg/s320/wikki+sticks.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wikki Sticks. Such cool little waxy sticky strings. :)<br />
Truth is, they like these because I almost never get them out. Too much time is required to put them back in the baggies and clean them up for the next group. They are fun, maybe I should let them play with these more often. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eS03oVOwPmE/UPRdcFqpHJI/AAAAAAAAAzU/cmt-RhCtMiY/s1600/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eS03oVOwPmE/UPRdcFqpHJI/AAAAAAAAAzU/cmt-RhCtMiY/s320/flag.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I want to take a picture of the flag. I love that flag."<br />
Me too, little buddy!</td></tr>
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So, there you go. My students' favorite parts of the classroom.<br />
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-2206851426474169382013-01-04T10:54:00.002-08:002013-01-04T10:54:15.462-08:00Polar Express Christmas Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HKGBipTKd4/UOceWawzAuI/AAAAAAAAAx4/_Ks1KCZiUb8/s1600/all+aboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HKGBipTKd4/UOceWawzAuI/AAAAAAAAAx4/_Ks1KCZiUb8/s320/all+aboard.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HKGBipTKd4/UOceWawzAuI/AAAAAAAAAx4/_Ks1KCZiUb8/s1600/all+aboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>What a crazy, busy, wonderful time of the year to be in kindergarten!</div>
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After weeks of wonderful, magical (everybody believes!) anticipation...</div>
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Our Christmas party finally arrived!</div>
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We watched the movie in shorter segments for the 4 days leading up to the party. </div>
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Everyone wore their pajamas on party day!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuahHcNBpb8/UOceWn2f2rI/AAAAAAAAAx8/EyUS4FXg1kQ/s1600/chairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuahHcNBpb8/UOceWn2f2rI/AAAAAAAAAx8/EyUS4FXg1kQ/s320/chairs.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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The students left for their regular gym time in the afternoon. Parents arrived while they we gone to help me arrange the chairs in the classroom into a Polar Express train.</div>
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The train "stopped" 5 different times</div>
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Stop 1: Singing. We danced the 12 days of Christmas dance and sang for the parents.</div>
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Stop 2: I read them the story of the Christmas Gingerbread Mouse and then gave everyone a copy of the story to keep.</div>
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Stop 3: Okeefenokee. Yeah, my class loves when I tell stories of the Okeefenokee Swamp, so we decided to go their during the Christmas Party!</div>
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Stop 4: Snacks! We had Christmas cookies and Hot Chocolate. mmmm.</div>
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Stop 5: Gifts. Santa came and gave everyone a bell, I gave them a little bookmark I crocheted, and we all sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas and hopped off the train. </div>
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Woohoo! We had fun, but it was a great relief when it was done!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RHFtxPvHnvo/UOceXQ5mmII/AAAAAAAAAyM/0oK-ceKg85U/s1600/shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RHFtxPvHnvo/UOceXQ5mmII/AAAAAAAAAyM/0oK-ceKg85U/s320/shop.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Workers in our Santa Shop helped make Christmas special for all the students.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXAFAeJllxI/UOceXR9_nWI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/4PGgt9P6dhc/s1600/reindeer+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXAFAeJllxI/UOceXR9_nWI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/4PGgt9P6dhc/s320/reindeer+food.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made reindeer food with a great label I found online.<br />You can find out more here:<br /><a href="http://ideacloset.blogspot.com/2011/12/day-12-reindeer-food.html">http://ideacloset.blogspot.com/2011/12/day-12-reindeer-food.html</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWvUsc5Xtj4/UOceXvR9VMI/AAAAAAAAAyg/XmvG5UDiHVk/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWvUsc5Xtj4/UOceXvR9VMI/AAAAAAAAAyg/XmvG5UDiHVk/s320/tree.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tree was decorated with ornaments they colored!<br />Merry, Merry!!</td></tr>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-31716546748944149072012-12-14T20:14:00.000-08:002012-12-14T21:27:23.242-08:00Monster Update<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sD1mksgkYSo/UMtiqj3sRpI/AAAAAAAAAwM/vN1ViqN95d0/s1600/703975_10200167957746969_796628566_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sD1mksgkYSo/UMtiqj3sRpI/AAAAAAAAAwM/vN1ViqN95d0/s320/703975_10200167957746969_796628566_o.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4Zy2CEvUyY/UMtiroYGLAI/AAAAAAAAAwc/zIlDKgeCwKE/s1600/706069_10200168109630766_655700296_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4Zy2CEvUyY/UMtiroYGLAI/AAAAAAAAAwc/zIlDKgeCwKE/s320/706069_10200168109630766_655700296_o.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4Zy2CEvUyY/UMtiroYGLAI/AAAAAAAAAwc/zIlDKgeCwKE/s1600/706069_10200168109630766_655700296_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I started making sweater monsters for my class... Here's the original post:</div>
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<a href="http://learnplaydiscover.blogspot.com/2012/10/monsters.html">http://learnplaydiscover.blogspot.com/2012/10/monsters.html</a> </div>
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I brought them to school for the reading tent in October and the kids and I fell in LOVE :)<br />
After the sweater monsters took a break from my classroom, I went home and made MORE for a November craft fair. I brought 12 monsters to the craft fair and sold 10 of them.<br />
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A former student and her mother stopped by my booth at the fair and encouraged me to sell my monsters at a local store. In December, I sold another 12 monsters through 2 small local shops.<br />
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I also posted a few pictures online and sold some monsters that way. Call it my Monster empire :)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">My monsters are $24 each, shipping included. Made from up-cycled sweaters, each one is unique. They come with adoption papers and a little baggy of snacks. Their mouths are made from the sweater sleeves, and kids can reach inside their mouths to feed them or store toys and notes. Their mouths will hold a medium sized apple (they don't really like apples. That's just a size comparison.)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrjPXm84epo/UMtirdMbpQI/AAAAAAAAAwU/3g91KXC7Fcw/s1600/704007_10200168479040001_1087254343_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrjPXm84epo/UMtirdMbpQI/AAAAAAAAAwU/3g91KXC7Fcw/s320/704007_10200168479040001_1087254343_o.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monsters are now shipped with an assortment<br />
of monster snacks ! om nom nom<br />
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Here are some monsters that are available right now. I am having SOOO much fun making them. You can email me for more information: 1000valentines@gmail.com.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"> I think the original monsters will be visiting my class again in the new year!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iKr7Bdfrp8I/UMtjQd_D-KI/AAAAAAAAAwk/-Qyr3ICw4ZI/s1600/mon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-52753372260775456002012-12-12T21:08:00.002-08:002012-12-12T21:08:14.264-08:00Santa's Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Q2I3v1a-EI/UMlhv607hDI/AAAAAAAAAus/qI7Loi6Lhmo/s1600/IMAG0718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Q2I3v1a-EI/UMlhv607hDI/AAAAAAAAAus/qI7Loi6Lhmo/s320/IMAG0718.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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Look at all the kindergarten elves, busy getting ready for Christmas in the role playing center!</div>
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My teaching partner set up the station, and kids (and their parents) brought in tools and a tool bench from home. </div>
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The great thing is that I didn't have to tell them how to use this center. They make up the rules, make up how to play, and love it. Sometimes they are getting ready to ship toys, sometimes they are feeding the reindeer. You know, elf stuff.<br />
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It's a merry merry time in kindergarten!</div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-43596970470041852092012-12-02T11:34:00.001-08:002012-12-02T11:46:03.914-08:00What we do<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a very interesting meeting this week with the principal and a couple of other teachers. Our task was to look at our daily literacy instruction and outline what we do. All of it.</div>
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The other kindergarten teacher has been teaching kindergarten for-almost-ever and runs a very tight ship. I was excited to get a chance to listen to what she does all day and steal all the ideas I could! </div>
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I learned a couple of things: First of all, NO WONDER I'm tired at the end of the day! We are super busy and looking at our schedules only verified that. Kristie and I do so many of the exact same things, even thought we have different styles of teaching. There are some things we haven't ever talked about, but we are doing EXACTLY the same way. That was fun to compare.</div>
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And B: I went back to class the next day and realized how many things I didn't even mention in the meeting. I remembered all my favorite activities and all my least favorite activities. I skipped a lot of the mundane and routine - but important - stuff in kindergarten. I guess that makes sense, because how could we possibly list EVERYTHING we do?</div>
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And 3: There is so much room to improve. I've been teaching for 15 years, I have a doctorate in teacher leadership, and I'm National Board Certified in Early Literacy. I have so much more to learn. At the meeting, I learned little tips for early finishers and new resources that I'm not using on the iPads in my class. Woohoo!</div>
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Here is a sampling of the activities we discussed in the meeting.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FKvCVYmBH28/ULuoZ0g5e3I/AAAAAAAAAtI/R5C4DTCfhIY/s1600/Building+this+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FKvCVYmBH28/ULuoZ0g5e3I/AAAAAAAAAtI/R5C4DTCfhIY/s320/Building+this+house.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students love using dry erase makers in the writing center</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vVbc1e8DwyQ/ULuoa9S9ceI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/tJqq3ekaFTo/s1600/IMAG0603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vVbc1e8DwyQ/ULuoa9S9ceI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/tJqq3ekaFTo/s320/IMAG0603.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnetic letters in the ABC center.<br />
Notice that the student on the right decided to do the whole alphabet backwards.<br />
That's how they are!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VoYRxbjAELk/ULuob0wwXSI/AAAAAAAAAtY/DoCUfUFY4FU/s1600/IMAG0605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VoYRxbjAELk/ULuob0wwXSI/AAAAAAAAAtY/DoCUfUFY4FU/s320/IMAG0605.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of our puzzles now have words to read on them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dCrCswfhCl8/ULuoc_MiBJI/AAAAAAAAAtg/wPtQPU5uZ8Q/s1600/IMAG0606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dCrCswfhCl8/ULuoc_MiBJI/AAAAAAAAAtg/wPtQPU5uZ8Q/s320/IMAG0606.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love pop up books! Isn't this castle awesome?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7a6wB9Oj9ew/ULuodoH3gtI/AAAAAAAAAto/gy_F1HUR1IY/s1600/IMAG0608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7a6wB9Oj9ew/ULuodoH3gtI/AAAAAAAAAto/gy_F1HUR1IY/s320/IMAG0608.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They LOVE the word wall. We play here all day long!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNNyp-JUNp0/ULuoep0fQCI/AAAAAAAAAtw/wkvvSAL0z4w/s1600/IMAG0609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNNyp-JUNp0/ULuoep0fQCI/AAAAAAAAAtw/wkvvSAL0z4w/s320/IMAG0609.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every day, students bring me notes that they wrote at home. <br />
One of my favorite moments is when I get to read their notes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rE4k-E9OY1g/ULuofvQCx_I/AAAAAAAAAt4/s7HJElDAHbE/s1600/IMAG0610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rE4k-E9OY1g/ULuofvQCx_I/AAAAAAAAAt4/s7HJElDAHbE/s320/IMAG0610.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are using a new word bank and I love their enthusiasm to learn all these words!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-asp0Ee3B7DQ/ULuogVjrwzI/AAAAAAAAAuA/iI7oWNuDpU8/s1600/IMAG0613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-asp0Ee3B7DQ/ULuogVjrwzI/AAAAAAAAAuA/iI7oWNuDpU8/s320/IMAG0613.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another use for books: stabilizing a Lincoln Log structure.<br />
Does that make this a literacy activity?</td></tr>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-25859334186990858112012-11-21T13:18:00.003-08:002012-11-21T13:18:58.223-08:00Thanksgiving Cookbook<br />
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We had a great Thanksgiving feast in kindergarten.</div>
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Yes, We painted our hands to look like turkeys. </div>
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I think you HAVE to do that in kindergarten. Isn't it in the common core or something?</div>
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But we had some other fun too! Look at one of our "Mashed Potatoes" :)</div>
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Mr. Potato head will be so happy when this holiday is over. Must be terrifying for him.</div>
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ANd look at these cute little turkeys :)</div>
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We spent WAY too much time pasting them together with chocolate frosting.</div>
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We also used iMovie to record a hilarious gobbling contest. </div>
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They are such turkeys!</div>
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But my favorite Thanksgiving project was the cookbook that we wrote. </div>
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Here is a sampling of the recipes :)</div>
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Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-80899161475563479152012-11-12T17:36:00.001-08:002012-11-12T17:40:57.046-08:00Veterans Day <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmXR6XThqec/UKGhLJwxkdI/AAAAAAAAAnU/fnDyPpqDqB0/s1600/IMAG0497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>We had a beautiful Veterans Day assembly today, complete with these wonderful vets that come to help our students understand what this day is all about.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMD_cqTHFI4/UKGhMM6CFQI/AAAAAAAAAnc/VDVyqVsAuYY/s1600/IMAG0498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMD_cqTHFI4/UKGhMM6CFQI/AAAAAAAAAnc/VDVyqVsAuYY/s320/IMAG0498.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The older students talked about what Veterans Day means, while the younger kids just soaked it all in. Even if you didn't understand any of the words today, you could feel that this was something special.</div>
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Everyone sang along. </div>
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Agh, a room full of 400 kids singing God Bless America... their voices were so sweet.</div>
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One of those times that made me proud to be an American, </div>
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and honored to be able to share this day with these kindergarteners.</div>
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-23440621176146887792012-11-07T17:52:00.001-08:002012-11-08T16:02:58.249-08:00Imagination Station- Grocery Store<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The afternoon in kindergarten is full of opportunities for the kids to learn and play. Learning and playing are nearly inseparable when you are 5 years old.</div>
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Our playroom activities include a puppet storytelling center, ABC center, art center, building center, and the imagination center. The imagination center has been a place to play house so far this year. The kids love playing with the little plastic plates and baby dolls, but today we put all of that away to turn the imagination center into a grocery store. </div>
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This was all set up by my WONDERFUL teaching partner.</div>
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Families helped by sending in empty boxes to stock the shelves.</div>
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Students had a great time filling up their carts and taking their purchases to the cash register.</div>
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Pretend grocery shopping is expensive, too!!!<br />
$11,401,077? Whoa! Is the federal government buying this stuff?<br />
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The kids cart their purchase back to restock the shelves and start all over again. </div>
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I have to say that this is a lot more fun than REAL grocery shopping, which I had to do on the way home from school today. I'd much rather shop in the playroom! </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-18575732549883793272012-11-06T05:31:00.002-08:002012-11-06T06:25:06.781-08:00Trick or Treats<div>
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What a crazy Halloween!<br />
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We went to the library at our regular 9:50 time (actually, it is the first time I've been on time this year!), sat down to hear a Halloween story, and the lights began to flicker and then -- no electricity. </div>
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The kids took their costumes home in a whirlwind of early-dismissal activity, and we came back on November 1st for our Day-After-Halloween party. We started with an all-school costume parade and then played a bunch of games in our classroom. What a fun day!</div>
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There was a ring toss</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CvQy-63AgeQ/UJkPKjSEjoI/AAAAAAAAAks/-qn2bBaov8U/s1600/IMAG0420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CvQy-63AgeQ/UJkPKjSEjoI/AAAAAAAAAks/-qn2bBaov8U/s320/IMAG0420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A Halloween matching game</div>
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LOADS of Halloween books to read</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EyF9gGro_Nk/UJkPO_z8k2I/AAAAAAAAAlE/iTItQyUiKXY/s1600/IMAG0433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EyF9gGro_Nk/UJkPO_z8k2I/AAAAAAAAAlE/iTItQyUiKXY/s320/IMAG0433.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A Penny Pitch game</div>
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GHOST Bowling</div>
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And a snack station with BEAUTIFUL cookies made by a parent</div>
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We had a great time, and got to extend Halloween one more day! </div>
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And, yes, I have started planning the Thanksgiving Feast :)</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-63873084601976694992012-10-29T15:41:00.002-07:002012-10-29T15:47:55.999-07:00Owl Treat bags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auY_HIOgE6k/UI8Din47D7I/AAAAAAAAAj4/tflTP5ihgNw/s1600/orange+owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a>We made some OWL-some treat bags today! </div>
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They are all ready to be filled with treats at our Halloween party :)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIR1G7zxjSU/UI8Dflyco2I/AAAAAAAAAjg/itRLjuJ6XmI/s1600/crazy+owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIR1G7zxjSU/UI8Dflyco2I/AAAAAAAAAjg/itRLjuJ6XmI/s640/crazy+owl.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIR1G7zxjSU/UI8Dflyco2I/AAAAAAAAAjg/itRLjuJ6XmI/s1600/crazy+owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>First, everyone had to trace their own belly-shapes and eye circles. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3vMnhKd6gA/UI8DjkJw3dI/AAAAAAAAAkA/jRxWQoEDXko/s1600/trace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3vMnhKd6gA/UI8DjkJw3dI/AAAAAAAAAkA/jRxWQoEDXko/s400/trace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then, we cut them out, creating an astounding amount of scraps. Nearly unbelievable.</div>
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Finally, we glued them all together and it was TOTALLY worth the mess!</div>
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Hoot hoot! We are ready for Halloween treats!</div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-15034751911208625672012-10-25T18:34:00.001-07:002012-10-26T01:53:44.660-07:00SO much going onWe are seriously busy in kindergarten and try not to waste a single minute. We have so much work to do! I'm always impressed by their sponginess- eagerly soaking up new information. Here are just a few events from this week:<br />
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The class goes to the computer lab once a week to <s>teach me abou</s>t learn about using the computers. These students arrived in kindergarten with ROCKIN' computer skills. This picture shows my class working on <a href="http://starfall.com/">starfall.com</a>, a great beginning site for kids.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzAiGOqY1OE/UInhNerl2hI/AAAAAAAAAig/AfAUSbYZASA/s1600/computer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzAiGOqY1OE/UInhNerl2hI/AAAAAAAAAig/AfAUSbYZASA/s320/computer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This Wednesday, our Family Council held GRANDPARENTS DAY. Lots of Grandparents came to school to share lunch with their grandchildren and then play outside on our beautiful kindergarten playground. It was so nice to meet all of them. And there were only a few tears when they left!</div>
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More than anything, we are moving forward with learning and using the alphabet. This is my attempt at making the ABC Center more appealing. Yeah, it's still matching up the letters. But, it's colorful :) And I love that the letters are on matching paint sample colors, which makes this activity self-correcting.</div>
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And one more project I made this week. These are $1 photo albums. I slipped in an alphabet card on each page. (There are 24 pages, plus the inside of the front and back cover. 26!) Kids can write each letter of the alphabet with a colored dry erase marker, and they wipe clean beautifully!</div>
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We had an awesome week. Annnnnnnnnnd, we deserve this three day weekend :) Happy happy!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-35056595938632896642012-10-22T17:01:00.000-07:002012-10-22T17:17:16.809-07:00Whisper PhonesI MEANT to finish some whisper phones this weekend, so I could add something new to our classroom library. A whisper phone is a little tool to help kids hear themselves as they quietly read. Lakeshore sells them for $5 each. (<a href="http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca|searchResults~~p|2534374302175284~~.jsp">http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca|searchResults~~p|2534374302175284~~.jsp</a>)<br />
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I need at least 5, so a group of kids can use them, so I decided to make the 94 cents version. I was GOING to make them. But it was a pretty full weekend.<br />
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So- I brought the supplies to school and the class helped me make the whisper phones this morning. We cut some 3/4 inch PVC pipe into 3.5 inch lengths, slipped on some L ends, and decorated/secured them with pretty tie-dyed duct tape.<br />
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The phones are a real hit, and I think the class maybe likes the phones even better because they helped to make them.<br />
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Hooray! Let the whisper-reading begin :)Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-71521882623809553692012-10-19T14:05:00.003-07:002012-10-19T14:53:39.063-07:00Making Reading Connections<div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: left;">
Oh, I LOVE this book, and this little smile. </div>
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We've been making connections with books, or activating background schema, also known as having fun. The kids had a great time with Owl Babies today. If you have not read this beautiful book, you SHOULD!</div>
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And, of course, there's PETE the CAT- "We're rockin' in our school shoes!"</div>
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And this book, which is not all that great except that it's Mr. Potato Head and I love him SOOO much!<br />
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I can't even believe how much we accomplished this week, and so much more to go!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-91528129102947619522012-10-18T15:48:00.002-07:002012-10-18T15:48:50.645-07:00Literacy Centers<!--StartFragment-->
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I love when the kids are all working in literacy centers. More then any other part of the day, this feels like what kindergarten should be. </div>
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Here's how it fits into our morning: </div>
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8:35 Morning work (handwriting, math review)</div>
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9:00 Morning Meeting (greeting, calendar, alphabet, counting, shared writing, phonemic awareness)</div>
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9:30 Reader's Workshop (mini-lesson, silent reading/partner reading, sharing)</div>
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9:45 Literacy Centers </div>
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10:25 Read Aloud and Poetry Time</div>
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10:40 Lunch</div>
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Our centers provide extra practice in reading, writing, working with words, listening, and speaking.<br />
There are five centers, so students get to visit a different center every day. The kids are so engaged in their work that I can use this time to meet with them individually or in small groups to work on reading skills.<br />
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Here are this week's centers: </div>
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Writing Center- mini books. Students are practicing writing in a little book. They love these little books, just a folded and stapled piece of paper. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Reading Center- student shop for books, revisit books, and read to each other and the monsters and stuffed animals in the reading tent.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Word Wall Center- Students have clipboards and are reading and writing the words from the word wall.<o:p></o:p></div>
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ABC center- Students are sorting and matching letters, reviewing our alphabet chart, and playing "Say it Fast" where we blend letter sounds to make small words like "tap" and "hat".<br />
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Puppet Center- Students are working together to tell stories. I often hear the puppets singing songs and retelling stories from our group times.</div>
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I love literacy centers, and so does my awesome class. Hooray!</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-74947809715690361662012-10-16T17:37:00.004-07:002012-10-16T17:37:52.761-07:00Pumpkin Pieces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today we made a paper pumpkin project pasting pretty paper pumpkin pieces!</div>
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The kids loved this. It made me sad that we currently only have an art teacher for half of the year. And it's not this half. I should do more art with them. They were so happy with this project!</div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3336961543065936782.post-10066154494771939232012-10-15T18:59:00.002-07:002012-10-16T03:47:31.656-07:00Pumpkin Seeds- Day 1Today we tried one of those awesome projects I pinned on Pinterest this summer :)<br />
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We started with a little pumpkin, and cut the lid off.<br />
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Everyone took turns reaching in and getting some gooey seeds to take home.<br />
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There were PLENTY of seeds left, so we mixed in a little dirt and a little water.<br />
We set it in the window so there will some sunshine.<br />
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And now we wait. :)<br />
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I hope they grow, because I LOVE tasty, salty pumpkin seeds and it killed me to put these babies in dirt!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836679414730015489noreply@blogger.com0