My Apologies

I apologize for the PhotoBucket scrolling tags that are covering my blog!

The template designer has a "fix" but my video capability has been blocked at school (gggrrrr).
Tonight, I'll attempt to follow the steps to correct the problem!

Have a happy Thursday!

Pep Talk From KidPresident

Flash! Math Mini-Lessons for Spring and a Freebie!

Ahhh, snow day....I <3 you!

As the snow fell, I turned my thoughts towards spring!

I'm giving my new math mini-lessons activity to 

the first two commentors!

(Please leave an email address where you can be reached!)

But, I'm grateful for all of my visitors!  You can download the patterning work page HERE!!

You can find this sweet unit HERE at my store!

This is a sneak peek at what's inside!

I wrote a an 11 page mini-book that I'm excited to use. 

My class needs practice in reading and writing number words;

this book will provide that opportunity!

Other lessons cover addition, patterning, 

counting with ten frames/teen numerals, 

matching picture and numeral cards, 

identifying and writing missing numerals.  

I've enjoyed the snowstorm, but I'm looking forward to hearing the bird songs of spring!

What is your favorite part of spring?

A Lil' Love

I'm still reeling from the season 3 finale of Downton Abbey, 

but realized that it was time for a new post!

---But first, a spoiler alert---

DA fans:  I have always thought that killing off a character, at times, can be a lazy way to move on in a story.  My opinion was reaffirmed last evening! WHHHHHYYY?
Wasn't Sybil enough?

Ok.  Back to kindergarten.

Our amazing room mom brought individual cakes for decorating and eating.  I squeezed in a lesson on fractions, showing the children how to cut the cake into fourths.  They ate 1/4 and took the rest home!

I put my broken crayons to good use by making heart crayons for everyone.  This year, my fingertips were saved by soaking the crayons in water; the wrappers slipped off with ease.

Last minute valentine bags:  I thought bags were being provided, so I didn't work this into my lesson plans.  Alas, the treat bags that arrived were pre-filled and ready to be sent home.  (Which was very nice!  Don't get me wrong!!  Party planning can be frought with misunderstandings!!!)  
Since this is not my first time around the block, I had a stash of colored paper bags in the closet.
We attached the mosiac hearts from an early-in-the-week lesson, wrote names on the bags, and delivered our valentines.

I hope you had a happy, love-filled February 14!

January Recap~Pictures!

~Martin Luther King Day~

Brown and white eggs may look slightly different on the outside, 

but they are the same on the inside.

When we mixed them together, 

we couldn't separate them again!

We are grateful to Dr. King for his bravery 

and commitment to joining our nation.

Romans 12:10 

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  

Honor others more than yourselves."

 100th Day Of Kindergarten ~ Counting by Tens

 Zero The Hero and his friend Zerona also visited our class 
on the 100th Day!

 Ten different snacks, ten pieces of each...10x10=100

 We show love, and celebrate each other, every day.

 Fairy Tale Friends
(A few are ready for battle!)

Castle Builders

We can add ten to a number rolled on a dot cube!

(Grab this freebie HERE!)

Art Lesson ~ Dragons ~ Salt Painting

 We began a study of outer space!  We charted our schema.

At the end of the unit, we will add more information.

The original meaning of the word "astronaut" is "star sailor".

We learned many things about an astronaut's job!

(Check out an amazing freebie by Mrs. Tabb HERE!)

Saturday Sayings

I am so happy to be linking up with Tammy 

at forever in first for Saturday Sayings!

I read this quote during last summer's book study of 

In Pictures And In Words.

I'll admit that I didn't use this approach in the area of writing until this school year.  Yes, I have always had a writing station in my classrooms, complete with various writing implements, paper, and tools.  I incorporate writing into other subjects, stations, and I provide specific instruction for letter formation, as our curriculum demands.  But I didn't approach writing from a sustained, project building approach.  After reading Ms. Ray's book, and networking with blogging friends, I took the plunge.  Joy!  My kindergartners LOVE writer's workshop.  Just yesterday, a little friend added WW to her story of a kindergarten kingdom, complete with castle and princess.  I can't wait to see how her book ends!

In early childhood education, teachers typically introduce children to the concept of centers or stations, give them time to explore (and play!), and showcase science in the classroom setting.  We plant seeds, melt ice, build highways, try new tools.  In these ways, children are eyewitnesses to a process, a continuation of learning.  I'm learning to look at student writing with the same eyes.

What are you seeing?

Saturday Sayings can be found at Tammy's awesome blog

forever in first