All things fine motor--all the time! It's kind of my motto these days in kindergarten. As we see the continuing trend of students entering kindergarten with little, if any, hand strength, providing meaningful and engaging fine motor experiences and activities is a MUST. … [Read more...]
Don’t Fear the Dough
I often hear that parents and teachers can be very reluctant to use dough in their classrooms because let's face it, it can be messy. I say 'it can,' because I really don't think it has to be. I think given time and routines and modeling, dough can be one of the best tools you … [Read more...]
‘How To’ Introducing Morning Work Stations and a Free Resource for the Beginning of the Year
It's crazy to think that I'll hardly know my students' names, and I'll be starting Morning Work Stations, but I do! Day Two is when I break them out and get them started. I kind of feel like the sooner we start, the sooner we will be proficient and find … [Read more...]
Where Do You Put It When You’re Not Using It? Morning Work Station Questions and a Freebie
So lately, 90% off all email I get usually involves a question of one kind or another directly related to Morning Work Stations. Coincidentally, I love talking about Morning Work Stations, but, right now, as I gear up for school and moving into a new classroom . . . well, I … [Read more...]
Sight Word Questions Answered and a Parent Freebie!
One of the reasons I love attending SDE's National Conference each year is because I always come home with a ton of questions from teachers about things I never think to blog about. Things that are just second nature to me . . . that I might just take for granted because it's … [Read more...]
MONSTERously Fun Bulletin Board
I have a bit of a problem when it comes to creating a Welcome bulletin board each fall for my kinder friends. I don't really have a traditional bulletin board. I have this series of long windows that face into the hall outside my room. That's my bulletin board. And . . . it's … [Read more...]
Getting Started With Fine Motor Morning Work Stations
I've told you before how much I dislike paper/pencil morning work. Blah! I mean, like anything, if it works for you, GREAT! But it has never really been an effective or engaging activity for my students. I needed something that would provide hands-on practice but give them a … [Read more...]
Give Your Year A Bright Start — with Astrobrights’ Colorize Your Classroom Contest!
It's always amazing to me how each year I can spend oodles and oodles of time and energy in my classroom for weeks before the start of school, and still, it never feels like I'm ready. This year is no different. While I've been working away, I'm not quite ready to show you my … [Read more...]
Editable Color By Sight Word Freebie
One of the most frustrating things in teaching for me in the past has always been the inability to make teaching materials fit MY students needs. I mean I totally get that huge companies can't possibly make a product to fit the needs of every teacher . . . they're more … [Read more...]
The Joy of On-going Assessments In Kindergarten! And a Giveaway!
It's the one thing about teaching that most teachers will tell you they dislike the most, but I'm here to tell you, I don't mind it so much anymore. I have a new appreciation for assessing--or I should say--on-going assessments! No I haven't fallen off the side of a cliff or … [Read more...]
Fine Motor Home Kits
There's just seriously not enough time in the day to get it all in . . . so what do we do with those kids that need extra fine motor practice? I'm not a huge fan of homework in kindergarten. I don't like to send things home with my kinders. I would prefer they are … [Read more...]
Sensory Table Make Over
When I taught pre-school once a upon a time ago, I had this beautiful wooden sensory table. You know the kind that kindergarten teachers dream of . . . it had a nice sturdy removable insert with a solid plug, a heavy wooden top that hides everything when it's on and even sported … [Read more...]
