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 outside … [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...]
The Reality of Daily 5 Day One In Kindergarten!
The good the bad and the ugly. That should really be the title of this blog all about the reality of starting Daily 5 in kindergarten, because let's face it, you have to be able to roll with the punches, duck and weave and basically multitask like a madman these first couple of … [Read more...]
Setting Up For A Successful Year Of Daily 5 In Kindergarten
The beginning of the kindergarten year is such a blur. About halfway through it, you try to look back and figure out exactly how it all started. It gets difficult to remember the hard work and organization that it took to get your from there to where you are now, but by … [Read more...]
The Reality of The First Day of Math Stations
I'm following up as promised. Last week I gave you some detailed steps on how to set up and organize your stations with my post, Setting Up Math Stations For A Successful Year. This week I wanted to let you know how I introduce them and what the reality of first day math … [Read more...]
