How many are too many sensory bins to have going at one time? Hmmm . . . that's really good question. But since I have never met a sensory table or bin I didn't like, I am probably not the best person to ask. I can tell you, however, that I have four going right now in my own classroom. I know . . . I know . . . but with so many things traditionally kindergarten that are quickly disappearing, I refuse to believe that there isn't room for sensory infused activities in our curriculum. It's ... VIEW POST
January Sensory Fun!
Astrobrights Sight Word Turkey Freebie
I love that this time of year lends itself to so many different themes. Themes in kindergarten really help engage and hook your students when activities can otherwise become mundane, dull and downright boring. Spice up those themes with some colorful Astrobrights papers and you have a recipe for a Thanksgiving sight word activity your students are gonna gobble up. It's a great way for students to practice their sight words, it has the added bonus of working those fine motor muscles and, with ... VIEW POST
Editable Sight Word Write The Room Fun! Plus A Freebie.
Here's the deal. Write the Room activities are one of my most favorite activities to offer students, because I know that my students need to move and this gives them a free pass to wonder all around my room. I know the idea of this puts some teachers into a complete panic, but I promise you, it shouldn't. Not only do my students LOVE it, but even more importantly, I know that I can give them write the room activities that are meaningful and challenging on their own level. When that happens, ... VIEW POST
Move It or Lose It
Move it or lose it? Yes! In other words, if you don't just let them 'move it,' you are going to 'lose it,' as in lose control of your students and your classroom. It is an absolutely natural need for your little friends to move. God didn't build kinders to sit at a desk all together and complete worksheets. It's just not natural. I am telling you, if they are forced to stay in one place . . . they WILL explode. It's a proven fact. So I am always looking for activities that will feed ... VIEW POST
Spring Into Differentiated Word Work
Even though there’s still feet upon more feet of snow in Northern Michigan, I’m determined to come back from Spring Break to SPRING, even if it’s just in my classroom. Here's what I'm using to get that Springy feeling into my word work. My goal for these stations is to provide my kinder friends with a ton of practice on skills they are either beginning to master, have mastered or have mastered and need more challenge. This is why they are differentiated. This is also why ... VIEW POST
Differentiated Kindergarten Is Taking the Segmenting Plunge
What happens when you have 5 days of inside recess and then get two new students in 48 hours who have segmenting challenges? You break out the plungers that’s what! My students were super squirrelly last week when a couple of new students arrived and although we segment in TONS of different ways, I hadn’t broken out my plungers yet this year and it just seemed like the time. Of course, I use a boat load of other methods to practice segmenting, but face it, variety IS the spice of ... VIEW POST
