I know! It’s been a week right? Life is happening all around me, and it’s been a crazy week of trying to keep up. And all those little moments we use as teachers to try to get ‘something’ done, moments like ‘rest time’ for instance, well those moments are gone since my kinders have decided that rest time is ‘Top Bananas’ ‘Ball Words’ ‘100s Club’ time. They’re yapping at me before they even hit the door after lunchtime recess . . .’Mrs. McGuire, I know my Baseball Words.’ ‘Mrs. McGuire I can count to 100’ ‘Mrs. McGuire can I am ready to be a Top Banana.’ Darn kids. It’s a HORRIBLY WONDERFUL problem to have.
I’m not sure what it sound like on the other side of my walls, but inside my classroom, it is a buzz with students who have passed Soccer Ball Words working with those who are trying to pass Baseball Words. And when someone passes a level . . . all you know what breaks out. They cheer, they dance, they hug and high five each other. They are their own best cheerleaders. (Deep sigh of happiness.) It never fails to amaze me how happy they are for each other. This is why I teach 5 and 6 year olds.
All but one of my kiddos are now Top Banana (and that lone one is soooooo close to making it. I can just about taste those banana splits that I’ve promised them. Remember this is JUST recognition of letters not sounds . . . we’re along way from that mountain top but slowly and surely making our way towards it.). And with all the ball word activity going on, it means that my poor Ball Word posters ( the ones I thought I would have plenty of time to replace because there was no way they would be passing them this early) are starting to line my wall and names are appearing on them. I have a couple of friends that are on Volleyball already and reading like a maniacs. Looks like I’ll be pulling out my Sight Word Phase Speedster activities sooner than I anticipated.
Ok, so that’s it for today. I’ll be back tomorrow. PROMISE!
I completely understand what you mean. I have been purely amazed at how they are coming together and helping each other succeed. I also test during rest time, but lately there hasn’t been much resting going on. My kiddos earn an award and the whole class cheers, claps, etc. I had one little one who was still on the verge of earning Top Banana. More than one of his friends offered to work with him during word work time this week. Any free chance my assistant has been working with him. He finally got it yesterday, so our banana split party is going to be Tuesday, before we get out for Thanksgiving! I am so very happy that I have found you and your awesome materials. My class has already learned more in certain areas than they ever have before. They LOVE working on their ball words, and are going through them much faster than I anticipated! I love it. THANK YOU!
Heather
Mrs. Shelton’s Kindergarten
Hi Marsha! Thank you for your sweet comment on my neglected blog!
I had a tough summer personally and then school is very busy. We are still 1/2 day, 30 students and I have a new partner again in my classroom. We have started Aimsweb, RTI, Common Core and new Gmail. It is overwhelming! I guess I just feel like most blogs are all about selling on TpT and since I have no plans on doing that…I haven’t been blogging. I have been reading blogs and buying materials and having a wonderful time teaching! I love your products and I am going to check out this Top Banana and Ball Champs stuff. It looks awesome! I am so very thankful for you and the many other amazing teachers I have met. Thanks for the comment and I am planning on posting soon…
That’s awesome that they are so excited about learning and improving! They sure deserve those banana splits. And you deserve one too!
Marsha, my kiddos are loving the top banana and ball words too!!! Thank you so much for something that keep EVERYONE involved at their own level.
My question is what do you do for those that are struggling soooo bad? (LOW – RTI level kids) I have 9 that have yet to be top bananas. 6 are CLOSE, but 3 are still only at like 22-29 known letters out of the 52.
What a great idea! I’m a Title I teacher for kinder kiddos and they struggle with sight words. How do you help your strugglers?