Sunday, October 9, 2011

Just a Reminder!

I ran across this print on Pinterest and it really made me smile.

Here it is!  Are you ready?  It's really important! 

Thanks marc johns.  We all could use a little reminder from time to time.

(I am ordering this print for my classroom.)



(www.marcjohns.com)








Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Letter H Week

This was a HECTIC Week!

We squeezed all this work in three days due to Fall Break!
We also went to the Fire Station for a visit.

Hooray for Hippos!


Our Literacy center featured HIPPOS.  (I made these hilarious hippos!)


The children enjoy playing with these and acting out stories.


We read, You Can't Move A Hippo and Hattie Hippo.



We talked about HIPPO facts and described HIPPOS and their HABITATS.


We made HUMONGOUS  HIPPOS from Deanna Jump's Zoo Unit!


Aren't they HYSTERICAL?


We read, Harold and the Purple Crayon.
We made "storyboards" about this book.


These are HABITATS we created in the art center!





It was another HAPPY week in the Kindie class!

Next week Letter T!


Fire Station Visit

Fire Safety!
We visited the Fire Station on Main and Porter.


What is it about Firefighters?




I think they are true heros!




Every time I encounter a firefighter I am
deeply touched by their bravery and 
dedication to helping their fellow citizens.






They are also extremely kind and caring!


They are great with children!


And patient too!


Did I mention HANDSOME?
oops!
(...lost my head for a minute...)

We toured the station, saw all the cool tools, equipment AND went inside the truck. 

We watched a fire safety video.

I made the firefighters a treat and we took it to them to show our gratitude!  
They WERE very grateful!

We went back to school and ate this adorable snack Abby 
and her mom prepared for us!


It was a perfect day in my book!










The Daily Five

What is the Daily Five?
Why do we do the Daily Five?

"The Daily Five is a series of literacy tasks."
These strategies were developed  by Joan Moser and Gail Boushey

 I find this approach developmentally appropriate!

This is the Daily Five!


What I like the most about the Daily Five is
"The Three Ways To Read".



In our class we have children that are learning 
letter recognition and beginning sounds.

In our class we have children who are beginning to read a word or two.

In our class we have children who are reading chapter books.

This literacy approach grows learners at every level!

Every "reader" feels successful.
Every "reader" finds enjoyment.

This is what the Daily Five looks like in our class.
(Looks like fun doesn't it!)

This is "word work" and "word writing".
(We look for words in our environment.  We read and write those words.)


This is "reading to self".










We "listen to reading".
We read picture books every day and we read Junie B. Jones Chapter books as well.

(Our Kindie parents are an important part of this approach.)
Thank you for reading with your child every day!




Outside Time


The weather this past week has been absolutely amazing. 
We have enjoyed every second of our outside time.
I cannot imagine NOT having outside time.

Doesn't this look magical and fun!


Playing outside encourages social development!


Playing outside encourages personal growth!


Playing outside encourages making choices!


Playing outside encourages gross motor development!


Playing outside encourages independence!


Playing outside encourages creativity and imagination!


Playing outside encourages taking turns!


Playing outside encourages negotiation skills!


Playing outside is FUN!

Where else can this much learning take place and be this EASY?
What a deal!

AND
(Where else could I capture such happy little faces?)