Grinch Day!

Grinches in the room! Grinch headbands!

How would you make the grinch grin? This student would sing for him! 

Yikes! 

What a great guest reader! Thanks Mr. Miller!!

Grinch Juice!

Grinch picnic lunch!

Jingle the dog

Loving this time of year! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Reading Buddies

What do reading buddies do in our classroom? Check it out!

Happy 50th day of Kindergarten!

It's the 50th day!! 

We dressed in our best 50's gear and started the day practicing writing to 50 and reading color words. 

Since it is 1/2 way to 100 we got 100th day stickers that were cut in half!! 

Next we had writing workshop and what better to write about than being 50 and what we would want 50 of!

Next we did some writing about what we would want 50 of and counted out 50 stickers!

Then we had a sock hop with the whole kindergarten! 

What a fun day we had! Now 50 more days until 100! We already can't wait! 

Published Authors!

We each published our first book this week! 

We also go to share our stories with our first grade buddies! It was so fun to be real authors!

Reading day!

Click the link to watch us running and reading! A fun way to practice our sight words!

http://youtu.be/Xf4i8LUGim8

Thank you!

Thank you Veterans! Happy

 Veterans' Day

Kindergarten "Teachers"

Today at reading workshop  I introduced the reading strategy: making connections.

 Using the "whole brain teaching" method, I often ask the children to teach what they have learned to others this not only helps them when hearing the information again from others it also cements their understanding.

Take a look at this chart and then watch the video of the "teachers" below.

Need baby and kid stuff?

https://www.facebook.com/WNYBellaKids/posts/516568348441719

Witch Stew!

Sizzle sizzle crackle pop

Stir it in the witch's pot

Bones, stones and frog eyes too

Add worms and lizards to the brew

Stir and mix what a treat

Mix and stir and then we'll eat! 

Letter Search!

We spent some time outside practicing our letters and sounds. I would shout out a letter and the kids would have to find it on the sidewalk. They loved this game and it was a great way to be active while still getting in some learning! Some of the more "sneakey" learners grabbed a piece of chalk and wrote the letters as I said them so they didnt have to search for them...hmmm 

A big thank you to  Mrs. Leffler for this great idea! 

Consonant Digraphs

We have begun our writing adventures in kindergarten and learned that not all letter and sounds are as easy as they seem. We have been practicing the "H brothers" by singing a fun song. Here is a short sample of our song with some pretty enthusiastic dancers as well.

It's that time of year again...

Attention local families....

I went to the summer sale and got tons of bargains for my little guy plus I got books and even some games/activities for the classroom. This consignment sale has a little of everything with competitive prices.  And the best part...it's FREE!! Like it should be - So have fun find some bargains and maybe even some early holiday gifts! 

Labeling

Today in writing workshop we learned about how to to label our picture. The way to really make it a memorable lesson I let the student label me! They love it and it becomes something they always remember how to do! Here is a picture of just a few of my labels. 

And our anchor chart

Daily 5 Day 1

Today was our first day in our "daily 5" centers. Daily 5 is a literacy program that encourages reading in a variety of ways to meet each students learning needs and style. 

In the beginning it looks more like play but as the children grow as readers and writers so will the activities in each group.

Here are some pictures from today. This week is mostly focused on procedure and getting excited about the activities. 

Working on Writing

Here students were practicing writing with dry erase boards.

Listen To Reading

It's important for beginning readers to listen to fluent and expressive  reading

Work with Words

This week out words are our names. The children were making play-doh names. 

Read with Someone

Here student practice reading to a buddy. 

Typically I have a work on Math Center as my last one. This sensory table however is always a class favorite. 

This center builds math and science skills but also develops responsibility with the job of cleaning up after. 

We are off to a great start and I can't wait to add different activities each week. The kids really did a great job on day one! 

Happy Birthday!

Back To School!

We had a great time at the back to school carnival! What a great ending to a great first week! 

Here is a picture of my  "Baby Griffin" at the playground! It was so nice to see so many of you there!

Make it Count!

Helpers

I had a couple helpers join me in the classroom this week "helping" me get it ready. I have got it all cleaned, the name tags are made, the cubbies have a special treat for each student and the giant bulletin board is created. (I will have to take more pictures on Tuesday.)

 

  Tuesday is official back to school day for teachers and Thursday I will get to meet the 20 or so happy little faces that will call room 108 home for the school year.

Mr. Giglio and our son

Sale

Ok local moms and teachers its your last chance! The Bella Kids Consignment Sale last day is tomorrow morning 10:00am! 4259 Transit Road Transitown Plaza

Most everything will be 50% off! Even better! I will be there to pick up a few more extras for my son and my classroom. Hope to see you there! 

http://www.wnybellakids.com/

And It Begins...

Another summer is winding down, though there is still 2 1/2 weeks left which really is an eternity and if it were July it would feel like summer has just begun, but for teachers our work begins now. I went I to my classroom for the first time today. I'm always a bit overwhelmed  when I see everything but things are beginning to take shape. It's a different feeling this year because last year I was on maternity leave. So it was exciting to start again. 

Here are some before pictures. 

Yikes!

I have a little book addiction- this is maybe a third of what I have!

Making a dent

One of my favorite things to put up each year. Mrs Giglio's wall of fame. All of the class photos of past students. It's amazing when you look at how many children I've had the opportunity to bring into my heart. Each one of them is a memory I hold dear. 

And the fun continues at home. As I begin making folders for parents. I fill them with resources that are important for every kindergartener to have ( alphabet chart, number grid, sight word list ect) then I add my parent packet which gives the families all the info they need for the year, along with a few other interesting resources. 

Kindergarten 2013-2014 here I come!