Letter Sounds & Sweets

This week we are learning a lot about letter sounds.  Some of the activities that we have completed include using blue boards (plastic plates purchased at The Dollar Tree) and dry erase markers to sound out words and use them to begin to write sentences.

We also used m&ms to find a letter or a sound.  You could use any edible treat like marshmallows, gum drops, and goldfish crackers.  You can find this ABC chart here.

Then we used a treat to find where they hear a particular sound either at the beginning, middle or end of a word.  For example, this smartie found the Xx sound at the end of the word.  

I used Deanna Jump's Stretchy the Snake from this packet.

Stay warm!  We have been inside with no recess for the past week!  

Writing & Math

Well we are back in school after a great Thanksgiving break.  I thought maybe the kids would be tired from eating all that turkey and shopping.  I was wrong!  The kids came back ready to learn.  Students are beginning to use their popcorn words in their writing.  Sometimes students will free write and sometimes after reading a book, they will write about it. Students are realizing  that print has meaning.

In math today, we played card games.  They learned how to put their cards in order from least to greatest.  Then they played a game where one child steals a card and the other child has to figure out what card is missing.

A Short Week of Fun!

Learning about letters and sounds at the reading table!

Students are making flashcards of the popcorn words they have learned.  The will be coming home soon where they can continue to practice at home.

In math, we were used linking cubes to measure items found in our classroom.  At home, students could use paper clips, pasta, or marshmallows to measure.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Tricky Teen Numbers

I have been gone for the past couple of days due to eye surgery.  Today was my first day back after 5 days without seeing the kiddos, literally!  It was great to be back, but I must admit, the mountain of work waiting for me was a bit CrAzY!!!!  I think I felt all of these emotions at some point today!

I was wondering if my new eyes were deceiving me!  Alas, back to school I go!

We have been learning about teen numbers!  They are very tricky for kindergarten students!  Some of the things we have been working on is building towers made of linking cubes. This shows the concept of adding one more.  At home, you could use Lego's or blocks.

Here are a couple of video's from YouTube.  The first one helps explain place value and how each teen number has a group of ten.  The last video stresses that all teen numbers begin with one.  The tunes are catchy and the kids really enjoy them!

This is another activity we did with teen numbers!  You can get a copy at Amy Crockett's TPT store.

Alpha Friends

One of the most frequent questions I get from parents is how can I help my child at home with learning letters and sounds.  Our school recently adopted a new reading curriculum called Journeys from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and one of the great features of this program is "Alpha Friends."  Students learn about characters who are associated with each letter and sound.  Use this video to practice at home.

Parents can also print this sheet that has all the characters and letters.  When they recite the sheet, they should say the letter name, the picture, and then the sound.  It should sound like this, "a, apple, aaaa."  Students can also cut them apart and use as flashcards.  Click here to get a copy.

Small Groups

Welcome to all our new followers this week!  This blog is a place to share ideas with other teachers and for parents to see what we're are learning at school.  My plan is to post at least once a week.  Sometimes I will do more, sometimes it might be too busy of a week.  

Today is all about small groups.  During this part of our day, students work in small groups which then allows the teacher to better assist students at their individual level.  It is my FAVORITE part of the day!  At the art center, students are creating a turkey page using feathers to make turkey's and google eyes.  Who doesn't love google eyes?  Tomorrow, kids will add a writing piece to their art work.

These students are working on iPads and using math and language apps to enhance their learning.  This center is a favorite!

Here is our math center.  Students are working on number sense as they have to match the number with the amount of cookies.  Students are also estimating cookies and seeing if they made a reasonable estimate. 

At the reading center, this student used bingo markers to find  the letter Tt.

After they finished, they learned how to read a new book.  When reading, one student is the "pointer" and the other student is the "reader."

After reading the book, students had to use their knowledge of the book and write who was in the story.

Just another great day in Kindergarten!

Halloween Fun!

Meet my team!  They are a fantastic group of ladies to work with who inspire me everyday!  This year for Halloween, we decided to dress up like Pinkalicious, Purplicious, Silvericious, and Goldicious!  What Fun!

Here we are with the second grade teachers otherewise known as the cast from Duck Dynasty.  

My Truth Monday

Today I am linking up with Denise from Sunny Days in Second Grade for My Truth Monday.

This week is all about creepy stuff.  Here are the things that creep me out:

Sunny Days in Second Grade

It's Been Awhile!

What can I say?  It has been awhile!  After much thought, I decided to revive this old blog.  Why?  I enjoy sharing ideas.  I always say that teachers are the best thieves.  They can steal an idea and make it work with their own students.  I read blogs...a lot!  They give me inspiration try new things and revise ideas that didn't go so well.  If I can help just one other person...well, then this blog is worth the extra time. 

Updating this blog isn't my only goal.  I also hope to put many of the things I create on Teachers Pay Teachers.  Here is my latest creation; Weekly Prep Checklist. This form has helped me stay organized as I always have the next week planned before I leave school on Friday.  No more weekends at school!  Simply use glance at this form each day for your very own to-do list.

Weekly Prep schedule