Welcome February!

The January cold has left us and even though I am sure it will be a February freeze, it just seems warmer!

A couple of February Valentine worksheets:

English Language Arts (ELA)

Some lesson worksheets I found that look helpful for ELA supplemental work:

Praise,Reinforcement and Introspection!

It's always nice to use effective praise with children. Switch it up and try using different ways for authentic praise.

Reinforce your praise and have the children come up with ways to be good friends to others.

In my classroom, I do relaxation exercises with my children, a "brain change". I found this link about teaching relaxation through yoga.

Different Ways To Get Kindness Across!

Reinforce ways to work together!

Keep the children busy and thinking at all times!

Give the children alternatives, guide them to the right choices!

Keeping Mutual Respect in the Classroom

Social Skills Training has become more and more important in this world we live in. Fellow Kindergarten Teachers, you know it is a crucial part of our classroom learning environment. The more we can reinforce self respect and respect for others, the better the learning atmosphere will be. Every opportunity we get we need to take and try our best to instill this in our kiddos! We try all the possibilities.
Try printing your children's names on little slips of paper and putting them in a "kindness jar"when you "catch" them being good.

Taking Turns

It always seems that everyone wants to take charge at their tables. Well, I have found a way to handle that. There is a table captain at each table. This changes daily. Everyone gets a turn. Check out these cute teddy bear table captain signs!

Math, Math and More Math!

I am always on the lookout for some fun supplemental math activities to add to my math supply.

So cold, winter is still firmly on my mind!

Trying to think of some different winter activities, I came across a couple to share.

A Time to Reflect and Celebrate!

Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day!

Let's think about what we can do for others today and how we can teach the message of  Dr. King.

Change of Brain!

I love to mix it up and throw in a word find once in a while. You will find that children that otherwise may not participate much at all can come to life with a word find. And the reverse is also true, some children who always seem to know the answers can be become quite silent and even a little frustrated when words and letters are scrambled up and not as they should be. It can be an equalizer in the classroom when you see children who usually need help actually become the helpers. Always interesting  when expected classroom roles can be reversed.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

We have no school today because of the cold. It is 3 below and really frigid. We had an extended holiday vacation because of snow days and I taught an adult inservice training yesterday. I feel like I have not seen my kiddos  forever, I miss them! Tomorrow is Show'n'Tell so I can't wait. I know it will be fun! I'll try to share some pictures. Everyone, stay warm and good luck if you have to go outside!

Let's welcome every child!

One thing I always try to remember is that I can make or break the day of a child, just by the way I come across. I try to keep that in mind because sometimes our classroom is the safest haven that child may have.Two ideas I like:

Resolutions

Every year, for years now, I have the same New Year's Resolutions. And, I really do try. And try and try. I always strive to be nicer, kinder and lose the flab under my arms. I hope the kinder, nicer part has worked out better than the other. Although this year, my son is getting married, a Spring beach wedding. I am an so working on the arm/flab resolution! This year I also will strive to keep this blog regularly updated. I have really been dragged into this century kicking and screaming but lately I am trying to embrace this new world in which we live. Also, I really enjoy reading other people's ideas and "liberating" them for my own use and I think that after all this time in the teaching field, I have lots of experiences and ideas to offer. That being said, I start teaching 2 of my adult courses this week so I'm not too sure exactly when I will turn this computer on again. But I am hopeful!

Review and Reinforce Rules and Procedures

As we get back into the routine, now is the time to get the children back on track.Teach your rules and procedures just as you would teach any subject matter. Teach them as a lesson for at least the first few days of the  January return to school.You want the children to transition smoothly into the work mode. The more you can review and reinforce the expectations of your classroom, the easier maintaining class management will be.We all have our own Teacher style. I like to keep it simple and use ideas that will catch on with the children.  Here are 2 listening skills samples:

The New Year Has Arrived!

Here are a few worksheets to welcome in 2014. Some may be a bit too much for Kindergarten but the idea can  be adapted. You can always apply the concept in a different way.

Snow days

Happy New Year, fellow Kindergarten Teachers!Teaching is the only profession when you get 2 chances to start anew---September and January! Love it! Our holiday vacation has been extended--Snow days.

We got our White Christmas!

My bears are down for the count!

Still looks pretty!

We always leave the decorations up until 12th night, a childhood tradition. I don't follow this tradition at school, though. I have found with 5 year olds, Christmas needs to come down as soon as we leave for vacation. Particularly glad I took it all down this time before vacation since snow has extended our vacation!

My husband making Christmas Eve dinner! I married into Italian traditions. This is my favorite night of the year! I

My children at Christmas! My house was filled with their laughter! I love it!!!