Heads and Tails Shake

Wow!  I entered my first giveaway and I won!  Lory's Page had a giveaway for her new money unit listed in her TPT store and it looks amazing!  I really loved that to enter the giveaway, each teacher had to list a way they teach money in the classroom.  So now I will have Lory's new unit and some great ideas from other teachers. 

The idea I shared was a game called Heads and Tails Shake.  I am sharing it with you and a recording sheet that I made.  It's not terribly pretty so if anyone else can "spif it up," feel free.  Just make sure you send me a copy. 

Heads and Tails Shake

I can't remember where I learned to play this game but I've used it for the last four years. I just made up a recording sheet to go with the game to check for understanding.  I hope it is something that you can use.

Be sure to check out Lory's Page.  She has some great ideas.

The Gingerbread Men from Missouri

I am super-excited about the Gingerbread Man Exchange my class participated in this month.  Linda Andrews from Cartersville Primary School graciously organized this little venture with 33 classrooms across the United States.  I gave my little Kinders the assignment to take their gingerbread man home and research Missouri facts with their families.  Then, they had to decorate their gingerbread man to teach other students about the great state of Missouri.  Our school is so lucky to have such wonderful parent involvement because they sent back the coolest creations.  The kids were able to report the facts they learned and how their gingerbread man was dressed.  I also have to thank the other Kindergarten class in our school for participating, as well.  I only have 20 kiddos in my class so I was thankful the other class was willing to pitch in to help.

Our gingerbread men made a great display for our first-ever family literacy night.  Then, the little guys were sent off in the mail to greet other classrooms.  I made a little video so you can see the amazing creativity my Kinders and their families displayed.

Helping Kids Be Their Best

 It's that time of year when I need to kick it up a notch and start expecting more from my little kinders.  This can be a little shocking for some of them.  I start pulling back on giving lots of reminders and practicing procedures.  Now is the time for them to show what they have learned.  I introduced this song to inspire my little ones and emphasize that they can do it.

Will.i.am – What I Am

Lyrics

If what I am is what’s in me
Then I’ll stay strong – that’s who I’ll be
and I will always be the best
me that I can be.

There’s only one me, I am it
have a dream I’ll follow it
It’s up to me to try.

Oh! I’m a keep my head up high
Keep on reaching high
Never gonna quit
I’ll be getting stronger.

And nothing’s gonna bring me down (no!!)
Never gonna stop, gotta go.
Because I know
I’ll keep getting stronger.

And what I am is thoughtful
what I am is musical
what I am is smart
and what I am is brave
what I am is helpful
what I am is special
There’s nothing I can’t achieve.
Because in myself I believe in oh [Not for sure on this word]

Gonna keep our heads up high
Keep on reaching high
Never gonna quit
Just keep getting stronger.

And nothing’s gonna bring us down (no!)
Never give it up, gotta go.
Because I know
I’ll keep getting stronger.

What I am is super
what I am is proud
what I am is friendly
what I am is grouchy
what you are is magical
what you are is special

There’s nothing I can’t achieve.
Because in myself I believe in oh

Gonna hold my head up high
Keep on reaching high
Never gonna stop
I’ll be getting stronger.

Nothing’s gonna bring me down (no!)
Never give it up gotta go, oh… yeah…
I’ll keep getting stronger.

Am I ready?

Everyone keeps asking if I am ready for school to begin.  It's funny because usually at this time of year I am in a frenzy to get everything ready.  This year I am surprisingly mellow.  My room is no where near ready and I haven't begun to stress about the first day of school. (School starts in 7 days.)  I was on my way to follow this same frenzied path when I had to go into the hospital on Friday for the unexpected removal of my appendix.  Now I find myself marveling at how life can turn on a dime and how friends, family, and co-workers are ready at a moments notice to come to your aid and make sure you are OK.  I am so fortunate to have so many great people in my life.  It helps to remind me about the importance of service and why we do the things we do as teachers.   Sure the new school supplies are intoxicating but when you really take the time to think about the job we do, it's all about doing service for others.

We enter each new year with excitement for what we will accomplish with our new batch of little darlings.  We get a fresh start to do something good in the lives of children.  How blessed are we to have the opportunity to make and impact in life of someone else!

So am I ready?  Yes, I'm ready for a new year and new challenges!

M.O.N.KEY.S Folders

Well, it is official.  I am gearing up for the start of school.  My husband calls it my "nesting period" and knows to stay out of my way.  Every year begins with my M.O.N.KEY.S Folders where I reevaluate my classroom management from last year and decide how this year will be different. 

I started using these folders after visiting www.jmeacham.com six years ago when I got my first teaching job.  These folders are such a great way to communicate with parents and teach my students responsibility.  I make a big deal about not losing their folder and bringing it to school everyday.  I think, in six years, I've only lost one.  Sometimes, they get misplaced but when I tell parents I don't replace them, they usually turn up.

This year's folder's are the red 3-prong, plastic folders.  Imagine my excitement when I found them on sale at Wal-Mart for $0.50.  In addition, the Dollar Tree usually has great learning stickers to dress up the inside covers.  This year, I have 100s charts I had left over from last year and some colorful 1-20 number stickers. 


I also print my own labels for the cover and inside using the Avery shipping labels. Google
Docs wasn't cooperating with me when I tried to upload them, so for now, here's a list of what I use.

• Cover for their name
• Kindergarten Shapes
• Left at Home
• Right back to school
• Library day reminder
• Kindergarten sight words
• Money and Notes
• Homework

My folders will also include:

• Clear plastic pouch for money and notes
• Clear plastic sleeve for snack calendar and monthly calendar
• Slash pocket to hold homework
• Teacher/Parent Communication Log
• M.O.N.KEY.S Introduction Page
• Classroom Management Plan
• Behavior Matrix

That's it for now.  I'm still trying to wrap my brain around Math Workstations.  I really like the new Debbie Diller book, but I'm also a BIG "Daily 5" freak.  My brain is still trying to process how to marry these two ideas and make it my own.  Hopefully, I will have that figured out soon and be able to share that next.

Math Using Photographs

I attended the National Catholic Educational Association Convention this year and brought back an idea I am very excited about.  It was all about using photographs to teach math.  Well, I introduced it to my Kinders and they loved it.  I pulled a few photos from the internet but their favorite activity was going outside to take their own photos.  The photo shown below is actually a picture of a flower one of my students made from our math blocks.  I was amazed at all the great mathematic thinking my little Kinders were able to pull out of this one photo.

With this photo, the children saw shapes and came up with several number sentences.  For example, they saw the red blocks as 3+3+3=9.  They counted the light green squares and the dark green squares.  My kinders had to justify and explain every observation they made before we wrote it on the board.

When the idea was presented at the convention it was actually for older students.  The older students actually took their own photos and wrote about the math in the photos as a class project.  My favorite projects showed pictures of good math and bad math the students had found.  They showed things like sale signs showing prices with a dollar sign and a cent sign.  The most important part of these projects is the student's explanation about why it's good math or bad math.

The Possibilities Are Endless

I started this post a couple of months ago and have yet to post a thing.  I think it is my nasty perfectionist side shining through.  I've been trying to decide what to post and if I want this blog to be a personal reflection or a place to share with others.  I worry that I'm not a great writer but I think it is time to work on that. So today I decided I would just get started and see where the wind blows me.  I'm letting go of perfection and taking the first step to getting this all started. 

I think the reason I wanted to do this was because I have an addiction to my job.  It's all I want to do or talk about.  My friends and family have started to develop glazing of the eyes when I start to go on about the ideas I have for my classroom and the cute things my Kinders do.  It's summer and I have already begun to search the stores looking for ideas and school supplies to use in the Fall. 

I have been teaching for 6 years.  I started out in the public schools spending three years in First Grade and two years in Second Grade.  Those first five years were the best learning experience ever but I heard myself being called to move to my parish school.  After much prayer, I took the leap and took a position teaching Kindergarten.  It is such an amazing school.  My older children went to school there and my younger ones would if they didn't have special needs.  We have teachers who have taught at our school for over 35 years because it is such a great place to work.  I was lucky to have a chance to join the team.  Now I get to practice my faith and do the job I adore.  I finally feel like I am achieving balance in my life. 

That's all for now!  My first post is complete.  I'll be back later to reflect on Debbie Diller's Math Stations book.  The other bloggers I stalk have me hooked.  I started reading it online and had to order my own copy.  Tah Tah for now!