Sunday, August 28, 2011

Everything you always wanted to know about kindergarten!

My former principal has always made fun of my first newsletter home to the parents, but I try to answer as many questions as I can as well as address some things that really bug me :). It does end up being only three pages when its copied back to back. I am posting it here for your review.

I took the graphics out of it because I don't think I can post them here to share for free.  I get really confused and frustrated by all the graphics rules.  I understand that people are trying to make money, but I also don't want to charge people money for the things I make.  One of the greatest things about being a teacher is the sharing.  I had Thistle Girl graphics in it.  Here is a picture of page one with the graphics.


 This document was inspired by many great documents I have found on the web over the years.  If you "see" your work here, let me know and I will give you credit.

For some reason, I am not able to embed the document today, so click on the picture below to download.


Its my last day before back to school!  Its been a great summer with my boys!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Classroom Setup Days 1 and 2

I have gone into my classroom two half days so far.  Unfortunately, I did not take any photos the first day.  I went in on a Saturday and my husband help me move all the big stuff like tables back to the right spots.  They take all the furniture out of our rooms in the summer and clean and wax the floors.  Nothing is ever put back in the right spot!

Today, I went in for a 1/2 day and took my boys.  This is the first time I have attempted this, but they did really well.  I worked for about 2 1/2 hours and then all of us were ready to go home.  Here are some photos and descriptions.






West wall of my classroom, which includes my whole group carpet area, calender wall, word wall, writing center and birthday bulletin board.

Closeup of calender wall.



Word wall and writing center in progress.  The composition notebooks are going to be for poetry.  My plan is to have them match each students writing folder in color..we shall see :)

I repainted a really ugly brown table and rocking chair.  I like to use this for kids who need or want to work alone.  I also may put a puzzle on it this year.  The light green is left over from my kitchen.  Not perfect, but waaay better than it was.

North wall of my classroom.  It includes my teacher desk area, table area, blackboard and computer center.  Aren't my chairs ugly?  We are supposed to be getting new ones that actually match and aren't broken down.

Close up of computer center.



South wall.  Bathrooms, pocket chart, science center (nothing done there yet), book boxes, sink and mailboxes.



Guess I forgot the east wall!  Will try to remember that next time.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Curious George Activities

I haven't posted in awhile.  I think summer finally kicked in and I have been enjoying having fun with my boys. A few weeks ago, we went to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum because they were having a Curious George themed event.  I thought a lot of the activities could be adapted for the classroom or even a birthday party. I tried to pair a book with each activity.



A firefighter hat to go with "Curious George and the Firefighters".  I'm sure that a cuter one could be found somewhere on the web to make.










A bike with pipe cleaners to go with this story.  This one was a little tricky.








They decorated their own kites.








Dinosaur rubbings










A paper boat.  We thought it looked better as a hat :)


We decorated our own beachballs.



We've had a great time this summer.  Only one more week until summer break :(

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

New Classroom Blog

I decided to create a separate blog for just parents in my classroom who are not interested in the other teacher blog type stuff that I post on this blog.  So, if you are a parent in my classroom, please unsubscribe from this blog and click on the picture below to subscribe to the new classroom blog :)