So this start of the school year has been an interesting one.  We had construction in our school parking lot for the first month of school.  So absolutely no parking was available.  Teachers were relegated to park on the playground or on a small grassy area that had a gate opening not much wider than my car.

We also became a "coding" school which means we are teaching TK to 5th graders how to code.  Yes, I'm supposed to teach 4 year olds how to code.  I'll keep you posted.

And last the first day of school our principal resigned.  So we started the first day of school without a leader.

I also started out with 28 TK students.  That's a lot of 4 year olds!  Last week we opened another TK class and reduced my class by 10.  Such a difference.  I've taught that many before but less is definitely better!

I'll be posting pictures of what we've been doing as soon as I remember to take some.
Hope everyone had a good start to the school year.

Snowman Counting

Here is a game I play with my students using a 10 sided die.  I wish I could remember where I got the snowman paper.  If it's your creation please let me know so I can give you credit.

Just a side note-there are lots of 10 sided die out there but usually they have numbers 0-9.  This die took a bit to find but has numbers 1-10.

The students roll the die and add that many "snowballs" to the snowman. Then they clear the board and roll again.

We have played this several times and they really enjoy the activity.  This allows practice with number sense.

                                      Patterning Activity

I filled a plastic bowl with Frootloops.  I attached a piece of string to the bowl and put a needle on the other end.  The students were then able to string frootloops.  The first time we just practiced putting the Frootloops on the string focusing on fine motor control.  The next time they will pattern the colors.

                                                                     Plastic needle

 

                                             Needle with string taped to prevent slipping out.

                                                        String tied to plastic bowl.

                                                           Stringing the Frootloops.


                                           The kids loved this activity and didn't want to stop.

Number Poster

I created this poster to teach each number. While we focus on the number 10 there is also review and preview built into this lesson.  We read it every day for a week.

I created this poster to teach letter names and sounds.  I've created a poster for each letter of the alphabet.  We read this poster every day during direct instruction of the alphabet.  The plus to this poster is not only are the students learning the letter we're focusing on we are also reviewing the letters that come before and after.

With benchmark testing this week I decided at little extra interactive time was needed.  Block time was popular.

Venturing Into a New Realm

I finally decided to take the plunge and share about my experiences as a teacher.  Hopefully some of my ramblings may help others out there in their quest for being the best educator possible either by exciting you to try something I suggest or learning from my mistakes.

Fishing for Sounds

Kids fishing for sounds

Each fish has a sound (letter)

                                                                    

Recording sheet

We then sing 

One, two, three, four, five

I caught a little fish alive

six, seven, eight, nine, ten

and then I let him go again