February 2012 - Posts
This week we are celebrating Dr. Seuss. Everyday I have a snack that the children can "make" that is related to Dr. Seuss. It has been a huge hit! All of them are super easy - that is my requirement! The negative side is the sugary nature of the snacks.
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Click on reflection page to download. I think if there is one thing that has made the most impact on my teaching - it would be my reflective practice. At the end of the day I always take a moment to look at how the day went. I do not linger on my answers.
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This week we have the coolest book sharing! One of my students was an artist model for the book, "George Washington: Our Founding Father." His mother came to school Tuesday and read the book to the class -- keeping the secret until the end. Click on book
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I have been playing with my color groups and providing more collaborative opportunities. There is this transition after winter break that begs for more collaborative work. The children are ready for the rich experiences of negotiation, problem solving,
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I love to watch little narratives unfold during centers. One of the best places to "catch" such a narrative is in the block center. Here is the saga I captured today: Four boys are building a structure. I ask what it is. Sam replies, "It is a house."
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This last week, I lead my kinders in drawing castles. I adapted my original drawing instructions (see below) by adding extra towers to each side. I demonstrated how to draw stones and bricks on the castle. The children loved it!
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Today in class my kinders made a good old fashion project - paper portraits of Abe and George. They traced the major components and glued it together. (This is my first post made from my iphone. . . a little different but fast!)
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This is such a sweet little project and super easy. I purchased 24 - 4" by 4" little canvases for $6 using a 40% off coupon at Michaels. I purchased the cheapest brand of liquid craft acrylic paints with these main colors - a happy lime green, a magenta,
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I love, love, love the joy of a heart garland. Aren't they divine? I found several worth sharing on the internet. There are a few very creative ideas for making garlands. My kinders love making garlands. What a lovely thing to do during centers. . . When
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Chocolate Playdough! I first found this idea at Counting Coconuts and loved it! Instructions here: Heidi's Recipes Adding the empty chocolate candy box is key! Valentine's Bakery Playdough This is such a fun idea! I adore the sprinkles - such a creative
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Sign up now for A Dash of Power: The Heart of Classroom Management! The course is just a few days into the five weeks of goodness! And you can still join the course! The course will remain open for registration until February 15th. Here are some questions
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I was strolling the internet and found these great ideas: I love these tie-dye hearts! How cute! Check out how to do this at Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas Love, love, love these! I think the kinders could make these if I gave them little heart stickers. From
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A Dash of Power was born out of my vision that there is a deep and soulful way to manage the classroom. I use an approach to classroom management that is a mix of soulful passion and proven science! I have found a place within myself that has given me
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This week during our skyscraper study - a student suggested we build a skyscraper out of paper. I was amazed how he figured out to do it - paper tubes! Here are a few photos of the children attempting the paper challenge! I taught my class how to "tab"
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Recently, I was talking to a dear teacher friend and she was at her wits end. She felt like her class was loosing it and she had lost them. It really made me sad to hear her hopelessness. I am here to tell you it is never too late and that there are specific
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I read the book "The Man Who Walked Between Towers" by Mordicai Gerstein to my kindergarten class. It is the story of Philippe Petit, a tight rope walker, who walked between the Twin Towers in 1974. I read the story first. (Warning, I tear-up at the end
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