Vegas Top 10!

Back from Vegas with so much to share.  Ok now this was my first time attending the conference and oh my gosh, it was unbelievable!  I did not miss one session, my notebook is filled with incredible ideas, quotes, crafts, you name it!  I met so many talented teachers, and it made me proud to be part of an amazing profession.  So...I wish I could share my whole entire notebook with you but instead I decided to list my TOP 10!  

When I went back through my notes these are the things that had extra stars all around them.  Some simple, and some I was jumping out of my chair when I heard how simple teaching life can be.  So sit back, and please let me know what you think because it means a lot when I hear your comments really...it means a lot.

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,HERE WE GO!

During the conference I made a list of things to do to make sure I did not forget.  Now I have a checklist for summer to find those one of a kind items!

This is so true.  The minute your kiddos and parents walk through your classroom door they have an impression of what kind of teacher you are going to be.  So make that first impression a lasting one.  You can create an inviting environment that engages both your new kiddo and their parents with scavenger hunts, a photo booth, and a little treat to bring home.

I always try to teach too many games...too confusing.  Start the school year with one game and teach it good!  Then add a few more.  As the months change you can add seasonal items to the game.

Kim Adsit showed us this and I has one of those teacher moments where I looked like I won the lottery....how simple and easy.  Books are easy to flip through and students can access CD's right there to listen to the book.

Every speaker said this!  Kids need change.  Yes I know this takes a lot of time and effort but it's worth it.  It goes along with the idea of teaching the same game but using different game pieces to change it up.  Go to the dollar store and find those magical treasures that will excite your kiddos to learn.

I was making my anchor charts over every single year.  Now we all know that is very time consuming.  "The Reveal," will change your life....

I am changing my classroom to a chalkboard theme this year so I was excited to hear this simple fact.  I LOVE when I learn those inside teacher secrets!

Of course we all know that kiddos need everything in their little kinder world to make sense well, THIS MAKES SENSE!  We don't want sick markers....

Start with the positive always.  Make that summer visit or phone call that can make the difference in your school year.  Make the effort to send that friendly email to parents when something good happens instead of always focusing on the bad.

Don't, and I mean don't let teachers or parents tell you that you do all the "cute" projects with no meaning.  You can even address this at Back To School Night to explain to parents the learning that is involved in your projects.

If you have any questions about my TOP 10 just leave me a comment and I am happy to elaborate to help you get started.  Start saving for next year because Vegas is not to be missed!

3 MILLION TEACHERS STRONG SALE

Teachers Pay Teachers has hit a milestone!  3 MILLION TEACHERS STRONG!  Teachers all across the nation are sharing their creative ideas and now you can join in on the fun!  In honor of teachers I am hosting a sale on my first 3 products.  Don't miss out on a great sale 2 days only, February 27th and 28th.

STEM Ice House Challenge

My second product is here!  This is my first STEM challenge that I am so excited to introduce.  STEM is integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in daily instruction.  I did this activity with my kinders last year and it was so exciting to see the learning happen naturally.  Students build an ice house that will prevent an ice cube from melting.  We complete the experiment together as a class.  Check out this blog post from last January!

Ice House STEM Challenge 2013

Now that I am beginning to make my own products on Teachers Pay Teachers, I spent my winter break creating this and I can't wait to use it with my kinders this month.  It includes a parent letter to send home, a writing page for students to write about their ice house, and a class graph to keep track of the BIG class experiment!  Check this out on Teachers Pay Teachers!

Ice House STEM Challenge 2014

I hope you like it and please let me know your thoughts and suggestions because I am learning every day.

Gingerbread Man Around The World

So excited to show you my kinders Gingerbread friends from around the world!  Take a peek!

My new product on Teachers Pay a Teachers called Gingerbread Man/Woman Around The World was a hit in my classroom.  My kiddos take their plain gingerbread friend home.  Pick a country anywhere in the world and make your gingerbread friend from that country by designing their clothing and researching how they celebrate the holidays!

From Ireland to Australia my kiddos brought in their gingerbread friends.  Each kiddo had the spotlight to share their friend and their writing!

We learned so much about how people all across the world celebrate the holidays.  Take a peek at my new unit!

Gingerbread Man/Woman Around The World

Hope you like it and make sure to leave a comment!

Take a peek at November!

Create a free digital scrapbook

We were so busy in November making tepees and costumes for our friendship feast!  Take a look!

STEM Centers October

My goal for this teaching year is to bring STEM into my classroom through monthly thematic centers focused around our science topic.  For the month of October, my class was studying the bones in the body, perfect to teach during Halloween and skeletons. STEM is beginning to become a key concept in teaching integrating S-Science, T-Technology, E-Engineering, and M-Mathematics.  Take a peek how I integrated these teaching strands for my October centers.

I invited a parent to visit my class and introduce Mr. Bones to the students to take a closer look at the "Big Names" of bones in our body.  I told my kiddos that they were learning "Big Words!"

For math, my kiddos measured bones using unifix cubes.  I found skeletons at Michaels and took them apart.  Students measured each bone and then completed this Dem Bones Measuring sheet for fun!  

This was the favorite center to visit!  Using model magic, my kiddos built their own skeleton.  Engineering at its finest!  Excited to put together our next set of STEM centers for November.  

THE SECRET PASSWORD!

I am so excited to share with you my very first product for Teachers Pay Teachers!  It's a long time coming and I guess it's the fear that no one will like what you produce.  Well I am ready to share my kinder's favorite thing to do, "The Secret Password."  On my classroom door I have the secret password sign up.  The kindergarten sight word changes daily.  Before my kiddos enter the classroom they have to read the secret password first.  THEY LOVE DOING THIS!  Sometimes I can hear them talking outside before school starts wondering and discussing what they think will be the secret password for that day.  I even have them read it again after recess time.  It's easy, effective, and effortless.  So a BIG Thank You for still hanging around and I hope you enjoy my first FREEBIE!

Thanks for all the support!