Happy Teacher Heaven Giveaway

I recently found a fellow Kansas blogging teacher, Amy Swan, at Happy Teacher Heaven on Facebook and  - good news - she has hit 100 followers and is giving a way some wonderful giveaways!!  Check out her Facebook page and blog to find out more.  You will also want to head over to her TpT site - she has some great lessons that I have started using in my classroom already!!

Happy Teacher Heaven Giveaway

TBA & TeacherNotebook's Back to School Expo

I was so excited to win a free ticket to the Back to School Expo that was sponsored by Teacher Blog Addict and TeacherNotebook from Melanie at School Girl Style!  BUT, the flu hit our family HARD towards the end of last week and I wasn't able to get on the computer to get my Free Goodie Bag :(  If anyone would be willing to share their goodie bag with me, I would be so happy and thankful!!!

This weekend, as long as we all stay healthy, I plan to watch the Back to School Expo while sipping a french vanilla pepsi from Dairy King and relaxing in my sweats!!

Happy Friday

Daily 5: Chapter 3

I know I started the book study a little late, but I figured better late than never ~ right?!?  I have used Math and Literacy centers in my Kindergarten classroom for 6 years.  I've always had likes and dislikes to centers in my classroom.  I'm on Chapter 3 of the book The Daily 5: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades by Gail Boushey & Joan Moser and so far, I'M LOVING IT!!!  I can't wait to get it started in my classroom in August!

Notes from my reading:

Gathering place for brain & body breaks: Our large carpet where we already have our morning meeting.  This is already our "gathering" place.  It is located close to my whiteboards, books, and other materials I will need.

Developing the concept of "good fit" books:  I'm worried about having enough books to fill all of my book baskets.  I'm sure my school librarian is going to FLIP when I tell her how many books I want to check out for an extended period.  I think once we can start adding class books we create, or even the little flip books that we make in class - that will help.  Finding enough books at the pre-reading stage is also always a feat in our school.  Does anyone else ever have this problem?

Calm signal for check-in process:  I plan to use my little musical wand.

Correct modeling & Incorrect modeling: I really like this idea.  I always model the correct way, but I guess I don't pay enough attention to incorrect modeling.  This is one area that I'm going to pay closer attention to.  

I know this was a quick - no freebies - post.  Check back later for some great posts & FREEBIES to go with the Daily 5!!

Classroom Jobs

I have tried several different ways to use jobs in the classroom with displays, but always end up going back to this way that works for me. . . . .I back my job badges with a di-cut construction paper circle and laminate them.  Then I put a small velcro dot on the back.  On each child's desk, next to their nametag, is the other side of the velcro dot - -This is where the job badge goes.  The kids have a constant reminder of their job since the job badge is on their desk at all times.  

The students also switch the jobs for me each Monday morning.  This is how it goes: in alphabetical order, the first person puts their "old" job on the next person's dot.  That person put their "old" job on the next person and so-on and so-on.  Of course, the last person gives their "old" job to the first person.  I usually help them the first couple of times, but it amazes me how quickly they remember the order and can do it themselves while I am taking attendance or writing notes in planners.

Here is a copy of last year's job badges - click on the picture for a copy!  Enjoy!!

Let me know how you do jobs in your classroom by leaving a comment below.  

Updated Desk Tags

Grab a copy of the updated desk tags that I used this year in the classroom.  Click on the pictures to download.

I know I've been missing for most of the school year, so I thought I would get back in the swing of it this summer and post some of the things we did this school year.  I hope everyone is having a great summer!!

Now, it's off to work on my presentation "QR codes in the Elementary Classroom" for the iConnect iLearn conference tomorrow.

MISSING

I know I have been MIA for the last couple of months, but I have a very good reason . . . . My husband will be coming home within the next two weeks from his year long deployment!!!!  As soon as life begins to settle down again, I WILL BE BACK!!!