Let's Get This Year Started!

Well, it has been an interesting two weeks to say the least.  First, I find out that I only have 6 students in my class this year.  SIX!  Then, one doesn't actually bother to show up and one is not potty-trained (a must to be in my class).  Hmmmm . . . . now I am down to 4!  Luckily another student was moved into my class so now I am up to the big number 5.  SERIOUSLY!?!?  I had more than this during the "stomach-bug epidemic of Spring 2005!  I'm still adjusting to the small number and hoping that we will have a few more students join us during the year.  Seriously, it was a great first week.  I didn't have any criers and only a few bathroom issues, so all in all, things are going well.  One of the popular centers in my class is the "Dress-up" box.  To be honest, I'm not sure where half of the things in there came from and frankly, my students don't care.  They just love to rummage through it and pick out their "outfit of the day".  One of my new students absolutely loves to wear an old crochet vest (I think it is from my closet from the 1980's - don't judge!).  She pairs it with a different hat each day and sits down with a book.  I think she is adorable!

We really don't focus on our alphabet of our themes until after Labor Day so let me share with you our first real week of school.  We call it "All About Me" and we talk about the color RED, the number 1 and circles.  Our busy week started with a fun activity to help us learn our names.  I wrote everyone's name on a large piece of black construction paper.

Next, everyone added little pieces of torn (or cut) tissue paper to each of the letters of their name.

I loved watching each child as they carefully picked out "their favorite colors".  I think they all did a great job.

We also talked about the letter "A" by making our very own apple trees!  We all decided to make our apple trees BIG, maybe a bit too big because they didn't fit onto our paper, but we didn't mind.

The "apples" on our trees are actually our fingerprints.  I let the children use their fingers to stamp a piece of paper and then I punched them out with my handy-dandy little circle punch.  It was fun to watch everyone add their "apples" to their trees and talk about how we made them.

Our next "A" activity got a little bit out of hand, but then again, the best things usually do!  I cut out some very large letter "A"s and laid them in an old cardboard box (a tiny piece of double stick tape helps hold it down).

We talked about some very pretty acorns that came from my yard.  (A little hint - put the acorns in a plastic bag and sit them in your freezer for 24 hours.  This will kill any unwanted pest that may be living and eating inside the acorns.  Thanks to my friend Tiffany for that hint.).

 Next, we added the acorns to some RED paint.

Here comes the messy part!  We dumped the acorns into the box with our letter "A" and shook, shook, shook!

The end results were very pretty.  I think I added a little too much paint so most of the "A"s were covered.  But, they all had a very nice texture from the acorns.  COOOOOLLLLLL!

No "All About Me" week would be complete without making our little "ME" dolls.  Everyone had such a fun time dressing up their people.

We used some old material for the girls dresses and some left-over scrapbooking paper for the boys.  If you look closely you will notice the some of the boy's pants looks like blue jeans.  Oh, one more very important thing . . . the hair was cut by the students themselves!  Pretty good job, don't you think???????

A really fun "A" word is alligator.  We made our own alligators out of our handprints!

The children added their own grass at the bottom with some wonderful dot paint and the sun is their palm print.

Our Friday has become a little more hectic because we have added a Spanish class first thing in the morning.  This week we kept things a little calm by doing a little name art project.  We used little foam stick-on letters and wrote our names.  Next, we added our fingerprints (or in some cases, our handprints) to add some colors.

Towards the end of last year I added our "Password of the Day".

(This is a little misleading because right now we keep the same password all week).  The children will tell me our password whenever we leave or enter our room.  I also have been wearing it around my neck.  I made a necklace out of our name badge and now I ask the children what they word is all during the day.  We are keeping our words very simple.  For the next few weeks we will be using a color for our word.  I love to see everyone's faces when I say "congratulations, you just read a word!   THEY GET SO EXCITED!

Next week is "C" week and we will be talking about our pets.  Thanks for visiting and I hope you check with us again soon.

The 2011-12 Year has Begun!

Here we go!

Thursday, September 1st was our official first day.  NO TEARS!  That is always a good sign.  The day went extremely well.  We were happy and just played most of the day.  I pulled out some of my special music and we danced and sang for about thirty minutes.  Our circle time was just talking and sharing.  Everyone loved my microphone 

and couldn't wait for their turn.  The day went by fairly quickly and before we knew it, it was time to leave.

Here are some of the new ideas that I am trying for this year.  I hope you like them.  The first came about after a trip to my local Dollar Store.

The object of this game is simple.  More the little pom-poms from one bowl to the other BUT you can't use your hands!  HUH??? You have to use the tongs!   We love it!

Next is a fun math game.  I have a huge box of bottle tops and I knew they would come in handy.

I found this template on line and new it would be perfect for all those wonderfully colored bottle caps!  So far - we love it!

Since we are studying the letter "A", I wanted to incorporate our letter of the week while practicing our math skills.  I really like this

We match the number of apples with the number on the tree trunk!   Simple FUN!

Okay, now let's talk about our first week!  With day one being such a huge success I decided that we should go ahead and start slowly working on our curriculum.  We started Friday with a great project!  We talked about the color red, and the letter "A".  Everyone took turns gluing red items to a giant red apple.  Simple, easy, a great confidence building and very fun!

We headed to the kitchen for our special Friday Fun snacks and science experiments.  This week we made our world famous "Friendship Pudding".  Here is my recipe if you would like to make it.  One package of good 'ole Jello Instant Pudding, milk and a coffee can.  We pour the pudding mix into the coffee can, add the milk and SHAKE!  Everyone takes a turn shaking the pudding.  Each time we pass the can to a different person we shout out their name!  It is a great, fun way to learn every one's names.  Plus the pudding is really yummy! 

While my buddy, Mrs. Christi, was dishing out the pudding, I showed our class a very simple science experiment.  We mix oil and colored water together.  OR DID WE?  Well, we tried, and tried, and tried.  But the two would not mix together.  FUN?  You bet!  Next we added an Alka-Seltzer tablet to the mixture - instant lava lamp! 

NOW THAT WAS FUN!  I loved hearing everyone screaming when they got into their cars later that day, "oil and water don't like each other!".  Mission accomplished!

I at the lake now for Labor Day but I cannot wait until Tuesday!

First DAY!

SCHOOL OFFICIALLY STARTS TODAY!  Let the fun and the learning begin!

Treasures for My Classroom

It is official!  I've started moving all my wonderful "treasures" back into my classroom.  My husband can almost see the floor in our downstair's den.  It took me two days to unload and find room for all of my "treasures" at school, but I've done it!  Want to see what I have?  Let's sort it out . . .

First, there is my fabulous assortment of paint chips!

Aren't they wonderful!  We are going to use them in several games, cutting and sorting activities.  We will have so much fun with them.

I also got a little carried away with collecting bottle caps.

We will be sorting and learning with these as well.  I have an amazing reading game planned.  You will want to check back soon and see this!

Of course there are the obvious "treasures", such as cardboard tubes

 and cardboard boxes.  Please notice the Wii game box (my birthday present!).

But now, let me show you some of my greatest "treasures" . . . 

Plastic fishing worms!  Perfect for "W" week!

Feathers!!!  I even have a hawk feather!  Perfect for our study of not only birds but during "Q" week we can actually write with a QUILL!

But, I've saved the best until last . . . 

I found this in a field at our lake house!  I think it was used during a 4th of July celebration  to shot off rockets.  BUT LOOK AT IT!  It is a ROUND CYLINDER and it has a SQUARE base!  Can't you just see us dipping the square base in paint and smashing it onto some paper????  Oh, I'm getting chills!

I guess I better finish printing off some more notes to my parents, especially the one that says "WE GET MESSY!"  I hope you stop by again in a couple of days.  I hope to have pictures of my classroom up.  We start school on September 1st!!  YIPPPPEEEEE!

A New Year

I'm heading to school today!  I've been thinking, talking and typing about this all summer and the day is finally here!  It is just the beginning of our teacher workdays, but still you would think that I would be excited.  Not really.  And it isn't just because I will be sitting all day in a classroom listing to a CPR/First Aid trainer for the 10th time.  No, it is because one of my son's fellow police officers in Anniston, Alabama was shot while on duty yesterday. ( Anniston Star )  Even as I re-read the last sentence, it is almost impossible for me to believe.  (As I type he is still on life-support.)  How can this be?  How can one human being care so little about another that they shoot them?  I somehow try and justify a shooting in my mind when there is some sort of (sick) reason; a robbery, a fight, etc.  But to shoot a police officer who was just doing his job.  REALLY?  My mind cannot and will not come to terms with this tragedy.  So today, instead of being my usual happy, excited and bouncing off the wall self, I will say yet another prayer for Justin Sollohob, his family, friends and fellow officers and head out the door.  TELL and SHOW the people you love and care how you feel, you never know.

The ABC's for a Successful School year

I finally get to get back in my classroom next week so I have been running all over the house this morning trying to get all my ducks in a roll.  I noticed that my sweet hubby and dogs were very quiet, they have fallen asleep.  So not wanting to wake them I begin searching the internet for school ideas (REALLY?  I NEED MORE IDEAS???  I don't think my brain is big enough to hold many more!)  Well, I found this lovely little poem from a new blog favorite of mine http://mrsjacksonsclasswebsiteblog.blogspot.com/  I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did!

The ABC's of a Successful Year For Parents

Ask your child about the school day. Begin your child's day with a nourishing breakfast. Congratulate your child for doing well. Discuss homework with your child. Encourage your child to read. Find a quiet place for your child to study. Give your child responsibility. Hug your child to build self worth. Include your child in making simple family decisions. Join a library with your child. Keep your child on a schedule that includes exercise and sleep. Limit TV viewing/video game playing by selecting programs with your child. Make the time you spend with your child special.

Notice and discuss changes in your child's behavior. Offer to help your child organize school papers. Provide your child with good role models. Question the activities your child shares with friends. Respect your child's right to have opinions different from yours. Share an interest or a hobby with your child. Take time to listen to your child. Urge your child to get involved with school and extra curricular activities. Visit places of interest with your child. Work with your child to set up rules of behavior. Xerox and save records or articles that benefit your child. Yield results by encouraging your child to do better. Zoom through these ABC's again and again! -- author unknown --

Recycling for School

It is official! ONE month from today I will be back in my classroom!!! I'm not sure who is more excited me or my sweet husband. It may actually be my Bill, because I will be taking all my wonderful "treasures" out of our downstairs den. It seems I can't resist saving things for school. Here is a sampling of the items I am currently saving and the reasons I give my husband for putting up with the mess . . . .

• Bottle caps - I must have at least 100 different types of plastic bottle caps. We will use them for color matching games, counting games and crafts. I never expected my class to have fun with milk caps, but they do.


• Sunday comics - I love to use the Sunday comics to lay out on our tables for art time. They are colorful and happy. I feel they represent our classroom.


• Toy Store Newspaper advertisements - My class has always loved "reading the newspaper"! That's what they call it when they sit down and look through the toy ads. One little boy actually took it into the bathroom, "just like Dad"!


• Paint Chips - I have a box of paint chips. We will use them not only for crafts but also for a very fun color game (details to come).


• Cardboard Boxes - I have several small cardboard boxes that will be just perfect to store small games and game pieces in. A little leftover scrapbook paper and they look better than store-bought.


• Feathers - It seems summer is the best time to find fun bird feathers. We have a hawk that lives in a tree near our house and he/she has lost several LARGE feathers in our yard. I am always finding duck and goose feathers at the lake. (I put the feather in a Ziploc bag and pop it in the freezer overnight, just in case there were tiny bugs on it.) We will use the feathers for art projects and during "Q" week we use them as quills!


• Allergy Syringes - Now that sounds scary doesn't it??? I have a severe allergy and must take weekly allergy shots. I pull out the needle and wash them out. We use the syringes to squirt paint for art projects. REALLY FUN!


• Cardboard Tubes - LOVE THESE! I keep all types of cardboard tubes. There are tons of great art projects that can be done with paper towel and toilet paper tubes. Also, it has been wedding season around here so I even have the large wrapping paper tubes. These are so fun during "T" week. We make giant tube and tape towers.


• Old Markers - I went through all my scrapbooking supplies and found some old dried up markers. When I dipped them in water they suddenly had a little life let in them. I think they will be wonderful for a special impromptu art time.


• Scrapbook Paper - Speaking of scrapbooking, I found all sizes and types of scrapbook paper from left over projects. Most of it is small pieces but they will be wonderful when it comes to making a color collage or other art projects.


• Styrofoam and Plastic Containers - My husband and I don't eat that often but luckily my Mom and neighbors do! Those take-out containers may not be good for the environment but they are great for pre-school. You can use them to hold glue or mix up paint in. If you are lucky enough to have the lids, you can store paint or other items in them. No need to wash them out - throw them away when you are done. Saves money and time!!


• Old 3-Ring Binders - They are a little rough around the edges but they will be perfect to use at school. I will add some writing paper in them and my class will have a wonderful addition to our writing center.


• Diapers - I know I have no need for baby diapers and/or Pullups! BUT, I received them free in the mail. I am a huge fan of "free" stuff off the internet and I will sign up for just about anything. Diapers and Pull-ups were free so they will be making the journey to school with me. Someone will need them I am sure.

So, here is a sampling of what I am saving. What are you saving???

The New Student

I have survived yet another week after spring break! I'm just kidding, it was really great! The children came back this year ready to go. We even added another student to our class and it seem to make things even more happy. I always worry about "the day after" a big holiday and then to have a new student on top of that, well . . . . let's just say I didn't get much sleep last Sunday night. I did find it funny that my newest student started school with the usual tears and sad face. Okay, that part really wasn't funny but what happened next was! My newest student "S" was standing there "trying" to cry and be unhappy when all of a sudden "A" walked right over to her and said, "You've got to stop that, this place is fun!" and just walked right off. Of course "S" still stood there and looked sad and then "A" waltzed right back to her and said, "Really, you need to stop that, you are gonna have a lot of fun here. Now stop crying!" I wanted to run to "S's" rescue but I stopped and waited to see what would happen next. In what seemed like a 1/2 of a second the sad face disappeared and a very small smile appeared. She walked over to "A" and the other girls and said, "Can I play?" "A" quickly answered, "SURE!" and they walked hand in hand to the kitchen area where "A" said "Do you want the doll that looks like me or the doll that looks like you?", meaning of course the color of the dolls. "S" said, "I like the one that looks like you". "A" said, "We are gonna be good friends!". WHAT AN AMAZING THING TO WITNESS! I suddenly remembered why I love my job!

2010 School Year!

Our new year has officially begun! YEAH! Since we are a private school, our school year does not begin until Sepember 1st. It has been a great start, so far (she says crossing her fingers AND knocking on wood). I was really worried after "Meet the Teacher Day". I had 2 cries, no make that SCREAMERS and 2 that were latched on to their Moms. All I could think of was "I knew it!" I have had several years of wonderful students and to be honest, I have been wondering when I would get "that class". Turns out it won't be this year!!!! My screamers came in ready to have fun and the other 2 did just as good, as soon as I pried them off their Mom's legs. Seriously though, we are off to a good year.

Our first day was spent seeing all the fun new toys that were in my room. My sweet hubby decided to clean out our downstairs den during the last of August while I was setting up my classroom. He finally decided to let go of some "junk". But, you know how pre-school teachers are, someone else's junk is our treasure. And a treasure it is! Look at the great guitar we had stuck in a corner. Now it is a wonderful source of music in my class.

Other fun finds over the summer included new dress up clothes. It was fun seeing the students dressing up in my family's old cast-offs, especially the old Mardi-Gras beads and caps.

I also write a little note to my parents about making donations to my classroom. I never ask for anything that they need to buy, instead it is things that they would normally recycle. Our class always likes to use real food boxes in our kitchen. This year's parents have been great about sending them.

I just hope the rest of the year goes as smoothly as week 1!