Neat Common Core Video

This is a neat video my principal shared about the common core! Hope you enjoy it!

Common Core Video

Common Core Here We Come!

I have been researching the Common Core (Who hasn't!). A great resource I cam across was "The Curriculum Corner". They have an awesome collection of Common Core Resources. My favorite is the Common Core Check-List. Check it out at the link below!

http://www.thecurriculumcorner.com/2012/11/26/i-can-common-core-kindergarten/

Reading Status

Today I am posting a reading status sheet. The premise behind this sheet is meant for teachers who follow the reading conference philosophy and meet with students one-on-one. In my classroom, the students meet with me one-on-one and we conference OR if I'm noticing a particular problem with a group I meet with several at a time to work on a skill.  On this sheet there are columns that suit my classroom and things I want to know. I really want them to focus on sight words because this is often a big hang up for my students. I record the sight words from the books they are reading on this sheet and in their planners so that they can quickly practice them at home. My leveled readers have the Lexile level on the back so that I can quickly record that too. In kindergarten, I am looking for them to be reading between 250 and 300. If they are above 300 consistently I consider them advanced. If they are not reading at all, I consider them behind. I also take into consideration other factors like phonemic awareness, phonics, and comprehension skills to help me determine what we should work on when they meet with me. The word "read?" allows me to mark how many times they have read that particular book to me so I can see growth. "%" is my best guess at where they are reading with % accuracy. You could do word count and divide and all that but I just "ear it" (like eyeball it but with your ears- just listen to how they read people!) , if they are needing a lot of support from me I mark them below an 80%, if they can't read it at all- below a 0%. If they are doing pretty well I mark them 80%-99%. If they ace it, I give them a 100%. This is something that lets me quickly determine what my kiddos should be working on. Hope someone out their can use it! Happy Reading!

Reading Status Sheet!

Chirp! Chirp!

We have been studying bugs in the classroom, a favorite for all kindergarten students-- even the squealing girls! This week we are comparing and contrasting grasshoppers and crickets. We not only went on a "bug hunt" we are also reading non-ficiton books about the two creatures. Today we got into "story" mode and read "The Very Quiet Cricket" by Eric Carle. As a follow up to this reading we did an arts and craft activity that was a bit challenging because it had so many parts-- but was fun for the kids to make nonetheless. Here is how to make our cute crickets:

Materials: 
1/2 sheet of light blue construction paper
Brown construction paper
Googley eyes
Brown Pipe Cleaners
Markers
Glue Sticks

1) Pre cut all of the shapes needed. Below is an example of the sizes you will need per child. You will also need 2 small legs for each student.

1 oval
1 large rectangle
1 medium rectangle
1 small rectangle
1 triangle for the "tail end"
2 brown legs


2) Hand out light blue construction paper and have students create a "backdrop" or "setting" for their crickets. This is a great time to get out the markers!

3) When students have created their backdrop they can get their cricket pieces. I modeled how to put the cricket together for them before we started and hung it on the board.

4) When they have finished putting their crickets together they can grab eyes and draw on the antennae and they smile.

5) The last step is the large hopping leg. The teacher should use a pen and apply firm pressure to create a hole in the paper. (Not too big- just enough for the leg to fit through) Put the leg through the paper and tape it in the back. Bend the leg into shape.

This is a photo of how much leg I stuck through the back. There is a piece of tape on it, but it's hard to see. 








And again the finished product....

Writing Charts!

These writing charts are a great visual for my kids. They refer to them and it prevents them from rushing through their writing and saying, "I'm Done!" It also builds in the sharing element of writing and gives them the opportunity to share with others. You do have to keep a watchful eye during the sharing to be sure they are sharing and not chatting. Happy Writing!

Writing Charts!

First Freebie! Reading Strategy Cards

The first freebie I'm posting to my blog is a set of reading strategy cards. These are designed with the intention of use by kindergarten students. Happy Reading!

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bz0n3rQudNOMbmRPSDROYmVzbnM/edit?usp=sharing

Also check out www.mycutegraphics.com a great clip art resource! 

Sharing is Caring!

The intention of this blog is to offer Kindergarten teachers resources I have created at no cost. I think that working together and sharing is an important part of education. Teachers shouldn't have to pay teachers to get and use great resources. Check back for some of the stuff I have created and feel free to share to your hearts content. As I always tell my students, "Sharing is Caring!"