Monthly Archives: September 2016
Graphing Activities Galore!
Raise your hand if you create graphs with your students! We do!! I try at least 2-3 times a week to create and collect some sort of data from my students so that we can talk about it and learn how to compare, contrast, and most importantly; make sense of the information we are looking at.
I got this AWESOME graphing pocket chart from Oriental Trading Company this summer and I’ve been using it every chance I get!
Our new math adoption includes a question as part of our daily routines and this pocket chart was perfect for capturing that data. I love that I can take the number cards out if we need all the columns and that there are pre-printed cards included. When one of those don’t work, I just turn one of the header cards over to the back and write my question there! There are also 50 picture/word cards included so that you can ask all sorts of interesting questions.
Check out some more fun ways we used this pocket chart and how we incorporated our first science lesson and graphing!
Creating a Classroom Community
Setting up a classroom community is one of the SINGLE MOST important things you can do to ensure a smooth classroom year.
I spend the first 4-6 weeks getting those rules and procedures in place (before we get into the real meat of Kindergarten!), so that the rest of the year will be smooth sailing!
We love using simple getting to know you activities to make each of the children feel welcome and for them to have an easy way to share a little bit about themselves.
In addition, we have a special “Take a Break” space where students can go if they need to calm down, take a break, or reflect on a situation. You can read more about what I do to set these up here and get these ideas going in your own classroom!
PAEMST Award
Sorry to be gone so much lately! 🙂 I’ve had big things going on that I wasn’t able to post publicly, but now that the trip is over and done with, I can talk it up! 🙂
Last month, I found out I was chosen to represent Indiana as the 2014 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science award recipient. I was selected as a K-6 Science awardee. I got to travel to DC to meet up with the 200+ other awardees!
Here are a few pictures from my adventures:
I LOVED being able to meet teachers from all across the country and the rest of the Indiana “delegation”. We got to tour the White House and we were each presented with a citation from the President. 🙂 Its been keeping my BUSY planning for my family to come with me, and 4 days of sub plans!
Amazing Alphabet Ideas
One of the skills we practice constantly in Kindergarten is the recognition of letters. During the beginning of the year, we practice naming and identifying letters and move towards putting a sound with each letter. We eventually end up using those letters to make words and sentences.
When I introduce alphabet activities to my students, I try to make them as fun and as engaging as possible. I also try to build in as many learning styles as I can so that my students will have a way to remember the letters in a way that makes the most sense to them.
Here are a few ways that I introduce letters to my students at the beginning of the year or anytime I see that a student needs to review the letters.
You can read more about these ideas here. 🙂
I’ll be back soon to tell you why I’ve been so absent from blogging soon. 🙂
Kristen's Kindergarten 