It's hard to believe that April is just around the corner, isn't it? My Spring Break is here, which should be a woohoo; however, last week we did a fertility treatment and now I am in the dreaded 2 week wait. I am not kidding when I tell you...the last two days I have Googled every single "what if" that has crossed my mind, I read the book Water for Elephants (which I HIGHLY recommend), and I've completely organized our office and spare bedroom, as well as, all of my teaching resources. I have even cataloged all my Teacher's Helpers and Mailbox Magazines by theme/month and year. Keeping my mind busy :-) is the key to making it through the 2ww. I need to thank EVERYONE that has left me comments and emailed me about their own fertility experiences, it helps to hear about all the success stories out there!
Back to Kindergarten now...I am toying with the idea of submitting a proposal for the IL Pre-K and K Conference. The title...Poetry Journals: Making them Matter. I would include the journals, maybe have a make and take with a Poster, and give tips and activities that you can do. Any thoughts??? I need input and a spoonful of courage!
Today you are going to see the April Edition is a bit of a mess. The themes I have are; Farm, Earth Day, Rain, and Bunnies. Well, in the past I have lost a bit of focus toward the end of the year with our Journals, so I am redoing them. So, I do not have posters and some of the old journals I am not going to use next year because of length. I was really trying to keep all the posts similar but it's a little difficult. My apologies if you aren't able to find what you need or want.
I hope you enjoy!
Shannon
All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.
All of my Poetry Journals can now be found on TPT, as well.
One, Two
One, Two
Little Boy Blue
Little Boy Blue
Recycling Song
Recycling Song
It's Raining It's Pouring
It's Raining, It's Pouring
Fluffy Rabbit
Fluffy Rabbit
Little Bunny Foo Foo
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Spring Hoppenings
Spring is here or at least it is according to the calendar, right. Things here in the South Subs of Chicago during the early to mid part of Spring is....well, not the prettiest time of year. When you see pictures and books of Spring, you get this idyllic version of Spring....green grass, small buds on the trees, light jackets, breezy, sunny days for flying kites, and baby birds chirping. Now let me describe what is actually happening; the grass is far from green and is pretty much sopping wet, the trees are bare until May-ish, one day it is 65, but it is cloudy or rainy and super windy, the next is 35 with blinding sun. Last year on the first day of Spring, my husband took me to Hot Dougs. A somewhat famous hot dog place. We waited in line outside for over an hour...it was snowing. The day before was warm and beautiful. Spring in Chicago.
Well, the way I present Spring in my classroom is the idyllic version, no point in making my classroom all brown, wet, and cold. :) I shall attempt to be optimistic...Spring will make an appearance sometime in mid April.
All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.
Books We Love
The Literacy Goods
Beginning Vowel Sounds Sort
Spring Sight Word Find
Rainy Day Sight Word Scramble Cards
Rainy Sight Word
Rainy Day Beginning Blend Match
I Have, Who Has Spring Sight Word Edition
The Crazy Carrots game came from www.kellyskindergarten.com. I changed it by making it a C-V-C game instead of letters/sounds.
Crazy Carrots CVC Game
The Math Goods
The Jelly Bean Adding worksheet...if you noticed the first one isn't adding. I have a few students who just aren't ready for adding yet, and I really need to work on developing activities that give them that sense of accomplishment. If you scroll further down...you will see the adding ones with a few different levels.
Jelly Bean Adding and Color Code
These cards can be used to just match the number to the tally, a memory game, or my Hoppers favorite...Go Fish.
Umbrella Number to Tally Match
Rainy Day Subtraction
I buy these cute Bunny Mallows in the Spring. We sort and graph them. I give students a Ziploc Sandwich baggie and let them go to town. The fun part of course is they get to snack on them when they are done :-)
Graphing Marshmallow Bunnies
You can do several things with the What Comes Next Worksheet to offer different levels of differentiation. Here are some options...have students use traditional dice (depending on students level...give 1, 2, or 3 dice), have students use double dice, students can use any of those crazy dice that can have up to 20 sides, or you can make number word dice....OR for the very students who just beg for the challenge...
give them two dice with the actual numbers on them and add them together or give them one dice with numbers on it (one that has between 10-20 sides) and one traditional dice with dots and have them practice counting up.
My Kinder-Hoppers love using dice; however they are always flying off the tables, especially when they are give more than one dice...I will be ordering these very soon!http://www.eaieducation.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=502070
**Students roll the dice and fill in the first box. Then they write the numbers that follow.
What Comes Next Spring Edition
Well, the way I present Spring in my classroom is the idyllic version, no point in making my classroom all brown, wet, and cold. :) I shall attempt to be optimistic...Spring will make an appearance sometime in mid April.
All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.
Books We Love
The Literacy Goods
Beginning Vowel Sounds Sort
Spring Sight Word Find
Rainy Day Sight Word Scramble Cards
Rainy Sight Word
Rainy Day Beginning Blend Match
I Have, Who Has Spring Sight Word Edition
The Crazy Carrots game came from www.kellyskindergarten.com. I changed it by making it a C-V-C game instead of letters/sounds.
Crazy Carrots CVC Game
The Math Goods
The Jelly Bean Adding worksheet...if you noticed the first one isn't adding. I have a few students who just aren't ready for adding yet, and I really need to work on developing activities that give them that sense of accomplishment. If you scroll further down...you will see the adding ones with a few different levels.
Jelly Bean Adding and Color Code
These cards can be used to just match the number to the tally, a memory game, or my Hoppers favorite...Go Fish.
Umbrella Number to Tally Match
Rainy Day Subtraction
I buy these cute Bunny Mallows in the Spring. We sort and graph them. I give students a Ziploc Sandwich baggie and let them go to town. The fun part of course is they get to snack on them when they are done :-)
Graphing Marshmallow Bunnies
You can do several things with the What Comes Next Worksheet to offer different levels of differentiation. Here are some options...have students use traditional dice (depending on students level...give 1, 2, or 3 dice), have students use double dice, students can use any of those crazy dice that can have up to 20 sides, or you can make number word dice....OR for the very students who just beg for the challenge...
give them two dice with the actual numbers on them and add them together or give them one dice with numbers on it (one that has between 10-20 sides) and one traditional dice with dots and have them practice counting up.
My Kinder-Hoppers love using dice; however they are always flying off the tables, especially when they are give more than one dice...I will be ordering these very soon!http://www.eaieducation.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=502070
**Students roll the dice and fill in the first box. Then they write the numbers that follow.
What Comes Next Spring Edition
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Cue the Banjo's....We're Going to the Farm
Let me shout it from the rooftops...I cannot wait for Spring Break!!! We've got one more week and believe me when I say the Hoppers are in need of some time off. It has been one long winter! Don't get me wrong...I love my kids and teaching, but I have been on edge this week. I am on meds that give me headaches and make me irritable. I am trying soooo hard to be the teacher I normally am, but it's rather difficult right now. I just don't feel in control of myself. I just keep swimming and tell myself that this too shall pass.
After Spring Break, we will dive into all things Farm. I LOVE doing a farm unit! There are so many wonderful activities, songs, and books that I get totally consumed in it. We begin the unit with Oviparous Animals and then just go from there. I've added some chick and egg worksheets, but I thought why create a separate post, so they are included here. You will see that books and activities are not really "farm" per se that is because I am easily side tracked...IE- we start talking about pigs and the next thing you know we do a mini unit on The 3 Little Pigs.
I'm not sure what is going on with Scribd...the pictures don't look very good on here, but I did go through and click on them, they seem to be fine once you go to Scribd.
I hope you find things that you can use! Maybe this post will get me to 200 followers...A*MAZING!
Enjoy!
Shannon
All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.
Books we read
I normally find pictures to post here; however, I do the farm unit for almost an entire month...there are just too many books to find all the pictures! I am going to list them out, and I am positive that I will forget many! Forgive me :-) Also, upon further inspection of my book list, it seems as though I am a tad heavy on the pigs...I may need to adjust this at some point.
Blends and Digraph Farm Sort
Little Red Hen Sight Word Scramble Worksheet
For the Spin, Read, and Write, I give each student a paperclip and a sharpened pencil to use as their spinner. It saves a ton of time versus the paper fastener and paperclip.
Spin, Read, Write -ig Word Family Game
3 Little Pigs Vowel Matching
Look at the Farm !
This is our Farm Journal. Every few days at the beginning of the unit, we focus on something specific on a farm. Students then write what they know about on the corresponding page.
Farm Jounal
Animals on the farm
Eggs-cellent Words Worksheet
The template for the Sight Word Uno Game came from Kelly's Kindergarten. Love her games!http://kellyskindergarten.com/Games/GamestoMake/games_to_make.htm
Sight Word Farm Uno Color Version
The Math Goods
Tops and Bottoms Numbers
To play Roll, Count, and Color: students use 2 dice or Dice in Dice (we are going to use the Dice in Dice).
They roll, count, and then color one of the corresponding eggs.
Roll, Count, and Color Hen & Eggs
Farm Patterns
The Charlotte's Web Counting by 2's is similar to the President's Day strips we made in February. Students color, cut, and glue the pieces to a sentence strip. We use these as we sing Jack Hartmann's Counting by 2's.
Charlottes Web Counting by 2's
Spin and Graph Farm Spinner
Farm Spin and Tally Sheet
After Spring Break, we will dive into all things Farm. I LOVE doing a farm unit! There are so many wonderful activities, songs, and books that I get totally consumed in it. We begin the unit with Oviparous Animals and then just go from there. I've added some chick and egg worksheets, but I thought why create a separate post, so they are included here. You will see that books and activities are not really "farm" per se that is because I am easily side tracked...IE- we start talking about pigs and the next thing you know we do a mini unit on The 3 Little Pigs.
I'm not sure what is going on with Scribd...the pictures don't look very good on here, but I did go through and click on them, they seem to be fine once you go to Scribd.
I hope you find things that you can use! Maybe this post will get me to 200 followers...A*MAZING!
Enjoy!
Shannon
All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.
Books we read
I normally find pictures to post here; however, I do the farm unit for almost an entire month...there are just too many books to find all the pictures! I am going to list them out, and I am positive that I will forget many! Forgive me :-) Also, upon further inspection of my book list, it seems as though I am a tad heavy on the pigs...I may need to adjust this at some point.
- Mrs. Wishy Washy
- Big Red Barn
- Charlotte's Web (we are going to read this throughout April)
- Junie B. Jones has a Peep in her Pocket
- Click, Clack Moo: Cows That Type
- Chicken Little
- Rosie's Walk
- The Little Red Hen
- The Three Little Pigs
- Alaska's Three Pigs
- Three Cajun Pigs
- The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig
- The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
- Barnyard Banter
- The Three Billy Goats Gruff
- Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore!
- Pigs Make Me Sneeze
- All the books in the Weekly Reader Series: Animals that Live on the Farm
- Farm Animals
- Inside a Barn in the Country
- All the farm books in the DK Series: See How They Grow
- Olivia
- Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud
- One Stuck Duck
- Sheep in a Jeep
- Tops and Bottoms
- Farmer Duck
- Barnyard Hullabaloo
- A Seed is Sleepy
- Growing Vegetable Soup
The Literacy Goods
Little Red Hen Sight Word Scramble Worksheet
For the Spin, Read, and Write, I give each student a paperclip and a sharpened pencil to use as their spinner. It saves a ton of time versus the paper fastener and paperclip.
Spin, Read, Write -ig Word Family Game
3 Little Pigs Vowel Matching
Look at the Farm !
This is our Farm Journal. Every few days at the beginning of the unit, we focus on something specific on a farm. Students then write what they know about on the corresponding page.
Farm Jounal
Animals on the farm
Eggs-cellent Words Worksheet
The template for the Sight Word Uno Game came from Kelly's Kindergarten. Love her games!http://kellyskindergarten.com/Games/GamestoMake/games_to_make.htm
Sight Word Farm Uno Color Version
The Math Goods
Tops and Bottoms Numbers
To play Roll, Count, and Color: students use 2 dice or Dice in Dice (we are going to use the Dice in Dice).
They roll, count, and then color one of the corresponding eggs.
Roll, Count, and Color Hen & Eggs
Farm Patterns
The Charlotte's Web Counting by 2's is similar to the President's Day strips we made in February. Students color, cut, and glue the pieces to a sentence strip. We use these as we sing Jack Hartmann's Counting by 2's.
Charlottes Web Counting by 2's
Spin and Graph Farm Spinner
Farm Spin and Tally Sheet
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Hatching Chicks
Hello all!
I will be the first to admit, hatching chicks isn't on the top of my strengths list; however, I have had quite a few questions and comments about how others can hatching chicks in their own classrooms. Here is some information for everyone :)
*We go through the University of Illinois Extension for our eggs, feed, and new teacher training for our unit. They also coordinate when and where we drop our little friends off at. If you aren't having the best of luck calling the local 4-H, I would check with the state universities. I know many universities have the unit as part of their agricultural extension.
*It is about 21 days for the eggs to hatch. What makes this difficult is that we must pick up the eggs when the Extension Center tells us to. This year our pick up date is tomorrow, March 14. We have our Spring Break the last week of March...the problem- the final week before they start to hatch you need to take the eggs out of the turner and closely monitor the humidity level. Luckily, we have 2 teachers that are willing to go in and do this over break. Every year they seem to change the pick up and drop off dates, so make sure you have all the information!
Resources...
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/eggs/
http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/embryology/
Good Luck!
Shannon
I will be the first to admit, hatching chicks isn't on the top of my strengths list; however, I have had quite a few questions and comments about how others can hatching chicks in their own classrooms. Here is some information for everyone :)
*We go through the University of Illinois Extension for our eggs, feed, and new teacher training for our unit. They also coordinate when and where we drop our little friends off at. If you aren't having the best of luck calling the local 4-H, I would check with the state universities. I know many universities have the unit as part of their agricultural extension.
*It is about 21 days for the eggs to hatch. What makes this difficult is that we must pick up the eggs when the Extension Center tells us to. This year our pick up date is tomorrow, March 14. We have our Spring Break the last week of March...the problem- the final week before they start to hatch you need to take the eggs out of the turner and closely monitor the humidity level. Luckily, we have 2 teachers that are willing to go in and do this over break. Every year they seem to change the pick up and drop off dates, so make sure you have all the information!
Resources...
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/eggs/
http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/embryology/
Good Luck!
Shannon
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Let's all do the Chicken Jive!
I am laying here...day 4 of being sick. I've got bronchitis and a sinus infection, ugh! I can't seem to sleep today, primarily because I can't breathe, but whatevs.
Without a doubt one of the most exciting and stressful times in my classroom has to be our Chick unit. My first year of doing chicks was to say the least not successful. I really wasn't into it and it turned out that my incubator had a flaw...a crack in the bottom. The last several years, I have been determined to build this unit and get excited for it. I love doing the unit, but as it turns out, I am not a good hen. :-) Last year was my most successful hatch, I believe I had four or five. My chicks were cute, but they were not quite "right". While most chicks huddle together, mine scattered apart in the brooder. Two of them had something wrong with their bottoms. I loved those chicks, but I knew that once they got to the farm....things would not go well for them.
The time is here once again. I am no quitter....eventually, I will have a good hatch!! I will let you all know how it goes :-). Here is part of my Farm unit. Thanks for reading!
Enjoy!
Shannon
All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.
Books we read...
I also have the cutest little book that I got from a retiring teacher my first year. I believe it is called 7 Eggs. It ends with each student getting a chocolate egg...their reactions when they make the connection is priceless!
There are actually a ton of books we read because it is really more of an Oviparous Animals unit.
Various Activities
This is a sort for the flannel board. We will complete this as a whole group.
Oviparous and Viviparous Sort
Here is the student edition of the sort. I have students take an 11x18 piece of construction paper and fold it in half. Then students draw a black line down the center. They color, cut, sort, and glue.
Oviparous and Viviparous Sort Student Copy
A silly little easy reader. I know they are corny but my kids love 'em :-)The Little Chicks Book
Egg Rhymes is a simple matching game. There is also a worksheet for students to complete when they have completed the center.
Egg Rhymes
My little "hoppers" love the idea of alien words and this activity really gives them the practice they need with NWF.Earth Words vs Alien Words Chick Sort
Students use these cards for simple matching, ABC order, concentration, or Go Fish. I let them choose how to use them best.Chick Upper to Lower Case Matching Cards
A syllable sort. 1-4 syllable words.
Chicken and Eggs Syllable Sort
I always try to include counters for the kiddos that need them. There are 3 levels. The highest level corresponds with the final counter sheet. For extra help for the struggling students I give them two half sheets of construction paper (like blue and yellow). They put the first number of counters on the blue and the second number of counters on the yellow, and then they add them up. I have found that it really helps them out!Adding Eggs Color Code
I love using Dr. Jean's Country Countdown to practice counting backwards. Here is a worksheet that also helps students with the concept.Chick Countdown Worksheet
We use these number chickens when we dance to Jack Hartmann's Chicken Count. It is one of the funniest things you can watch your kids do...strut like chickens!
Number Chickens
This is a little game we play using plasic eggs. I number six eggs and put one item in each (a bell, a penny or two, a cotton ball, a marble, and a chocolate egg), but you could use whatever you want. Students shake the egg and discuss with their table mates. Then they write their predictions, then we open them.
What's in the egg
That's all for now. I will try to post some pictures as I go through the unit.
Without a doubt one of the most exciting and stressful times in my classroom has to be our Chick unit. My first year of doing chicks was to say the least not successful. I really wasn't into it and it turned out that my incubator had a flaw...a crack in the bottom. The last several years, I have been determined to build this unit and get excited for it. I love doing the unit, but as it turns out, I am not a good hen. :-) Last year was my most successful hatch, I believe I had four or five. My chicks were cute, but they were not quite "right". While most chicks huddle together, mine scattered apart in the brooder. Two of them had something wrong with their bottoms. I loved those chicks, but I knew that once they got to the farm....things would not go well for them.
The time is here once again. I am no quitter....eventually, I will have a good hatch!! I will let you all know how it goes :-). Here is part of my Farm unit. Thanks for reading!
Enjoy!
Shannon
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Books we read...
I also have the cutest little book that I got from a retiring teacher my first year. I believe it is called 7 Eggs. It ends with each student getting a chocolate egg...their reactions when they make the connection is priceless!
There are actually a ton of books we read because it is really more of an Oviparous Animals unit.
Various Activities
This is a sort for the flannel board. We will complete this as a whole group.
Oviparous and Viviparous Sort
Here is the student edition of the sort. I have students take an 11x18 piece of construction paper and fold it in half. Then students draw a black line down the center. They color, cut, sort, and glue.
Oviparous and Viviparous Sort Student Copy
A silly little easy reader. I know they are corny but my kids love 'em :-)The Little Chicks Book
Egg Rhymes is a simple matching game. There is also a worksheet for students to complete when they have completed the center.
Egg Rhymes
My little "hoppers" love the idea of alien words and this activity really gives them the practice they need with NWF.Earth Words vs Alien Words Chick Sort
Students use these cards for simple matching, ABC order, concentration, or Go Fish. I let them choose how to use them best.Chick Upper to Lower Case Matching Cards
A syllable sort. 1-4 syllable words.
Chicken and Eggs Syllable Sort
I always try to include counters for the kiddos that need them. There are 3 levels. The highest level corresponds with the final counter sheet. For extra help for the struggling students I give them two half sheets of construction paper (like blue and yellow). They put the first number of counters on the blue and the second number of counters on the yellow, and then they add them up. I have found that it really helps them out!Adding Eggs Color Code
I love using Dr. Jean's Country Countdown to practice counting backwards. Here is a worksheet that also helps students with the concept.Chick Countdown Worksheet
We use these number chickens when we dance to Jack Hartmann's Chicken Count. It is one of the funniest things you can watch your kids do...strut like chickens!
Number Chickens
This is a little game we play using plasic eggs. I number six eggs and put one item in each (a bell, a penny or two, a cotton ball, a marble, and a chocolate egg), but you could use whatever you want. Students shake the egg and discuss with their table mates. Then they write their predictions, then we open them.
What's in the egg
That's all for now. I will try to post some pictures as I go through the unit.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
A Little Seuss
Hello all!
Well, I know that March is going to be a difficult month and there is no point to dwelling on things that are beyond my control, right? Time for some Seuss, books that are fun to read and all things nonsensical!
I could spend the time and find the pictures of all the books I read, but we all know...you are here for the goods ;-).
I read all the favorites. I don't do a full on Seuss unit, maybe I will work on it during the summer. For now, here are some activities that I do in my room. Later on this week, I am hoping to post pictures, but I'll be honest, I am not the greatest when it comes to snapping pictures. I'll try though!
As always, I appreciate all the kind words that you all give me. Thanks for reading :)
Enjoy!
Shannon
**Here is a link to my March Wake Up Work Packet (it includes Seuss inspired worksheets/activities).
All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.
I stumble through Fox in Socks and my students giggle all the way through it! The Fox with Socks matching is fairly simple.
Fox with Socks Number Matching
The Blocks in Socks is an interesting activity. I take six baby socks and number them. I put one attribute block in each sock. Students have to feel the block through the sock and try to draw the shape in the sock on the worksheet. It ties in perfectly with an Everyday Math lesson. The second page of the worksheet is for students to practice tracing and drawing.
Blocks in Socks
The Cat in the Hat...
Cat in the Hat Adding
Hats for the Cat 1-30
One Fish, Two Fish....you are going to need to buy some Goldfish (crackers).
Graphing Goldfish
Adding Goldfish
Well, I know that March is going to be a difficult month and there is no point to dwelling on things that are beyond my control, right? Time for some Seuss, books that are fun to read and all things nonsensical!
I could spend the time and find the pictures of all the books I read, but we all know...you are here for the goods ;-).
I read all the favorites. I don't do a full on Seuss unit, maybe I will work on it during the summer. For now, here are some activities that I do in my room. Later on this week, I am hoping to post pictures, but I'll be honest, I am not the greatest when it comes to snapping pictures. I'll try though!
As always, I appreciate all the kind words that you all give me. Thanks for reading :)
Enjoy!
Shannon
**Here is a link to my March Wake Up Work Packet (it includes Seuss inspired worksheets/activities).
All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.
I stumble through Fox in Socks and my students giggle all the way through it! The Fox with Socks matching is fairly simple.
Fox with Socks Number Matching
The Blocks in Socks is an interesting activity. I take six baby socks and number them. I put one attribute block in each sock. Students have to feel the block through the sock and try to draw the shape in the sock on the worksheet. It ties in perfectly with an Everyday Math lesson. The second page of the worksheet is for students to practice tracing and drawing.
Blocks in Socks
The Cat in the Hat...
Cat in the Hat Adding
Hats for the Cat 1-30
One Fish, Two Fish....you are going to need to buy some Goldfish (crackers).
Graphing Goldfish
Adding Goldfish
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