Exploration Time

I love the beginning of the year when things are fresh and new, and the children are exploring all the wonderful exciting things in the classroom.

During our math time in September, we do a lot of free exploration with the math manipulatives.
I enjoy seeing what the children can do when given open time to do whatever they like with what you put in front of them.
I have been impressed with what I've seen so far!

"I made a caterpillar!"

"Look at my army of sword fish!"

GTKY Time

We began our GTKY (Getting to Know You) time yesterday, and to kick it off, I thought it might be nice to start with ME!

Last year, I felt rather sorry for the children were were up first for this activity, because each child brings home the pictures that their classmates make of them and let's just say that there were a number that really didn't resemble a person at all.  In light of that experience, I thought that this time around we'd better practice on Mrs. Schenk first and get in a little more extra drawing time before we send home classmate portraits!  :)

(I've adapted and "copied" Anita Bremer's wonderful activity, which you can find explained here.)

It's great fun at the beginning of the year when we're getting to know each other and learn our names.

I explained the activity to the children and they enjoyed cheering my name and learning a little bit about their teacher.

Yes, and I quote....... "42 IS A BIG NUMBER!"

After the interviewing process, the children are given an opportunity to draw our special GTKY person of the day. 

In my class, we use "Mat Man", (from Handwriting Without Tears) to help us learn how to draw people.

If you don't know about him, you can check it out here.

We are still learning the song, but I think it really does help the children think about all the parts involved in drawing a person!

After singing the song and demonstrating how we would draw as we listen to the song, the children went to the tables and got right to work drawing Mrs. Schenk!

I think I'm looking pretty good for 42!

We've Moved!

This summer, the great "move-across-the-hall" went down and now I am starting to settle into the new JK classroom. 

Last year, I had 21 motivated, animated, energetic, jovial, fired-up darlings in my class, and this fall I have 10, so my wonderful colleague Michelle (SK) now has need of the "big" room!

When the last of the furniture arrives, I will finish setting up and will be able to give the children more options during centre time. 

Right now, some of the centres that I would like to make more permanent are being set up and then taken down because our new tables have not yet arrived. 

I am trying to be patient......

So, although we are up and running,

 my class is not quite as I would like it to be.

It is a work in progress.

Aren't we all?!?

Here's a sneak peak of our JK adventure land as it is today!

Nap anyone?!?

Seriously Super Store-Wide Back-to-****** Sales!

I'm not ready for back-to-******, but some people are getting ready, so click-on-over to my stores......maybe you'll find something to help make your teaching just a little bit easier this year!

At Teacher's Notebook:

Entire store on sale! (15-50% off) 

Lots of attractive preschool products to help your year run smoothly and give your children independent, engaging activities!!! 

Variety of math, literacy, science, themed, and classroom decoration ideas! 

There are some fresh new products as well as some more freebies (21 in total), so stop by and have a peek!!!

Entire Store 15-50% Off

At TPT:

Schenk Kindershop is throwing a 15% Sale 08/03 - 08/06

There are also 26 free products!

Entire Store 15% Off

I can't believe August is already here......summer is fleeting......get out there and enjoy every moment!!!

Have a happy & blessed day!

Turtle Diary

I think it's fun when I stumble upon a nifty website.

This one might be fun for parents to explore together with their children.

It has a variety of free games by grade, subject and topic.

Might be worth an explore.....

Have a blessed day!

Playing With the Names

Inspired by Isaiah 43

I was given a list of names waaaaaaaay back in June. :)

This list contains the names of potential JK students for September.

I had the pleasure of meeting several of my new students when we had an orientation day back in June. 

What a wonderful group!

I am truly enjoying this break from the classroom, but there is also a part of me that is looking forward to all the fun that a new school year will bring. It has been great to have lots of time to reflect on this past year and think about what worked well, as well as to plan for what I'd like to add and change.

It's no secret that I get excited about 

making new things for school. 

Whether it's a new literacy or math centre activity or a classroom decoration, I get a certain thrill from creating something and seeing it being used, enjoyed and appreciated.

Today I was designing some new name plates for the class tables.

I change out the name tags several times during the school year, because they tend to get used, abused, and battered.

When I get the official "final" JK class list of names, I will be having my "printing and laminating" party.

Until then, I shall keep designing and creating.

Here's just a sneak peak preview of some of the things I've come up with so far...

Once this name plate is laminated, it will be great for the beginning
of the year when we focus on name writing. The children will
be able to write on them with dry-erase markers/crayons.

This is the label for the "mail bag" that goes
back and forth between school and home.

Okay, now I'm off to try to locate my camping lists.

Happy trails to you!!!

Yes, I actually camp in a tent......

Summer Creations (Freebies alert!)

I am enjoying my time away from the classroom and have had some time to work on some new items for September.

The first item is a collection of letter search pages. They are arranged in the (Jolly Phonics) order that they are introduced in my JK class and are "themed" for use throughout the school year.

You can find this product HERE or HERE.

The next item is a printable ABC book. It contains a page for each letter.  Children will cut out the letters and glue them on the corresponding letter page. 

I tend to focus on the letter sounds rather than the names, (although I do also teach the names), and when we make these books together we will have another opportunity to practice our reading, "/a/ is for alligator..."

If you choose to do one page at a time with a group, there are two options for the "cut-out" letter pages. One option is to copy the pages that have the entire alphabet, the other option is to just duplicate individual letters sheets. (see last 2 pics below.)

This item can be found HERE or HERE.

I always get excited when I find some new clip art to use in my JK creations, and here's my newest find. It is a set of what I call "stitches" letters, and here are a few of my "fresh off the press" items.

The first is a FREEBIE, so be sure to click on the pic and get your own free set. They are great for whole group or individual letter/sound practice, but also make great letters for a Word Wall or class alphabet display.

Find your FREE copy HERE or HERE!!!

The next two are themed flashcard sets.

You can find this product HERE or HERE.

I am excited about the construction set, because there are always some in my class that absolutely "LOVE" large noisy tractors, vehicles and equipment! Who doesn't have boys (or maybe girls) who love big trucks and diggers?!?  If having cool construction pics on a flashcard makes practicing your letter sounds more attractive to those students, I say go with it! :)

You can find this product HERE  or  HERE.

This next freebie is for a highlighting game that my JK's love to play. 

Use the highlighting page with the "Stitches Construction ABC flashcards."

Place the cards in the centre of the table upside down. The children take turns drawing a flashcard, identifying the letter of the alphabet, and then they find it on their sheet and highlight the corresponding vehicle/letter. They keep taking turns until all the flashcards are finished. 

Options: Have all children highlight every card pulled, or have individuals highlight just the letters that they pull.

I tend to do this activity as a "whole class" activity early in the year before the children know all their letters.  I let the children take turns picking a card, I help them identify it and then we find and highlight the letters together as a class. Later in the year, when they can handle small group literacy groups, it's a wonderful literacy activity that they can do together with a few classmates on their own.

Get your FREEBIE right HERE or HERE!!!

The last item is another FREEBIE!

Cute construction themed number flashcards 

for the numbers 0-10.

Get your FREEBIE right HERE or HERE!!!

Unfortunately, laundry is calling me......or rather playing the sweet "I'm-finished-time-to-switch-the-load" song.  LOVE my LGs!!! 

I'm signing off to put on my domestic hat for a while......

Have a blessed day and enjoy the FREEBIES! :)