Flashlight Friday!

Hey Kinder Friends,

We finally made it to the end of the week and it sure was a week filled with a lot of learning and laughter. To say I am a little bit giddy with a newly installed piece of technology is probably and understatement. We have used it for so many things this week that I finally noticed just how dark my room is when the lights are not on. It had me thinking...What about Flashlight Friday? It sure has been a while since I have had flashlight Friday. I mentioned it to the kids when I pulled out a bag of flashlights by mistake the other day. Considering they knew how dark the room could be they had a lot of questions about how that would work and how they would not be scared in the dark. And what I love about my class the most is that they suggested we make an anchor chart! Yep, you read that right.

And I have a class that just loves to edit and revise what we have written until it is just right. So we write, practice and revise every single anchor chart...every single time. Eventually we will have it written just the way we want it. And trust me nobody is short on suggestions! This truly reflects a shared pen experience and I have to say I love it. 

When I promised Flashlight Friday earlier in the week I had forgotten about our ipad time. Lucky for us it kind of fit right in to the theme so we turned off the lights and got to work. Even though the children had grouped themselves in clusters it was pretty quiet in the room and very calming. 

We moved on to practice some sight words which was a big hit on the big screen. You know practice makes progress! 

We ended our Flashlight Friday with flashlight reading. And it was a hit according to the kids. We already are talking about what else we can do for our next Flashlight Friday and I am kind of excited too! 

Now is the perfect time to fins flashlights at a good price in the Halloween section. These were found at WalMart years ago and have lasted about four years. They were a dollar a piece and worth the money since we use them for science too. I have a flashlight for each pair of students because Flashlight Friday is buddy reading for us and everything is just better shared with friends! 

A Conference Review!





Hey Kinder Friends,

I have got to share this experience with you because it was just that good. Last spring I was given a ticket and invited to the Frog Street Splash conference. I have always loved Frog Street products but the conference I knew little about. I kept asking anyone I thought would know what is SPLASH like? Every single person had almost the same reply...

There is nothing quite like it!

When I found out that the conference would be held at Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center I was pretty excited. I have been there for a few different conferences and I knew this was going to be a great place for a conference and to spend a little time. I could write an entire post just on the Gaylord but I will save that for when I am gearing up to go to SPLASH 2016 because I am going for sure and I can't wait.

When I found out the theme for the conference was a circus theme I knew I would fit right in. But I had no idea that a theme in SPLASH terms meant going all out or literally over the top. 

As I walked in to the opening ceremony I was taken back. My first thought was WOW just WOW maybe this is a little bit bigger than what I had thought. My second thought was...next time I am bringing the good camera! From the first moment and ongoing all I could think about was coming back! Yes, I felt like I was at the circus and couldn't wait to see what was under the big top!

Under The Big Top!

The Frog Street SPLASH conference consisted of internationally recognized keynote speakers, professional consultants, expert teachers and musicians. Trust me, the list was impressive and the professional development did not disappoint! And one of the keynote speakers was Mrs. Laura Bush! Yes, you read that correctly and it was not a typo. Bringing the former first lady was over the top! And the breakout sessions did not disappoint either. They were filled with appropriate teaching strategies, research based topics and educational trends. And I sure want to add that I got in to each session I wanted to attend. That is saying a lot trust me. No skipping every other session to get in line for the next just to be sure you get in. No disappointing closed doors with SESSION FULL signs...none. I can't say thank you enough to the person responsible for that!

To say this was just a motivational and inspiring experience would be an understatement!

Every single detail was thought of right down to the table toppers. The small things add up and trust me they were noticed. And all of that extra detail just adds to the electrifying and inspiring feeling that filled the room. Can you imagine the excitement that only early childhood educators could bring to a circus like this?

Seriously nobody told me that there would be a live band along with the dinner celebration. The band must have played at least two hours long and they were good and just added to the feeling of celebration. I sat and wondered how many conferences are like this...none, just none. I do not know how many prizes were given out and there is a simple reason for that. There were so many I just lost count! It was a lot and they were awesome. I didn't win a thing but I felt like I had already won by just being there!

In between sessions there was plenty of time to walk around, talk, mingle and shop. Everywhere you turned there were references to the circus that added to the overall excitement that filled the convention hall. I liked all of the different areas to take pictures and talk to everyone. And let me not forget to mention each of these stations had props to use. What a fun atmosphere to kick off the Back to School season.

I was thrilled to be able to pick up some science materials at the Steve Spangler booth. Even better I did not have to pay shipping. After hearing a lot of "teacher talk" about sensory tables I decided it was time to give this area a little boost and I found it at the Steve Spangler table. Heck, I wanted to work that booth!

And I had time to browse the Sit Spot booth. I am happy to say that I will be having a Sit Spot giveaway soon. The vendors were all helpful and willing to answer questions.

The conference was wonderful and something I will never forget. I laughed, I learned and I was inspired beyond measure to get out there and celebrate jumping right into my 16th year of Kindergarten. This is the way we all should feel as we prepare for another year. And there is a reason for this feeling and it boils right down to the people...the people who made it happen and the people who participated. I have to just leave it with that. They deserve their own post! I will be super excited to share that here.

And to the special people at Frog Street Press...thank you for the experience.

I really feel like I went to the best show on earth!

#fsSPLASH2015 



Must Have Monday!



Hey Kinder friends,

You know I am going to say it...better late than never. So here I go linking up with my friends at Freebielicious for Must Have Monday...on Tuesday. The truth is that I am obsessed with changing a lot in my classroom this year. Every once in a while you have to shake things up and do things a little different. Once I finally made the decision to make the change I have found myself obsessed with every little detail. Must Have Monday has given me a little late night minute to think of the supplies I need to add to my ever growing shopping and to do list.



On the tip top of my "must have" list are two things. First, I want every single color of these Sharpie Flip Chart markers. I need them and I want them and I want them bad. It does not matter how or why they do not bleed through the chart paper, it's just enough to know they don't that makes me want them even more. And go ahead and add to the list a case of black, fresh, fantastic old school Sharpies.

Second on my list but quite honestly should be first...Sit Spots! Oh my, I love these things. I will never teach again without them. For 14 years I taught Kindergarten and never used a rug, carpet squares, tape or anything for the kids to have a "spot" on the floor. Honestly I never once needed anything until...last year. One friend changed all of that for me. In 14 years I have never talked about "a spot" more than I did until last year. I met my match! I had no choice but to find something to change this situation and quick. I spent a lot of time looking at all of my options to create a "spot" without making it seem like punishment. I finally decided on trying Sit Spots after talking to a teacher friend of mine. She swore by them. I ordered a class set of red, yellow, blue and green to match our table colors. The spots on the carpet were mixed up and no names were written on them. The system was pretty simple. If you sit at the red table you find a red and so on. In just one use my problem was solved because we all had a "spot" that was clearly defined. I loved using them without names on them because although they had to sit on a particular color they could chose which spot to sit on and it could be slightly different each day as long as it was their table color. I was worried that these would come off the floor or wouldn't stay put but mine were perfectly fine all year. It didn't take me long to make my second order.

I am trying to figure out which ones I am ordering for the coming year. I love the shapes. Heck, I love them all. Before I order my new set I am trying to figure out what other problems can be solved by using Sit Spots! What are your "must haves" for the year? Hop on over and link up with me at Freebielicious!



 



Here We Come!



Hey Kinder Friends,

Well we are just about to reach the finish line and wrap up another year in kindergarten. With field days and fun days behind us it is time to look ahead. After graduation we are considered...first graders!



So for the last week we talk about gearing up for first grade. And for an end of the year keepsake we add hand prints, for the last time, to the poem above. It is pretty simple to pull together on the last week of school. Just gather all of those watercolor paints and let them paint! This is the easiest way to use them up. The poems are printed on cardstock so that it can withstand the watercolors. The cardstock absorbs the paint quickly so these are quick to dry. The best part is that you can add the tempera hand prints even when the watercolors are still wet. In most cases this project can be accomplished in a day.

If you need a copy just click on the first image.

Freebie Poem For Pre Kindergarten, Kindergarten And First Grade!

If you teach prek you could use the poem with this book. This one is always on the library shelf on the first day of school.



Love Is In The Air!



Happy Valentine's Day Kinder Friends,

Well, love is in the air and it was a good day! We got busy right away and it seemed like time was flying by before we knew it. We talked about friendship and love today and got right down to some writing pretty early this morning. As we worked in small groups there was a valentine express in the back corner like no other. The kids were almost silent as they were working on parent gifts. You know you can never go wrong with watercolors. It's like safe art exploration. No matter what you do it always somehow looks good. I have to say the kids did surprise me with these. I had a few minutes and we were able to evaluate their work and talk about their choice of colors. The kids also talked a lot about space or white space specifically.



It didn't take long for our paintings to dry and it sure kept us motivated to get our work finished to be ready for the next step. I am amazed at how much I loved the second part of this project...torn paper. I have really never done much of torn paper projects but I will tell you the kids loved this part. They were the ones that picked the colors that went with their paintings. Considering I am colorblind, that is the way we do it. They looked at what colors of paper we had a made their choices. I could hear them helping each other and giving suggestions. The conversations were very focused and descriptive.

You can see how different they look. I think they did a great job independently working on this. I am thankful for the extra time I had helping with writing while they were busy. We are hoping to get them laminated tomorrow. The lamination makes these colors come alive!

 



Fourteen in 14!

Happy New Year Kinder Friends,

I am starting the year off right and taking a look back and linking up with some of my friends at Freebielicious for a fun fourteen in 14 linky party. This time of year it is always important to look back and reflect on the year and decide what you will focus on for the new year. It has been a fun year for me. for the first time in my working life I took a little time off and enjoyed myself. This year was all about reliving childhood memories, bucket lists and living some of those things you wish you could have when you were a kid. I had so much fun that I have to do it again this year...

THANKFUL...

Just so very thankful for the people in my life personally and professionally. Thankful for the opportunities that have come my way. Thankful for my health and happiness.

My goals always include organization and I will always be committed to that. It seems it is an ongoing theme that I struggle with. As I head into a new year I want to continue home organization and school organization. I have learned that it is better for me to take it in small chunks rather than scheduling large projects. First up this year... The closet, oh the dreaded closet. I am headed there soon and hope I come out alive.

I posted this on my home blog and I still use these today. I have learned that if I write things down I am much more likely to not only do it but finish it too! Click on the image above to get your copy complements of Ginger Snaps!

One of my favorite organizing attempts this year has been the...dish drainer. I had seen this idea for years but I didn't really know how I would actually use it. What I love about it is that it holds my color coded clipboards. The clipboards are my student lists, checklist and assessment recording forms. And I have tamed the clipboards too. I have just one specific, targeted assessment on each clipboard and I do not file it into a binder until it is all complete and then I move on to the next item to assess. The binders hold the checklists, monitoring notes, recording forms until I have to enter the information in for report cards. The binders that are in the dish drainer pictured above hold materials for small groups and RTI. I change out what is inside the dish drainer as I complete the tasks. This has helped to keep me focused on exactly what we are working on.

This year has been filled with dusty dirt roads and traveling through Texas. I have had more summer sunshine picnics than I could have imagined.

 But one of the best memories for me personally was when I was given a kayak this year. On a whim, I decided I wanted to learn how to kayak. I mentioned it to my husband and it wasn't long before he took me out to get my own. And what I love about this memory the most is the fact that without thinking it was crazy or silly he just did it. And before I could really change my mind, we were out on the water and I swear we have never looked back!



This is one of my favorite photos because it reminds me of the trip we took to The Cabin in the Woods. It was just a small weekend getaway but at the perfect time in the year when we had been so busy. It was nice to get away and just spend time talking, laughing and shopping.



My favorite accomplishment this year has been more personal rather than professional. Like I said before, I took a little time for myself this year and focused on living a little. And looking back it has been the best decision to focus on family for a while. And looking back I have a ton of memories that will live within me forever...

My favorite blog post this year was on my home blog and probably because it was about a favorite memory of the year when we went to Wimberly Texas for a fun weekend. You can read about that little getaway HERE.

 

I have lived by this for a year...such common sense. When setting goals I go right down the list. To read all about it click HERE.

 

Any techy, bloggy, teacher would love this and I sure do! Now I can take my work anywhere and maybe have a little fun too!

Oh my...what is not to love? I never had a need to try these little gems but this was the year for it. I promise, we will get back to this one...

What Texas girl doesn't love Texas Roadhouse?

I really have no favorite. I can't really commit to a series. I am more of a reality TV, DIY, HGTV and Food Network junkie. It is probably on and I might be listening...sort of. I am more of a computer girl anyway and besides I have seen every single episode of Forensic Files...

I never watch movies. I swear that is way too much of a commitment for me. I don't like to be quiet that long or sit still that long either. But this Christmas I managed to watch for the first time...

Miracle on 34th Street.

Hands down...if you know me at all you know this is my all time, once a year favorite. I love it to pieces. And when I open the box to get it out each year I know Christmas is coming.

And I just might have scored one of these to go with it! What is better than a coordinating teacher bag? I swear...nothing just nothing.

Found at wannasmile.com. This one speaks to me right now...

So, what are your 14? Head on over and link up!

Happy New Year!