Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Experimenting with Whole-Brain Teaching





Check out the pros on....
www.WholeBrainteaching.com

I am furthering my education right now through the University of Wyoming. My focus right now is an ESL (English as a Second language) endorsement. I will go on to pursue my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. With that being said I am working hard to "MASTER" my craft. I am enjoying reading and researching new strategies to help kids learn. This is my latest obsession.
What do you think?
I would love some feedback....

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Week 5 Griffin Gazette

Here we go...
This week we will have somewhat of an Apple theme to our learning. We will do it in honor of Johnny Appleseed and Fall. 
For Reading: We are reading FIX IT DUCK by Jez Alborough
Letter recognition: F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N
Comprehension Skill: Setting
Snap Words: Reteach I, AM
See your FAMILY times that comes home tonight for more.
*An exciting element beginning this week during will be the FIRST GRADERS coming in on Tuesday - Thursday for direct instruction. I am excited about this opportunity to co-teach with Ms. Pittel.
For Math: 
This week we will be wrapping  up Unit 1 with the following skills-
*Develop number sense and counting skills through an oral counting game
*Body Height Comparisons - practice and comparing lengths
*Finger counting fun
*PROJECTs: Numbers in our World...neighborhood walk on THURSDAY noticing numbers in our world, making our Classroom Telephone book and WHERE we live mural. Please help my letting me know which phone number you would like your child to memorize.
For Writing:
Wrapping up our Launching Writer's workshop Unit with Caramel dip and apples on Thursday. We will publish (small celebration) and share as a class.
Topics include:
Writing...using our Heart Map
Making Lists
More Functional Writing
Themework:
See Math Projects
Tree Counting and walk
FALL tree ART
APPLE puppets and poems
Apple prints
Other news:
POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT "BUS" ASSEMBLY on Tuesday
All grades will be testing this week (QUIET VOICES) 
WE came up with our CLASSROOM MISSION: We are Super Critters (in case you were wondering, Super Critters are kids who follow the rules, learn what is taught and fill people's buckets.) You may see super critters flying around our room. We decided that we would put a super critter "up" by something that needs to be learned. The kids are excited about their mask and star. Look for your super Critter outside our classroom door.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

THE 4 B's in our class

Check out how we remember our rules!!!

Kindergarten skills

I PICK "GOOD FIT BOOKS" in my reading spot
Practicing my new skill: I PICK...it's tricky!
J.D....in his reading spot

OUR V.I.P this week practices his 1 to 1 counting

Exploring Volume...
It's like we're at the beach....
but not...:)
1 to 1 counting (Math Explorations)
And having fun while doing it...

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Week 4 Griffin Gazette

This week during Reading Workshop we kick off our Scott Foresman Reading Curriculum while learning "ROUTINES" from the Daily 5. Please click on the links to learn more.
Preview our week: 
Concept question - How do we get to school?
READaloud - The little school bus by Carol Roth (rhyming story)
Comprehension skill: Character
Letter Recognition - A,B,C,D,E
SNAP words (words that your child should learn and know in a snap) - I, AM
Tuesday - Thursday (Your child will be bringing home a book on their level) to practice at home with you. I like to call them LAP books (so that your child sits in your lap and reads to or with you). 
DAILY FIVE SKILL - IPICK *good fit book
I - Choose the book
P- Purpose, Why do I want to read it?
I- Interest, Does it interest me?
C- Comprehend, Do I understand what I am reading?
K- Know, I know most of the words.
(Your child will learn this skill and practice it every day. Please help out at home by following the same guidelines when you are at the bookstore, the library, or in your own home. Children who learn to select good-fit books will no longer wander aimlessly in a library or classroom collection looking for a book.)
MATH  this week includes:
Volume (exploring with sand and water table)
Sound and Motion Patterns (exploring with Rhythm sticks)
Getting to know numbers (1-9)
Patterns with color
Coin comparisons
Give the next number game
Writer's workshop this week includes:
Practicing routines
Writing everyday about things we care about
Fish bowl shares
Watching "teacher" model THINK.DRAW.WRITE.READ
THEMEwork this week includes:
Tree parts learned during Tree Tag
Tree visits at the school
Swimming at Green Canyon

Other news:
Class pictures on September 20th!!! Bring your smile!
Swimming on Friday 24th!!! Bring your suit and towel and 2.50.
OPEN HOUSE @ 6:00 pm...Come and learn about our school, get your handbook, and tour the classrooms.


Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Kindergarten Campground

Just some fun things in no particular order!!!

We love the "BIG SCREEN"...here we are watching "BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR"
yum yum....carrots are so yummy..
                                                                                                               

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