Sorting Buttons

Today, we read a book called "The Button Box." It's about a little boy who sorts buttons many different ways. After we read the book, I gave them some buttons. First, we sorted them by color. Next, we tried to sort them by shape. That was a little harder, but they're starting to get the hang of it. I also added a sorting center to our math centers, where they can sort different items into special bowls. They had a lot of fun with that! Lastly, I wanted to share a class picture with you.

Sorting buttons by color

Our first class picture minus one student

Favorite Crayon Color Graph

Today, we made a graph of our favorite crayon colors. Each student was given a crayon to color with their favorite crayon color. When I called the color they picked, they placed it on the graph. Then, we counted how many votes each crayon color received. Lastly, we discussed the crayon color that had the most votes and the least votes. It was a tie, so we talked about what a tie meant.
In reading, we read a book called "From Anne to Zach." It is an alphabet book that lists a child's name for each letter of the alphabet. It is written in this format: "A my name is Anne." The pictures show the child doing some sort of fun activity. After reading the book, we made our own book. Each student wrote in the same format and drew a picture of themselves. Then, I bound all of the pages together into a class book for the reading center.

Favorite Crayon Color Graph

Our Alphabet Name Book

Two pages from the book

Fun with Magazines

We did a fun activity about the things we like today. Each student was given a blank person. They had to draw themselves and design their clothes. Then, we cut out the person and glued it to a piece of paper. Next, I gave the students magazines. I instructed them to look through their magazine and cut out the things they liked. Then, they glued those pictures around themselves. They had a lot of fun, and they are improving so much on their cutting!

Cutting out the things they liked


A friends finished paper

The Kissing Hand and Our Names

Our school's literacy coach, Mrs. Lee, came in to do a special lesson with us today. She read the story, "The Kissing Hand." It's about a raccoon named Chester that's going to school for the first time. He's scared and crying, but his mother gives him a kiss in the palm of his hand. She explains that he can look at his hand when he is missing her and remember the love she has for him. After the story, Mrs. Lee gave each student a paper with a picture of Chester on the front and the back. One side said before and the other said after. Mrs. Lee asked the students what Chester was doing before his mother showed him the kissing hand. They told her he was crying. Mrs. Lee gave them a paper tear, and they glued it on the "before" side. Then, they put a heart sticker on the "after" side because he felt love in his heart after he learned about the kissing hand. Lastly, Mrs. Lee gave every student their very own kissing hand.
We also did a special art project with our names today. I gave each student a strip of paper with their name written in bubble letters. They colored in their name with crayons. Then, we used watercolors to paint over the strip of paper. They turned out really great and they loved it!

Mrs. Lee reading "The Kissing Hand"

A friend showing off her kissing hand

A few of the names that are currently displayed in the hallway

Umbrellas and a Spirit Stick

We have now learned about the letter U and words that start with U. One of the words we learned about is umbrella. We made some umbrellas using cupcake wrappers and pipe cleaners today. It was a little scary for me because we used liquid glue, but they did very well. :-) I think they turned out great! They are now proudly displayed in the hallway with our P's.
I also wanted to share about a special incentive program we started on Friday. We have a spirit stick that a lucky student gets to carry when we are in the hallway (a different student every time). They earn lassos for walking in the hallway quietly and for doing well at specials (music, P.E., library, etc.) When the spirit stick is all covered with lassos, we will get a special party. Then, we will start all over again. They are very motivated! Lastly, we had another friend celebrate their birthday. Happy 5th Birthday T!

A few of the students umbrellas

A friend holding the spirit stick - Look at how many lassos we have already!

The birthday boy

Library and a Birthday

Today, we had our first library day. We met Mrs. Baker and she shared the story, "That's Good! That's Bad!" with us. It's a story about a boy who is lifted away by a balloon at the zoo. The boy lands in a jungle. A lot of bad things happen to him, but they turn out to be really good things. Mrs. Baker always lets the students hold a stuffed animal friend while listening to books, as long as they're responsible. Also, she let 3 special students hold red balloons during this story, just like the boy in the book. Next week, they will get to check out a book in library. They are so excited!
Lastly, a friend celebrated their 5th birthday today. Happy Birthday M!

At library listening to "That's Good! That's Bad!"

The birthday girl

Polly Panda

We have started animated alphabet and have learned about the letter P. In animated alphabet, each letter of the alphabet is represented by a character. The letter P's character is Polly Panda. Each letter has a special song and action to help student's better learn their letters. We have been talking about words that start with the letter P. Today, we did an art project with P. We cut out the P and glued it to a purple piece of paper. Then, we painted pink and purple polka dots on the P. Of course, all of this starts with the letter P! Here's some pictures. :-)

Painting pink and purple polka dots on the P




Proudly displayed in the hallway

First Day of School!

It was a great first day of school. They learned many things today. I think the highlights of the day were: centers, the "Bear Hunt" song, and music class. This week will be all about learning and practicing routines. We started the calendar routine and are practicing walking in the hallway. They are working their way to becoming expert kindergarteners.

Here are a few pictures of them in centers:

Welcome to Room 103!

I am very excited for my third year of teaching kindergarten at McCarter. My blog was so successful last year that I decided to use it again this year. The blog is a great place for family and friends to see all of the fun things that are happening in my classroom. I think everyone will enjoy getting a peek into the room.
I also want to share a few things about myself with you. I graduated from Washburn University in May 2008. I do not have any children but have a wonderful dog named Sadie.

I also have a 5 year old nephew

and a 10 year old niece.

Lastly, I wanted to share a picture of me on my first day of Kindergarten.

Please be checking back for lots more updates.