Change of Plans

Every year, I prep and build elaborate units to teach and I think, "Great! I'll be all set for next year!" And every year, I get excited by new topics and I end up reinventing the wheel.  You know how big my spider unit is?! My BAT UNIT?! (That was one of my favorites).  My pumpkin unit alone usually takes three weeks!!!  But I am my mother's child, and I cannot pick one thing to love the most. :) So here we are, at the third week of October, and all those units are taking a hit.  We will be learning about Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead!


I am so thrilled to teach this unit because I found some really cool stuff to bring in.  I plan on making some Bread of the Dead (attempt number one went south last night...so I'll have to try again this weekend!) I'm also trying to hunt down some pre-made sugar skulls.  If I can't find any made, I'll just end up making them myself and bringing them in.  The wonderful thing about the Day of the Dead is that it is SUCH a happy, festive holiday.  I can't wait to see what our room looks like after we have a happy skull explosion!


In other news, we are having trouble as a class with "me," "we," and "my."  If your kiddo seems like they have it down, KEEP USING FLASH CARDS ON THEM.  Kids often times forget or get nervous during assessments and their minds go blank, which makes them confuse the words. 


Keep doing all that you are doing! I hope you all know how much I appreciate you and how much I love your kids! They are the reason I am so excited to come to work each day! :)


I'll try to upload October photos tonight into the October tab.  Until then...adios!

Hello, October!

Woo! So excited to bring October in! This month we will be learning about pumpkins & spiders.  We MAY even get to bats if we have time.  The wonderful thing about this class is that the kids are so prepared for K, they are able to go into topics deeper.  Although I usually do nocturnal animals this time of year, I'm going to play it by ear.  I'd rather REALLY learn about two topics than kind of learn about 3 or 4!

Please remember that late start Mondays is a regular thing and will continue.  Additionally, remember, no school on Friday! It's a district waiver day, which means I get to come to school and do paperwork/training while the kids get to be home.

THAT BEING SAID... don't let them sit around all day! Here are some youtube videos they can sing along to and practice.

Spelling orange: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfLRyuarDwg
Count to 100: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RhBhzFJ4Ww
Count to 20: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azIG0kLIlgs
Alphabet Rap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDoGSKaRdyE

Conferences in November

I know it's WAY WAY WAY away...but conferences will be November 19-21.  On these three days, school will be out at 12:40, and conferences will begin promptly at 1:00 pm.  PLEASE consider asking for days off from work in advance for one of these days! I am really hoping to schedule as many parents as possible for Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th.  Please let me know if there is a time that works for you to schedule your spot! First come, first serve :)

Also...

Just excited to share some of our work from yesterday. We are so blessed to have a solid block for writing each day, in addition to the writing specialist for 45 minutes twice a week! We are also SO lucky to have a para educator come in during writing to help our friends who need it. We are going to be able to do great writing this year!