Counting by 10s with BoxTops

I just happened upon an activity the other day. My class and I were discussing how much each BoxTop for Education is worth (10 cents). As a group, we got out our bag of BoxTops that had been brought in and started counting. About half way into counting it dawned on my that we were doing a 10s activity AND a money activity. So, if you have a big bag of BoxTops, divide them up by tables and have each group count each BoxTop by 10s. Then you can have each table tell you the monetary value of their Boxtops counting by 10s.

This is a fun and easy activity and as a bonus, it keeps the BoxTops a topic of interest for the students. This might help them remember to bring in the valuable little items. Have fun!

I love handwriting!

I love teaching every part of Kindergarten but if I had to choose 2 of my favorite things to teach, I would choose handwriting and reading. Handwriting, at the beginning of the kindergarten year, can be trying but it is always amazing how quickly they develop. We use the Handwriting Without Tears program. I have been teaching this program for about 6 years so I know it like the back of my hand but the one difficult thing about it is the 2 line paper. It is a challenge to teach without a top line but it can be done and it can be done well.

I am currently working on an action research project for part of my professional development this year that will focus on handwriting. I am always looking for great books, articles, blogs, and any examples of different ways to teach handwriting. I am also constantly searching for research on the importance of teaching/learning handwriting and it's effects on other areas of growth. If you come across any resources you think are great, please share them with me. I want to have a great action research project but I also want to become well-versed in handwriting research for my own personal growth. I hope you all enjoy teaching handwriting as much as I do. It is an important skill that will be used long into the future...even if we to type most of what we share these days!

A Great Find for Whiteboards!

We recently purchase some Crayola Dry-Erase Crayons for our classroom and they have been a hit! They work and look just like Crayons you use on paper. They look great on the whiteboard and you can really jazz up your lesson with all the different colors. Clean up takes a little more than a dry-erase marker. I typically use 1 wet wipe to clean up but these take two or three for full clean up. I love these and highly recommend them to any teacher!

Coloring, Cutting, and Counting

We did the cutest activity this afternoon, for Tt week and counting, that seemed very easy but turned out to be a bit of a fine motor challenge. The activity seemed easy enough. Color and cut a sheet of trains, numbered 1-10 and then glue them in order.

I made an example to show the boys (which is shown below) and it even took me a while to color and cut each train. The trains are so small the boys really had to take their time cutting. I had a few who just couldn't manipulate cutting such small angles so I drew a box around the train car with a sharpie and had them cut along the straight line. I don't have a picture of one of those to post because the activity has taken so long, we are going to have to finish in the morning. My students seemed to really enjoy the activity and the trains that are complete are so cute. Since the train is so long, I had to use a roll of sentence strip paper to glue the train cars on. These ended up looking a little like train tracks so it worked out well. Here are some of the finished product. Keep in mind, the top one is my example.

iPod Touch Ideas

We were lucky enough to get a set of iPod Touches for the school. Although, I am an avid iPhone user, I don't have any children at home so I don't know much about educational apps for kids. I am on the hunt for some so, if you use any great apps in your classroom or at home with your own children please send them my way. The boys loved the Touches and I am always amazed at how quickly all this technology has developed. I can't wait to see what all is available when these students are my age!

p.s. Just for the record, it was Hat Day. We don't usually have hats on in the classroom. :-)

Making Connections Bulletin Board

My co-teacher Holly is the bulletin board guru! She is always coming up with new and creative board ideas. One of the thinking routines we learned about at Project Zero was about making connections. So, our bulletin board is all about making connections. I thought it was so cute that I had to share!

Scholastic is worth your time!

I just have to share with you fellow teachers that Scholastic is giving away points and books like I have never seen before. I love it! It might take a few extra minutes of your day but I highly suggest either sending home Scholastic every month or have your parents sign up online to place orders under your class name. Our class received 10 free books for placing a $20 order last month and we earned a ton of points as well. We were able to use points to purchase some wonderful books and CDs for our listening center.

If aren't receiving Scholastic catalogues click here to sign up.

Speaking of books....One of my favorite series is coming to an end this month. Knuffle Bunny Free is coming out later this month. I received a sneak peek of this book a few months ago and loved it. Pick it up if you get a chance.