What Worked Well Linky

Today I am joining my friends at Kinder Tribe for a What Worked Well link-up!

Line up dots!

I LOVE them!  I use a self-adhesive vinyl sheet.  Mine are about 5 and a half inches in diameter and were cut by my daughter using a Cricut machine.

Why use dots?  Well, here a a few reasons:

• They add a great POP of color....and I LOVE color....the more the better!
• They give kids a good sense of proper space. 
• They can can be written on.  I write numbers on mine in black permanent marker.  (I did have to touch them up a few times throughout the year.)
• They last!  Seriously.  I did not have to replace a single dot all year long.  
• They come in lots of colors.  
• They remove easily.  I was a tiny bit worried that I would be chased down the janitorial staff if those suckers stuck too tight....but VOILA!  They peeled off like magic!  

This year, I have moved into a new room, and I already have the dots down.  (Insert your own happy teacher dance here!)

If you try the dots in your classroom this year, or want to know more, leave me a comment!

Parent's Update: Beginnings, Birthdays, & Best Wishes

Welcome Parents!  I am very excited to be your child's kindergarten teacher this year.  Kindergarten is such a fun, exciting, learning filled year!  I am sure you will have many questions along the way.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to me!  I am here to help.

Beginnings:  

Summer is almost over.  It is almost time for the school bells to ring again!  Your child's first full day of school will be August 26.....only 29 days away!  GULP!

In case you did not remember, or misplaced an earlier mailing, K students will come in with their parents for scheduled 20 minute appointments on August 25th.  Please call the school to schedule your appointment if you have not yet done so.  

Mid-August your child will be receiving a letter in the mail from me!  Be watching for this important letter!

School supplies - 

Many parents often want to know about supplies their child will need for school.  Here are my 2 basics for the beginning of kindergarten: 

1.  Bookbag -The bag should be large enough for a regular sized folder and extra supplies your child may need to carry.  ie: snack, cold lunch, sneakers for gym class, returned library books, extra mittens, etc.

2.  A complete set of clothing for your child in a sealed plastic bag.  All articles of clothing should be clearly marked with your child's name, as well as having your child's name on the outside of the bag.  I recommend a large ziploc bag.  This bag of extra clothing will stay at school in your child's cubby.  I will send it home with your child over long breaks so that you can change the clothes out if needed.

Birthdays:  

Birthdays are very special celebrations for kindergartners.  In our class, we celebrate together with cupcakes or cookies sent in by parents.  Please contact me as your child's birthday approaches so we can make arrangements.  
No cake and ice cream please - finger food only. 

Best Wishes for a Great Start:  

Parents and students alike can be filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness on the first day of kindergarten.  My goal is to help make this the best transition possible.  I will do my very best to ensure your child is off to a great start. 

On Wednesday, August 26- First Day of Kindergarten- Kindergarten teachers will meet their students near the playground door and lead them to their classrooms. This gives parents a perfect opportunity to wish students well before we begin our day at 8:15. It makes for a smoother transition if you separate from your child by this time. Thank you for your help!


Be looking in your child's bag for their new take-home folder. This folder will travel between home and school almost every night.  Be sure to check this folder for student work and other important papers.  Please establish a routine with your child of emptying the folder each night it comes home and returning the folder to your child’s book bag so that it is returned to school the following day.

See you on August 25th!

Get to Know Me

I am Linking up with The Tattooed Teacher for a Get to Know Me Linky.

I love that this is a fast and simple check Yes or No sheet!  

Sunday Scoop 7-26-15

Sunday...the day to rest and reflect.  And time to post my first ever Sunday Scoop!  I am linking up with The Teaching Trio for their totally fun Sunday Scoop linky party!

With this link-up, You use a  3-2-1 organizer to tell others about your upcoming week. 3 things you HAVE to do, 2 things you HOPE to do, and 1 thing you're HAPPY to do.

Here's what my week looks like:

1.  HAVE TO:

* I can't beleive that this 6 week math course is over already!  YIKES!  All the work is done except to provide feedback on other's final projects.   WOW.  6 weeks.  How did that happen?

* I really really really want to get better at maintaining my blog.  I am hopefull all my new networking will help motivate and push me to continue.

* Ahhhh. Periscope.  I have been trained to run for the sweet little whistle on my phone.  Sad, but true.  Who would have ever thought that such short little share outs by other teachers could make such an impact?  Love, love, love Periscope.  You can follow me @youngskinders  

2. HOPE TO:

* Ok, I admit it.  I maybe, sort of, like to start "craft" projects and then tend to lose interest.  Ooops.   I have an aphgan that really should be finished by the middle of August. (It is supposed to go off to college!)  And, well, I have not been very faithful to working on it.  Maybe this online confession will help me pick those needles back up?

 

3.  HAPPY TO:

Having the opportunity to be near the lake is always a blessing.  The weather man is saying nice things to me like 80+ degree weather for hte next few days, so yeah, I AM HAPPY TO!

Collaboration - the Linky Way

I am forging ahead to link up with other teachers out there.  Together we are better!

Twitter, Pericsope, Google Hangouts, Facebook,...look out!  Here I come!

And now.....Linky parties!  

Brag Tags, Bargains, & a Friday FREEBIE!

A new idea has come across my computer screen and crazy teacher brain this summer thanks to Angie of Lucky Little Learners.

  

Brag Tags!!!  I am super pumped to try this "new-to-me" idea!!!  Click the Lucky Little Learners image to visit Angie's site and learn more about brag tags.

Click the image below to download a FREEBIE of my own, newly created brag tags.

And now for some bargains!  Who isn't always on the look out for a sale, right?  Here is a useful link for teachers, parents and other "back to school" shoppers.  

Happy Friday everyone!

Classroom set up

New word wall and alphabet chart are up!

New room!

Much of my time this summer has been spent staring at my new space, trying to make the hard decisions of how to set it up.   Here are some beginning to now 

Name tags for first week: done.

Plans for first week: done.

Math homework for grad class: done.

New alphabet bulletin board posters colored & laminated: done.

Posted to blog: done!