10 Things I've Learned from Teaching

I am linking up with Miss Kindergarten to tell you the 10 things I have learned from teaching. Some are funny and some are serious- Here goes. 

1. Your salary- half it...seriously. You put so much of your money into your classroom to make it the best it can be! You buy the cute things that make your classroom a home and that make learning come alive. 

2. Body Doorbell- think about where kinders come up on you. If they need you and you are turned around....your bottom becomes a doorbell. Ha! This shocks me every time, but it is done in the most innocent way. 

3. Hours- The hours you spend in your classroom, thinking about school, grading, writing report card comments, and make things at home is astronomical! This e-card always makes me laugh!

4. Games- You say the word game and a student's attitude totally changes! Even if it really is not a game, they sit up a little straighter and they are ready to go! They totally forget that learning is involved. 

5. Be Confident- IN EVERYTHING you do, act confident! Parents and students like to think you know what you are doing. If you do not know an answer be honest though. You would rather look intelligent than lying to a parent or child. 

6. Planning time- Yes, you are given planning time during the day...but usually they consist of responding to e-mails, conferences, phone calls, discipline, and much more. This means you take so much home! 

7. Leave your baggage at the door- No matter what is going on in your personal life, leave it at the door. Students deserve 110% of you. I have also found that it is hard to think of your personal life when you are with the children. They are the best medicine. 

8. Be silly- Make a fool of yourself, dance, dress up, enjoy teaching. Our children enjoy this so much! I love to dance and sing! You want a child to go home and say "Today was the best day at school."

9. Negative Energy- Teachers are truly a funny breed! They are territorial and sometimes downright mean. If you give 110% to your students, go girl!! Don't let anyone put you down and be negative! Close your door and teach your heart out! 

10. Take Care of Yourself- I have learned this one the hard way! I ran myself into the ground two years ago and suffered with months of being sick. My life had to change and I had to save time for myself. Do it, even though it is really hard!

Well those are just a few things I learned from teaching! I have loved reading everyone's thoughts at Miss Kindergarten! Jump over to read about it! 

Throwback Thursday

I haven't been blogging for long and I wanted to participate in The First Grade Parade's Throwback Thursday...so I will bring you something NEW to my blog, but a THROWBACK to me :) 
I know everyone always looks for new ways to practice phonemic awareness and here is an idea I took away from a professional development session at my school: Sound Parking Lots! 

All you need is a toy car, list of words that contain the same sounds (sound needs to be in beginning, middle, and end of various words), and a parking lot. 

Here is a copy of the parking lot sheet. Click here to download it.

The kids love this. You need to add some sound effect too, makes it that much better. 

Enjoy! 

Day 3 @ I Teach K!

I am getting to my blog a little early today because we are off to see a show tonight! 

Day 3...the day I had been waiting for....why?.... because I was going to get to see Deanna Jump and I practically own ALL of her tpt units! 

Here was my day in a nutshell! 

To visit Deanna Jump click here! 

To visit Kim Adsit click here! 

What another awesome day at I Teach K! 

Day 2!

Day 2 at I Teach K! has come to a close and man is my brain spinning with fabulous ideas! I spotted some of my favorite bloggers and it was like seeing a celebrity...yes I am a dork! 

Again, I am going to recap my most favorite ideas from the day. 

Morning Session 1: Differentiating Centers: Let the Common Core be your Guide with Kathy Griffin

First of all Kathy is a wonderful presenter. She has real life experience at home and at school. 

I use the Daily 5 in my classroom. I am thinking of tweaking it and making it my own this year. 

I want to do:


1. Read to Self or Someone (combining) 
2. Work on Writing
3. Word Work
4. Listen to Reading
5. Research 

Research would be the new addition. Common Core has really stepped up the game in nonfiction texts. At my school we do so many thematic non-fiction units that this can be easily done!

Look at the picture- The ideas are awesome! Who doesn't have nonfiction books and what kid does not love them? 

Morning Session 2: Teaching Behavior & Social Skills: Let's Start at the VERY Beginning with Dan St. Romain

I had the pleasure to meet Dan at dinner on night 1 and we had awesome conversations, thus needless to say I was excited to see him present. At the session he was lively, entertaining, and had a fun sense of humor. 

He said something that really stuck with me...

"Social skills need to be taught. You penalize a kid (move their clip down, time out, less recess) when they do not accurately interact socially. Would you do the same with a student who didn't know their ABC's. NO, of course not. We practice, re-teach, re-teach, and re-teach." 

Afternoon Session: A-B-C, Come and Learn with Me! with Kathleen Pedersen 

A blogger celebrity to me is Kathleen Pedersen from Growing Kinders (link above) and I was just elated to get to hear her present and meet her! She was lovely- we even talked about my sweet baby and starting the year with my class. 

It is my goal this year to play a quick and easy reading game/song before our small group reading time. This will get kids moving and practicing an essential skill. 

I got so many good ideas, here goes:

Hungry Hippo & Crocodile 

Letter, sound, word munchers. Use an old Cascade dishwasher packet container, cover with foam and some decor and viola- a muncher!

Ice Cream Game

You can practice naming the letter or taking it further...letter sounds. Make  brown construction paper pockets and affix a letter sticker to each pocket. Then get 26 popsicle sticks and put a star on 1 or 2 of the sticks. Slide the sticks inside the ice cream pockets. Have each child say the letter/sound and whoever gets the star wins! 

Big Old Shark 

Another way to practice letter recognition, sounds, beginning sounds, ect. The shark clip art is affixed to a blue gift bag...the shark gets to chomp the letter card. 

Hot Potato 

Another way to practice letter recognition, sounds, beginning sounds, ect.

And I won a $10 Teachers Pay Teachers from Kathleen!! 

So excited.... what to buy? 

I ended my day with a Mommy-to-be massage, dinner at the Canal Shoppes, and writing postcards to my previous kinders!! 

Night all, I am tired!

Many prayers go out to my partner in crime, Janet... prayers for peace! 

I Teach K! Day 1

Do you ever have a dream to meet the top of the top professionals in your area of work? I have always had the dream to meet, interact, and converse with the best teachers from across the county. Many of these ladies are so well known and one even made a million dollars selling lesson plans on the internet. 

This week I have the pleasure of attending "I Teach K! National Conference." Back in the fall I applied for a grant from my school's PA and was awarded tuition for this amazing week of learning and fun! 

After trekking cross country at 6 months pregnant, I am here rockin' and rollin' in pure teacher style. Binder ready, colorful flair pens ready, and an open mind ready to be filled. 

I think when attending a conference, there is so much your brain can intake. I am going to highlight each session I attended and tell you my most favorite idea or tip. 

Here goes:

AM Keynote: You are Wonderful.....Indeed! with Debbie Clement 

Debbie sang the song: Top to Bottom, Left to Right 

It enforced the basic reading skill of how reading is done. It is to the tune of "Head, Shoulder, Knees & Toes." We all were singing and dancing! See the video that comes from Debbie's new work with Zaner Bloser. 

Morning Session 1: Common Core & Writing with Shari Sloane

Have I ever told you I love graphic organizers? Shari had this really cool one today and I have never seen it. I hope to make one similar to this soon and post it as a Freebie! I originally just took notes (right) and then Shari let me take a picture of hers. Thanks! 

Morning Session 2: Preparing Young Kindergarten Brains to Read with Kathy Griffith 

Vowel sounds are so hard in K! I loved this letter sound song that was to the tune of "When the Saints Go Marching In." 

Get your flags out and march march march! 

See her video: 


 

Afternoon Session 1: Celebrate Literacy: Lyrics to Literacy with Debbie Clement 

Pom Poms, that could go with the activity before.

Take 2 plastic bags and cut off the bottom edge. Lay the bags on top of each other. Using tape or a rubber band, tightly wrap around the two bags just below the handles. Use scissors and cut down the bags to make the fringe. FREE POM POMS!! 

Afternoon Session 2: Brain Compatible Reading and Writing with Peggy Campbell-Rush

Did you know the brain chunks information in 3's? Peggy suggested separating the alphabet into three sections. She makes these portable word walls for her students and you can see the alphabet chunked in three different sections. 

PM Keynote: The Ron Clark Story

Ever meet someone in your profession that has such a similar philosophy as you? Ron Clark is an awe-inspiring teacher, administrator, founder of a school, and down to earth man who understands teaching his students. 

If you have never heard his story, seriously Google 'Ron Clark.' 

He believes in positivity, creativity, and passion. He stands on the tables, sings, dances, and inspires his students to do their best. 

 

DONE DAY 1! Wow so many ideas! Only photo of me for the day. Elevator selfie!!

I'm Back & Favorite Pins Friday

It has literally been months since I updated Sweet Kinders and that is because I AM PREGNANT! My husband and I found out in early March that we are expecting our first child this fall! So after months and months of morning sickness, I am finally coming back and feeling great!

I thought I would use my first post back by sharing some wonderful ideas I found this week: 

First: From Miss Kindergarten, she wrote a wonderful post about organization, which I love. She makes extra student bags for potential new students. I loved the labels. Click on the link above to get the freebie and read all about it! 

Second:  From Little Minds at Work, I loved her word rings that focus on cvc short vowel words. In K, we are constantly working on these and I love these simple cards and the black dots where students touch one dot per sound. She is offering a freebie too! 

Third: From Testy Yet Trying, I love her idea of a matching pole. It is so easy to make and it re-uses things around the house. She used it for alphabet recognition. I like to use it for cvc practice and rhyming word practice. 

Fourth: From Rub Some Dirt on It, I loved her alphabet identification egg activity. I had a bunch of Easter Eggs I stocked up on and now made them into these wonderful games. 

Next week I will be at I Teach K! SO look for more posts!! 



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Valentine's Day Rewind

Valentine's Day was quite low key in our classroom. Yes, we still had a party and passed out Valentine's cards. 

First, I love decorating for each holiday. My door always has a cute saying and always displays each child's name. 

Each week we have a new poem. It usually is thematic or holiday based. I try to add motions to each line, hence keeping all learners focuses. This one is 'Five Little Valentine's.' 

After our poem, there is always a morning message or letter written by me. It welcomes the students and tells our daily activities. I use my morning message for many things...some days we make graphs, write sight words, or share information. 

During our Daily 5 time, we enjoyed some fun word work activities. Here is an activity I got from Mrs. Ricca. I added my own special flair, but it was super cute! 

I made a Write the Room sheet for Valentine's Day and President's Day. Click the links for the freebies! 

These are the super cute bags we made to collect our Valentine's in.

 I found it from the ladies at Me and My Gang. 

 Before our party, we got started with some sweet tarts. We sorted, graphed, and analyzed. The students LOVED graphing and eating. 

This sweetie was so hard working :) 

We had a fabulous party filled with food, games, and crafts. 

Hope you had a very special Valentine's Day!