Shaving cream fun!

As I sit here writing lesson plans, I muse over the crazy activities my kids will be doing this week.

I know they'll like writing words in shaving cream, growing Sea Monkeys and identifying letters to win prizes!

I'm also just as sure they'd rather croak than practice their handwriting and that they will make me a little crazy when they flip the lights off in the bathroom a zillion times.

I think about how excited they'll be on our field trip and hope that "Fireman Dave" still has an open presentation slot for us.

I hope they like our new poem and that by the end of the week everyone will be a little closer to knowing their phone numbers and addresses.

Don't get me started on all the Halloween stuff I've bought for them... and please don't make me admit that I actually bought all three of the Peanuts holiday specials... scary... very scary...

Tears over acorns

So many times I hear people say that children are so hard to please.

I listen, and I know there is truth to what is said.

But, today when my Kindergarten kids squealed appreciatively over the acorns I collected to share, I had to smile.

I knew they would be pleased and I wasn't disappointed.

One kiddo even cried because her friend pulled off her acorn's cap!

The nuts couldn't have disappeared quicker if I'd had a room full of furry critters instead of little students.

Acorns....

:-)

Running and rhyming

This morning in my never ending attempt to keep my Kindergarten kiddos learning and having a good time too, I invented a silly game.

I drew four simple pictures: a pig, a star, a mop and a cat and taped one on each wall of our gym.

Then I told the kids that I wasn't, "Ms. Susan", instead I was a Super Amazing Tricker who was going to "catch" anyone who couldn't rhyme.

Next, I read a word and told the kids they needed to run to the picture that rhymed with the word I had just spoken.

With laughs of glee they ran while I pretended to catch them.

We played the game for ten minutes or so. Not very long in the whole scheme of life. But, I hope long enough to reinforce the concept of rhyming and to plant a happy memory of learning in their hearts that will stay with them.

Kindergarten... I'm tired... they're crazy... but I am so happy to teach them.

Rhyming games!

It's amazing how a silly dance and the excuse to wag your finger at your teacher makes learning more fun.

Today my kiddos and I practiced rhyming together in a very silly way. All of my favorite Kindergarten students lined up along the blackboard and then I would flash a homemade picture card at them and read the word upon it. If the picture was "rose" then I would say another word like "nose". If the word I said rhymed, the kids could do a dance. If it didn't, they could shake their finger at me (because clearly I was confused)! The resulting game was a hoot and my students loved it! At the end I flipped the deal and I would show a card and call on a student challenging them to rhyme. If the could, (I didn't mind help from friends), I would do a little dance. If they got "tricked", I would wag my finger at them. Then of course we'd talk about where they got confused and I'd let them try again.

May I suggest doing a, "little dance" if you are feeling down. (If you can do it with Kindergarten kids, all the better!)

It certainly does the trick for me.

Field Trip!

I survived my first field trip! It was even fun. We picked apples! I even got to pick some myself. The kids had a wonderful time and were well behaved. No one got lost. No litigation resulted! Hey that's success isn't it?
:-)

Sick....

If possible stay at least ten feet away from people with a stomach virus.

In fact after reading my post, you should probably say a prayer, gargle with Listerine and find some garlic to tie around your neck!

I ended up having to take my lesson plans to school and then return home.

Being sick and working is never any fun. But when you teach kiddos, you feel like you MUST be there. (I don't hear any extra ego... so stop snickering!)

You want to know how they did at your lessons, if they behaved and if anything interesting happened. You actually miss them.

It is strange how quickly I have come to really care for the little people in my class. I want them to learn and grow, I feel the responsibility I have and I am both awed and a little frightened.

I love being a teacher...

Now if only someone could have got the memo that I don't have time to be sick!

I'm headed back to bed. More rest. More applesauce and bananas. Yum...

As for you... don't forget those prayers, Listerine and garlic!

"Squirrels"

This week my Kindergarten kids practiced a fall poem entitled Gray Squirrel. You should have seen them as one would pretend to be a squirrel while others were the nasty "winter wind" waiting to catch the squirrel unaware lest he (or she) decide to play instead of collecting nuts!

Kindergarten is such a lovely grade to teach because "fun" activities can be used to teach required standards. In Kindergarten, children must learn to role play, speak clearly and cooperate. Acting out the poem practiced all these skills. Additionally, in order to make their own set of ears, the children had to color and cut. Each of these skills are standards that must be taught. Can you think of anything more delightful?

Teaching these little ones is certainly a challenge. With short attention spans and a craving for routine, lesson plans must be consistent and creative. I am both exhausted and very happy. I hope you are all fairing as well.