Haunted House

Each year, around Halloween time, our Reading Corner or House Area turns into a SPOOKY HAUNTED HOUSE.  The students have so much fun inside reading books with witch fingers or bones, guessing how many slimy eyeballs are in the jar, making a skeleton puzzle, and dressing up in different costumes.  They have a "Spook-tacular" time!

Amber

Vowel Megaphone

The students will make a vowel megaphone.  Then we will listen to the song, Vowel Cheer, by Dr. Jean and cheer, cheer, cheer! 

Amber

LOVE THESE RHYMING BOOKS

• My Nose is a Hose!
• A Bear Ate My Pear!
• There's a Bug in My Mug!
• There's a Dragon in My Wagon!

All of the books are pop up books written by, Kent Salisbury.  

Katalina Matalina Homework-alina

In the past, I have used "Reading Rolls" for homework.  The purpose of using a toilet paper roll "Reading Roll" is to aide the children in learning several things that are important for him/her to know by the end of kindergarten.  It is also a nice way for the parents to see their child’s progress!

My students loved Katalina Matalina so much that this year I came up with, "Katalina Matalina Homework-alina."  This how it works:
 

Each student has to read his/her “Reading Sheet 1” to thier parents successfully for five separate days (not times) before returning it to school.  By successfully, I mean being able to say everything on the reading roll without error.  The student will color in one square at the bottom of his/her “Reading Sheet 1” after each successful try.  When all five squares are full, they may return the “Reading Sheet 1” for "Reading Sheet 2". 

You are able to print off the Reading Roll sheets on my Shutterfly website. http://www.luv2teachk.shutterfly.com/

Amber

Teaching A Letter A Day

At the beginning of the school year, I teach a letter a day.  In order to fit everything into our busy schedule, it usually takes about two months to complete the introduction of all of the letters.  

First, we will explore this question - “Do you have a/an (letter) in your name?”  We do this as a whole group.  I will show the students their name tag and ask the student if they have that letter in their name.  I will then place it under yes or no on the pocket chart.   We count how many students have that letter in their name and how many students do not have that letter in their name. 

Second, we learn the letter poem.  I use Kim Jordano’s letter poetry journals.  We go through the poem together.  We count how many words are in the poem.  We will highlight in yellow the letter of the day in both upper and lowercase.  Then the students will put their poem page in their poetry binders.  Later in the year, we will use a different colored highlighter to highlight any sight words we find. 

Third, we will read a letter book together and circle any words that begin with the letter of the day.  We will also underline any sight words we have learned on each page.  I use the letter books from Hands-on Alphabet Activities for Young Children, by Roberta Seckler Brown and Susan Carey.  You can get a copy of the book by calling 1-800-288-4745.  It cost me only $3.95! 

Forth, we will meet as a whole group again.  On a sheet of white construction paper, we will think of as many words as we can that begin with the letter of the day.  I will call on a student and draw what he/she says.  I will also write the word underneath the picture. 

It is my hope that this daily routine and the ABC Phonics sing, sign, and read song by Nellie Edge will help my students learn to recognize each letter and sound it makes to start off the school year.  I can’t wait to see how much the children grow and become “EXCELLENT” readers this year!

Amber

Looking for Dracula

In October, my students LOVE the song "Looking for Dracula" by Charlotte Diamond.  It is a fun type of Echo Song to use in your classroom.  If you click on the link below you will find song cards for "Looking for Dracula".http://www.n-e-n.com/looking-for-dracula-song-card.aspx

Katalina Matalina

In September, we will listen to the song, "Katalina Matalina", by Dr. Jean.  The students and I discussed what it means to have a "Heart of Gold".  During the school year, if I catch a student doing something extra speical, I will give him/her a heart of gold.  The students are so proud of themselves when they earn one!

Fall Bullentin Board

Amber

Rainbow Hair Bulletin Board

Amber