Can an Old Dog Learn New Tricks??

Happy Monday Bowers Bunch!! 

I am trying out some new things on the class webpage.  Please be patient with me as this "old dog" tries to learn some new tricks!

I would love some feedback positive or not.  I need to know what is working for you guys out there.  I have added a link for flash cards in case you need extra ones at home.  Be sure to click the link at the bottom of the home page and then open them at the bottom of the next page. There you can print the first set of sight words we have covered.
 I am trying to make things as user friendly as I can, but as I said, I am still just learning.

 

I am a true believer that a person should be a life long learner and there is always something out there to be learned.  I hope to post things you find helpful in this journey we call kindergarten.  We are in this together and so far it has been a wonderful ride. I look forward to hearing from you.

Save those Boxtops

Please start saving your boxtops for us. This is a competition between classes and while a great way to raise funds for our school, I'll admit, I would like to WIN! So, call grandma and all the aunts and uncles get everyone involved! It's for a good cause and maybe in the process we will WIN! 

We need your help!

Ever wonder what those little square things are on products that you buy?

They are called QR codes!

and

 

 

 There are some really cool things we can do with them in class!
 

Here is where we need your help!

We are looking for some old smart phones with charges that you are no longer using. (maybe like the one pictured above)

 

 

 

 

If you have an old device you would like to donate to our class for educational purposes, we would appreciate it
so much!

Also if anyone has any old individual cassette players (in working order) we are in need of those too.  Although we are trying to keep up with new technology, a lot of our stories are still on cassette  tape and these players are getting harder and harder to find. I am posting a picture in case you are not familiar with this ancient listening device. Ha ha!

 

 

Thank you for all you do for your child to help them be successful!

 

 

Annual Treasure Box Family Project

The Treasure Boxes started arriving last week. I went ahead and let those students share their project. They were so excited!
Students are working on many skills during their presentation.
1. They learn to speak in a loud clear voice.
2. Everyone must introduce themselves.
3. They must share two mediums (art supplies or other items.) they used to decorate their treasure box.
4. Tell who helped them with their project.
5. Students are encouraged to speak in complete sentences.
6. Students learn how to respond to compliments.



Here are just a few so far...

Students also have responsibilities as the audience.

1. Students are learning what makes a good listener.
    Look at the speaker etc.
2. Students learn to take turns.
3. Students are learning how to ask questions
4. Students are learning how to give and receive compliments.

I can't wait to see the rest of the projects as they come in! You are all doing a fantastic job! Please keep student made books in these treasure boxes all year. These will be great practice for reading sight words and building confidence in these young readers.
Treasure Box project continued:

This past Friday morning was filled with more sharing of wonderful treasure boxes and creative ideas. Thank you to all the family members who helped with this project.  However, this project is one that continues all year. Now that you have the box, you have to fill it with the treasures that your child will bring home. BOOKS! AND treat them as such. Ohhh and Ahhh over these books, ask your child to read them to you. They will follow your lead. 

Read, read read. 

Did I say read? 

If you and your child have not made yours yet, It's not too late. The share chair is always there!

Hallway on Display

   While going through some pictures and grouping last years pictures into a separate album on facebook I ran across these pictures.  Here is a culmination of several weeks worth of Art Center Projects that were on display outside our classroom last year.  We loved making grouchy lady bugs after reading Eric Carl's book by the same title and take a look at those very busy Spiders!

We had a great time painting flowers to go along with our spring and plant unit.  Also pictured are our ants that we made in the Science Center during our Insect Unit.  We also wrote poems about spiders.  It turned out to be a bright and interesting display I just hated to take down.

 

What a wonderful sight!

 

Centers

 Students enjoy some center time.

 

Students also work on communication and social skills. Our

#2 Center as we call them are more open ended and geared toward social interactions.

Read to Self

This week students practice different ways to enjoy books.
1. Look at pictures.
2. Look at (read) the words.
3. Retell or make up a story.
During our "Read to self" time students are expected to:
1. Stay in their spot.
2. Look at their books the whole time.
3. Don't talk to neighbors just yourself.
These students are doing a great job and this is just the first week of school!
Come along and watch us grow into readers this year!

First Day!

 I can't wait to see all of my new "bunch"
tomorrow! We will start right off with as close to a regular schedule as possible.  I will tweak it here and there, but hope to get them settled in as soon as possible. Please return the permission slip as soon as possible if you would like for your child to be included in web posts about things that are going on in our classroom.  Please be sure to "like" our facebook page so you can get updates and reminders in addition to the daily B.E.A.C.H. notebook that comes home.  Have a great week and I will be posting more info here soon.