Learning to Read
It is that time of year once again. Kindergarten is ready to begin. I have had fun getting all the items out of the boxes from last year and adding to our little collection. We purchased some used Dr. Seuss books on Ebay to go along with our theme for kindergarten this year, plus those books are complete classics in the children’s realm of reading.
We are trying something different this year. With eight students this time around, the school board was kind enough to make me some horseshoe activity tables. Not only will this allow me to reach each student easier, but it will also serve a dual purpose for an activity and art table. Our one we used last year had been in the classroom for probably around two decades and it was hard to write on it. But it was such a sweet little thing we didn’t want to get rid of it entirely. So it now has its own little place for the toddlers who come with their mamas to the sewings.
Our word wall is back! We had so much fun with this set of cards. It was an editable template that I purchased on Teacherspayteachers.com. You can put in any word you want and print it off. So I used these for their CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words. I have a bunch more that we will keep off the wall and use for games or as flashcards.
Jobs are a good way to teach that each child is needed to help the classroom function properly. It also gives them a sense of responsibility and accomplishment when they do their specific job for the day. Now if only the teacher can remember how she rotates these we will be doing great! That was something I struggled with last year and we got mixed up a few times.
I went to Dollar Tree and got a bunch of these tubs to hold our arts, crafts, games, playdoh and other goodies. And of course we needed a place to hold the prizes! Please forgive the tilt of my camera….I am really bad at that. Just cock your head and squint. It helps.
This was one of the best things we did last year and that we will be implementing again this time around. I provide all the pencils and I have enough there for each student to get one at the end of each class. This is so much easier than each child having to sharpen his own pencil. Makes for a more organized classroom.
I like to use miniature white boards for each student to practice writing their letters on. It is easier, especially in the beginning, to learn how to make circular motions – as in e, c, and o. Last year we used tissues to erase the boards and went through lots of tissues. This year we are using washable makeup remover pads. I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought that was really nifty!
Again, I cannot take credit for this idea – it came from Pinterest also! These are line-up dots for when it is time to leave the classroom for recess, lunch, etc. Too many times last year we had pushing and shoving and people trying to get behind certain other people in line. So this year we will try to eliminate some of that by having each child get a number each day and that will be their place in the line-up. Now if only I can once again remember how to rotate these numbers also!! Thankfully I have an awesome teachers planner that holds all the things my head forgets.
This is our sweet little reading corner. Over the summer I collected a bean bag and other items to add to kindergarten. It was fun to think about what I might do different and how to make the classroom even more exciting, yet a better place to learn.
So there you have the little room I will be inhabiting for the next few months and all the precious memories being made with little people. I hope you all have an awesome winter and even better spring!
- The Adventum CD Collection – Sale Now - March 27, 2021
- Alternative To Facebook Option - January 30, 2021
- The Beauty of the Hoary Head - January 2, 2021
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.