Today, after Afternoon Work TIme and Afternoon Meeting, we took some time to work on our Memory book pages. We also read a fun book (one of the Frog and Toad series - a sure fire winner). Then we went to the auditorium to rehearse for the kindergarten program - it will be VERY cute!! After that, we came back to the room and made invitations for the program - look for them in your child's backpack today. Then, after a short outdoor recess, it was time to pack p and head home.

Today, after a very short Afternoon Work Time and a equally short Afternoon Meeting, we had our Writer's Celebration! The kids did a super job - I couldn't be more proud. After the readings, we had cookie and juice, and the kids made themselves available for complements and autographs. It was a very fun event- thank you to all who helped practicing at home, and to all who were able to come. I did videotape it, and I will send home info about making a copy of the DVD soon.

After the program, we read a quick book (to calm the sugar high) and then went up to the computer lab for ourtime there. After the lab, we headed out to the playground for a short play time, and then home!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and a very short Afternoon Meeting, we spent quite a lot of time working on our writing for the Writer's Celebration next week. Today, the kids worked on their illustrations, and also practiced reading their pieces. After that, we headed to the gym for an assembly - the 4th graders had a parade of the "state floats" that each made for his/her state research project. It was quite a show, and the kids really enjoyed it, I think.

When we got back down to our room, had a quick recess outside (after sitting the gym for about 45 minutes). When we got back into our room, we worked more on our illustrations (and finished them!). After that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we worked on the pieces of writing that we are getting ready for our Writer's Celebration. Each kid read their writing to a partner, and then the parter helped them think of "reader questions" (questions that a reader would have after reading their work) - then they went back to write and answer those questions.

After writing, we took a bit of a field trip. We went across the street to see what the big kids were up to at Field Day. The kindergartners don't participate in Field Day, but I wanted them to see what it is all about, for next year. Plus, it was good to get outside, too.

When we got back to our room, we worked on two pages for our kindergarten memory books, and then headed up to the Media Center to check out books with Mrs. Hennen.

When we got back down to our classroom, we finished the pages for our memory books. By the time we got back to our room, it was time to pack up and head home!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had reading - the kids changed the "just-right" books in their bookbags, and then read them. The books are getting harder, but the kids are up for it! Today we made a new record for the number of minutes that we read without stopping - 11 minutes!!

After reading, I read a book to the kids - Edward and the Pirates, by David McPhail. It talks about a boy who gets so into the books that he is reading that it seems like he is actually there. The kids then went to write, and tried to make their writing seem so alive that their reader woudl feel that s/he were a part of the story.

After writing, we went up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down, we couldn't resist going outside for a little recess. After that, it was time to pack up and go home!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we opened still more Flat Stanley mail - one for Andrés from Arizona, Texas, and Maryland, and also one for Adele from Massachusetts and New York. We had a nice discussion about types of cactus - there were some fun pictures from Arizona to see of various kinds.

After catching up with our friend Stan, , we had Writer's Workshop. The kids wrote for about 20 minutes today - and all words (no pictures!). They did a super job.

After writing, we went up to the art room for art class - there was a sub for Mr. Fairbanks today, and the kids worked on drawing pictures of loons. When we got back down to our classroom, we had our last Bravo lesson of the year - Joseph's mom came in and taught us about a local, contemporary composer, Libby Larson. They made a collage while listening to her composition called Collage Boogie.

After all of that, we had just enough time to eat Augie's birthday snack (yum -thanks, Augie!) and pack up to go home!

Enjoy your weekend!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we talked about the new microphone systrem that we have. All of the classrooms at Burroughs have been equipped with a sound projection system for the teachers to use - the amplification will enable us to use a smaller voice and still be heard all over the classroom. We learned all about how it works, and then we got to try it out. Then Joseph brought in some photos from his family's trip to Niagara Falls and told us all about them (thanks, Joseph - and nice job!!). He even had his Flat Stanley with for the trip! We also sang Happy Birthday to Will with loud instruments.

We then headed to the gym to see the 4th and 5th graders who are in band and orchestra perform their spring concert. It was a great show, and even though it took nearly an hour, the kids did a super job being attentive listeners. After the concert, we went up to the Media Center to check out books with Mrs. Hennen.

When we got back down to our room, we took a couple of minutes to celebrate Will's birthday again by eating some yummy cupcakes that he brought for his birthday treat, and then headed outside for a well-deserved recess. After all that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had Writer's Workshop. Today the kids learned about extending stories, as well as about sequencing again (making sure that stories follow a logical chronological sequence). After writing, we had Catalyst class with Ms. Bechtel. The kids got to experiment with the K*NEX blocks (they look like this). Needless to say, they were very creative and enjoyed themselves greatly.

After Catalyst, we had math - we are wrapping up our unit on addition and subtraction. Today we 'discovered' strategies for counting the number of kids in class, and then extended that to counting the number of noses, mouths, and other body parts that each person only has one of. We then 'discovered' ways to count how many eyes, ears, nostrils (and other parts that come in twos) we have in the class.

After math, we had a short recess time outside. After recess, we had just enough time to pack up and head home.

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we celebrated Anna's birthday with her - we sang with LOUD instruments, and then Anna's mom read a book (an "oldie but a goodie" - Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears). After that, we had Writer's Workshop. Today I taught a mini-lesson about sequencing - making sure that the kids' stories go in (roughly) chronological order. It's a topic that we will return to in the comign days, certainly.

After Writer's Workshop, we had Reader's Workshop. today the kids read out of their bookbags, which have their "just-right" books in them, practicing their reading strategies.

When we finished with reading, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back to our classroom, we had just enough time to eat some very yummy lemon mini-cakes that Anna brought for her birthday treat (thanks, Anna!!). Then it was time to pack up and head home.

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we started working on a project that um, we still can't tell the world about. It was pretty fun, and it involved many steps, which was fun too. After that, we had a surprise gym class - Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson invited our class to go along with Mr. Wold's and Mrs. Risdall's classes during their gym time because they were going on a very fun walk along the creek - under bridges, uphills, through woods, etc. It was very fun, and a super day for it.

Wen we got back down to the room, we finished up the project that we started, and also watched a video about losing teeth (and how to take care of the teeth that we have) - it came in some Flat Stanley mail for one of the girls in the AM class a couple of weeks ago, and we are finally getting around to watching it. After all of that, it was time to pack up and go home!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we worked on a little project that, um, we can't really talk about just yet.

After that, we cleaned up and headed up to the music room for our time there with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to our class, we continued to work on the project, and also worked on our May calendar, and the kids filled in the numbers of the days of the month. Their numeral writing has really improved!

After that, we had a short time outside on the playground - what a beautiful day! After all of that, it was time to pack up and go home!

Remember that tomorrow is crazy hat day at school, and also that the all-school picnic is tomorrow evening.

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we read Joshua's Star of the Week poster (great job, Josh!!). After that, we read some Flat Stanley mail that arrived yesterday for Will - all the way form Findlay Ohio!

After that, Ms. Bechtel came to our room for Catalyst class. When Catalyst ended, we had Writer's Workshop. We reviewed the several ways that we have learned about that writers make their writing easier for their readers to read. Then the kids went to write. After their writing time, each student shared what the most important thing that they did to make their writing easier for their reader to read.

After all of that, it was time for us to pack up and go home!



P.S. If it was someone in this class who dropped off some lovely flowers yesterday, thank you very much - they are beautiful!

Today we focused for the first half of the day on making May Day baskets. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to make the flowers to put in them. They could put candies in (or make flowers) at home), if you like. Then we went up to art class with Mr. Fairbanks, and when we got back down to our classroom, Joseph's mom Ann was here for our Bravo music appreciation lesson. Today they learned about Duke Ellington, and listened to three of his songs - The Ride of the Magi, Blue Reverie, and Black and Tan Fantasy. They also learned about the rhythm patterns that make up the songs. After that, we had just enough time to clean up and go home.

Enjoy your weekend - remember that there is no school for students on Monday!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we (finally) read Isabelle's Star of the Week poster (great job, Isabelle!). After that, we had reading. Today we read a fun book called Tracks and then learned about the difference between fiction and non-fiction. After we read, the kids did a bit of planing and then went off to write their own fictional stories. Some of them were very creative - be sure to ask them all about it.

After writing, headed up to the computer lab for our time there. On our way back doe to our classroom, we stopped in the Media Center to check out books with Mrs. Hennen. When we finally got back down to our classroom, we worked on numbers that add to ten, using ten frames once again. After that, it was time to pack up and head home!

After Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we celebrated Asher's birthday - we sang to him, and then his mom read a funny story about a gorilla named Gladys to all of us.

After that, we had math class - today we played a game with a deck of cards that had the kids adding two numbers and comparing with a partner whose sum was larger. In the middle of math, we headed up to the music room for class there with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to our class, we finished up the math game, and then had a short Choice Time, including some yummy cookies from Asher.

After all that, it was time for us to pack up and go home!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had a bit of a mixed-up day. We read a short book and watched a short video about how paper is made, and then the kids all took turns going to a center in the room where four moms (Paco's, Cosette's, Jack's, and Will's) volunteered to help (re)make paper. It was super fun, and the paper that we (re)made is beautiful.

During all of this, the rest of the kids were doing math, in which the kids finished up the activity that we began yesterday (adding past ten on ten frames). When we finished with math, it was time for Catalyst class with Ms. Bechtel.

After Catalyst, we had Writer's Workshop. Today they learned again about "Reader's Questions" - after writing, putting themselves in their reader's shoes and anticipating (and then answering in the writing) the questions that their readers might have. They all added some nice details that way.

After Writer's WS, we headed outside for a short recess time.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home.

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we played a vocabulary/letter sounds game to reinforce the letter sounds that we have covered already this year. Then, we got to open a Flat Stanley letter that Connor received from California. Then we had reading time. Today, we learned about a new reading strategy that the kids can use as they are reading - making predictions. After I taught a mini-lesson about that skill. the kids got their bookbags with their "just-right" books in them to practice that strategy and the others that we have discussed. After their read with their books, we gathered again and each child shared the strategies that they used during the reading time.

After reading, we headed up to the Media Center for our time there with Mrs. Hennen. When we got back down to our room, we had math time. We continued to work on addition. Today we practiced adding "past ten" (sums that add up to more than ten, where kids need to use the skill of making a ten). We used a tool called a ten frame to get the kids thinking about how to use combinations of numbers that add to ten to help with these problems.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home.

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had Reader's Workshop. Today we did buddy reading, in which the kids read with a partner and practice their "just right" books. The advantage is that the kids get help with "tricky words" and have a friend to suggest reading strategies that they could use. After reading, the kids shared the reading strategies that they used, as well as rated their performance as a buddy reader (as either an "uh-oh day," a "so-so day," or a "Superstar 5" day - be sure to ask them how they get to say "Superstar 5!).

After Reader's Workshop, we headed up to the music room for class with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to our room, we had math - we are beginning to talk about number combinations - how to decompose numbers into pairs of numbers that add to another (being able to see that 5 can be made up of 5+0, 4+1, 2+3, etc.). This knowledge will be the base of all of the artihmetic that they will do in school!

After math, we headed outside for recess with the other two kindergarten classes - it was a full playground, but a very fun time. Then it was time to pack up and go!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we got to open another Flat Stanley envelope - Asher got a package from New Jersey with some fun information.

Then we played a word game, in which the kids heard a word, and then had to say each sound in the word. When we finished with that, we had our weekly Catalyst lesson in our room with Ms. Bechtel. Today the kids used their very creative minds to make animals that were made up of half of one animal and half of another.

After Catalyst, we had Writer's Workshop. Today the kids looked at all of the writing that they had in their folders, and sorted it into two piles - one of work that is "done" and one of work that they still have more to add to. After the sorting, they got busy writing!

When we finished writing, we had a short Choice Time and then it was time to pack up and head home!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we read Austin's Star of the Week poster (nice work, Austin!). Then we had math class. The kids measured themselves using unifix cubes and recording their measurements on a data page. We will use the pages again tomorrow to look at data.

After math, we had a reading lesson. We read a book by Cynthia Rylant called When I Was Young in the Mountains, paying particular attention to the details and to the author's message and how she conveyed it.
After reading, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there with. When we got back down to the classroom, it was time for us to pack up and go home!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we worked on our April self-portraits to hang in our wall gallery in our classroom. After that, we reviewed all of the phonics sounds that we have learned this year before we headed up to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks.

When we got back down to our classroom, we played a more difficult version of the Racing Bears math game that we played on Wednesday. After that, we talked about the strategies and math concepts that are involved in the game. Then, after getting a packet of flyers passed out to each student, and packed up the kids' backpacks, we headed out to the playground for a little bit of recess to end our week.


Enjoy your weekend!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we spent some time reading all of the fun Flat Stanley mail that we have been receiving. We had quite a pile, so it took a bit of time. We learned about several states and got some interesting souvenirs! When we finished with the mailbag, we had reading class. We reviewed all of the reading strategies that we have talked about thus far, and then the kids got their book bags and practiced using the strategies on 'tricky' words. At the end of Reader's Workshop, all of the kids shared the strategies that they used during their independent reading time.

When we finished Reading, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. On our way back down, we stopped in the Media Center to check out books. when we got back our classroom, we read the book I Lost My Tooth in Africa, which came in the mystery box with the toothpaste samples yesterday (ask your child about who the box actually came from - the mystery was solved today!). After reading, we had a short Choice Time, and then packed up to head home!

Today after Afternoon work time and Afternoon Meeting we opened a "mystery box" that arrived in the mail today. It turned out that it was full of Tom's of Maine toothpaste samples and a book, which we will read tomorrow. More on where the mystery box is form tomorrow!

Then we worked on reading. The kids got to swap the 'just-right' books that are in their bookbags, and had the chance to preview them as well.

After that, we headed up to the music room for our class there with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to our room, we finished up the book swapping, and then had math class. We played a game called Racing Bears, in which the kids practiced combining and taking numbers apart (the beginnings of addition and subtraction). When we finished math, we couldn't stand the nice weather outside anymore, and went out on the playground for the last few minutes of our day.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had a reading lesson - the kids learned two more reading strategies in the mini-lesson that I taught. they learned how to look for hidden words in tricky words (like finding car and pen in carpenter), and they also learned to take off a "magic ending" (like -ed, -er, -ing), read the word, and then put the ending back on. Both are variations of the "chunk and chew" strategy that they already know.

After reading, Ms. Bechtel came for our weekly Catalyst lesson , and then we wrote again. The kids finished up the writing that they worked on yesterday, and we will start to use them to make a book later in the week.

After we finished our writing, we took a vote - either to have Choice Time inside, or go out to play on the playground. Needless to say, outside won - and, as an added surprise, both Mr. Wold and Ms. Risdall had the the same idea. 75 kindergartners on the playground at the same time!!!

After that, it was time to head home!!

Hello - and welcome back from Spring Break. I hope that it was a good one for all of you - the kids all had fun stories to tell abut their weeks.

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had a nice sharing time, in which all of the kids got to share a favorite memory from Spring Break. Then, we did some fun writing, in which the kids got a page with panels like a comic strip, and they illustrated and wrote about up to 6 episodes from their week. I hope to turn these into a mini-book in the coming days, with each little 'vignette' that they wrote today turning into a 'chapter' in a larger piece of writing.

We then wrapped up the writing for today, and then learned all about the new Choice Time Centers. The sand table is now out, and full of fun toys. The area that was a Post Office is now the "Room 145 Veterinary Clinic" - complete with stethoscopes, gloves, masks, scrubs, and a doctor coat, not to mention a cute stuffed puppy, a purple stuffed monkey, and a little lizard. After that, we had Choice Time - the kids had fun diagnosing various maladies in the animals and playing in the sand, in addition to the other Choice Time activities.

After Choice Time, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there - then back down to get packed up, and pass out a fun treat that Cosette brought for all of us (thanks, Cosette!!).

Whew. Welcome back. :-)

We had a busy afternoon today! After Afternoon Work Time and a very short afternoon meeting, we had had reading class. We talked about another reading strategy for the kids to use as they read books from their leveled book bags. Today they learned about looking for a pattern in a book, to see words that are repeated - that way if they are sounded out once, they won't need to be sounded out again. After I taught them the strategy, the got their book bags and read their books to practice the strategy. After that, we came back together and discussed the strategies that they used as readers today.

After that, we finished up our discussion of 3-D shapes in math with a lesson about drawing cubes and rectangular prisms on dot paper. It was challenging for many of them, but they started to get it.

After math, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back to our classroom, we washed hands and ate birthday treats from both Isabelle and Owen (YUM!!) while Owen's mom read us an Amelia Bedelia book. After that, we just couldn't resist going outside for a little bit - the playground was calling us!

When we got back in, it was time to pack up and head home.


Remember that there is no school for students tomorrow (Friday).

Enjoy your Spring Break -- if you are traveling, safe travels. See you in a week!

We had a bit of an unusual day today in kindergarten. We had a very short work time, and then it was time for our much-awaited root beer float party (so much for saving the sugar boost for later in the day...). Since it was Isabelle's birthday, we had the good fortune to have her grandmother read while we enjoyed our floats (one of the perks of having two kindergarten classes per day is that I got 2 floats today!). After the floats were done, we had Afternoon Meeting and played a quick math game before it was time to head up to the music room for class with Mr. Hofmann.

When we got back to our room, the food fun continued. When Lili's Flat Stanley went to Hawaii, her Uncle Steve not onyl showed him a good time, he also sent us back a box full of Hawaiian treats. Today we had a taste test - the kids sampled mini sesame crepes, sugar coated puffed rice, Hawaiian Animal Cookies, and macademia nuts. Each kid got to rate the snack, and then we compared results. It was really fun, and the kids got to try some things that they might not have otherwise.

After our taste test, we wrote a class thank you letter to the PTA for the really nice root beer float party. After all of that, we had Choice Time, and then hastily packed up to go home!

P.S. Sorry for the lack of post yesterday - I was in meetings in the afternoon, and then setting up for the Latino Family night meeting last night here at Burroughs.

After Afternoon Work Time and a very short afternoon meeting, we had a guest reader. Anna, who is our Star of the Week this week, brought her mom to read. She read Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig. After that, we watched a few short videos of the Read-a-thon closing ceremonies that I took (so that the kids who weren't here could see it as well. Mr. Cadotte actually flew on the witch's broom!!

By the time that we finished with the videos, it was time to head up to the art class. when we got back down to our classroom, we had a Bravo lesson. (Bravo is the music appreciation program that parent volunteers come in to teach). Joseph's mom Ann is our volunteer for the second half of the year. Today the kids heard and learned about the song Viennese Musical Clock by Zoltan Kodaly.

After all that, I handed out the prizes from the Read-a-thon, and then we headed home!

Today, after afternoon work time and Afternoon Meeting, we had a vey fun surprise. One of the Flat Stanleys went to Hawaii (Lili sent hers to her uncle Steve, who is a middle school teacher there). He had a great time with Stanley (see the website that he made for him here). We looked at the website, and then opened a box that he sent. It was really fun - he sent stickers from Hawaii, Hawaiian animal crackers (in shapes of Hawaiian animals - sharks, moon fish, turtles, etc.), sugar coated puffed rice, sesame crepes (pineapple flavored), and roasted macademia nuts. We are going to have a taste test/feast tomorrow! He also sent a book and a small stuffed turtle, which will be fun to read tomorrow as well.

After that, we had reading class. We are working on sight words, so we quickly reviewed several sight words, and then we learned how to play "memory" or "concentration" using small flashcards. Then we paired up and played the game for a few minutes.

We then headed up to the computer lab for our time there, and then, on the way back down to the room, we stopped in the Media Center to check out books.

When we got back down to our classroom, we had a short math class. We continue with our Geometry unit - right now, we are working on attributes and qualities of three-dimensional shapes. Today we brainstormed a list of things that are in a cylinder shape, and then we figured out what are the essential characteristics of a cylinder (what makes a cylinder a cylinder).

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head for home.

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had a special guest and treat. Cosette's Flat Stanley went to Paris, France with her mom this past weekend. not only did we get a nice postcard form him in Paris, Cosette's mom came in today, and she brought pan au chocolat (and not just from Byerly's or somewhere close, but from PARIS!!). We all had a tasty treat, while I read a book.

After our treat, we got to read Anna's Star of the Week poster (nice job, Anna!). After Star of the Week, we met two new High Hat friends in our phonics lesson. We met Thelma Thumb and Shy Shadow. After reading the stories, we brainstormed words that contained those sounds. Then we learned a new song - "Rhyming Teddy Bear." The kids sang along, and then had to fill in rhyming words.

We then had a little bit of Choice Time, and went up to the computer lab for our time there. After all of that, we got ready to go home. As we were packing up, Cosette had one more Parisian treat for us - an Eiffel Tower keychain!

Today, after Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had a guest reader. Since it was Eleanor's Star of the Week week, her aunt from Washington State came in to read a fun book (Smelly Socks). After that, we had reading class. We talked again about how we can use the "chunk and chew" strategy to help with tricky words.

After Reading, we headed up to art room for class there.

When we got back down to the classroom, we had Writer's Workshop. We are working on extending our pieces - trying to write like Cynthia Rylant, who, we 'discovered' today organizes her writing in chapters to make it make more sense.

After Writer's Workshop, we had a short Choice Time, and then was time to clean up and head home!

Have a great weekend!

Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had reading.

Today we worked on another reading strategy for the kids to use as they come across words that they don't know or are 'tricky.' I taught a mini-lesson about "chunking and chewing," which means that the kids can take words apart and look for familiar parts or letter combinations, and then re-assemble them to make the word that they are trying to read. The kids then went and found a comfy spot in the room to read and practice their strategies (the ones that we have talked about thus far are pointing to words as they read, using picture clues, skipping over a word and coming back to it, and now chunking and chewing). The "chewing" part comes in as the kids "chew" on the parts in their minds. They all did really well, and at the end of Reader's Workshop they all shared the strategies that they used as they were reading today. Ask your child what they did!

After reading, we headed up to the music room for our time there with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to the room, we had math class. We are beginning a unit on geometry, and the kids worked on using the pattern blocks (they look like this) to make animal shapes from a template, and then create their own animal. As you can imagine, their imaginations went wild!

After math, we had Choice Time - the typewriter was out, and the Take-Apart Center was open too.

After all that, it was time to head home.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We had a really nice day today. After Afternoon Work Time and an abbreviated Afternoon Meeting, we got to work on reading. The kids worked on reading their "Just-Right" books in their book bags (the books are in the bags - the kids didn't get into the bags to read...). We are practicing the reading strategies that they have to read unfamiliar or 'tricky' words.

After reading, we had Mrs. Bechtel in for our Catalyst class until the end of the day. In that class, the kids experimented with KNEX blocks, which, for those who don't know them, look like this.

After Catalyst, we got ready for our St. Patrick's Day/Green Party. The kids did three projects - the made a collage shamrock from torn paper, made a leprechaun puppet, and graphed the various types of marshmallows in a small plateful of Lucky Charms cereal (I know - because what could be more Irish than Lucky Charms? - apologies to those of us who are Irish).


P.S. The kids looked very cute in their tie-dyed green shirts:

Today we had Center Time and Afternoon Meeting (be sure to ask your child what language "good morning" was written in today - it was "habari za asubuhi"). We then read Mara's Star of the Week poster (great job Mara!!).

After that, we had a really fun Writer's Workshop. We worked on "making our writing easy for readers" - making sure that the writing is clear and well-thought-out. The kids did some really, really nice writing - be sure to ask what they wrote about. We then had a chance to share our writing with each other, as well as sing a fun song about "stretching" words out and "snapping them back."

Then we headed up to the computer lab for our time there - then back down to the room just in time to pack up and be on our way!

After writing, we packed up to go home!

This afternoon, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we talked about our writing project for tomorrow - we will be writing like Dr. Seuss. On Monday (Dr. Seuss' birthday), we made lists of rhyming words/word families, and tomorrow we will be using them to write short stories in the style of Dr. Seuss. Look for them hanging outside our classroom on the wall!

We then headed up to music for class with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to the room, Adele's mom brought a fun book (A Fish Out of Water) to read, since it is Adele's Star of the Week week. We then had Choice Time, and packed up to go home.

P.S. Some of the kids may come home talking about a "test" - I am in the process of giving a spelling/writing/word assessment to each child, and part of a pilot program that I am beginning. The program will provide focused instruction on spelling and words at each child's level. I will send home more information and the assessments are completed and the instruction begins.

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we celebrated Connor's birthday (Happy Birthday, Connnor!) with singing and loud instruments. Since it is also Dr. Suess' birthday, we read one of his books to hear the rhyming - Scrambled Eggs Super!.

To continue our celebration of Dr. Sueuss' birthday, we also talked about our own rhyming words, and started a collection of them on a paper. Later this week, we will start to try to write like Dr. Suess. After that, we read Adele's Star of the Week poster (great job, Adele!!), and then got ready to head up to the Computer Lab for our time there.

When we got back down, we had Connor's birthday treat, which was a HUGE cupcake. You probably have found remnants of your child's cupcake in their backpack and/or all over their face...

We had a busy day today in Room 145. After Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we talked about the Flat Stanleys that we are going to send next week (the big parade to the mailbox will be on Tuesday - check the newsletter for the times. The kids learned about addressing a letter, and we also talked about how the post office works - how our Stanleys will get to their destinations.

We then continued our celebration of the 100th day of school - with gym yesterday, the time was very short. The kids did a number scavenger hunt in the room, finding all of the numbers from 1-100 that were stuck on little stickers all around the room. The recorded their findings on a 100s chart, which hopefully you saw come home today.

After that, we went up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to the room, Isabelle's mom brought us a couple of books to read: Finkle-Hopper Frog and When I Was a Girl, I Dreamed. Both were great books. Then we had Choice Time - Isabelle's dad came in to open the Take-Apart Center.

By then, it was time to pack up and head home.

Enjoy your weekend!!

Hello all,

Sorry for the late post once again - three meetings after school.

Today was our 100th day of kindergarten!!!! I can hardly believe that it has already been 100 days - September seems like just a few weeks ago, somehow.

We had a busy day celebrating our 100th day. Because we had gym and book check-out today, we are going to continue the celebration tomorrow as well.

The kids made badges to wear that proclaimed them to be "100 days smarter." After that, we took a break from the 100th Day theme and went down the hall to the gym for class there with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson. They kids had a free "Challenge Yourself" day, where they got to play on the swinging ropes, the climbing net, and scooters. They had great fun!

After that,we were back to 100th day festivities - the kids started a 100s day necklace out of Fruit Loops cereal. Due to the short time, they worked while Arthur's mom read a couple of books to us (Guess How Much I Love You and If You Take a Mouse to School).

By the time we finished all of that, it was time to go up to the Media Center so we could check out books with Mrs. Hennen, and then back down to the classroom to clean and pack up to go home.

Today we had a busy day in Room 145. We began with Afternoon Meeting, and then we worked on finishing our Flat Stanleys - we managed to make them "unbald" with yarn hair. They look really cute - I'll take lots of photos before we send them on their ways. We also finished the book Flat Stanley, and we discovered how Stanley got back to his normal thickness (thanks to a clever plan from his little brother Arthur). Ask your child what the plan was!

We also had Reader's Workshop today. I taught a mini-lesson about following the text across the page, and then the kids practiced that skill with their bags of "just-right" books. After reading, we had a guest reader - Augie's mom came in to read Welcome to Zanzibar Road to all of us. After all fo that, we had Choice Time. The Take-Apart Center was open, and an electric stand mixer met a very timely demise.

After that, we packed up to go to Spanish or to the buses.

Don't forget that tomorrow is gym day and book check out day (not to mention the 100th day of school!!!!!!)

Valentine's Party!!!




Enjoy your weekend - remember that there is no school on Monday!

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we worked on making Valentine's Day bags to hold all of our treats tomorrow. Needless to say, there was much excitement, and many scraps of paper everywhere. After fun decorating, we headed to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson.

When we got back down the class, we talked about our sight words and High Hat letter sound for the week, and sang a silly song. We worked for a bit more time on the bags, and them went up to the Media Center to check out books. We got back down to our class just in time to clean up the Valentine's bag mess, and then pack up.

Time really flies when you're having fun, because after that, it was time to go home!

Today was a very exciting day in kindergarten - the room was completely re-arranged last night (a bit of middle-of-the-year changing-around). The puppet theater that was in our class is gone, and it was replaced by a Post Office (as we think in February about sending Valentines and Flat Stanleys). We are also talking in class about the fact that they are now "second-half of kindergartners," and their behavior and attitudes should reflect the fact that they are (and I hesitate to say it) almost first graders.

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we learned a new song for the week ("My Aunt Monica"), which has three sight words for the week (I, have, and said), one 'magic ending' (-ed), and our new High Hat friend's sound - (/oo// all in it. We talked about the various words and how they appear in the song, and then practiced singing as well.

Then, we had Writer's Workshop. We talked again about the process for getting an idea, and then putting it on paper. The kids are doing some amazing writing, and they all wrote for about 20 minutes. After they wrote, they all had a chance to share their writing with a friend.

After that, we had Choice Time, and then packed up to head home.

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had math workshop. Today we worked on measurement - we measured strips of paper using popsicle sticks. The point is to understand the concept of measurement, of course, but also to get the kids thinking about the importance of specifying the units that they used to measure something.

After that, we headed to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to our room, we had time to meet a new High Hat friend: Oopy Oops, who introduced us to the /oo/ sound (that's oo as in too). We are beginning to study the vowel combinations, which will make the kids' reading really take off as they master them.

After that, we has a short Choice Time, and then packed up to head home!

Today, it was National African-American Parent Involvement Day. We read a book, Guess How Much I Love You, and then did a fun art project that went with the book. Your child should have brought it home today. The kids also practiced reading their "just right" books from their bookbags.

After we worked on the project, we headed up to the music room for our class there with Mr. Hoffman. When we got back down to the classroom, we put the finishing touches on the art project, and then, since February is the Burroughs Read-a-thon month, we spent the rest of the time reading some fun books - we read Farmer Duck, Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing, and Cousin Ruth's Tooth. After all of that, it was time to pack up and go home.

Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday - I was stuck in meetings all afternoon and into the evening.

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we we talked about our sight word for the week (see) and our magic ending (-ing). After that, we headed to the gym for class there with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson.

When we got back down the our room, we had another visit from Megan Pershica, who is the literacy coordinator/teacher at Burroughs. Mrs. Pershica taught a follow-up lesson to the "buddy reading" lesson from Tuesday - the kids learned how to evaluate their work as a 'buddy' using a rubric - they evaluated themselves from a '1' (an "uh-oh" day), to a '3' (a "so-so" day), to a 5 (a "superstar 5" day, which is of course said with a dramatic gesture and voice, as one would expect).

After all of that, we packed up to go home (we will try to go up to the library to check out books at some point tomorrow).

Today we began with Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, (in afternoon meeting, we discovered that there are only 11 more school days until the 100th day!).

After those two, we had a 'guest teacher' in our room. Megan Pershica, who is the Literacy Resource Teacher here at Burroughs, came in to teach a demonstration lesson to the kids. She taught them about how to "buddy read," in which they read one of the books that are at their level with a friend -- they learned about how to listen well, give constructive help and feedback, and celebrate their friend's reading. Mrs. Pershica will be back on Thursday for a follow-up lesson as well.

After that, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to our room, we talked about the Read-a-thon and the Valentine's party (the list of kids' names should be in their backpacks today), had a short Choice Time, and then bundled up to go home.

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, Annie's mom came in to read a cuple of stories about Chinese New Year - we learned a lot about the traditions for the day, and Annie also brought us traditional candy and a red envelope with money in it for good luck this year.

Then we headed up to the music rom for class with Mr. Hofmann When we got back down to the room, we had a PTA mom, Faith McGown, come in to talk to the kids about the Read-a-thon (the Read-a-thon blog is here, if you're interested). Then we read a story about Groundhog Day, and made a groundhog project that the kids took home today.

Time flies!

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we worked on our January self-portraits to hang in our portrait gallery in our room. We also met a new High Hat friend - Jumping Jack.

For our reading lesson, we talked about our sight word for the week (see) and a "magic ending"* for words (-ing), both of which are in the song Going to the Zoo, which we have been learning (here are the words to the song, if you're interested).

We then went up to the computer lab for our time there, and when we got back down to our class, we spent some time talking about the Burroughs Read-a-thon (we had the kick-off ceremony this morning -- we can start reading on Sunday!!!). After that, we had a very fun Choice Time, and then packed up to go home.

Have a great weekend!!

* "magic endings" are simply suffixes for words that we study from time to time. It's the phrase that I use to help kids remember to use them in their own writing, and notice them in their reading and speaking.

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had just enough time to sing the new song that we learned yesterday (and practice our week's sight word "see") before it was time to get bundled up and head to the gym for our ice skating adventure. Thank you to all of the parents who came along to tie skates and have fun on the ice!


After skating, we had a little bit of time to get a drink of water, get all of our warm clothes off, and then get up to the Media Center for book Check-out. When we got back down to our room, we all looked at some of the work that Owen and Jack did in taking apart a DVD player at the Take-Apart Center yesterday. We learned all about the insides of the machine!

After that, it was time to head home.

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we read Iris' Star of the Week poster (great job, Iris). She wrote hers in Spanish, so she gave us a nice Spanish lesson, and the many of the kids knew a number of the words before we translated them!

After the poster, we worked on making "R Books" that the kids can read at home, to practice our phonics sound for the week. We then learned a new song - We're Going to the Zoo. It has one of our sight words in it (see), which we will talk about tomorrow. It was a fun song, and the kids got to sing along as I played the guitar.

After the song, we practiced reading with our "just right" books - each student has a book bag with 4 books that are at their independent reading level. We are working on the skill of "reading silently" as well as reading strategies.

then, it was time for Choice Time, and Cosette, Owen, and Jack were at the Take-Apart Center with Adele's mom -- Cosette took apart a mixer, and Owen and Jack demolished a DVD player.

P.S. Keep the junk coming for the Take Apart Center - if it doesn;t work anymore, we can take it apart (except for TVs and computer monitors, which have mercury in them).

P.P.S. Don't forget that tomorrow is ice skating at Lynhurst Park (12:55 - 1:50). Meet us in the gym or in the warming room at Lynnhurst if you can -- it will be super fun!

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had a little bit of time to read a couple of books related to the phonics program (the High Hat friends that we met last week - /v/ and /y/. After that, we headed up to the music room for our class there with Mr. Hoffman.

After music, we worked on findng "just right books" -- the kids all picked books that are at their reading level to have available in the classroom for reading time. After they chose them, we talke a little bit about how to read independently.

We finished up the day with Choice Time, and then, believe it or not, it was time to go home!


P.S. Remember that this week is skating week in gym -- Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson are always looking for (and grateful for) volunteers -- we'll go to Lynnhurst Park on Thursday from 12:55 until 1:50, as long as the weather is above zero.

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we met a new High Hat friend in our phonics lesson -- Yellow Yo-yo. After a story that was, frankly, a bit up and down, (the kids didn't think that joke was all that funny either...), we went to the gym for our time there with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson. The kids went outside sledding today - thank you for sending them in warm clothes!

When we got back down to our class, we worked on writing the letter y, both upper and lower case, and also worked on drawing and writing words that begin with the letter y. We finished the day with a trip up to the Media Center for book check-out, and then headed home!

Enjoy your weekend - remember that there is no school for students tomorrow!

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had a little bit of time to meet a new High Friend in Phonics class. Today, we met Vernon and Vera, two twins who introduced us to the /v/ sound. We also played a game in which I drew pictures on the white board of things that begin with the letter v, and the kids guessed them (they were very gracious and did not make fun of my limited drawing skills once...).

After phonics, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to the room, we read a fun book about running for president (Duck for President), and then had Choice Time. Adele's mom came in to run the Take-Apart Center (thank you!). Another DVD player and a blender met very timely demises today -- it was really interesting!

After all of that, it was time for us to head home!

P.S. Today, all of the kids had their vision and hearing screened by folks from the Phillips Eye Institute. The results will be sent home in the coming days.

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we read a biography of Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr, and talked about how people with dark skin were treated in the past, and the significance of Dr. King's life and work. It was good to think and talk about, especially in light of the inauguration today.

After our book and discussion, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to the room, we talked about the inauguration day, and about the president's job. We looked at pictures of the White House and the Oval Office, and discussed the importance of the day today.

We finished up with Choice Time, and then packed up to go home.

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon meeting, we celebrated Austin's birthday. After singing and playing instruments, Austin's mom read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. When we finished the festivities, we had math class. We made "Pattern Snakes" out of pattern blocks. They are hanging in the hallways outside our room -- take a look next time you are at school!

After math, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to our room, we talked about the high Hat friends that we met this week, and made (and read) an "L Book," which should be in their backpacks. Ask you child to read it to you!

After a short Choice Time, we bundled up to go home.

Have a great weekend!

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we celebrated Annie's birthday with the usual exuberant instruments and singing. Annie's mom also came in and read a book to us, before we headed to the gym for our time there with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson. The kids bowled inside instead of going out for obvious (BRRRRRRRR!!!!) reasons. The outdoor activities from this week may be rescheduled; I'll keep you all posted.

After gym we headed back down to our classroom to meet a new High Hat friend. It was actually two friends -- Look and Listen, who introduced us to the /l/ sound. After a bit of discussion of that sound, we went up to the Media Center for book check-out, and then back down to our room to get ourselves all bundled up to go home.

Stay warm -- it can't stay this cold forever!!

Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting we finished the book that we began in reading class yesterday (The Quiltmaker's Gift). It had an ending that I don't think most of the kids expected!

After reading, we worked on math - -using the pattern blocks to make shapes again. This serves to reinforce the basic concepts of geometry. Today the kids had to use a bit more creativity to solve the puzzles -- the figures were outlines only, as opposed to having the lines for each individual piece in the puzzles yesterday.

After math, we met a new High Friend in phonics -- Uncle Up, who introduced the short /u/ sound (as in "up"). We also talked about word families that use the short /u/ sound, such as words that end in -up and -ut.

After all of that, we had Choice Time. Adele's mom came in to run the Take-Apart Center, and it was really cool. Some of the kids got to take apart a DVD/CD player, and see what was inside. They also dismantled a waffle maker. Both will be on display in the classroom for everyone to see.

Then we bundled up and headed home.

Stay warm!!

This afternoon, after Center Time and Afternoon meeting, we read Cosette's Star of the Week poster (nice job Cosette!!). We then read a book for our Reading Lesson today. We did what is called an Interactive Read-Aloud, in which I ask the students focused and planned questions about the text (The Quiltmaker's Gift) as we are reading. Our focus today was on comprehension (ask your child what the book was about (keeping in mind that we only read half of it today).

After that, we headed up to the Computer Lab for a half hour of math and reading practice. When we got back down to our room, we worked with pattern blocks (this is what pattern blocks look like), making pictures, as we start to study geometry. After all that, we had a short Choice Time, and then got all bundled up to go home.

Stay warm!!

Today, after Center Time, we had another BRAVO lesson. The BRAVO program introduces the kids to classical music and composers -- today Adele's mom Christine taught us about the composer Franz Joseph Hayden about the structure of symphonies (I have to admit, that I learned new things today too!!). Click here for more info about the BRAVO curriculum.

After Bravo, we did a little further practicing with writing numbers on the white boards with markers (there is a practice sheet in the kids' homework this week too). Then wwe headed up to the computer lab, and then back down to our room again for end-of-the day organization and a short Choice Time. Then, off to the weekend!!

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we headed to the gym -- after bundling up warmly. The kids went outside for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and fun. They came in hot and tired, but it was great fun. Thanks for sending your child in nice warm clothes!

When we got back to the classroom, we unbundled and worked on writing numbers. The kids learned a song to help remember the proper way to write the numbers 1 - 10 (here it is, if you're interested). They all practiced writing on mini-white boards, which was a big hit with the kids.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home.

January 7, 2009

Today (yesterday, actually), was a busy day. After Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had Read Aloud, then worked on math -- we played a game that introduced the concept of graphing. the kids rolled dice, and then recorded the results on a graph. We then compiled all of the results on a class graph, so that they could see how data can be easily recorded and interpreted.

After math, we worked on writing -- we practiced writing both upper case and lower case letters, and making them the proper height. After writing, we worked on counting by 2s, 5s, and 10 on the number chart.

After Choice Time, we had a bit of time to read a book, and then we went on our ways home.

Hello, and welcome back to school!

Today we had Center Time to begin the day, which consisted of independent reading at the kids' tables. Then we had Afternoon Meeting (it's good to get back into the routines of it all...). After morning meeting, we sang Happy Birthday to Joseph, and played out instruments alkong with it, really loudly. Joseph's dad also read three stories from one of Joseph's favorite books, Frog and Toad Are Friends. After that, we had Writer's Workshop. The kids wrote about their most fun thing from Winter Break - each kid made a page that will be part of a class book that I will compile, and have in our classroom library. we worked on phonics, reviewing the High Hat friends that we have already met, and the letter sounds that we have already learned.

When we finished that, it was time for us to head up to the computer lab for our math and reading practice there. After computers, we came back down to our classroom and met a new High Hat Friend - Gordon Goat, who, predictably enough, introduced us to the /g/ sound. After brainstorming a list of words that begin with the letter g, we ate the YUMMY cupcakes that Joseph brought for his birthday snack, had a short Choice Time, and then got packed and bundled up to go home!