tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16348922745211980222024-03-13T12:05:03.518-07:00Llama Loves Kindergarten!Designs by Kassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683787045698870108noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-25235128632112629382016-07-12T16:07:00.001-07:002016-07-12T16:12:15.913-07:00Happy New Year!!!...Well, Almost.To me, August is like New Year come early. It's the time of year when I make resolutions to be a better, more precise teacher. It's easy to get swept away in the power of Pinterest and Instagram photos, so I try to focus on THREE essential resolutions for the year.<br />
<br />
I'll admit it-- this past year was not my very best. I got married at a destination venue, my best friend got married a month after, AND the family decided to take a few side trips during the school year to Disneyland, Whistler, and Vegas! I lived from weekend social gathering to the next school break, not leaving a ton of extra time for me to explore and expand my practice. That's just how some years go; I've accepted it. But I vow to make this upcoming year even better!<br />
<br />
I haven't decided which three resolutions I will take up this year, but one will certainly be to improve my organizational skills in terms of differentiating instruction. I stumbled upon this awesome share of Miss DeCarbo's, and I can't wait to prep all my materials to fit! We use Nellie Edge's heart words so I'll have to alter her idea, but I am so excited about it! <br />
Check her <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sight-Word-Assessments-and-Word-Lists-2574446">TpT Store out!</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dSphn6Zi6Oo/V4V3eCrbnQI/AAAAAAAAA20/LJh6O1rJIGgHLo9_mI6BSEzrDGSbJIE3ACLcB/s1600/sightwordlists2watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dSphn6Zi6Oo/V4V3eCrbnQI/AAAAAAAAA20/LJh6O1rJIGgHLo9_mI6BSEzrDGSbJIE3ACLcB/s1600/sightwordlists2watermark.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5049n_Z16A/V4V3eKCeJpI/AAAAAAAAA2w/BMV9qDz4ygMR-VGU129QYC7unMhUPE_aACLcB/s1600/sightwordlists7watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5049n_Z16A/V4V3eKCeJpI/AAAAAAAAA2w/BMV9qDz4ygMR-VGU129QYC7unMhUPE_aACLcB/s1600/sightwordlists7watermark.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://secondgradesugarandspice.blogspot.com/2016/07/assessing-and-differentiating-sight.html?m=1">Miss DeCarbo's Sight Word</a> differentiation is found here!</div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-18235149535018965682016-07-08T07:01:00.002-07:002016-07-08T07:01:42.936-07:00Read Well, Read Well!Well, I'll be the first to admit that my reading groups did not hit their maximum potential this year. I decided to spend some time pinning and reading up a little on some better, more invigorating ways to engage my kiddos this year! Thank GOODNESS Pinterest exists!<br />
<br />
First, I needed a little refresher on <a href="http://www.voyagersopris.com/info/va-doe/teacher/RW_K_TG_Unit1.pdf">Read Well</a> since I've gotten a little sloppy in years. Come to find out there were non-fiction booklets and an activity book that go with the curriculum that I have never seen in my life!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGMq3WKhSR0/V3-yMV_IZ4I/AAAAAAAAA0k/JpxsiiQ913MGRpen0F6YDxvKG1uLj000QCLcB/s1600/reading.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGMq3WKhSR0/V3-yMV_IZ4I/AAAAAAAAA0k/JpxsiiQ913MGRpen0F6YDxvKG1uLj000QCLcB/s320/reading.jpeg" width="268" /></a></div>
My goal is to search through my drawers and files for old laminated games we used to use during Walk to Read. I have such a small group, there's really no reason not to split them into pairs or trios and work more intensively with them...but for that, I need independent work! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.allstudentscanshine.com/2015/07/guided-reading-activities.html">All Students Can Shine</a> has some great resources AND the perfect sequential order for these activities listed! Can't wait to run those off and keep them in a Walk to Read pull out! <a href="http://www.onesharpbunch.com/2015/07/phoneme-segmentation-blending-made-easy.html">One Sharp Bunch</a> also has some great RTI activities for those low kiddos. I guess it all adds up, but usually our district offers some reimbursement for things like this, so I'll pay it forward this time.<br />
<br />
Excited to re-vamp my teaching!!! Sometimes all it takes is some fresh new products and shiny new laminate!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGMq3WKhSR0/V3-yMV_IZ4I/AAAAAAAAA0k/JpxsiiQ913MGRpen0F6YDxvKG1uLj000QCLcB/s1600/reading.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<span id="goog_132820561"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_132820562"></span><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-68341453807527372082016-02-28T12:22:00.001-08:002016-02-28T12:22:54.973-08:00Pangs of Retention in Kindergarten<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There are twenty-five little bodies
packed into my all-day Kindergarten classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have seen five years of typical 5-year-old growth, have much
experience with ELLs, and feel confident that my low performing students receive
ample interventions and support throughout the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why, as I sit across from Miguel’s apprehensive
mother, I feel strongly about recommending retention for her baby.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s only Kindergarten.<br />
He’s still young.<br />
He won’t even notice if he’s held back.<br />
It’s March, and he can only recognize a handful of letters and numbers.<br />
He struggles at every activity, and I can safely predict that he will continue
to struggle </span></i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">drastically<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> in first grade.</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know full-well that communicating
about retention to a Latino parent <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can be</i>
different than a Caucasian parent because traditionally, teachers are very
respected in Latino culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many Latino
parents simply trust that the teacher knows what is best for their child, much
like a doctor is trusted to know the correct prescription for an illness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take this very seriously and only make
these recommendations when I am <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">certain </i>that
retention is what is best for the child.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mom listens, agrees, and we move
forward to make a meeting with the Guidance Team, which consists of our school
counselor, school psychologist, reading specialist, ELL specialist, math
specialist, Special Education teacher, and principal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When we meet, I present my assessments
and observations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I describe all the
interventions the child has received in September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the teachers who work with the child
speak on his abilities at this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
agree with it all, ready to wrap things up, and then someone speaks out on the
negative effects of retention.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And then we don’t retain.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">infuriates</i> me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I group
together with other teachers and grumble about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shake my head about how we are failing this
child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I glumly imagine how much harder
this kid’s life is going to be because he has not mastered kindergarten
skills. I have kids leaving my class reading books and this one tells me 12/26
letters on a good day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then I go home, and I start to read
the research.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stay tuned for my post on <a href="http://corelaboratewa.org/">CORElaborate</a> March 20th to follow up on this topic.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-80004109907695988852016-02-28T11:53:00.001-08:002016-02-28T11:53:40.894-08:00How I Feel After Trimester 2 Assessments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KdxEAt91D7k/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KdxEAt91D7k?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know this is an older video, but I have seen it a million times and it still cracks me up. It's for real my life right now. <br />And that's ok.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Sunday!</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-26847805337540712742016-02-19T11:17:00.001-08:002016-02-19T11:17:24.306-08:00Lazy Mid-Winter BreakI am sitting here, barely awake, at 11:11 AM on a FRIDAY. Where the heck did my week GO?! I never sleep in this much, and I certainly don't feel like it should be the end of the week. I was given this amazing gift of one week away from children so I could get my thoughts together, catch up on teacher blogging, read some inspirational literature...<br />
<br />
...instead I watched reruns of Modern Family, snuggled with my dog, and blogged about some pictures my friends and I took. I mean, really. (But if you feel like enabling my lack of professionalism, you can check out my new personal blog <a href="https://lovefromblanca.wordpress.com/">here</a>.)<br />
<br />
With TWO major upcoming weddings (mine and my best friend's), this is really the last week I had to catch up on gifts, swim suit purchases, and any maid of honor duties. Plus also, the key to not getting sick on the Big Day is rest and relaxation...so I'm going to go ahead and give myself a pass for being lazy this break.<br />
<br />
HOWEVER, I write only to tell you to please check in this upcoming month! As we near our zoo field trip, I will be posting some cool zoo-themed lessons (which is great, since my classroom is a Jungle theme). ANNNNNNNNNND....my most favorite of all favorite lessons is coming.......<br /><br />THE WEDDING OF Q & U.<br />
<br />Please stay tuned for some FABULOUS kindergarten fun!<br />
xoxoxo<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-3905650750875578602016-01-28T14:35:00.001-08:002016-01-28T14:35:35.792-08:00Penguin Silly Reading!<div style="text-align: center;">
If you're doing a penguin unit, I created these to help my kiddos practice reading those tricky sight words! They LOVE penguins so they have been super motivated to learn "this" and "here" sentences if we have penguins involved!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Penguin-Read-and-Draw-2356060">Click here</a> for penguin Read and Draw homework and activities. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FtvyfNy8alc/VqqXnjvZwqI/AAAAAAAAApI/mAkTyhPMJQ0/s1600/read%2Band%2Bdraw%2Bpreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FtvyfNy8alc/VqqXnjvZwqI/AAAAAAAAApI/mAkTyhPMJQ0/s320/read%2Band%2Bdraw%2Bpreview.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4 pages of read and draw included...free!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-75083994243034281622016-01-28T12:21:00.001-08:002016-01-28T12:33:48.606-08:00Pierre the Penguin<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gGP6C_ZNkGE/Vqp4IyZqCKI/AAAAAAAAAoc/Pp27AKJqbkI/s640/blogger-image-1257146675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gGP6C_ZNkGE/Vqp4IyZqCKI/AAAAAAAAAoc/Pp27AKJqbkI/s640/blogger-image-1257146675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8-rEHCfsUhQ/Vqp4XfWHJbI/AAAAAAAAAos/VzrqekYYE8g/s640/blogger-image-1106127456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8-rEHCfsUhQ/Vqp4XfWHJbI/AAAAAAAAAos/VzrqekYYE8g/s640/blogger-image-1106127456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tc17btr8ZOA/Vqp4Y5ewhOI/AAAAAAAAAo0/SStmRNCjsQE/s640/blogger-image--1973237648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tc17btr8ZOA/Vqp4Y5ewhOI/AAAAAAAAAo0/SStmRNCjsQE/s640/blogger-image--1973237648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fCXVcG0VtXQ/Vqp4TTYu6lI/AAAAAAAAAok/CTYuxX7AMls/s640/blogger-image--512769028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fCXVcG0VtXQ/Vqp4TTYu6lI/AAAAAAAAAok/CTYuxX7AMls/s640/blogger-image--512769028.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was such a fabulous read to end our penguin unit this week! It actually made me tear up the first time I read it...I just LOVE penguins! The kids loved the story and were very engaged. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After the read aloud, we brainstormed some silly outfits we might choose to put Pierre in if we were allowed to! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's the writing sheet if you want to try the activity! Took us about 45 minutes to read the book, discuss, model the writing, and do it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pierre-the-Penguin-Writing-2355820">Writing Template</a> for Pierre the penguin here!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tc17btr8ZOA/Vqp4Y5ewhOI/AAAAAAAAAo0/SStmRNCjsQE/s640/blogger-image--1973237648.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Pierre will wear a phone and backpack!!!!" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8-rEHCfsUhQ/Vqp4XfWHJbI/AAAAAAAAAos/VzrqekYYE8g/s640/blogger-image-1106127456.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We are true Washingtonians! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gGP6C_ZNkGE/Vqp4IyZqCKI/AAAAAAAAAoc/Pp27AKJqbkI/s640/blogger-image-1257146675.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Or, if you're still wishing December was here, "Pierre will wear an elf costume."</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-88750110434419047922016-01-21T12:34:00.002-08:002016-01-21T12:34:55.556-08:00Lockdown!Today is the day we tell the kids that while school is a safe place, sometimes, there are scary people who try to hurt you. I have to give them the hard, sad truth that there are people with guns who make some sad choices to hurt others. We walk through all our procedures of what to do during a lockdown. We tell them where to hide. We tell them not to open the door, even if someone says "It's the police!" We tell them to listen for not one adult, but two adults, to announce that it is safe to exit classrooms. It's a pretty REAL conversation, and it breaks my heart. <br />
<br />
However, it's better to be prepared and deal with a tough conversation than to be sensitive and unprepared! Here's a quick worksheet I developed to help the kids process all the things we talked about. We have special safety latches on our doors, so I just hand drew in our locks on one of the worksheets. I left that space blank, so you can draw in whichever lock you classroom has. <br />
<br />
I'm currently working on a class reader about lockdowns to assist in the tricky conversation! Stay tuned!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H6-zb16-GBI/VqFAtmVS_NI/AAAAAAAAAoI/M8o8H_lxGHI/s1600/Lockdown%2BPicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H6-zb16-GBI/VqFAtmVS_NI/AAAAAAAAAoI/M8o8H_lxGHI/s320/Lockdown%2BPicture.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Lockdown-2339855">Lockdown Worksheet</a> here!</div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-40914535837831305582016-01-09T09:24:00.000-08:002016-01-09T09:24:45.401-08:00New Year Around the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm Peruvian-American and my family has always had the best time celebrating New Year. In Latin America, we have all sorts of crazy-fun customs and superstitions surrounding New Year! I decided to create a mini unit based on a few countries around the world and their traditions. Turns out Latin Americans aren't the only ones with weird customs!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Greece</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_P4evBDCsjg/VpE8ikVFAZI/AAAAAAAAAl0/uBBIIpIUQLE/s320/IMG_8411.JPG" width="240" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Greeks celebrate with a number of customs, but I thought the one we could translate best to Kindergarten world would be the smashing of the pomegranate! They say the first to cross the threshold of a house on New Year gets to smash a pomegranate. The number of seeds that come out determines how lucky that family will be in the coming year!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcaIhzINHXs/VpE8j9f9NQI/AAAAAAAAAl4/D4KXaT1uEIQ/s1600/IMG_8416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcaIhzINHXs/VpE8j9f9NQI/AAAAAAAAAl4/D4KXaT1uEIQ/s640/IMG_8416.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<u>France</u> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-febZO319bUg/VpE8lHMOKmI/AAAAAAAAAmE/oVu9zUlmE1g/s1600/IMG_8428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-febZO319bUg/VpE8lHMOKmI/AAAAAAAAAmE/oVu9zUlmE1g/s320/IMG_8428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
In France, people eat something called King's Cake. The cake sometimes has a plastic coin in the center. The person who gets the coin is king for the day! I just bought some Sticky Buns from the grocery store and introduced that as King's Cake. Inside one of them, I cut out a thin slice and stuck a plastic coin inside. The kids had so much fun eating their way through the cake to see who would be king!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Egz6WdydcQc/VpE8qjwVQzI/AAAAAAAAAmM/sA4V3PnFk-c/s1600/IMG_8429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Egz6WdydcQc/VpE8qjwVQzI/AAAAAAAAAmM/sA4V3PnFk-c/s320/IMG_8429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwPW7vp4n0I/VpE8sXZ_XqI/AAAAAAAAAmU/11rURQSO6U4/s1600/IMG_8430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwPW7vp4n0I/VpE8sXZ_XqI/AAAAAAAAAmU/11rURQSO6U4/s320/IMG_8430.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCJwhH6yOeY/VpE8fK5kZwI/AAAAAAAAAls/mo1P1t42DNc/s1600/IMG_8423.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCJwhH6yOeY/VpE8fK5kZwI/AAAAAAAAAls/mo1P1t42DNc/s400/IMG_8423.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This little man got it! He wore a construction paper yellow crown the whole day :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Denmark</u> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWLKEPN1I3s/VpE8weweoUI/AAAAAAAAAmc/TB9gEieIUdo/s1600/IMG_8431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWLKEPN1I3s/VpE8weweoUI/AAAAAAAAAmc/TB9gEieIUdo/s320/IMG_8431.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu_7ls9ifJY/VpE8wuHRypI/AAAAAAAAAmg/H_X3Gck-Lmc/s1600/IMG_8432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu_7ls9ifJY/VpE8wuHRypI/AAAAAAAAAmg/H_X3Gck-Lmc/s320/IMG_8432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-18eB9PGyT10/VpE8xDS_EUI/AAAAAAAAAmo/FZVHc428J1s/s1600/IMG_8433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-18eB9PGyT10/VpE8xDS_EUI/AAAAAAAAAmo/FZVHc428J1s/s320/IMG_8433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In Denmark, the custom is to throw your old plates at the door for good luck. We obviously couldn't do real plates so I chose a few kids to have fun throwing paper plates at the door. Then everyone got to tear apart paper plates at their desks. There really was no point to the tearing of the plates, but the kids LOVED IT. Just goes to show how much fun kids are having if they're breaking stuff! :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kA7hcYEcZiw/VpE8ySO3EAI/AAAAAAAAAm0/jVN5ydi0QF4/s1600/IMG_8437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kA7hcYEcZiw/VpE8ySO3EAI/AAAAAAAAAm0/jVN5ydi0QF4/s320/IMG_8437.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0N6cand-8Pw/VpE80NW8ZrI/AAAAAAAAAnA/g3Q4dHQYJsA/s1600/IMG_8438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0N6cand-8Pw/VpE80NW8ZrI/AAAAAAAAAnA/g3Q4dHQYJsA/s320/IMG_8438.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Danes also literally jump into the New Year at midnight by jumping off of chairs. This one was a bit riskier, but what's life without a little risk? The kids did great.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1oq_Nx_wA8/VpE8zrjVzyI/AAAAAAAAAm8/-8XdOTndZXQ/s1600/IMG_8442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1oq_Nx_wA8/VpE8zrjVzyI/AAAAAAAAAm8/-8XdOTndZXQ/s320/IMG_8442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Afterwards, of course, we debriefed about the traditions and talked about if they made sense to us. The kids recorded their experiences during writing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vm4dm9DIYok/VpE81FQVQ6I/AAAAAAAAAnM/-5mBnpMj-wM/s1600/IMG_8444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vm4dm9DIYok/VpE81FQVQ6I/AAAAAAAAAnM/-5mBnpMj-wM/s320/IMG_8444.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHeFPF_FiFA/VpE81xplA1I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/-t2gYJ8zXgc/s1600/IMG_8445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHeFPF_FiFA/VpE81xplA1I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/-t2gYJ8zXgc/s320/IMG_8445.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<u>Peru</u> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gdd7fjL6gWo/VpE82zya8rI/AAAAAAAAAnc/8km-MkVLiqE/s1600/IMG_8485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gdd7fjL6gWo/VpE82zya8rI/AAAAAAAAAnc/8km-MkVLiqE/s320/IMG_8485.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm obviously biased, but this day if my favorite. I set aside a whole day for Peruvian New Year. Wearing yellow is the big thing!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4r0lYiYWmYY/VpE8333WOVI/AAAAAAAAAnk/rVXk1lnQ95A/s1600/IMG_8486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4r0lYiYWmYY/VpE8333WOVI/AAAAAAAAAnk/rVXk1lnQ95A/s320/IMG_8486.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kids also received a print out of grapes, which are supposed to bring you luck. (For real, we all go under the table and eat 12 grapes at midnight. In Kindergarten, I just make them pose for a picture).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2QG4Vj2aew/VpE84hTa7ZI/AAAAAAAAAno/1UN9-7AcL4U/s1600/IMG_8488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2QG4Vj2aew/VpE84hTa7ZI/AAAAAAAAAno/1UN9-7AcL4U/s320/IMG_8488.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We also put pennies in our shoes for good fortune, and beans in our pocket to ensure 12 months of good food.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqeYkjHsO-s/VpE899vjBxI/AAAAAAAAAn0/KbjvLwQLQ1U/s1600/IMG_8511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqeYkjHsO-s/VpE899vjBxI/AAAAAAAAAn0/KbjvLwQLQ1U/s320/IMG_8511.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The last thing is to walk around the "block" (or in our case, the school) with a suitcase (or in our case, with backpacks). You do this to ensure 12 months of good travel. At the end, we got in our class photo!</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-43404446907641381482016-01-08T14:32:00.004-08:002016-01-08T14:32:52.868-08:00Christmas Around the World: Ukraine, Australia, Brazil <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Week Two of Holidays Around the World was a hoot and a half! I bought some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Be-Amazing-Insta-Snow-Makes-Gallons/dp/B000FA6APE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452288954&sr=8-1&keywords=insta-snow">Insta-Snow</a> here on Amazon.com for a fun sensory center! When I bought it, it was only about $10 and was on Prime. It looks like the price has gone up since then, so I would recommend waiting until Christmas time next year to purchase. It was well worth it!!!! I made two tubs full and still have about half a jar left for next year. If you store it in plastic gallon bags, it lasts FOREVER (which is about a month, in Kindergarten). We used it most of December. I threw in some plastic animal toys and the kids had a blast.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2-36OfMJ4I/VpAqz490lbI/AAAAAAAAAjY/zSYrsLHv1Kg/s1600/IMG_8267.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2-36OfMJ4I/VpAqz490lbI/AAAAAAAAAjY/zSYrsLHv1Kg/s320/IMG_8267.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Ukraine & Russia</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g59ufADxZt8/VpAqyat4yhI/AAAAAAAAAjM/54pYLT8fm9I/s320/IMG_8264.JPG" width="240" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am very fortunate to have many students who are Ukrainian this year, so I was able to ask their families for some inspiration! We colored in Babuska dolls (I just hand-drew some on paper for the kids to color). Then we made some out of scrapbook paper! I had a high school helper trace the dolls shapes and cut them out for me, so all the kids had to do was glue on the faces and draw on eyes and a mouth. They got to pick which paper they liked best and really enjoyed this activity. I laminated them all and added some glitter so the kids could add them to their parents' Christmas gift bags. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1C0wWQ2-jg/VpAqzffc0KI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/3z0KhLnPJxI/s1600/IMG_8269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1C0wWQ2-jg/VpAqzffc0KI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/3z0KhLnPJxI/s320/IMG_8269.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XHTSJ2iZeNk/VpAq0gEP0vI/AAAAAAAAAjk/a-JObdJ2nJ8/s1600/IMG_8272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XHTSJ2iZeNk/VpAq0gEP0vI/AAAAAAAAAjk/a-JObdJ2nJ8/s640/IMG_8272.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had a parent make us Trubokchi, which is like a horn with a sweet cream filling inside. As I've said before, cultural learning is best approached by FOOD, in my opinion! The kids have a hard time remembering the names of countries and the different symbols that go with each Christmas celebration, but they have no problem remembering the food we eat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Meanwhile, we watched <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCyXfj0rsz0">The Story of Babushka</a> on YouTube. Really great animation.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CxVKmZzo75M/VpAq1s7wN6I/AAAAAAAAAjs/UbxHPPrEgsw/s1600/IMG_8275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CxVKmZzo75M/VpAq1s7wN6I/AAAAAAAAAjs/UbxHPPrEgsw/s320/IMG_8275.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another parent donated a bag of Ukrainian candy for us to taste. These tasted a lot like Zotz!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Australia </u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I cannot possibly continue this post without giving you a link to this musical gem on YouTube.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1aYkutjXfQ&list=PLF8C33EB73E13C964">Aussie Christmas Music</a> is just the best. The kids were laughing the whole day listening to it. Our favorite was, of course, 6 White Boomers. We sang it all day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The story goes that reindeer would overhear in Australia's heated Christmas, so Santa trades them in for 6 elderly kangaroos! I WISH there was a children's book about this!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Js1W66CXRms/VpAq2SfIBNI/AAAAAAAAAjw/VAK3jT5g-ik/s1600/IMG_8284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Js1W66CXRms/VpAq2SfIBNI/AAAAAAAAAjw/VAK3jT5g-ik/s320/IMG_8284.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just google image searched "6 white boomers" and I found this guy. I enlarged it and copied it for the kids to color. I even made some extra kangaroos for the kids who wanted to be accurate.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HpO_7ju0W50/VpAv7Anew4I/AAAAAAAAAkk/FRVbgORlmpc/s1600/Boomers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HpO_7ju0W50/VpAv7Anew4I/AAAAAAAAAkk/FRVbgORlmpc/s1600/Boomers.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PIN34mXy7jQ/VpAwSJpYetI/AAAAAAAAAks/1Qnc7zsYjvY/s1600/Boomers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NZcmzsN-80/VpAq2xYVZDI/AAAAAAAAAj4/JR6lwjglo3Y/s1600/IMG_8285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NZcmzsN-80/VpAq2xYVZDI/AAAAAAAAAj4/JR6lwjglo3Y/s320/IMG_8285.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I also have this gem, which is one of my holiday favorites. It's a picture book that tells the story of a wombat that is only looking for carrots. He keeps getting into it with Santa's reindeer, who also want the carrots. It's very cute!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Wombat-Jackie-French/dp/0547868723/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452290653&sr=8-1&keywords=Christmas+Wombat">You can find it here</a> from Amazon.com.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fh29TOf5nn4/VpAq36PLVuI/AAAAAAAAAkE/XBElxj_9nCo/s1600/IMG_8291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fh29TOf5nn4/VpAq36PLVuI/AAAAAAAAAkE/XBElxj_9nCo/s320/IMG_8291.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I took the cover of the book and free-hand drew the wombat and a carrot to create this mystery coloring picture with teen numbers. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_t229fKDn3g/VpAq4nyDRiI/AAAAAAAAAkM/q_Ms9QzaovA/s1600/IMG_8293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_t229fKDn3g/VpAq4nyDRiI/AAAAAAAAAkM/q_Ms9QzaovA/s640/IMG_8293.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Our craft was making sunglasses! I had the high school helper trace and cut out all the glasses out of cardstock for me. The kids decorated them with Christmas stickers and taped a Popsicle stick on!<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Brazil</u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mKc0-IvW8b0/VpArQhMk_oI/AAAAAAAAAkU/XjbXgbdE9Zo/s1600/IMG_8317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mKc0-IvW8b0/VpArQhMk_oI/AAAAAAAAAkU/XjbXgbdE9Zo/s320/IMG_8317.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I bought some Panetonne for the kids to taste on Brazil day. Really, no one liked it much (including me. Latin Americans LOVE this stuff for some reason, but I have always hated it!) THIS KID was the only one who really loved it, so he got to take home all the leftovers! 1 Panetonne is PLENTY for the entire class. I had more than half leftover.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy2m13khvAs5vsCytRnHIYShh7QXRzt-WfJtE8QFzpquN_52LOpfcwfcK6dqAvQne_GOk5nw8lo_sLeRgZwuA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We "played" a Brazillian game very similar to Secret Santa, called Amigo Secreto ("Secret Friend.") Usually the game is played throughout all of December, but we boiled it down to a 30 minute writing chunk! I carefully assigned each kid to one student in the class. I whispered to them who their Amigo Secreto was, and their job was to write them a nice note. Then at carpet, I read them aloud and revealed who the secret friends were. In this video, I included only two examples since I have to say their names (only first names). </div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-67265129736667873702016-01-08T13:22:00.001-08:002016-01-08T13:22:09.415-08:00Christmas Around the World: Isreal, Greece, SwedenHoly moly, the days have FLOWN by and I am suddenly super behind in my blog posts. Ah, well, you can always tuck away this knowledge for next year. I did learn that this Holidays Around the World unit is very labor intensive, despite my attempts to pair it down. I think next year, I will definitely choose 3 or 4 countries to focus on and leave it at that. <br />
<br />
NEVERTHELESS, looking back at the pictures, the kids really had a ton of fun and learned a lot. This is what Kindergarten is all about: loving school, inspiring curiosity about the world, and having the time of your life!<br />
<br />
<u>Isreal</u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Urv6EBE9Z9Y/VpAgd2vZrcI/AAAAAAAAAhk/Tv4tM0V2lac/s1600/IMG_8086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Urv6EBE9Z9Y/VpAgd2vZrcI/AAAAAAAAAhk/Tv4tM0V2lac/s400/IMG_8086.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here you see the kids posing with their marshmallow dreidels! I found the recipe on Pinterest. I kept it simple and only did marshmallows, chocolate kisses, and pretzels. Most of the chocolate kisses fell off or were eaten before this photo... :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/150870656242991143/">Marshmallow Dreidel</a> Recipe Here!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I also read Patricia Polacco's book below. It is quite wordy and long, so I broke it up into two parts, but the kids seemed to really enjoy the art and story. It does not take place in Isreal, but rather has Ukrainian roots, so it was an interesting way to tie in the holiday and another country. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TdZzE29LLRQ/VpAivpF_1hI/AAAAAAAAAi0/8vXwwU3FNxU/s1600/Dancing%2BGoats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TdZzE29LLRQ/VpAivpF_1hI/AAAAAAAAAi0/8vXwwU3FNxU/s320/Dancing%2BGoats.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<u>Greece</u> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJJ5BkNHOHY/VpAgdVd_LyI/AAAAAAAAAhY/Nv7HU47dLFA/s1600/IMG_8116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJJ5BkNHOHY/VpAgdVd_LyI/AAAAAAAAAhY/Nv7HU47dLFA/s400/IMG_8116.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Greeks believe that a small goblin called the Killantzaroi can sneak into your home through the chimney and causes mischief, so they light fires every night leading up until New Year to keep the creature away. I kept this as basic as I could, but it was so much fun to teach the kids about it. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gv_KZ1xkYlA/VpAgeOLROaI/AAAAAAAAAhg/R6Xre4XEgi4/s1600/IMG_8121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gv_KZ1xkYlA/VpAgeOLROaI/AAAAAAAAAhg/R6Xre4XEgi4/s400/IMG_8121.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They created fire torches during center time and posed for this picture attempting to keep the Killantzaroi at bay!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Sweden</u> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gfF8xZywCg/VpAgfrDnPDI/AAAAAAAAAhs/v1G_AwKearY/s1600/IMG_8178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gfF8xZywCg/VpAgfrDnPDI/AAAAAAAAAhs/v1G_AwKearY/s320/IMG_8178.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the past, I have made Sweden & Norway a two week long mini-unit. Scandinavian culture surrounding the holidays is WONDERFUL. This time, I boiled it down to two days. The boys all made Star Boy hats at the carpet... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgWyWLpqiZk/VpAggmuaH_I/AAAAAAAAAh8/EmpVIhEQkpY/s1600/IMG_8179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgWyWLpqiZk/VpAggmuaH_I/AAAAAAAAAh8/EmpVIhEQkpY/s320/IMG_8179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e91fqWhjbt4/VpAhF4nkdWI/AAAAAAAAAio/_J2Pqa8IOIE/s1600/IMG_8182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e91fqWhjbt4/VpAhF4nkdWI/AAAAAAAAAio/_J2Pqa8IOIE/s320/IMG_8182.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...while the girls sat at their desks, making St. Lucia crowns. (I have a high school helper who comes in regularly, so she helped the girls, while I helped the boys. All the materials were pre-cut and the kids were only in charge of gluing everything on.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yfvB2oMkoG8/VpAgi5gWevI/AAAAAAAAAiI/VGBHahXCcCs/s1600/IMG_8238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yfvB2oMkoG8/VpAgi5gWevI/AAAAAAAAAiI/VGBHahXCcCs/s320/IMG_8238.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/St-Lucia-Emergent-Reader-1601350">St. Lucia emergent reader</a> you can find by clicking on that link! The kids can color it in and share it with their parents. I also made a St. Lucia Big Book (GLAD style) <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/St-Lucia-Big-Book-2294153">you can download here</a> for free! Print, laminate, and bind it yourself.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQEa6vXBi98/VpAgjeZP8vI/AAAAAAAAAiU/JB3DlYv1E90/s1600/IMG_8242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQEa6vXBi98/VpAgjeZP8vI/AAAAAAAAAiU/JB3DlYv1E90/s320/IMG_8242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kiddos just look adorable with their little hats.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-495wZ9keTqA/VpAgkWaq3EI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/GHuJfdaD8nA/s1600/IMG_8250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-495wZ9keTqA/VpAgkWaq3EI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/GHuJfdaD8nA/s320/IMG_8250.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am ALL ABOUT teaching culture through food (who doesn't remember food they like?!) so I had my mother-in-law make me Spritz cookies and I made FAUX-lefsa. Last year, I had a parent whose family makes real lefsa every year, so we got to taste that, but this year, I was pressed for time. <br />I KNOW it's not the same thing, but my intent was to just expose the kids to something similar. Don't hate! I grabbed some whole wheat tortillas (one bag was more than enough). I sliced each tortilla 4 ways with a pizza cutter, put on some butter and cinnamon-sugar, and popped it all in the microwave for 1 minute. The kids loved it, so I call that a win.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-soDUdaLIJlI/VpAgl3Q8qMI/AAAAAAAAAig/ovip5_VGrzY/s1600/IMG_8254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-soDUdaLIJlI/VpAgl3Q8qMI/AAAAAAAAAig/ovip5_VGrzY/s320/IMG_8254.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of course, no holiday party is complete without hot cocoa, so we included that as well :)</div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-10781577495979860942015-12-06T09:39:00.001-08:002015-12-06T09:40:36.397-08:00Does CCSS Really Cost us Play & Socialization?In the past few years, I have heard many an educator grumble about the new Common Core expectations. The seemingly impossible standards, and the even more impossible standardized tests, certainly put teachers and students through the ringer. In my teeny tiny Kindergarten world, the biggest complaint is always that CCSS is not developmentally appropriate. "Where is the play?" I always hear. "How about social/emotional skills?"<br />
<br />
I am a baby teacher. After 5 years into the profession, my perspective may not be on point. However, I think like anything else in life, <i>everything should be done in moderation.</i> Just because we are all held to the same standards does not mean that every single classroom will meet those expectations in the same way. I am so lucky to be part of a very cohesive and talented team of K teachers who ALL reach our CCSS goals differently. Through learning to teach to CCSS, we have been able to challenge ourselves as educators and expose our students to the very best practices we can find. It's easy to read a standard and think "What?! There is no way my 5-year-olds can do this! We've never done it like this before," and then you teach it a few times, reteach it even more, and suddenly, they have it. Even in the worst case scenario, where you simply cannot get students to reach a goal, they are still learning more now that we ever expected of them 5 years ago. <br />
<br />
I still have DAILY center time in my Kindergarten class-- center time that includes play dough, and sensory tables, and painting. I still sing and dance and sprinkle glitter everywhere. I still do daily read alouds (can you believe some K teachers interpreted CCSS to have said to STOP read alouds?! WHAT?!) I had an amazing mentor teacher who drilled into me that play and authentic learning experiences can never be replaced by dictated standards or fancy technology. You know what? We still chart and track our DIBLES goals every day, we still challenge ourselves with sight words and leveled readers, we still begin addition right from October on, we still tackle writing 3-4 sentences by the end of the year. It's all a matter of balance. I certainly don't have the perfect formula for Kindergarten success, but I can say I am very comfortable with the choices I make for my little nuggets.<br />
<br />
At first, this was tough, of course. We went from half-day K where we barely could count to 31 and sing the letters, to full-day K where we had to count to 120 by 1s, 5s, and 10s, and be reading emergent readers by the end of the year. A little mind-boggling, yes. Impossible? Nothing is impossible with a smile on your face! :)<br />
<br />
(I say that a little sarcastically, as I know that not everyone is in a building where this is a reality. I have a very supportive principal who trusts that we know how to do our jobs and lets us do our thing.)<br />
<br />
The stress some administrators put on their teachers to achieve CCSS standards, however, can force a teacher to make the worst choices for his/her students. From my conversations with older teachers who are against CCSS for Kindergarten, I gather that their interpretation of the standards means to force 5-year-olds to do worksheets all day long. I read a blog article about a school who forced their Kindergarteners to take MAPs testing on computers because of CCSS. I mean, use common sense, people! Of COURSE that is ridiculous! Of COURSE that will make teachers turn against the standards. But these should not be common place practices. These are simply interpretations of the standards gone wrong. When the leaders of our schools are condoning these kinds of practices, that is the time to begin questioning things. Remember, it's not like this everywhere.<br />
<br />
As an ELL student myself, I am grateful that we have such rigorous standards today. I may not be able to get all of my ELL students to "read and understand an emergent reader text," but it's important that parents know this is what their children ARE capable of with the right supports. Teachers are loving, well-meaning, and hardworking people. We punish ourselves when our kids don't reach an end-of-year standard or make their goals. It's important to remember that they WILL make their goals...it just may take longer than other kids. ELL students may not make their goals until 4th or even 5th or EVEN 6th grade, and that is unsettling for most educators. But boy, when my ELL kids DO meet those tough standards...those are the days I live for in Kindergarten.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's another article that rings very true to me about CCSS in Kindergarten: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.edcentral.org/kinder-commoncore/">We Don't Need to Get Rid of Common Core to have Play in Kindergarten</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-59978705298677126322015-11-22T21:54:00.003-08:002015-11-22T21:54:20.978-08:00New Years Around the World!I've finally finished my New Years non-fiction reader for this year's extended Holidays Around the World unit! I'll be posting pictures of my activities as we do them in class! Stay-tuned!<br />
<br />
The plan so far is to have a classroom New Year's party and participate in some of the fun traditions that take place around the world.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DFoW_riGuXQ/VlKp7hWsSUI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/JzgI_E9sRCE/s1600/NEW%2BYEAR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DFoW_riGuXQ/VlKp7hWsSUI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/JzgI_E9sRCE/s400/NEW%2BYEAR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/New-Years-Around-the-World-2223558">New Years Around the World</a></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-71326944916652191132015-11-17T16:46:00.003-08:002015-11-17T16:46:53.068-08:00Holidays Around the World!<div style="text-align: center;">
I hate that I blinked and November was gone! It's always so fast paced with Veteran's Day, conferences, and Thanksgiving. Not only that, but the Seahawks are coming next week, so we have to make time for some fun Hawks themed lessons. Anyway, apologies about not uploading more fun stuff for November.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
MOVING ON. December is just around the corner. Which means...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y31Ih8EO_80/VkvHEwB2tFI/AAAAAAAAAfY/axABtqanudc/s1600/holidas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y31Ih8EO_80/VkvHEwB2tFI/AAAAAAAAAfY/axABtqanudc/s320/holidas.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Holidays-Around-the-World-Activities-1610930">Holidays Around the World Activities!</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just purchased this from Gabby'sClassrooms and I LOVE IT. I do Holidays Around the World as a theme each year but over time, I've just skimmed down to a few countries so that we can really go into more depth. It's tough since December is such a fast-paced month as it is! I am using this wonderful product this year but I am definitely altering it to fit my needs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made the book Gabby's Classrooms provided but I just printed the pages I was going to teach. Same with the passport and the scrapbook provided. LOVE the idea, but I cut out a few counties. Here's my schedule: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMwY068GJfs/VkvJW6kcWYI/AAAAAAAAAfs/2FdHNgZjcnY/s1600/holiday%2Bschedule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMwY068GJfs/VkvJW6kcWYI/AAAAAAAAAfs/2FdHNgZjcnY/s640/holiday%2Bschedule.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gabby's Classroom pack provides a fun scrapbook to make with your kiddos, as well as a cool passport that offers some cool opportunities for direct draws. However, in an effort to preserve some of my existing holiday projects, I just combined Gabby's book with the art I already do. <br />I also LOVE LOVE LOVE finding some food or music that is traditional in that country to really make some memories.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ALSO, as I'm sure you can see, I really love teaching about New Year. This is because my family is Peruvian and we do some pretty hilarious things for New Years, including wearing all yellow, eating 12 grapes at midnight, running around the block with suitcases, and putting pennies in our shoes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's crazy, but it's so much fun. I love sharing these traditions with my kids. I have lots of funny home videos of my cousins & I doing these things growing up and the kids really love watching!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am currently working on making a book similar to Gabby's except about New Year just to go along with the holiday theme. I've planned two days to teach about it and I have about seven traditions and countries to squish in there!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stay tuned...it will be fun!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-63049340939115632642015-10-18T15:55:00.004-07:002015-10-19T21:35:05.857-07:00Dia De los Muertos<span id="goog_1855563972"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1855563973"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's Dia de los Muertos time! It's SO HARD to choose a theme in October. Over the years, I've accumulated so many wonderful products featuring baths, spiders, pumpkins, and nocturnal animals. Last year, my fiance and I decided to actually spend a Halloween together, and we were stumped to find a couple's costume we both wanted. Finally, we picked Dia de los Muertos skeletons, and my October in Kindergarten changed completely! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCTn8kCMk80/ViQdjuhcBoI/AAAAAAAAAbc/uS8Y5SCZ_K8/s320/IMG_8507.JPG" width="240" /></div>
We absolutely love Open Wide World's Mini Pack featuring Scrappin Doodles clip art!<br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Day-of-the-Dead-Dia-de-los-Muertos-Mini-Pack-Spanish-Dual-Language-Kindergarten-945886">https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Day-of-the-Dead-Dia-de-los-Muertos-Mini-Pack-Spanish-Dual-Language-Kindergarten-945886</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7j-ZDpvvXag/ViQd2GIP6pI/AAAAAAAAAbs/bV_3tx6vOU8/s320/IMG_8511.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I altered one of the coloring pages provided in the pack and made it into a Color By Number for the kids to do as a Fast Finisher activity. Great decoration for our outward-facing window!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g1bkInTFmRc/ViQd1eRrKoI/AAAAAAAAAbk/pqI0sKSN_cI/s320/IMG_8517.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We worked on using sight words in our sentences with our Dia de los Muertos theme in mind! The kids LOVED learning about sugar skulls. I really emphasized that the skulls were NOT supposed to be scary. I have a few little nuggets who don't celebrate Halloween who asked if they could learn this. It's really important to clarify to both students AND parents that Dia de los Muertos is NOT the Mexican version of Halloween! It is a day that simply remembers the dead, similar to how we remember veterans on Veterans' Day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOC0wTyPTOU/ViQd4KjJS4I/AAAAAAAAAcA/iyyQ-FMeRKk/s1600/IMG_8532.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOC0wTyPTOU/ViQd4KjJS4I/AAAAAAAAAcA/iyyQ-FMeRKk/s320/IMG_8532.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We also tried our best to learn some Spanish words. I always try to teach my students about having empathy for kids AND PARENTS who are trying to learn English. One year, I had a student ask a Spanish-speaking mother "Why can't you speak English good?" It really startled her, and witnessing the event made me prioritize teaching this as part of our classroom culture. Part of teaching that empathy is encouraging students to try to say some Spanish words, even if it sounds funny. Usually the Spanish-speaking kids BEAM during this part, finally having a chance to excel at something language related! I encourage them to use "calavera" when taking about sugar skulls, and "papel picado" for the traditional paper decorations. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dSW0AMhcQw/ViQgXCmCP9I/AAAAAAAAAcs/TZyl-6loeDQ/s1600/IMG_8630.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dSW0AMhcQw/ViQgXCmCP9I/AAAAAAAAAcs/TZyl-6loeDQ/s320/IMG_8630.JPG" width="240" /> </a><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpFl0qpElrY/ViQgaZorpqI/AAAAAAAAAdA/mHtidf8isIo/s200/IMG_8640.JPG" width="200" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The boys LOVED making their black sombreros. I pre-traced them in silver sharpie and they simply cut them out. I printed these black roses from Microsoft word...not the prettiest when cut out, but definitely enough for the boys in my group! They loved making their own fancy hats.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DEZZgbvhiZY/ViQhEQmEt6I/AAAAAAAAAdM/phCJTLKFoRE/s1600/IMG_8631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DEZZgbvhiZY/ViQhEQmEt6I/AAAAAAAAAdM/phCJTLKFoRE/s320/IMG_8631.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The ladies colored their own marigolds, cut them out, and pasted them to sentence strips for hats. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e1YVMqmG4z0/ViQd3uOxT3I/AAAAAAAAAb8/_N-TjRezHZo/s1600/IMG_8522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e1YVMqmG4z0/ViQd3uOxT3I/AAAAAAAAAb8/_N-TjRezHZo/s320/IMG_8522.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When the time came, we made our masks for the "Walk of the Dead" parade! I had a parent cut the eyes out beforehand, but the kids colored and cut the mask out. I just stuck a fat popsicle stick to the side. Then we took to the streets! (Well, within the school grounds!) We marched outside in a line and did one lap around our school :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g97Q7xY90oY/ViQgFStJCcI/AAAAAAAAAcg/W3RqY7JPECI/s1600/IMG_8581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g97Q7xY90oY/ViQgFStJCcI/AAAAAAAAAcg/W3RqY7JPECI/s320/IMG_8581.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11AsM4OMwnk/ViQgW5NrWII/AAAAAAAAAco/3N4EZLuahtM/s320/IMG_8627.JPG" width="240" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After the parade, we came inside for a surprise party! Pan de Muertos for everyone from our local Mexican shop (although, I had to go to three places to find it. Dia de los Muertos is ONLY celebrated by one tiny part of Mexico, so I actually had to ask my Mexican families to keep an eye out for me at the store!) We were so lucky to have a mom make us homemade tamales and bring some Mexican jello as well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dSW0AMhcQw/ViQgXCmCP9I/AAAAAAAAAcs/TZyl-6loeDQ/s1600/IMG_8630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A5oxBoxqhuw/ViQgX6-5u_I/AAAAAAAAAc0/vtW85-bhWEY/s320/IMG_8632.JPG" width="240" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Food always makes for a memorable cultural experience!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I usually make this a two week unit. We also use Cara's Creative Playground's Day of the Dead pack.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Day-of-the-Dead-Mexican-Spanish-Holiday-Math-and-Literacy-Unit-1395350">https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Day-of-the-Dead-Mexican-Spanish-Holiday-Math-and-Literacy-Unit-1395350</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think it's kind of geared for older kids, I extracted what I could use and I LOVE the non-fiction printable book that comes with it!<br />
WHICH brings me to my own Dia de los Muertos creation! I'm using this
pack for math homework this week! Half this week, and the other half
next week. It's FREE! :) Enjoy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USvpxOaRM1U/ViQcsl7rOGI/AAAAAAAAAbY/CeyWtZ7gkQU/s1600/Dia%2BPreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USvpxOaRM1U/ViQcsl7rOGI/AAAAAAAAAbY/CeyWtZ7gkQU/s320/Dia%2BPreview.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dia-de-los-Muertos-Math-Mini-Pack-2157465">https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dia-de-los-Muertos-Math-Mini-Pack-2157465</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not included in the pack is this no-prep dice roll game. I absolutely love these as Fast Finisher activities.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T4N-VhDrK_s/ViXEKyOvMFI/AAAAAAAAAdo/ghdM59H9RIs/s1600/Roll%2Band%2Bcolor%2Bpreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T4N-VhDrK_s/ViXEKyOvMFI/AAAAAAAAAdo/ghdM59H9RIs/s320/Roll%2Band%2Bcolor%2Bpreview.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dia-de-los-Muertos-Roll-Color-2160232">https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dia-de-los-Muertos-Roll-Color-2160232</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOC0wTyPTOU/ViQd4KjJS4I/AAAAAAAAAcA/iyyQ-FMeRKk/s1600/IMG_8532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rMvA8ViUBzs/ViQd4VsSwLI/AAAAAAAAAcE/lYvddPyrIHE/s1600/Jaden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-RXKPopGk4/ViQd43zHlTI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/qDV4tD0TAvA/s1600/writing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-12528786997874139432015-10-11T21:49:00.003-07:002015-10-11T21:49:40.278-07:00Bilingual Conferences ReminderFriday was a Waiver Day for us here in Washington State, so I was busy working ALL DAY LONG on my conferences plan! I love to translate for families because I have built a relationship with them over the past five years! It's nice to be able to chat between would-be awkward silences down the hall way towards the teacher's classroom. Additionally, being a teacher myself, I can often fill in information for parents without the teachers having to spell everything out. BUT there's only one of me, and I have my own class of 25 to attend to. This means that as much as I would love to, I simply can't translate for all of our families! I did manage to squeeze out a LITTLE time for these conference reminders...and now I'm sharing with you! Hopefully they are easy to use :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-zXNica7Ao/Vhs7HcKVoBI/AAAAAAAAAbA/yEGxq69tzg4/s1600/Conferences%2BThumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-zXNica7Ao/Vhs7HcKVoBI/AAAAAAAAAbA/yEGxq69tzg4/s400/Conferences%2BThumbnail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bilingual-Conferences-Reminder-2144899">https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bilingual-Conferences-Reminder-2144899</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-79999477845311364132015-10-05T20:39:00.003-07:002015-10-05T20:39:37.217-07:00Gotta Pump Those Color Words!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hit color words like CRAZY from September to November. I know letters and their sounds are crucial, but a lot of my seat work ends up being those "Color-Bys," which I love for their multi-step directions AND for the fact that they usually take the kids a while to finish. That being said, kids tend to get frustrated not knowing how to read the color words. Well, my friends, never fret! I have a couple great color Write the Rooms right here! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
September Pete the Cat Write the Room</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(will post image tomorrow...it's on my work computer!) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This one is a FREEBIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
October Dia de los Muertos Write the Room </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-55Ux2TJzL-o/VhM_cQWLr5I/AAAAAAAAAZk/9UyBgDx95Ag/s1600/Blog%2BSample%2BWTR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-55Ux2TJzL-o/VhM_cQWLr5I/AAAAAAAAAZk/9UyBgDx95Ag/s320/Blog%2BSample%2BWTR.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-Write-the-Room-Dia-de-los-Muertos-theme-2133899">https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Color-Write-the-Room-Dia-de-los-Muertos-theme-2133899</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Also, I am absolutely obsessed with Kristen's Kindergarten's Stamp-a-Number AND Stamp-A-Letter!<br />
She has an entire pack with numbers and letters I use & re-use as Fast Finisher activities or for a sub. LOVE these!! I bought this pack about 4 years ago and I still use it from October-January.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_cA0OSVXLE/VhNCFEXLyFI/AAAAAAAAAZw/m78sYJOh9wM/s320/Stamp%2BIt.jpg" width="248" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Stamp-a-Number-or-Letter-387599">https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Stamp-a-Number-or-Letter-387599</a></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-75767905483438175722015-10-01T15:01:00.001-07:002015-10-01T15:02:36.904-07:00Freebie Friday is Coming EARLY!Hola, amigos!<br />
<br />
Freebie Friday is upon us, but guess what? I'll be in DISNEYLAND tomorrow and won't be able to post! So, lucky you, you get Freebie Friday one day early! Here we have an apple sort focused on the sight word "like." You can use it in class as an activity or send home as homework for parents to help with!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPigZSsCojI/Vg2oaouU8BI/AAAAAAAAAYI/y9FFB6QA2J0/s1600/Apple%2BFreebie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPigZSsCojI/Vg2oaouU8BI/AAAAAAAAAYI/y9FFB6QA2J0/s320/Apple%2BFreebie.jpg" width="269" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KeKAVXO9w_U/Vg2o0MZ_37I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/CXZyHPe9PQc/s1600/Freebie%2BFriday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KeKAVXO9w_U/Vg2o0MZ_37I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/CXZyHPe9PQc/s320/Freebie%2BFriday.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sight-Word-Apple-Sort-2124959</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Thursday!</div>
<a class="PXLWASD-Qb-a" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" kind="click" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 280px;"></a><br />
<div class="PXLWASD-Qb-f" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 10px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-59141187644003809892015-09-15T21:42:00.002-07:002015-09-15T21:42:33.602-07:00Construction Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbDxAqvbnCA/Vfjy1u1BzXI/AAAAAAAAAXo/7D3vRooGj6Q/s1600/Llama%2BUnder%2BConstruction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbDxAqvbnCA/Vfjy1u1BzXI/AAAAAAAAAXo/7D3vRooGj6Q/s640/Llama%2BUnder%2BConstruction.jpg" width="636" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am in the process of moving from my old classroom blog into this, a more teacher-focused, blog. Please check back soon for updates and links to my TpT store!</div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634892274521198022.post-57647038492036486652015-09-04T10:02:00.002-07:002015-09-04T10:02:23.720-07:00Hola Hola!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0j9b_ifhIYU/VenNwsQT0VI/AAAAAAAAAU4/9tZ_L32XWgs/s640/Hola%2Bhola.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Here you'll find lots of (hopefully) helpful resources to use in your Kindergarten class. If you don't run a dual language classroom, NO PROBLEM! This is an all-inclusive blog, just like your wonderful classrooms :) My goal is to support the CCSS in Kindergarten, as well as to provide our Spanish-speaking families with a little extra love to navigate through the challenging world of academia in America.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0