Shape Pals!

 Shape Pals!

This is a cute craftivity set to use while you are teaching shapes. I teach one shape a week and we make these little guys to get a hands-on approach. They also label that shape pal with the side and vertices, which is easy to count, because they are holding the shape in their hands!

Shapes included are: 

1. Circle                         6. Oval/Ellipse

2. Square                       7. Trapezoid

3. Triangle                     8. Rhombus/Diamond

4. Rectangle                  9. Star

5. Hexagon                   10. Octagon

  Triangle Pal pieces

(Eyes are also included, but you could use google eyes, as well.)

Grab there little guys here!

Kindergarten Word Wall Sight Words

I made a new little sight word set to go up on my word wall. My classroom is all rainbow stars and I wanted something that would go along with my theme. I thought I would put them on TpT because they are so cute! Check them out!

They are the 90 words that go along with my sight word units. Enjoy!

Parent Contact Log

We all know that we need to document our time when we speak to parents. I have heard of all kinds of systems, like using an index card file, or writing it in a journal. I cannot handle that! I have a sheet that goes in my student information binder (pics to come soon), and this sheet stays with that particular student's info. I just have to turn to the student's tab and document it. Then I have everything in one place: parent contact log, student information (parent names, phone numbers, email, allergy info, etc.), all of their assessment sheets, progress reports and report cards.

By writing all of the parent contacts down this way I easily have documentation for SSTs and IEPs. It also helps with discipline parent conferences and academic parent conferences. Grab it here.

Student Info Sheet FREEBIE

This is the student info sheet I use the first day of Kindergarten. I actually give this to parents on what my district calls a "Preview Day". This is a day the Kinders and their families get to come into the classroom and meet the teacher, find their seat and their cubby and see what they are getting themselves into. I love it because I get to meet the kids, talk to their parents a little, and get the really important info that I need (most of which is on this sheet). It also helps with the kids' nerves on the first day. There isn't nearly as much crying as normal. (But, don't me wrong...there is always crying. )

I realize this sheet does not match exactly what everyone is looking for, so if you would like an editable version, let me know and I can send one your way.

What order do I teach the letters???

The idea of teaching one letter a week is old. It is not a good idea and it goes waaaaaay too slow for today's Kindergarten. I teach 3 to 4 letters a week. I follow Deanna Jump and Deedee Wills Guided Readers Units. These units work on 4 to 5 letters a week with AMAZING literature components to them. Seriously, if you are trying to work Story Study into lesson plans check out these units. They have everything already done and are PERFECT.

Ok, back to letter order. I get excited when it comes to the Guided Readers. The 4 to 5 letters a week is too much for my class, mainly because every Wednesday in my district is a minimum day. I just don't have the time. So, I separated them into 3 or 4. Here is my outline.

 You can download this outline as a PowerPoint file and edit it as you need. 

By teaching these letters together students will be able to compare them. They will see the differences between t, b, and f. They will compare the sounds. They will be able to use them more meaningfully in writing and identify them during their reading time. 

Along with the letters you see that I have my sight word list outlined. This is my FREE sight word Core Words unit on TpT.  I begin these units right away and expect my students to know at least 10 words by the end of the first 6 weeks of school. Here is the letter that goes home to parents:

I know, I know, it sounds like a crazy lot. But, it's not and my students do rise to the occasion. As for those who are behind, those are the ones who get special time with me during Guided Reading to work on the skills they are still learning. The ones who are ready move ahead and the ones who need the one-on-one time get it. We call this.......say it with me......differentiation!! Haha!

10 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten

10 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten

You have seen this before, I know. You have tried to get the word out to parents exactly what should be worked on at home to prepare for Kindergarten. Needless to say, these skills are not mastered BEFORE Kindergarten. They are worked on before, during, and after Kindergarten. I like to put this on my parent website so that Moms and Dads can see what they need to do with their incoming Kinder. Because the year is fresh, parents are more likely to work on these skills at the beginning of the year and I am very ok with that. This is the first post on my classroom website each year for my new class and I hope my parents see it and find it helpful.

Starting the Year Off With Sight Words

Ok, you know it's coming. You are going to get a new batch of Kinders. No, they wont be able to sit down. No, they wont stop crying. No, they can't keep their hands to themselves. And yes, you will think you are not going to survive the first two weeks. But, you will! (Seriously, you will...)

So, how do you get your little babies reading? How do you get them to understand that letters make words and we READ words? I am going to share what I use. Many of you already use it and I am glad to read your comments that it is working. But, for those of you who don't, I have a FREE download of my Core Sight Words that my school district uses for Kindergarten starting the second week of school! (Yikes! The second week!)

 This is my free unit that comes before my other sight word units. These are the Core Words that your Kinders will need to start reading emergent readers and building an understanding what words really are. The activities are much simpler that my other units because it is designed for the beginning of Kindergarten. Take a look:

 I send this one home attached to their homework packet. Parents get into the habits of having words each week, which will continue for the entire school year.

 Read, Color, Write is simple and in all of my units. I do these every Monday. I choose a student from my name can. If their name is called they get to find the word in the room with my pointer, spell it for the class, and then tell us what color they want to color it. The kids love it and it keeps everyone engaged.

 Using the interactive whiteboard is great for this activity. Students really get the meaning of tall, small, and fall letters.

Color the sight words. These are in all of my units too. Reinforces color words and after a little while of practice can become a center for the year.

Remember teachers, this is FREE! Go download Core Sight Words at my TpT store and see what you think. If you like it and think it can be helpful in your class I hope you will look into my other units Pre-Primer and Primer.