Kindergarten Popcorn Words

Kindergarten Popcorn Words is a bulletin board set to reinforce sight words taught throughout the year. It is a fun way to get kids reading the words. I like to change the word every day. We learn a list of 5 new sight words a week. By changing the word everyday they can give each word a focus day. I also use it as a password to go to the bathroom! :) This set is on both TpT and Teachers Notebook.

Letter Bracelets

I am always looking for new ways to reinforce a child's learning at home. This year I am going to do ABC bracelets. Every week we explore a new letter. When I introduce the letter of the week on Monday I am going to give each student the letter bracelet and help him or her put it on with tape (less dangerous than staples and more durable than a glue stick). My students will be able to take them home and tell their parents what letter we are learning and what sound it makes. I am all about parent communication, so this is just one more way to get them involved. Here is the link for the ABC Bracelets.

Here is a cute number monster book I use in my classroom. Color and cut out the monster and matching poem and glue them to a piece of cardstock. You can bind them to make a book, or not. I don't bind them because I have the kids hold them during number games. After reading these a few times your students will be able to "read" them on their own. :) Get my Number Monster Book here.

Number Writing

Number Handwriting

Teaching brand new Kinders to write is always a challenge. We go through many steps to reach the point where what their writing is legible enough to read by others. We begin with names and letters, but we are also learning how to write numbers. I have always loved using the "Number Monsters” worksheets by Shirley Ross and Cindy McCord. I am lucky enough to have these worksheets because of my mentor teachers when I first started out. Here is a quick pic of what they look like.

I have had so much success with these little guys I decided to make a book for my students. Like, I said, this book is very old and not in print. If you are lucky enough to come across it, be prepared to pay a lot for it.
I always wished the book went up to 30 because I liked the template so much. So, I made my own! You can find them at TpT: Number Handwriting 0-30.

My unit does not use monsters. I still use the monsters for 1-10, but my own for higher numbers. By that time my students are ready to move on to new things. I don't want to bore them, so I use these worksheets as an introductions.

Transitional Kindergarten

Happy Summer! (I think it's summer anyway. I am still working working working.)

My name is Maryanna Baldridge. I teach Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten in Southern California. I am married to an amazing man who encourages me in everything I do. I am also a mommy to a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old. I am sure you can imagine, my days are full! We are keeping busy playing in the backyard with our dogs and pet rabbit. We are gardening, roller skating, and painting. Ahh, vacation.....

Needless to say Pinterest, Teacher's Notebook, and TeacherspayTeachers wont let me have an actual summer vacation because I am finding new and better ways to do my job! I am very excited about how teaching is changing and how I am able to inspire my students more effectively. I am currently selling on TpT and Teacher's Notebook. If you are in the market for some new material for your TK or K class, check out my shops. My main focus is on Language Arts and Math. I have several units for Sight Words and am working on several more for TK. I just put up a TK ABC Pack. Go take a look!