Flyswatters...SPLAT!

SPLAT!  SPLAT!  SPLAT!

It's that time of year again.  The flies will be making their way to your neighborhood to bug the heck out of you very soon.  If you are in need of a new flyswatter, check these out.  I found them at Walmart and picked up a couple for a sight word recognition game my students like to play. 

Here's how I use them in my classroom.  I have sight words posted on a pocket chart.  I divide the class into two teams.  One student from each team stands in front of the pocket chart with a flyswatter.  I call out a sight word.  The first student to swat the word earns a point for his/her team.  I have a small class, so kids gets several turns in a short time. There are lots of variations of this game.  If you use flyswatters in your room, I would love to hear how you use them.

Listening Center

Hi Friends!
I can't believe it is May already!  I have 15 days of school to go and year 27 will be complete!! 

Today I would like to share my Listening Center area with you and some tips on making it run smoothly.  Here's a picture of my Listening Center materials.

As you can see, I use a 3 tier metal shelf with the books & CDs on the top shelf. I usually have anywhere from 6-8 books & CDs in the tub at one time. Each book/CD is stored in a plastic baggie.  I purchased most of my books & CDs from Scholastic.

The headphones on the second shelf are WIRELESS and I can't tell you how much I LOVE the listening center now because of this.  NO MORE TANGLED WIRES!! 

The third shelf holds the CD player.  I have labeled each of the buttons on the player with numbers, so the kids know which button to push first, second, etc.  I spent a lot of time at the beginning of the year teaching EVERY student how to operate the CD player and the headphones.  It has really paid off.  I rarely have someone ask for help. 

  

My students love going to the Listening Center every day.  I love it because it's wireless!!!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Hi Friends,
Happy April Fool's Day! 

I can't believe it's April already!  Where did this school year go?  If you are looking for a easy and cheap April decoration for your classroom, here's an idea for you.  We all know the saying, "April showers bring May flowers," right?  Well, pick up some colorful umbrellas from the Dollar Store/Dollar Tree and hang them upside down from the ceiling.  Here's a picture of mine hanging in my classroom. 

Student of the Week

Hi Friends,

Today I'd like to share how my school recognizes our Students of the Week.  First of all, each classroom teacher chooses one student a week based on any criteria they choose.  It can be behavior, academics, character traits, etc.  The teacher fills out a form that states the child's name and the reason he/she was chosen.  The form is turned in to the principal who reads the child's name and reason for being chosen on the intercom on Monday morning.  The Student of the Week gets to go to the office and choose a small prize (coloring book, pencil, crayons, markers, folder,etc.).  The principal sends a certificate home to the parents of the child, so they know their child was recognized.  We also have a Student of the Week bulletin board in the hallway next to the office where each student's picture is hung when they are chosen.  The principal picks a Staff Member of the Week as well.  We do this every week of the school year.

In my classroom, I give my Student of the Week a certificate and a special sign that hangs on his/her chair for the week. (Target $ Section)  I also have a Student of the Week poster that I fill out with the child's help.  This is done in front of the class.  The Student of the Week gets to wear special "star" glasses as he/she helps to fill out the poster.  When we are done filling out the poster, the kids get to ask the Student of the Week questions.  Most questions start like this, "What's your favorite...?"
The Student of the Week must answer in a complete sentence.  For example, if a student asks, "What's your favorite kind of pizza?"  The Student of the Week must answer,  "My favorite kind of pizza is pepperoni." This is a great opportunity for kids to practice asking questions and answering in complete sentences. 

My kids love being chosen as our Student of the Week.  I believe EVERY student has something special that he/she can be recognized for at school.  Here are a few pictures:)

Boo Boo Bear

Hi Friends,

I'd like you to meet Boo Boo Bear. 

Boo Boo Bear is always available to anyone in my classroom who needs him.

Some kids choose to hold him when they've gotten hurt.  Others choose to hold him when they are feeling sad or just having a bad day.  It doesn't matter what the reason, Boo Boo Bear is happy to

cuddle with anyone who needs him.  My kids love him and tell me he smells really good.

As you can see, Boo Boo Bear is a Scentsy bear.  My kids named him Boo Boo.

I wonder if he's available for teachers when we have a bad day.  Spring break is only three days

away, so I might need Boo Boo Bear's help to make it through this week!

Teachers...you know what I'm talking about!

 



Good Morning Song

Good morning my friends!  It's snowing like crazy here in North Western Illinois.  We are expecting anywhere from 4-7 inches of snow today.  Some areas may get as much as 10 inches!  I was hoping school would be closed today, but the district I work for RARELY closes.  Anyway, I was  halfway to school when a friend called to tell me that school was cancelled, so I turned around and went home.  "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!"  I just LOVE having an unexpected snow day!!!

I want to share a "Good Morning" song I sing with my kids every morning.  I'm not sure where I got it, but would be happy to give credit if anyone knows who wrote it.  My kids love singing this with me as we begin our day.  We have to sing it a couple of times to include everyone.  I just switch out their pictures each time we sing it.  Sorry about the blurry pictures.  I am not allowed to share their pictures on my blog.

Alphabet Line

Hi Friends!

Have you bought a commercially made alphabet line to display in your classroom?  I've bought several over the years, but have recently asked my students to help make one that I display in the reading area of our classroom.  I was inspired to to this after seeing the art themed alphabet line that Lyn Goff's preschoolers made.   You can see Lyn's here:

http://mrsgoffskinders.blogspot.com/search/label/ABCs

The alphabet line my class made isn't as fancy as Lyn's, but the kids sure enjoyed making it.
If you need something to "freshen up" your classroom for the new year, why not have your kids make a new alphabet line.  Here's ours:)  (Sorry about the angle of the pictures.  I was standing on a chair looking up when I took them.)















 

I thought the kids did an awesome job!