Kindergarten Kindergarten

Interactive Science Word Walls

Hello again! I know it's been a while since I've actually blogged, but I really have been doing some fun and exciting things in my classroom. 

One of the favorite things I've been doing is Interactive Science Word Walls. I LOVE them! But I can't take credit for them. They are the brainchild of Dr. Julie Jackson, an associate professor at Texas State University. I've been lucky enough to work with Dr. Jackson for the past couple of years (and also lucky enough to have her grandsons in my class!) 

So what are Interactive Science Word Walls? They are SO MUCH MORE than traditional word walls. Simply put--they are giant, colorful, engaging, hands-on, student-created graphic organizers! They help students develop a deep understanding of key science vocabulary.

Here are a few pictures of some of the word walls my kids and I have created. Over the coming months, I will detail some of the lessons that go with these walls. But in the meantime, here are a few important tips:

• The word walls are not "front-loaded". In other words, I do not pre-make the word walls ahead of time and put them up at the beginning of my unit. They are made with my kids in the context of hands-on, inquiry-based science activities. Vocabulary is introduced as children are having concrete experiences that they can connect all those words to. 

• That does not mean that the walls should not be planned out. Know in advance what vocabulary you want the kids to learn (look to your standards for that). Think about how the vocabulary fits in to the objectives that you are teaching and create a graphic organizer that supports those objectives. Dr. Jackson has some really good planning documents on her website (The Science Toolkit) to help with this.

• When possible, real-objects should be used on the walls. Real rocks, leaves, tools, etc! When not possible, pictures should be used (kind of hard to put the moon on your wall).

• The kids should help as much as possible when creating these walls. In kindergarten, I start out doing most of the work, because I want the walls to be usable (let's face it--there's a lot of scribbling in the beginning of kinder). But even at the beginning of the year, I let the kids pick out the objects that will go with the words. As the year progresses, and the kids gain more writing and drawing skills, they do more of the work. 

• Use these word walls every day! Don't just put them up so they look pretty. Use the vocabulary in discussions, with sentence stems, writing and in science notebooks. 
• The word walls need to be accessible! In kinder, that means down low. Because wall space is at a premium in my classroom, I use rolling pocket charts for my walls. The kids are able to take the words out, use them to write, and put them back when they are finished.

I have been truly amazed at how well my kids learn science vocabulary since I started using Interactive Science Word Walls. I highly recommend a visit to Dr. Jackson's website, The Science Toolkit and her Facebook page for lots and lots of pictures and resources to help you build your own walls with your students. 

Have fun!

Kindergarten Kindergarten on Instagram!

Hello Friends!

Once again, I have completely neglected my poor little blog, but I've missed it and you so much! I have big plans to start blogging again, so stay tuned. But in the meantime, I'm excited to announce...

I have been obsessed with Instagram for a while now, so I thought I'd start a Kindergarten Kindergarten account. I snap pictures literally all day long, so it will be so easy to share them. So hop on over to Instagram and follow me @kindergartenkindergarten. If you don't already have an account, you MUST sign up--it's super easy! And full of such wonderful stuff. I hope to see you there soon!

Another Little Peek at my Classroom...

Today I thought I would show you my desk area. It will never be this clean and organized again...so enjoy!

I spend more time at work during the school year than I do at home, so I need my space to be comfy and cozy with a few personal touches. Things that make me smile...family photos, quotes from Pinterest, and more of that silly garland that I made.

Here's a close-up of my shelf with my favorite teacher books, office supplies, etc. Now imagine it with piles and piles of papers that I know I shouldn't throw away but don't really know what to do with either...that's reality!

 

Here's one thing I could never live with out-- my Raskog cart from Ikea. It's my portable teacher desk. I wheel it to my teacher table when I work with small groups; I wheel it to the kids' tables when I conference; I wheel it to my easel when I'm teaching whole group. It has everything I need, so I don't have to waste time running around the room trying to find things. 

The top shelf has pens, pencils, stapler, date stamp, scissors, etc.

The middle shelf has teaching and assessment aides--magnetic letters, pointers, flashcards, etc.

The bottom shelf has all of my monitoring notebooks and anecdotal notes.

I've had it for 2 years now and can honestly say that I'm in love. Even if the middle shelf is a little wonky because I cannot put Ikea stuff together without messing something up...Oh well...nobody's perfect.

School starts in exactly one week for me. That thought is absolutely terrifying. I think I'll go to bed and try not to think about it.

Sweet Dreams!

Welcome to my Room!

Happy Friday!

I'm still working away in my room. I had a meeting all day long, so I didn't accomplish much. But I'm not freaking out...not at all!

So as promised, here is the entryway to my room. The kids' cubbies are right inside the door. I covered the bulletin board in the same burlap that I used outside and added an owl that I made a few years ago. I'm going to put our class pledge up there so that it's the first thing people see when they come in the room. I will write the pledge with the kids on the first day of school.

The little banner is for our gold stars. Our school hands out gold stars as a whole-class reward for walking quietly in the hall or doing a great job in the cafeteria, library, etc. (They come from other teachers and adults in the school--not me.) When we get 10, we get a treat, like lunch in the classroom or pajama day. Every time we get a star, I clip it to the banner. The numbers help the kids quickly see how many more stars we need to get our prize. Bonus--it really helps them develop "ten-ness"!

I have a little basket to put box tops in, a basket with my Diet Coke money (super important), pens, nurse and library passes, hand sanitizer and anything else we might need on the way out the door...

A note about the pens: I never have any "grown-up" pens in my room. I have a million pencils and every color of crayon and marker you could imagine--but never any regular pens. It's embarrasing when you have to sign an important document with a cherry-scented Mr. Sketch marker. So this year, I fancied up a bunch of pens by wrapping them in yarn and attaching pom-poms and flowers. We'll see how many I have left come October.

And here's my bulletin board tip of the day: I have been using a lot of black die-cut letters. The staples stood out and were really distracting. So I colored them with a black Sharpie. It was so quick and easy. The staples blend in now. (Okay--maybe not close-up, but they do from a few feet away--I promise!)

I'm going back in tomorrow and I'll be sure to update you on my progress. But now--I'm going to go watch Project Runway. See you soon!

K is for Kindergarten

Hello! I'm back...

I cannot believe it has almost been a full year since my last post. Last year was a crazy year for me, personally and professionally. Some good, some bad, mostly just super busy. But I never forget about my little blog. I'm always snapping pictures and jotting down ideas in the hopes of posting again. 

I've been setting up my room this week and decided it was time to stop planning and start doing. So I thought I would take a few pictures every day and show you what I've been up to. 

The first thing I did this year, before I even unpacked one box, was decorate the bulletin board outside my classroom. 

I'm going with a burlap and brown kraft paper theme this year. And yarn...I'm digging yarn right now. I don't know why. I'm weird like that. I covered the bulletin board with the burlap ($3.99/yard. Cheap. Even cheaper with a 40% off coupon!). I used a plain black border left over from previous years and crumpled up brown kraft paper strips for a "ruffled" look. 

I cut the K from a cardboard box and wrapped it in colored yarn. I cut the "frames" out of random scrapbook paper. Later, I'll put black and white pictures of my kids there. (Black and white because color photos would be too busy...LOL).

As a final touch, I strung a garland across one corner. I made the garland by punching circles from scrapbook paper and sandwiching string in between them. I also threaded on pom-poms and styrofoam balls wrapped in more yarn. I love that garland. I made a lot more! You'll see it all over my room. (Squee!)

So tomorrow I'll show you the area right inside my classroom door. Another bulletin board. And more burlap. Seriously--who chooses burlap as a classroom theme? I think I've really lost it this time. Stay tuned!

I Survived the First Day of Kindergarten...

It was CRAZY!

Why do I always forget that they don't know how to do anything? We have to teach them how to line up, walk in the hall, hold a pencil, use scissors, sit on the carpet and listen to a story, wash their hands...

I see the first graders walking through the hall, and I want to tell their teachers...

"You're welcome!"

I'm exhausted. But it will be worth it in the end. And they are pretty cute.

So Today...Rinse and Repeat.

But before I go, here are just a few pics from my first day... 

No David Puppets...a classic...

Our First Day of School Self-Portarits...

Lots of empty shelves...I don't put out anything until they've learned the expectations for using it...

Poor kiddos don't even get books, yet...

And they only have crayons and scissors in their buckets, because we had lessons on them...

A couple of anchor charts I have ready for today...

This is for the book Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen. I'm going to mark a tally everytime they interrupt or blurt out and we're going to see if we can get better as the week progresses...

If I make it through the day, I'll post some more pictures and incoherent ramblings tonight! I hope your first days of Kindergarten are going well!

Classroom Set-up 2013: Sneak Peeks

And so it begins once again...

The smell of fresh wax. Freshly painted walls. All of my furniture stacked in the middle of the room.

I don't think most civilians understand that we have to pack everything up at the end of each year only to unpack it a few months later. Doesn't it feel like we JUST did this?

I do love having a fresh start, though. I mix things up just a little each year.

So armed with the necessities...

I've started in.

I'm not even close to being done...but I thought I'd share a few sneak peeks. I never posted pictures of my new classroom last year, so this will be all new to you!

Can you tell my favorite color is aqua blue? And lucky me--that's the color of my cabinets! So it was meant to be that I move to this school.

As soon as I'm done, I'll post the finished pics...I promise! But for now...sleep.

PS...I just saw this post (kind of) goes along with Blog Hoppin's Teacher week today...so I linked up!

Texas Problem-Solving Prompts are Here!

Yee-Haw!

The Texas Version of my Problem-Solving Prompts for the First Nine Weeks is finally uploaded to TPT. I wrote these prompts to align to the new TEKS. Although the new TEKS are not being officially implemented until 2014, I wanted to be pro-active. All of the prompts still work with the current TEKS.

Kindergarten Problem Solving Prompts First Nine Weeks: Texas Version

If you read the new TEKS closely, you'll see that the Mathematical process Standards are woven through every other strand! (As they are in the STAAR Test!)

Here are the Mathematical Process Standards:

(1)  Mathematical process standards. The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is expected to:

(A)  apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace;

(B)  use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution;

(C)  select tools, including real objects, manipulatives, paper and pencil, and technology as appropriate, and techniques, including mental math, estimation, and number sense as appropriate, to solve problems;

(D)  communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations, including symbols, diagrams, graphs, and language as appropriate;

(E)  create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas;

(F)  analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas; and

(G)  display, explain, and justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communication.

This is what Problem-Solving is all about!

Topics covered include: Learning How to Use Problem-Solving Notebooks, Learning How to Use Math Tools, Basic Counting and Comparing Skills, Composing/Decomposing Numbers, Basic Addition/Subtraction, and 2-D Shapes.

However, there are no sorting, patterning or position word prompts--things we normally teach the first nine weeks. If you need activities for those, look here:

Sorting Activities

Pattern Activities

Position Word Activities

I hope these prompts are helpful to you! Please feel free to ask me any questions and give me feedback. I strive to make my products better and better!

If you are in my district (RRISD), send me an e-mail from your school account and I will send you these prompts for free.

BINGO!

So I start staff development this week. I don't know about you, but I LOVE every minute! I really, REALLY do! But it's going to be even better this year, because I made this BINGO game for my team and I to play.

The rules are simple...when you hear one of the words, mark that spot. Whoever gets 5 in-a-row in any direction wins!

Here are some tips for playing...

DO listen closely and carefully to all of the presenters. They are telling you relevent and important information that I'm sure you've never heard before. And...you don't want to miss any words.

DON'T use an actual BINGO dobber. That might look a tad bit unprofessional.

DO be inconspicuous. Hide the BINGO card under your data binder. When you hear a word on your card, nod your head in agreement and thoughtfully highlight that word as if it's very important for you to remember later. Your principal will be very impressed.

DON'T bring a troll doll and rub it's belly for good luck.

DO make a plan for the winner. Perhaps a cold Sonic drink (or adult beverage) later.

DON'T, under any circumstances, jump up and scream BINGO!! while your principal is going over last year's test scores.

Download Bingo

If you would like your own copy of Staff Development BINGO...you may download it for free! I'm sure it will help you focus much better while you're making plans for lunch determing how to use the data and lastest research-based pedagogy to help all of your students reach their highest potential.

Math Problem-Solving Prompts

I finally finished my first Teachers Pay Teachers packet of Kindergarten Math Problem-Solving Prompts!

Click Here!

If you've been reading my blog for a while now, you know that I am just a little passionate about math problem-solving. OK, so I'm a big nerd! But since I started using a problem-solving model in my classroom several years ago, I have seen amazing growth in my students' math skills. Kindergartners can do so much more than I ever imagined!

Problem-Solving is here to stay!

If you follow the Common Core, the Mathematical Practices are all about Problem-Solving!

1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

4. Model with mathematics.

5. Use appropriate tools strategically.

6. Attend to precision.

7. Look for and make use of structure.

8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

And if you're in Texas, like me, the new TEKS stress the "process standards" and explicitly state that children will use a problem-solving model:

Students will use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution. Students will select appropriate tools such as real objects, manipulatives, algorithms, paper and pencil, and technology and techniques such as mental math, estimation, number sense, and generalization and abstraction to solve problems. Students will effectively communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations such as symbols, diagrams, graphs, computer programs, and language. Students will use mathematical relationships to generate solutions and make connections and predictions. Students will analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas. Students will display, explain, or justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communication.

Problem-solving isn't just solving word problems...it's so much more!

It's inquiry-based math. It's letting kids tackle a challenging task using their own strategies. It's guiding kids--not showing them. It's teaching kids how to explain their thinking in meaningful ways. It's helping kids become independent and lifelong learners!

My Kindergarten Problem-Solving Prompts cover the First Nine Weeks of school. There are 45 prompts that focus on the following topics:

• Basic Counting Skills and Cardinalization
• More Than/Fewer Than
• Composing and Decomposing Numbers
• Simple Addition and Subtraction
• 2-D Shapes
• Learning How to Express Mathematical Ideas

A few of the prompts have already been on my blog (especially in 2-D shapes and Learning How to Share). But they're good! And there is PLENTY of new stuff--including almost all of the counting and addition/subtraction prompts.

I also include teacher notes for each topic and questions you can ask your kids during share time to deepen their understanding and work out misconceptions.

Each prompt is provided in 2 ways--6 to a page if your kids like to cut and paste...or on mailing labels if you prefer to peel and stick. (I do a little of both.)

For my Texas peeps, I'll be uploading a Texas version this weekend (with TEKS instead of the CCSS). And I'm working hard on the sequel (for the second nine weeks) and will post it sometime in September.

In the meantime, I'm going to blog a lot about problem-solving over the next few weeks--detailing what it looks and sounds like, what kids do, what teachers do, tips for assessing and keeping data, warm-up and computational fluency ideas...please...someone stop me!

And if you buy my Problem-Solving prompts, please let me know what you think! It's your feedback that helps me create better products!

Thank-you all so much for your amazing support and encouragement over the last few  years. You make blogging fun!

Have a great weekend!

Love,

Kathryn