Kindergarten Showcase

A few months ago, my colleague shared a brilliant idea with me. We were discussing conferences and she mentioned that she conducts a "family style" conference in which all families are invited to attend and complete various activities with their child. I was amazed and decided to give this a try. I invited my parents to a "Kindergarten Showcase" and encouraged them to bring their child so that they could show what they know. It was a hit and my families loved it! Students lead their parents throughout different activities while explaining the elements of our writing rubric, the purpose of math centers, and literacy resources that we use throughout the day to help us learn. What I enjoyed most about this event is that parents were able to witness the growth that had taken place for the past one hundred and three days of learning. They were able to celebrate their child's successes as they navigated through the centers and activities. They were also able to identify areas of focus or skills their child could use improvement. I provided each family with a task list. I ordered the activities as we normally would complete them throughout the day.







Parents directed students using the task list









Our Task List
Ask your child to recite the classroom rules.
Morning Work & Writing Journal: Review the writing rubric and complete the morning work prompt with your child.
Math: Complete exercises 1-3 on page 477 Choose a math center and complete the activity with your child. Ask your child to explain what they are learning at the center they choose. They should be able to tell you the center’s purpose and how they are becoming better mathematicians.
BRAIN BREAK!:Use the Smart Board to choose a Brain Break from GoNoodle.com. Have fun dancing!
Reading: Ask your child to show you the Center Chart for reading and what they do at each center.
Ask your child to recite the words on the Reading Street High Frequency Words card.
Sight Word & Fluency Phrases Booklet: Give your child a test on the current list they are studying. If they fluently read the sight words and fluency phrases, allow them to choose a sticker.
Read the provided leveled reader.
Use the question cue cards to ask
them about the story.
Write a surprise note to your child.






Student artifacts that were displayed were science lapbooks, Sight Word & Fluency Phrase Booklets, writing journal entries, story maps, and math assignments.







Students were able to describe and explain our writing rubric.







Students completed a portion of the math review with their parents.







Parents enjoyed practicing in math centers.





We began with our morning routine of stating the rules and completing morning work activities such as journal writing and math centers. Parents enjoyed completing the activities with their child. The most exciting part of our day was dancing during Brain Break using Go Noodle videos! I even joined in for a few. Afterwards, students completed reading activities. The most ADORABLE part about our showcase is that parents left a surprise note for their child which they will read on Monday morning. I can't wait to see their reactions! Being that this was optional, 6 families did not attend. Therefore, I'm going to write their child a surprise note so that everyone feels valued and happy. If I could change one thing about my event, I would add refreshments. It took parents about forty-five minutes to an hour to complete the list and they enjoyed every bit of it. Overall, our "Kindergarten Showcase" was incredible! After witnessing how effective "family style" conferences can be, I'm going to try it again next year and the year after that. Ha!

Part One: Promotion Party

First Graders (at last!)

To add a personal touch to our “Stepping Up” program, the kindergarten team decided to sponsor individual parties and ceremonies within our own classrooms. Instead of a huge event in the cafeteria better known as organized chaos, we opted for something a bit short, sweet, and intimate. I immediately thought of my favorite book, Junie B., First Grader (at last!) by Barbra Park and how I wanted to give each of my kinders one. I then decided to incorporate my already Dr. Seuss themed room and ding, ding, ding… A bright idea flourished; I’d have a Dr. Seuss-themed Promotion Party. From the student-driven ceremony, photo booth full of fun props, the super cool Kidz Bop playlist and the multi-colored rug turned dance floor, to the deviled green eggs and ham, lasagne, with a custom made Dr. Seuss cake, our Promotion Party was incredible!

I had an amazing year with my kindergarteners and their families so I wanted to give them an unforgettable experience.

Parents were thrilled to receive their invitation! I purchased these custom invitations along with programs to match on Etsy.

 

Japan and Science Madness!

Konichiwa! Since blogging the last time, I've moved to Japan, changed grade levels, and had to live in a hotel for three months. Now that I'm all settled, I am so happy to be blogging again. I don't know how these other amazing bloggers do it! After grieving the loss of my mother and overcome with hopelessness, I received an email then a call from a school located on a military base that was interested in hiring me. I couldn't believe it. I'd applied for this position four years prior but kept my application updated each year. I needed a change and this was it. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to teach overseas and to teach military children, at that! What a way to give back, right? So far, my journey has been phenomenal! I've learned basic Japanese greetings, tried soba, and explored Tokyo but what I love most about Japan is the culture. Everyone is so kind, gentle, and respectful. Plus, it's super safe. Here's some cool pics from my adventures so far:

Enoshima Island

Guided Math Groups

I'm not a math expert and I actually grew up hating math. Even though you can always derive to an exact answer, getting to the answer is what terrified me. Those many steps were important and if you missed one, you were DOOMED! For the life of me, I couldn't remember all of the steps to solving the different operations, so I hated math. Let's not get into mixing x, y, and z with numbers!













After reflecting on my methods for teaching math (Typically, whole group) and reading the second edition of The Daily Five which includes Math Daily 3, I fell in LOVE with guided math! My students did also! When we initially began guided math groups,they didn't even want to go to recess. Instead, they wanted to complete math stations. How awesome, right?!


Here's how we complete our math block...








My math block is an hour and twenty five minutes but the following rotation is still manageable if you only have an hour.











Teacher Table





Students come prepared with a pencil and textbook.






I use the gradual release model to teach my guided math lessons.


•I Do: I state the purpose and goal, provide direct instruction of the concept and model explicitly.


•We Do: The "We Do" is interactive. The students and I review vocabulary, ask and respond to questions, and problem solve together.


•You Do: Students complete independent tasks with my support as needed.


At Your Seat Practice







After participating in small group with me students work in partners or independently to complete assigned math workbook pages.




After students have completed their assignments, they complete activities from their differentiated math drawers.


These activities are engaging, purposeful, and based on notes taken within small group or assessment data. I ensure that students have plenty practice with skills they struggle with. They eventually catch on to the concept.




















Students have various choices of enrichment worksheets, math wraps, and math games. They love it!









Math Tubs...


Are CAREFULLY PLANNED, FUN, HANDS-ON, THEMATIC OR SKILLED BASED!


Have manipulatives, games, artifacts, food (Yes, FOOD!), spiral review activities, and math literature.







I love math tubs! I have a total of four tubs that I change each week. You can create as many tubs and change them as often as you'd like. My students bore easily and I like keeping their interest by supplying new centers. I eventually recycle my older centers so that students can practice previously learned skills.
















Students read math literature after completing their math tubs.







Skittle Grophing Questions







Students loved graphing gummies!


Other math tub activities include number concept centers by Cara Carroll. My students love activities from her Place Value Pack.










While I am continuing to perfect my craft and implementing math centers, I hope that this post was helpful in some way! Please share your ideas and what you do during guided math and centers.

Pencils, Supply Baskets, and Fabulous Target Finds, Oh MY!

As I walked past Target's Dollar Spot, I squealed with excitement. I'm sure the other guests thought I was insane but my eyes had seen every teacher's dream. Book boxes of many colors, sparkly pencils, paper and pencil trays, and even storage boxes with teacher quotes! My fabulous finds include the following:










My fabulous Target finds from the Dollar Spot... I LOVE TARGET!











1. Pencil and Paper Baskets (6 Colors) $1






I purchased six colors to color code and to put a basket in each center. Last year my students struggled with keeping up with their pencils because they would take it to centers. I plan to consistently monitor center supplies including pencils so students have all their necessities. It also eliminates time wasting and looking for pencils. I will use the paper trays to hold supplies for each center.






2. Blank Booklets (2 sizes, Pack of 3) $3






OMG! This sturdy pack of blank books only cost $3. Wow, right? I plan to create class books this upcoming school year.






3. Flash Cards $1






I was excited to purchase the Telling Time flash cards. I'm going to use them to create a math center. Others included Space, Flags, Insects, Sight Words, and many more.






4. Certificates $1






Happy Birthday to You! I plan to make a BIG, no HUGE deal of birthdays this year.






I would also like to give more recognition to my hard working students. A "Great Work" certificate along with a nice treat would be cool.






5. Pointers $1






What a steal! I found sturdy pointers in three color for only a buck. Other retailers usually sell them for at least $3.99 each. I plan to use these during instruction and for center activities such as Big Book Center or Read & Write the Room.






6. 2 Faced Clocks (Side One: Analog, Side Two: Analog with Minutes in increments of five)






I plan to use these for centers and math instruction. Also, my kids can use them for reference during lessons.






7. Tins and Erasers $1






My kids love colored erasers. I keep them in a little tin on the supply shelf so they can get them at any time.






8. First Day of School Chalkboard Sign






This product is plain o' AWESOME! I plan to take pictures of the students on their first day of school in second grade.






I can't wait until school supply aisles are filled. It's amazing how excited teachers tend to get at the smell and sight of supplies.






Happy Teaching!

HAPPY BLOG LAUNCH!

Woohoo! Welcome to the I Love Classroom Chatter blog. It's true. I love everything CLASSROOM! The very smell of a school makes me extremely happy. LOL! I would like to dedicate this blog to my late mother who dedicated her life to helping others.
















The purpose of this blog is to share ideas, help others, inspire, learn from and connect with other blogging colleagues worldwide. I'm truly inspired by Cara Carroll, Angela Watson, and Beth Newingham. I began following them during my college days and since, I've effectively used their ideas in my classroom. I'm so amazed by their talents and aspire to be just as great. I look forward to sharing and learning! To celebrate my blog launch, I have created Back to School forms. Download the FREE file here. HAPPY TEACHING and thanks for your support!