Apple Seed Counting Book

So I searched to find activities to go with our Apple Unit starting on Monday.  I found the idea to make a "book" for them to count and draw apple seeds on an apple.  After searching I could only find them in places where you have to pay a membership every year to be a part of their teacher website. 

With TeachersPayTeachers, there is NO membership fee.  You just log in and look around!  So I made my own apple seed counting book! There is a title page, a page for them to write their name, and numbers are from 1-10.  This gives them a chance to do number recognition as well as hands on 1to1 counting experience for your math centers.


You can get your copy on my teacherspayteachers website! Click the link or the picture to purchase this item!

Happy Fall! :)

Sensory September

The new curriculum we have been using this year has been shifting our focus a bit to be able to provide sensory learning experiences for our students.  Basically they are getting a 360 full senses experience.  They get to see, hear, touch, smell, and taste a variety of things each day. 


In our science center, I have made a magnet sensory box.  There are different things for them to touch and learn with to figure out which things are magnetic or not.  Inside the box we have: feathers, pompoms, paper clips, popsicle sticks, jingle bells, buttons, and binder clips. The plastic horseshoe magnets came from Dollar Tree! :)

 

In our actual "Sensory Table" we have dry noodles and foam magnet letters.  The pizza pan is one from Dollar Tree that has just been spray painted to look neat! The students actually had the chance to help me dye the noodles to add to the sensory table!  We did that project during inside recess one day! We used sandwich bags, 2 drops of food coloring, and 2 pumps of hand sanitizer! They got to shake the bags and watch the magic happen!  They loved getting to be a part of making their center!

The kids love and learn from activities that engage their whole bodies, not just their brains!

Happy Fall Y'all!

In the fall lots of exciting things happen! There is Grandparent's Night at our school.  The kiddos get to make special projects for their grandparents (we painted grapes with the saying "I love you bunches!") and the kiddos can bring their whole family in to school to see our classroom and all the cool things they learn with each day.  They made cute shape houses during our "home" unit and they did a reading comprehension bag activity with our story The Bag I'm Taking to Grandma's.

With the people that signed in to my classroom for Grandparent's Night, I had 146 people attend!
IT was AWESOME! :) 

 Fall is one of my favorite times of year to plan activities.  Our curriculum had a great idea to use leaves to pattern with.  I was able to find these awesome (and durable!) leaves from Dollar Tree! I also added some leaf  number cards in the bucket so they can either patter or count the leaves!

Today, we took a field trip Bennett Springs!  We went on a nature"Adventure" in the woods and became real explorers! We found all kinds of mushrooms, plants, and even a snake skin!  We walked the whole trail with my afternoon class! It was 3/4 mile and the kids did a GREAT job!  They really got into looking around and seeing all the things on our trail!

We have some more exciting projects we will be doing this week so I will post more pictures of our awesome projects as we get them done!

HAPPY  FALL Y-ALL! :)

Attention Getters

It's already that time of year. 
When the first attention getter has worn off and it's time to learn something new.

We have been practicing, "Criss Cross! Hands in Lap! BUBBLES IN YOUR CHEEKS!"  It was not only my attention getter but also a directive to learn how to sit on our rug.  VERY effective during the first month of preschool.

Now we know how to sit on the rug.  Now we have a friend that we sit by.  Now it's time for the teacher to get creative and teach them something NEW. 

I found this pack of printable attention getter sheets from http://firstgradecharades.blogspot.ca/2012/09/first-day-fun.html! It was free to me, so if you click the image above it will be FREE to you, too! 

Parents: These will work at home, too!  Pick some that might work for you and give them a try!  I would reccomend "Holy Moly! Guacamole!" ,"Macaroni and Cheese! FREEZE!" , and "Yackety Yak! Don't talk back." REMEMBER: you will have to teach how to use the phrase AND practice it. Also remember, these are to grab their attention! Unless you choose, "Yakety Yak! Don't talk back!" and that can be effective for redirecting them when they may be making sad choices with you.

So 3 pigs and a wolf...

Our newest unit will be about "homes."

So what better story to use than the 3 Little Pigs? 

Click the picture to see the story we will be reading in class.  That way you will know the story and can share the story with your child, too!

After we read this story today, I will be introducing some different versions.
Some of my favorites will include:
The Three Little Gators and the Big Bad Boar.
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig.
The TRUE Story of the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf.

Look for some pictures this week as well! We will be performing the 3 Pigs Play!

Recess and Summer Days

Normally, every child is all about recess! 
The kids are all about recess. Seriously-the kids will ask from the minute they get to school til the minute you actually line up to go outside, they will ask if we are going outside today.

Usually teachers really like recess, too!  It gives us a chance to take a break, get some fresh air, and let them run their wiggles out!  I go over the weather report every morning with the students and we will talk about if recess is an option for the day.  This week is quite a different summer scenario than most summer days.

According to KSPR, our county is under a Heat Advisory.
If it is dangerously hot, we will NOT be going outside.  Their little bodies are easily overheated (especially when they run and jump and swing!)

PARENTS---Please talk to your child about the heat and what it can do to your body.  They need to know that excessive temperature is just as bad as when it's really cold.  Also, please make sure to dress them accordingly!  Short sleeves, tank tops, shorts or capris. 
NO LONG SLEEVES, JACKETS OR COATS OR STOCKING HATS are necessary right now.  They will want to wear them and it's too hot for that. Also please dress them in LIGHT COLORS!  Dark colors attract light/heat and can make them even hotter, even faster!

Here are two examples of PERFECT outfits for this week!

 

KIDDING! JUST KIDDING! It would be both adorable and hilarious if you sent them to me like this however, this is not what I mean! ;)

 

Also, tell them not to be mad at their teachers when they say we have to stay inside because it's too hot to play! :) 

Our first project of the year

Can I just take a moment to stop and say...
Paper plates are AWESOME.

You can just do so many different things with them!!!!

Our first curriculum unit of the school year is "Same and Different." It's really more like an "All About Me" type unit that most of us preschool teachers may do.  The kids really seemed to enjoy making their "Plate Face!" 

It has been a very busy first full week of school but I can't wait to continue to share more of their work as we go along!

HAPPY BACK TO SCHOOL!

Facebook!

So not many preschoolers are on facebook, right?

THEY ARE NOW!!!

Not only will they get a chance to blog with me, but they will also get to decide things that will get posted and shared on our facebook account!  I believe most of them will have probably heard of it through either their parents or siblings, so I think this will be something they will be excited to share in as well.

Find and like us on our facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/mrschristysclassroom!

Western Theme Back to School Bulletin Boards

Our Back to School and PBIS Theme of the year is a western theme.  After searching pinterest and googling for days, I think I found some ideas with a little modification to make them work for me!

 This board IS NOT a bulletin board set!  This was made on my computer by finding a font that looked "old western" style and then by googling "wanted posters."  COST: $0 :)

 This board was a pinterest inspiration.  The phrase with it said "Lasso a Good Read" but I thought "Ropin a Good Read" had a better flow.  The rope AND the bandannas came from Dollar Tree.  The bandannas were actually a 2 pack so I got them for $0.50 each!  Cost: $5

This board is made from a cricut and really cool background bulletin board paper!  You can order premade background bulletin board paper that fits a standard bulletin board from almost any classroom supply catalog now.  The boots were cut from my mom's Cricut machine!  Thanks Mom and Lori for having these supplies for me! :)

This board was also created from a Cricut machine.  The little people and the horseshoes were cut and placed together for our "3 B's" Esther Expectations Board.  I thought it turned out CUTE!

I will blog about our outside bulletin board after it is finished tonight.  I have created an interactive bulletin board for Open House!  The kids will get to chose what shape their name will go on (hat, star, or boot) then they will color it and it will get hung up during open house!  That way they are already a part of our classroom.

Before and Afters

BEFORE

 

AFTER

 

BEFORE

 AFTER

 Two of my most FAVORITE areas!

 Cute "Entry way" made with a set of moveable cubbies,
but you could use a sturdy shelf of some kind!

 

 My Desk area is pretty awesome! :)

 I think it came out nicely ;)

I am pretty happy with the way things turned out.  I am thankful to have such wonderful parents to help me create these things to use, thankful to have such a wonderful teacher friend that hoarded such wonderful items for me to use to set up with, and thankful to have the chance to move and teach these little lives in this classroom.

T'was the Friday before Open House

Twas the Friday before Open House
and all through the school
All the teacher were stirring
and using their tools.

All the folders were stuffed in the cubbies with care
with hopes that the children soon would be there.

The children were all snuggled down in their beds,
while visions of new friends danced in their heads.

When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
When what to my wondering eyes should see?
Parents, and siblings, and 40 new friends for me.

This little, sweet teacher so lively and quick!
She knew in a minute they were the ones she would pick.
More rapid than busses her courses they came,
she smiled, and waved, then called them by name:

"Now Suzy, now Billy, Now Julie and Jim!
On Michael, on Lisa, on Caden and Kim!
To the cubbies! To the tables! To the centers and rug!
Now meet your friends! Find your things, give your teacher a hug!"

They heard the teacher exclaim as the families all drove out of sight,
"Welcome back to school! And to all a good night!"

First Item For Sale!

I created some signs for my centers this morning while drinking my morning coffee.  I think they turned out well! I searched for other pre-made signs but nothing quite fit exactly what I needed.  These signs were created in powerpoint, so it is easily accessible, easy to edit, and easy to print!  Click on the picture below or this link, Teachers Pay Teachers to visit my store and get your centers signs!

Step One: Completed

A Teacher's "Step One" consists of assessing your situation and putting things back where they need to be.  Room arrangement is KEY in setting up a successful, smooth running classroom.  It can take HOURS to set up your furniture just the way you want. 

I should know. 
I worked for a MONTH on getting my room to look the way I thought it would work best. 

This was my step one.
I used this picture I took after getting my room just the way I wanted it during summer school.  My room looks IDENTICAL to the pictures I took in June.  Saved me soooo much time this August!

STEP TWO:::
Bulletin Boards
Finish Decorating

STEP THREE:::
Stuff Folders
Stock Shelves
Name Tags & Bus Tags

STEP FOUR(if time permits):::
Organize book tubs

BONUS:::
My Momma is staying with us so that she can help me for a couple days so we can bust a move and get things done!

Zero

 BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Time's UP!
Summer is OVER.

It's August 1st! Rise and SHINE teachers!  It's our first day of school!

Time to get back into the classroom and work like crazy people until every folder has been stuffed; every decoration has been hot glued; every shelf has been restocked.

Today is the day.
Let's do this!

Countdown

My official countdown begins today.

There are only 4 days left before TEACHERS can go back to school.  That's right! FOUR.

After that there are only 10 days (*including weekends) until Open House. 

 The next week and a half are going to be BUSY BUSY BUSY! 

I don't know about you, but I am a big fan of countdowns. It gives you something to get excited about.  I count down each month for something be that a holiday, a birthday, or a day off.  Some things I count down for months such as I count down til Christmas (only 24 weeks left!) OR I countdown til the END of school (*it's never too early to think about that!).  

To get your kiddos excited about starting school you could do a countdown with them!  Print this countdown (or make your own) and starting NEXT Monday Aug. 4th, get them pumped up to come back to school! 

Thanks to Happy Home Fairy for the countdown to school!

Teaching with an Apron

Can I tell you something?
...I secretly LOVE aprons.

My mom always used to wear an apron when she did her baking and always on major holidays so she didn't ruin her outfit.  She made me aprons of my own and even one to match hers.  There is just something about aprons that make me feel special.

I have had painting aprons that I have used in my class before.
I have seen "reward" aprons before that have multiple pockets all over filled with little tokens to give for classroom management.

I had some old jeans and some polka dot ribbon.
so naturally, I made some aprons.

Now I am not good at sewing.  And hot glue guns TERRIFY me.
Luckily I found a way around those things! :)

I cut the jeans next to the seam.  Next I used a ruler to mark and then cut across below the pockets that way there is room for an adorable fringe to occur if we need to wash them. Then I used my ribbon in two ways.  The first apron I looped it through the belt loops to keep it on the apron for tying.  In the second apron, I tied the ribbon on the last belt loop to give a little extra room to tie with.  All together I was quite pleased how they turned out, especially since I used supplies I already had at the house!









How will I use this apron?  My very best friend and fellow teacher has already asked me that.  I envision using this apron as my "DON'T FORGET TO USE THIS TODAY!" apron.  I don't know about you but some times I make cute cards and have fun things to use, but if they are out of sight they are out of mind.  So hopefully if I can keep them on me, I can remember to use them!

 I am going to keep questioning cards, Dr. Jean  cheer cards or attention getters like bells, and maybe even use circle rings or clothes pins to clip reminders to it, etc.


I AM EXCITED to use my new aprons to help me remember to use the awesome resources that sometimes I may forget to use, because quite frankly, I am busy teaching.

I'm busy "not working"

As many of you know, "Teachers have the summer off."

Yes, it is true that we do not have to physically drive to school and start work with children at 7:30am. However, just because your child's teacher is not working in the building it does NOT mean she or he is in fact not working.

 

Click on the image or the link 
to get my FREE Lesson Plan Template

By 7am I already had my new curriculum book out and was filling in my lesson plans for the first month of school.  And plan to keep filling in the spaces until my eyeballs can't focus on the screen anymore!






I hope if you don't already have a template you can use the one I have created for this curriculum model or you can use it to create one of your own.

This is just a quick post today so I can get back to "not working" :)

Yoga and Preschool

My husband and I are always talking about ways we need to get up and get moving.  Our ideas of physical fitness activities are different though.  I enjoy dancing, yoga, bicycling and he wants to jog/run and do weights. Oy.

Well...in the classroom I have a variety of ways to get the kids up and moving. Most of them include my favorites like dancing, music, and even yoga.





Yes, yoga and preschoolers go together like peanut butter and jelly!

Now,  to teach yoga I don't ring a gong or ask for silence and deep breathing.  I actually turn to Cosmic Kids to teach the kids how to do yoga all while making it seem like an adventurous story they are getting to be a part of.

The yoga teacher, Jamie, has a brilliant accent that the children love and the stories fascinate them.  The moves are easy to follow and easy to do.

I have actually done these yoga videos with both regular education preschool students as well as in an early childhood special education room.  It is amazing to see how they ALL follow along and do their best during yoga time.  During summer school, I had us do yoga during a rainy recess.  After that they requested to do yoga EVERY DAY.  It was fabulous!

I am going to post some of Cosmic Kids Yoga videos from youtube (Squish the fish is my FAVORITE!) today and hope that you enjoy and can use them in your classroom when you just need a new way to get up and move with your prekinders!

   This one is Squish the Fish!!!                       Joybob the Polar Bear

 and Enzo the Bee!

I hope you can enjoy Cosmic Kids in your classroom, too!

Back to reality

 I am blessed by being a teacher that I do have some time off in the summer.  I convinced my husband to take an extended weekend vacation to Gulf Shores, AL.

Playing with the Lemurs at the zoo!

I got to take a Helicopter tour of the beach!

visiting the National Naval Aviation Museum

Then climbed the Lighthouse to look out over Pensacola, FL.

This was a very fun and educational trip!  I am always excited to travel and learn new things, but like all good things vacation must come to an end.  It was back to reality this morning with laundry, cleaning out the car, and of course tackling my back to school letters! 

I hand addressed 40 letters this morning.  I contemplated printing out labels, but I felt like a personally written address would feel more welcoming and loving. However, grade cards may be a different story after the year begins ;)


Only 16 more days til August 1st! Let the race to finish planning and preparing begin!
(*If that's not a "back to reality" check, I don't know what is!)

Pinterest: A Teacher's Best Friend

Since finding Pinterest 3 years ago (Thanks, Mrs. Brittanie!)  I have had a much easier time creating and planning for my preschool classroom.

The challenging thing about Preschool is trying to find a balance.  They need EVERYTHING and everything is hard to give when you only have 3-4 hours a day with them.

Pinterest made searching for projects, music, lessons, parent involvement ideas, and center materials SO MUCH EASIER!  and I love that I can keep it all in one place instead of having a thousand tabs saved on my computer browser.

Some might say (and by some I mean my husband) that I have an addiction to pinterest.
If I am bored or needing to get my mind off of something it's where I go to unthink about what I am thinking about.

Currently, I have 899 followers on pinterest.  Which to me is impressive (even though my mom has like 2,000+!)  I am hoping to grow more followers, to help grow more followers on the blog, so I can evolve and transform the blog into something bigger and better and more helpful to all!

So if you don't have a pinterest of your own sign up for free and/or haven't started following me yet I say JOIN THE FUN!