You’d think I like writing about the kindergarten bathroom. Not really. It’s just that using the bathroom during school plays a big part of getting the year off to a good start in kindergarten. I like to teach my expectations of how we use the restroom in our classroom with students through a procedures book…
In kindergarten, we celebrate the end of the school year by counting down the days together using the alphabet. Here is a fun classroom photo idea to show off the bright future of your students at the end of the year. Plus, there is a free photo overlay you can use to make your own….
The first day of school is almost overwhelming with new procedures and things to learn in kindergarten. No, that would be a lie to say *almost* because it definitely is overwhelming. It’s just a big, exciting day with tons to pack in… in the most creative, energetic, playful, movement-oriented ways of teaching how to “do…
Collect what you need to know at-a-glance from kindergarten parents so that you can quickly get to know your new incoming students. Here is a double-sided information collection sheet designed just for kindergarten. I hope that this form that is both parent-friendly and teacher-friendly can save you time and help you get to know your…
Now, I’ve never had an administration member, parent or support person walk into my room and say astonishedly, “Your kids are under the tables!” But, they very well could. It may happen someday. Perhaps. Normally, when a person who doesn’t spend all day in our learning environment with us – may be surprised to walk…
Drills. It’s a part of classroom life. Being prepared makes teaching emergency procedures (like a lockdown drill) simplified to kinders. Here’s the “how to” so you can easily make a lockdown shade to cover a window on any of your interior walls that don’t have one. I’ll share why I use it, things to think…
Kindergarten round up and registration is a great time for teachers within a school building to connect with new kindergarten parents and families. This printable Welcome to Kindergarten brochure can help you highlight important information about what kindergarten is like and relay it to parents in a meaningful, attractive way. You may have already read how we prepare…
Kindergarten round-up and registration is a great time for teachers and schools to connect with parents. This free printable and editable brochure can help you highlight important school information and relay it to parents in a meaningful way. It’s that time when we round up our new kinders in preparation for next year! My favorite…
Organize your math materials when they’re not being used so it’s easy to get what you need when you need it. Any organization system should make it easy to get stuff from and put stuff away – making it easy to maintain all year long. Here’s how you can easily create a system of containers…
Teaching reading skills through games now helps make up half of my guided reading group instruction time. This is a big shift in the way I’ve structured my reading group instruction, but it gives me the opportunity to practice individual skills through focused word work, for example, and then tie them into practical application the…
Classroom jobs for students is a popular way of structuring tasks within a classroom. Kindergarten classroom jobs can take on a life of their own depending upon the teacher, teaching style and school building. What types of jobs should a teacher have in her classroom? Well, I may not be able to answer this exactly…
Assessment in kindergarten is now a regular part of life. Finding ways to fit it in, can be tricky. Finding time to communicate results can prove difficult too. I regularly am taking notes and commenting to myself using my binders to keep my guided lessons on track, but this is much more personal and directly affects the direction of my…
Assessment in kindergarten is now a regular part of life. Finding ways to fit it in, can be tricky. Finding time to communicate results can prove difficult too. Here’s how I share that information in a parent-friendly format so that parents are up to date, can assist in helping their child and better understand what…
It’s finally here! The “Pirates Math and Literacy Centers and Small Group Materials” is available. It truly is the best games and activities we love to use in our kindergarten classroom to help you accomplish your Common Core standards and goals. I introduced this item with a few sneak peek photos before, but I now I…
Literacy centers make up the huge portion of my 90 minute reading block. If you’ve read any of my thoughts on kindergarten literacy or kindergarten reading centers then you know that I only use centers with very little maintenance or upkeep. One of the first centers I implemented is the classic library center. I say “classic”…
Using computers in kindergarten means lots of new skills to learn. Here are the types of things that helps kindergartners be successful, basic skills needed and tips for teaching kindergarten students. I like to use kindergarten games to teach standards rather than just teaching keyboarding or computer skills. Yet, there is a lot that students…
There is so much wrapped up into the first day of school in kindergarten. A kindergarten first day is important to teachers, students, and parents! Here is what I do ahead of time to prepare for just the first day. These preparations help me keep myself on track the first day of school since we…
It’s the night before school starts and the classroom is ready. What should a kindergarten teacher have ready for the first day of school? Here are some of the basic things I had prepared ahead of time for the first day of school. Here is how I lay out my stuff in order to roll…
When I began teaching with new math materials, like ten frames, my goal was to improve the number sense of my students. Here is a six step tutorial on how I created another math material to use with my students in small groups. This math material is called a math bead rack or a rekenrek….
What’s a teacher to do when her to-do list is outrageous? Here’s how I try to streamline super-busy weeks as a teacher using this free teacher planning to-do list. If you’re a reader of mine then you know how much of a sanity-saver my teacher planning binder has been for me! And I hope that…
Creating readers and writers that can rely on their own phonemic awareness haunches is something we work tirelessly at in the early grades. Here are two free and simple ways to help build it into kindergarten. I was never sure if it would be something that I’d enjoy, but I take delight in finding fun, new ways…
I wanted to lay down some of my favorite tool recommendations for teachers. My recommendations for things I use on a regular basis for work as a teacher and as a blogger that you can have access to as well. Let’s start with my most favorite digital life organization tool. This one tops my list…
Writers workshop in kindergarten can be made easier and headphones can help. I have found that using headphones during my writers workshop time helps my kindergarten students concentrate better, reduces noise and adds a “hook” of interest. Writers workshop time can be super-productive with the help of some old headphone sets. Here is how I…
Here is the next step in investigating painted lady butterflies in kindergarten. I previously laid out how I like to order the larva and my tips for investigating and allowing them to grow. This is the last section of the three part series. Ordering and setting this unit up Investigating and housing the larva and…