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…
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 making the process go smoothly. Since it’s one of my favorite things I do in a year, I want to be sure to do it justice in this three part…
Teaching kindergarten is so unique and well, pretty awesome – if you ask me. But, don’t just take my word for it. Check out this slew of creative, fun and helpful teaching kindergarten ideas and activities from other kindergarten teachers that were shared with me from our online show n’ tells. You’ll find teacher tools, end of the year activities,…
![Composing and Decomposing Numbers: What This Looks Like in Kindergarten [3-Part Series]](https://www.kindergartenworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Composing-and-Decomposing-Numbers-in-Kindergarten-I-love-the-ideas-in-this-series.jpg)
Building kinders with great number sense has really helped us grow in all areas of math this year. Recently, I wrote a three-part series to illustrate some of how we’ve worked on it especially in relation to composing and decomposing numbers using groups of tens and ones. Decomposing Numbers In part one, I explain the value and…
We teach so many different skills to develop young readers. Here is my list of my top teaching alphabet identification printables and favorite free resources used this year in my guided reading groups. These have helped me focus on specific skills to teach how to read and meet student needs. Alphabet identification in kindergarten I use…
When I am teaching a skill that doesn’t need to be differentiated {really} and that lends itself to exploration I try to accomplish covering it whole group. Most of my math instruction is done in small groups, but today I’d like to share how I teach measurement to my kindergarten class. When I teach measurement,…
Has it been short of forever since I shared about our literacy centers? Working smart is what I like to think I’m doing, when I share with you that my philosophy on bringing learning and playing together happens during literacy centers. I like to create centers that offer choice and keep repeating the same standards with different…
Accomplish kindergarten word work Common Core standards with manipulative learning. Playdough, magnets, and dry erase markers give kindergarten students the repeated practice they need to get proficient at segmenting, blending and substituting sounds at any position in a cvc word. Word work won’t feel boring when you use manipulatives, it’ll feel more like play. In…
Kindergarten Common Core Assessments can be made more simple for the teacher and administrator. Tracking data and showing evidence of growth is something we are all being asked to do and tying it into what we assess for report cards using Common Core standards only makes sense! If you’re using the Common Core standards and…
Celebrate Dr. Seuss books and the fun of reading with this activity for kindergarten. Create a class book that records whether or not students like green eggs and ham. This activity for kindergarten is just one of twelve Dr. Seuss activities for kindergarten that I recommend. Do you like to have your class taste green…
You can use math journals to give students opportunities to write about their thinking and ditch worksheets once and for all. I loved using math journals in my classroom and here’s why. I hope to highlight two of my favorite reasons why using math journals is awesome with snapshots of student work. A little background Here…
Preparing for a substitute long before you need one is a great way to make life easier on yourself. For when you really need one, and are in a pinch – you can feel better knowing that you’ve left behind explanations for all of the major things and can just leave some details and a set of…
If you have an easel in your classroom, it is a great for keeping teaching tools handy. But, it can quickly become cluttered and disorganized. Here’s how to set up your easel – behind, in front and underneath – so that it is functional and stays clear. Let’s look at each section and plan what…
Teaching teen numbers in kindergarten using a composing and decomposing numbers approach. Students learn the meaning behind place value and catch onto numbers 11-19 quickly. Here’s a math lesson I taught and the beauty behind letting kinders explore concepts over and over. Learning teen numbers in kindergarten without just “learning” by rote visualization! In math,…
Teacher organization comes in lots of shapes and sizes depending upon your classroom. Here’s an idea that probably will fit your classroom as it will help you with organizing teacher materials for each week and an entire quarter. This idea surely isn’t new and you may already be doing it! Where to put materials for…
Underneath my teacher space is where I have relocated my guided reading group materials. Right now the top shelf is designated for materials that we use on an everyday basis… …the types of things that I’d use with any and every group. Do these look familiar? I use pencil caddies to contain the items so that…
There are lots of things we can say in a day, — but if I can give my kinders a visual reminder, clue or flat out visual direction — I choose that option. I find that if I can choose only to talk when its most important, then my words carry more weight. {Annnnd, they…
Last year I had my palm tree to create a cozy reading area for my classroom. But, I noticed it was starting to look dead. The leaves were fading and the trunk had a few puncture wounds, so I decided it needed a face lift. The entire tent top came down and it got a…
In preparation for the first day of Kindergarten, we hold a one hour open house where our kinders can drop off their supplies, see our room and meet me. Talk about a frenzy of activity! But, in preparation for them and their parents, who often need some guidance and last-minute questions answered I’d like to…
It can be tricky to store bulky classroom curriculum when you’re trying to make your classroom look pretty or at least non-cluttered. Here’s how I used placemats – for a dollar a piece – to hide my giant science curriculum boxes to improve the look of my classroom using the empty space above my cupboards….
When I decided to go with a color scheme instead of a classroom theme, I started keeping my eyes out for my new, favorite colors everywhere. Well, what happened is that I found my exact shades in the form of duct tape. When I first purchased the duct tape, it was for the purpose of…
My last post about bringing color and function together in our multi-purpose magnetic board has led me to share about bringing in our bright color palette into other areas of the classroom… therefore creating a classroom color scheme. Now, I don’t confess to decorate over the top by any means. Just a disclaimer to make…
Guided math looks a little bit different in every kindergarten classroom. Here are some of the details from our classroom based on your frequently asked questions. Are you new to guided math? Check out: How to start guided math in kindergarten What are your rules for guided math time? We actually use the same rules…
What are the thought processes that go on in a teacher’s mind when creating her own standards-based math curriculum? This might be a scary trip, but I invite you into my planning process. I hope to reveal how I learned to plan my guided math curriculum this past year. This isn’t meant to tell you…