Solar System PBL

I have a solar system PBL planned for next week and would like to take the students to the WVU planetarium as part of the lesson. I have planned a trip there for next Thursday, February 28^th. PLEASE try to keep it a secret. I am basing the whole unit off of their love of The Magic School Bus and kind of want the trip to be like something Ms. Frizzle would take them on. I sent home a permission form. It is folded and stapled with a pink "please sign and return" sticker. I have quite a few students in my class that would be able to read the note and tell everyone in the class where we're going. I know it might be silly to keep it a secret, but imagine the look on their faces when they find out next week.

100th Day of School!

      Can you all believe that we have already been in school for 100 days?! It's definitely flown by! The students were so excited to day to see how far we've made it. I wanted to take some time today to give you just a quick update of some new things in our classroom and a reminder about our Valentine's Day party.

       First of all, I have started letting the students sign up for read aloud. They are amazing! The students took to the idea so well. We actually have a student on the calendar for every day in February! If they come home and tell you they are doing read aloud, this is why. I told them they needed to practice a lot at home and school too before reading their book. 

     Second of all, I don't know if your children have told you or not, but we have started doing something called story time yoga to calm ourselves down and get ready for the day. This is also something the students have taken to really well! It is called Cosmic Kids. You can find the episodes on Youtube. Check them out! The kids have even been randomly asking me throughout the day if we can do yoga.

     I have been reading a book about Responsive Classroom (this is something we will be using at Eastwood), and have decided I will probably start implementing "positive time out" in the classroom. You can read more about those things by scrolling over the underlined words and use the links. If you read about the positive time outs, leave a comment and let me know what you think about it. What are some things you do at home to help your child calm down and get back on track?

     Our book is almost complete, and it is amazing! The kids got to see it with illustrations today and each of them read the page they wrote. I was almost in tears. I cannot wait for them to share it with you!  Once I get the book turned in to the publisher, we will all discuss a publishing party. I'd love for you to hear them read it.

     Next Thursday, the 14th, is our Valentine's Day party. The party starts at 2:00. Make sure you stop by the office to sign in and get a pass before coming to the room. 

Popcorn Word Game

We played this game as part of circle time today and the students really liked it. They wanted me to put the link on here so that they could play at home.

http://www.fun4thebrain.com/English/popcornWords.html

What Kindergarten Teachers Wish Parents Knew | Scholastic.com

What Kindergarten Teachers Wish Parents Knew | Scholastic.com

Side Note

About a week ago (I think), I let you all know about my trip to Africa this summer. I am going through an organization called International Volunteer HQ. I have volunteered with them before and taught English in Thailand for a month the summer of 2010. I have entered a photo competition with the organization using a photo I took in Thailand. (I'm also a photographer on the side lol). If I win for the month of January, I will win $100 to put towards my trip to Africa.  If you get a free second one evening, please visit http://www.volunteerhq.org/volunteer-photo-competition/65457 and vote on my photo before February 1st. Thank you!

{I know It's a Little Soon} Ways to Celebrate Book Publishing

I've been on http://www.studentreasures.com looking at ideas for our book and found this and got super excited. I want this to be a really good experience  for them! I'll work on getting the book finished, if you'll help me out by talking about it a lot at home. When they're reading books at night talk about genre (non fiction, fiction, poetry), why the author wrote what they wrote, and how nice the pictures look in the book. Give them a lot of examples. I will be doing the same thing at school. Let them know that we are all standing behind them and support their journey. I had a couple nervous students because they're worried about their writing. I've explained that we will be editing and everything is going to be great! I want them to have something that they're proud of and don't want them to give up on themselves before they even get there. After our think tank yesterday those students seemed a lot more excited, I just want to keep that up. After the book is finished, we will all talk about celebrations! 

Ways to Celebrate

Party Ideas

Your hard work, and your students’ hard work have paid off!

The published books will be a treasured keepsake for years to come. Make sure you celebrate this momentous occasion with a party!

Author’s Tea:
Read aloud from your book(s) while serving tea and cookies, a classic celebration for a special event.

Grandparents Day Celebration:
The perfect way to bring amazing accolades to your students. Every student wants to show off their accomplishments…what better way than in front some of the most important people in their lives.

Book Signing Party:
Feel the pride and excitement in your classroom when students get to sign each other’s book. They are now real Published Authors!

Ice Cream Social:
Perfect way to end the school year on those hot days. Ice Cream and reading, it’s a wonderful way to end the school year!

Write Night:
Roll out the red carpet, here come your published authors. Students can dress up like real stars as they show off their books.

Poetry Reading:
Publish Poetry books? Make sure your students have a chance to shine by having them read in front of the school, or other classrooms.

Animal Party:
Did you write about animals? Have students come dressed as their chosen animal that they wrote about. This would be great to incorporate with the Halloween celebration.

Career Party:
Did you write about what your students want to be when they grow up? Have them come dressed in that chosen profession. Watch the excitement as they read, and dress the part!

Penguin Measurement Photos