Guided Reading groups

I struggle with the organization of these groups. But I liked this idea from "The Organized Classroom" site. She keeps her supplies in one crate with file folders for each group and what they will be doing that week. I think this would keep me more on track and not searching these items down when I need them. I think I will be trying this out very soon!

Redefining the Writing Process with iPads

In this article, Beth Holland, talks about using iPads to change the way students write. The process in which we learned to write can be done more interactively through this device. I don't have an iPad as of yet, but would love to have one for my classroom. I wonder how Kindergartners could learn to write using this device. Would it be possible to teach them not only the writing process while using technology? I think so. Since technology is now a Common Core Standard for writing, it could be a great way to begin teaching them not only writing but immerse them in technology as well!

Bottle cap letters diy

Ok, I just got super excited! Recycling water bottle caps to make letters to use in a center at school! Love it! I am always searching for ideas to use in my classroom! I will be on this one right away! These bottle cap letters will be easy for little fingers to manipulate and easy to store in a container as well! Oh the possibilities for these! I will get started right away on getting my parents to save these!!

3 Strategies to Promote Independent Thinking in the Classroom

This article caught my eye because my school is all about creating independent thinkers. As I read it, I like the ideas of sequencing instruction, recovering from mistakes, and setting goals. They gave examples of these ideas for older classrooms. Now I need to think of how I can do this in the Kindergarten classroom. My goal is to have my classroom become more inquiry based. This article has helped to get my wheels turning about more ideas to bring to my teaching!

Poscast Assignment!

Well as I muddled through this assignment and wanted to throw my computer through the window when attempting to use the Audacity site. I decided it was best to just start over and find a better program! And I did!! I used WavPad Sound Editor, and it was so easy to use! Even a novice like me was able to produce something not too bad!! Check it out when you have time! It's so much more user friendly than Audacity!!

Centering Around Technology

This article caught my eye on The Organized Classroom Blog. Though I only have one computer for student use in my classroom, I am deciding how I want to utilize this technology. I read about a free website that may help me to do that in this article. I am anxious to check this out!

Let's Play and Learn

I liked this post about using Play Doh in the classroom. I use it all the time. I not only use it for a fine motor activity, but I also use it in my Literacy and Math centers. I really like her ideas for play doh mats that she made and will consider making these for my class as well. Though with Teacher Pay Teachers website, I may just find she is selling them so I can just buy them already done!

PS4 vs. XBox One article from ReadWrite

OK this has nothing to do with teaching! Well maybe! This article caught my eye because we are thinking about buying a PS4. I will definitely have my husband read this one! It amazes me what these gaming consoles have become! No longer are they just for games. They are entire entertainment consoles. We have a PS2 and watch all our movies from it. We don't own a DVD or Blue ray player. But the new consoles will play Blue ray as well, so that is just one more perk. These devices have so many technological aspects to them. I am not sure if I can even scratch the surface of using one to it's full capabilities! How can this relate to teaching? Hmmmm, maybe just knowing what my students are talking about when they talk about these consoles would be good!

Teaching Students How to Have a Conversation from edutopia

As I read this article, it made me think of all the things I do in my Kindergarten classroom that relates to this without even thinking about it! Kindergartners are learning to communicate in appropriate ways all day long! I loved the 8 tips for speaking and listening.  I was able to sort of check mark in my mind as to whether I do these specific things. And if I didn't do them, they are great ideas to add to what I already do. Learning to have a conversation is really important, especially now with all the tweeting and other social forums that kids use.

Another great feed I was checking out on Feedly was Women's Health Magazine! There was an article about 5 healthy quick breakfast choices. I found this interesting as my family has decided we have to change our ways of eating. Breakfast before school is a tough one. We just don't have a lot of time. I need something quick and fun for my kids. Some suggestions in the article were smoothies, yogurt and fruit, and a few other things. I think the smoothies would work for us. We are trying to limit and eventually eliminate processed foods. My son has lots of trouble concentrating in school. It's year two and he is not growing out of it! So we debate if he is ADD. Our first line of defense is to change our diet! Hope this works.

Wow! Looking at Mrs. Jump's Class webpage! It's my dream room! I love her post with all her pictures of her classroom. It gives me great ideas to do to mine! I just need time and money! Hmmm, it might be awhile before mine is totally transformed!

As I checked out my RSS feed from Miss Kindergarten, I found a section on literacy centers. I am always looking for new ideas for my literacy centers. Miss Kindergarten seems to have some great ideas that I know I will be trying. Some of the ideas I do, but maybe in a different way. It's nice to see new ways to do the same skills so kids don't get bored!