Flying Kites- Weather Unit

When studying weather we make kites. I have the kids decorate a large plastic zip baggie with a permanent marker and then I attach a string. When it's a windy day, we go out and fly the kites. Here are a few pictures of my kiddos trying out their kites.

-Stephanie

Teaching Poetry

This is a great book for teaching poetry! There are several versions out for different grade levels. Currently my kiddos are working on their own treasury of poems. I'll post pictures when we are done! They are loving this unit...I think it's because it gives them a break from the normal conventions of writing!

Check out Scholastic to get your own!

-Stephanie

Teacher Supply Baskets

I don't know about you but I don't like to pick up a marker that a kindergartener has touched! I am stingy with my materials and have baskets like these all over my room that are for TEACHERS ONLY. I usually have a basket within an arms reach away. They hold all of the supplies that I need to model, check, or fix papers.

On of my teacher friends uses 31 totes instead of baskets which is super cute! Maybe I'll eventually do this :)

-Stephanie

Ocean Unit

Here are some things that we did for our ocean unit...

Ocean Animal Mural with Diagrams

These animals were created with torn paper.

Ocean Animal Tree Charts

Another Ocean Mural

You can't see it really well but the Jellyfish has jellyfish facts on the tentacles. The fish are tissue squares glued to paper. The small jellyfish are half of a paper plate with a ziplock baggie.

Favorite Animal Graph

We graphed our favorite ocean animal.

-Stephanie

Weather Unit

Here are a few things we did for our weather unit...

Weather Mural

 The kids worked on tearing tiny pieces of paper to create these pictures for the water cycle. Then they worked together to label the pictures.

Cloud Graphing

We graphed our favorite cloud after learning all about clouds.

-Stephanie

It's Here!!!

It's finally here!!!!

I got my book! I tricked my principal into buying it for me:)

Now if I only had time to read it...

-Stephanie

Skittles

I have found a great solution for many issues that occur in my classroom...SKITTLES!

Who would have thought that something so tiny could make such a huge difference. I use skittles for everything!  Here's my list...

1. Messy Tables- The kids tables and toolboxes in my classroom were a disaster! Once a day or once every other day I will yell  "freeze!" The kids will stop what they are doing and I will go around and check the tables. The group with the cleanest table and toolbox get a skittle...1 tiny skittle :) I haven't had messy tables in weeks! I hear the kids telling their friends to clean up because "we might get a skittle."

2. Writer's Workshop- Sometimes kids can get super chatty during writer's workshop. The solution...I call out the quietest table, praise them and give them a skittle. I don't have to worry about noisy tables after that!

3. Guided Reading- My kiddos were not having the greatest attitudes about leaving literacy work stations to come to guided reading (which is the whole reason for lit stations...more on that later). Anyway, I started doling out skittles to my kids if they put forth great effort and had a great attitude during guided reading. I haven't had any issues since!

4. Anything else that pops into my head :)

This super tiny, super inexpensive, mostly allergy free treat has made a HUGE difference in my kids attitudes and behavior. 

What do you use to "shape" behavior in your classroom?

-Stephanie