Huh?

I was collecting the Sammy Seals {our Alphafriend for the week} my kiddos made today and had to laugh -


And here's what he's supposed to look like -


{we have a lot of work to do}

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

* Fall, it's super short up here in the AK {I'm talking 2-4 weeks tops!} It's here right now and I love it!

* Caramel Apple Sundaes - yum!

* Sugar Free Vanilla, Soy lattes.  Nice and warm on a chilly morning {seriously, there was frost on my car this morning}

* My Super Stars!  Last year was a tough year, we never really got into a routine or "gelled" as a class.  This year things are going great , we have a good routine going and are turning into a nice little community.

* Random Moose sightings.  Here's what I saw on my way home from work the other day

The baby had just crossed the street right in front of my car.

Literacy Stations - Theme 2 {Colors All Around}

I LOVE my Literacy Stations.  I only switch them out once a Theme {every 3 weeks}.  I change worksheets out as needed, but the basics of the station stay the same.  Since our theme is Colors All Around some of our tubs focus on reading and writing color words. 

{Yes, my tubs are out of order, that's how my Super Stars put them back today}

Tub A - Building Color Words {using these Brown Bear cards from Doodle Bugs Teaching}

Tub B - S or Not S sorting worksheet {this will change each week as we focus on a different letter}

Tub C - Playdough Words {with glittery, black playdough}

Tub D - Listening Center

Tub E - Color, Trace, Write

Tub F - Poetry Journals {They glue in the poem, them draw a picture, highlight letters and words, then read the poems}

Tub G - Letter Beads  {letter beads and pipe cleaners, they can build words, sort by letter etc.  I may bring this back later, but require them to build words}

Tub H - Which S Will Win? {another one that will change to go with our letter for the week}.

Other stations that my kiddos visit are Library, Computer and working with my TA, this week they are sorting picture cards by their beginning sound - S or not S {see a pattern. . . . .?}

Hopefully I will remember to take pictures this week. . . . . . . . . .

School Bag Linky Party

It's late, but I wanted to join Abby's linky party.  I've been drooling over all the cute 31 bags, but here is my functional {not so cute} bag.

I carry a backpack to and from school.  When it's snowy and icy 6 months of the year the trek from the parking lot to my classroom can be dangerous and I don't want to lose anything if I slip and fall {which happens more often than I'd like to admit}.  The blue bag next to it is my purse, it's a Keen bag - I love it!  I can sling it across my body and keep my hands free.

 Now for what's in my bag.  I had church tonight so I didn't bring too much home with me.  My MacBook goes to and from school with me everyday.  Most of my school stuff is on there.  I'm working on my Lesson Plans for next week {also on my Mac} so I brought home my manual for our next Theme in HM {It's my favorite Theme - Colors!!!}.

I made a quick stop at Wal*Mart tonight to pick up Velcro {I ran out}  and Letter Beads {for a new Workstation Activity}.  My 6 Traits book, stickers and my favorite Post-Its. 

I also have this pencil pouch.  I keep Flair pens, Highlighters, Pencils, Sharpies and Post-It flags in it {you never know when you may need them}. 

 I also brought home my Data Notebook so I could input data into the spreadsheets on my MacBook. {I had to cover up my name and school}.

Rainbow Writing

Sorry it's been such a long time since I've posted.  This whole beginning of the year thing is kicking my butt.  I have a couple of "special friends" that are having a hard time getting into the routine of school, but most of my kiddos are doing a fabulous job.

We've been practicing writing our numbers.  We started with whiteboards and markers, the kiddos listened while I read a poem for each number, then they tried to write the number on their whiteboard.

Then we moved to writing the numbers on paper.  Since Kindergartners tend to rush through things {or maybe that's just my kiddos}, we do a lot of "Rainbow Writing".  The kiddos get to use markers (not a common occurrence} and switch colors for every number.

{Aren't my Super Stars adorable?}

I've uploaded the Rainbow Writing sheets if you would like to download them.  I included the poem for each number to help my Super Stars {and their parents} when they practice at home.