Using community supplies in the classroom is an easy way to use community supplies in Kindergarten. Let me walk you through how and why we use community supplies. Check out our table supply system and 5 reasons why community supplies in the classroom are the way to go. Community Supplies In Kindergarten Set Up Since my students sit at color-coded tables, it makes logical sense to have … [Read more...]
12 Play Ideas for Kindergarten
Let's talk about some play ideas for Kindergarten. Whether you are looking for some rainy day activities or some hands-on materials to allow your students to interact with each other; we have some ideas for you. Play Ideas for Kindergarten Somehow over the evolution of Kindergarten, the word "play" has become a bad word in some schools. Some of you may not be able to "play" in your … [Read more...]
Use Class Dojo to Redeem Points with Ease
You can now use Class Dojo to redeem points with ease. Class Dojo now has a feature that allows you to redeem points with ease. Let me show you how to use this feature from the website and the app. As well as an important tip you need to know. How to Use Class Dojo to Redeem Points First, as a classroom teacher, you have to teach rules and structures to your learners. It is important to … [Read more...]
How to Make and Manage No Contact Centers
The big question in education is how can we keep students in one room, engaging our learners, and still allowing them to be well... KIDS?! Every school and every district will have different needs, but one thing I am sure that will be the same is this: no contact. So let's dive into how we can still make and manage no contact centers in Kindergarten. What Do I Call Centers? Every teacher, … [Read more...]
Reward & Motivate Learners in Digital Learning
Managing a classroom in a classroom is one skill set, but what about managing a digital classroom? Lets talk about some fun and unique ways to reward and motive learners in a digital learning environment. Before Digital Learning My classroom uses the free site Class Dojo to manage communication, portfolios, and to reward students for the good choices they make. You can see how we do this … [Read more...]
How My Class Reads to Dogs
I have a fun and engaging idea for reading motivation for elementary students that I can't wait to share with you. This year my class started reading to dogs. You read that right. We meet at a shelter or rescue and we read to dogs. I can't wait to share with you how we organized this activity, got the parents and students excited, and make this volunteering an experience to remember. Reading … [Read more...]
How to Make and Use a Star Chart
Let me show you how to make and use a star chart in your classroom. I need to start by saying I didn't invent idea, but I saw this in a neighboring classroom and decided to make it my own. This was created 13 full school years ago and it works just as awesome today as it did the first year. Here is how to make a star chart and how to use one in your classroom. Step 1: What you will Need -1 large … [Read more...]
A Student Worth Fighting For
My job as an educator is to be a servant to others; my students, their families, fellow staff members, and the community. Sometimes we get a student who needs to be loved. And sometimes we get a student we have to fight for. Let me share with you this story, the story of a student worth fighting for. Because one day, you may have a student you have to fight for. A Student Worth Fighting For … [Read more...]
The Pros and Cons of Flexible Seating
Lets talk about the pros and cons of flexible seating. Flexible seating can look like a fun but the real question should really be "Is flexible seating the right environment for my classroom?" There are pros and cons of flexible seating for every teacher so you really have to examine your classroom, your students, and your students' needs to decide if flexible seating is the classroom … [Read more...]
Save Your Sanity! How to Use Class Dojo to Redeem Points
Guess what I don't have? Time to waste in the classroom tracking everyone's behavior and to be constantly rewarding those who are on track doing the wrong thing! Nor do I have time to constantly be correcting behaviors we don't want to see. Time is the enemy and I think I show you how Class Dojo can be your BFF. Class Dojo is an free app many teachers use to assist build and maintain a classroom … [Read more...]
Going From One to 1:1 in Kindergarten: Part 3
Going to One to 1:1: Part 3 is the third installment of my technology journey. At this stage, I have implemented small groups of iPads into regular instruction and students are using devices for a few minutes every single day.To catch up, you can read about Part 1 here. You can read about Part 2 here. My students and I were really getting the hang of apps and technology integration. I was rocking … [Read more...]
Going From One to 1:1 in Kindergarten: Part 2
Going to One to 1:1: Part 2 is the second installment of my technology journey. At this stage, I am sitting pretty with a few iPads for my classroom. Things are going smoothly, but there is still so much to learn and management issues to solve. (You can read about Part 1 here.) Adding to Technology I was able to add my first school funded device with Teacher of the Year funds. This is a humorous … [Read more...]