Fun with Eggs (Egg Experiments)

This week has been so fun in kindergarten.  We have been experimenting with EGGS.

I talked my kindergarten colleague into trying this experiment with me.  Our classes came together to watch her STAND ON 36 EGGS!  Yes, you heard that correctly... And, it actually worked.

First, my class predicted how many eggs (out of 36) would crack with this anchor chart.

Then, we prepared the children.  They were so excited.

Look...  She is doing it.  And, only one egg cracked.  (Now when she jumped on them and fell slightly, 6 were cracked.)

 Then, I had one student try to squeeze an egg.  It did not crack.  No matter how hard he squeezed, the egg was so strong.

 Then, I asked Miss Cindy (she is wonderful) to help blow the center of the egg out.  First, we shook the egg to mix up the yolk.  This made it easier to blow out the small hole.  We used a pushpin to put a small hole on each end.  Then, we used a toothpick to make the hole slightly larger on both ends.

 We put the hollow egg into vinegar.  Currently, my class is watching the egg to see what will happen.  This is an excellent prediction activity.

 Each student also put a raw egg into vinegar.  Students have been using their observation journals to document the changes daily.

 The kindergarteners like using the small flashlights to see the changes.  It really is pretty cool.

These are some of the books that I have used during the week.

There is (a lot) more that I need to add to this packet.  However, I already have 20 pages of printables to go with Fun with Eggs.  The price will go up after I add to the packet.  If you purchase now, you will be buying it at a reduced price.

Classroom Newsletter

Classroom communication has been on my mind lately.  I have very supportive parents who take interest in their child's education.  I feel that it is important to communicate with parents on a weekly basis.  I send home a weekly classroom newsletter to strengthen the relationship between school and home.  I also use the newsletter as a positive communication tool to inform parents of upcoming events, important calendar reminders, and to celebrate class successes.  One of the best ways to create a school and home bond is to be personal.  As teachers, we must have effective communication.  In this post, I will focus on how frequently teachers communicate, newsletter requirements, types of newsletters, accountability, and durability.

As I wrote above, I send home my classroom newsletter weekly.  I ONLY send them home on Mondays.  I started this years ago because a mentor teacher, Sherri Caballero from Second Thoughts, managed her take-home folders on Monday.  This was over 12 years ago and I still send them home on Mondays.  I tell parents on the first day of school the importance of the Monday folder.  Along with the newsletter is graded work from the past week.  This is the ONLY day I send home graded work.  It looks different than the daily folder.  Each student has the same folder.  Parents know that Mondays are the most important day to check backpacks and to review the previous week's work.

I send home folders containing student work from the previous week.  Parents look over this work with their child.  A signature page is also attached to sign each Monday.  The newsletter is included each week to keep families informed of classroom news and updates.

Our school district does not require teachers to send home a weekly or monthly newsletter.  However, our teacher evaluation model includes "contribute to school culture, advocate for student success, and engage families in student learning".  What better way to engage families in student learning...  a classroom newsletter.

I created my own template that I use each week.  Below are some pictures of what I use in my kindergarten classroom.  I always include upcoming events and calendar events.  I usually print it on colored paper, but not always.  However, I have my newsletter on top.  It is the first paper I want families to see.

I like to include student birthdays, special events and fundraiser information.  Sight words, word families, and curriculum is always highlighted throughout the newsletter.

A few of my colleagues include a behavior tracking sheet for parents to sign in their folders.  There are also teachers in my building that use a homework sheet with their classroom newsletter that is required to be signed daily.  Personally, I prefer the Monday folder.  However, I do include a signature sheet for parents to sign and return to school.  The signature sheet is an accountability measure that I use in the classroom.  The top of my signature page reads...
"After reviewing your child’s work collection with your child, please keep completed work at home and return any information that needs to be returned in the “return” section of the folder.  I am confident that going through this work with your child each week will allow you to see the tremendous growth your child is making, as well as help in any areas he/she is struggling in.  If you have any questions regarding your child’s work, please contact your child’s teacher.  Sign and date the form and return to school the next school day."

I purchase my folders from Extra Packaging.  I purchase them over the summer and they last the entire school year.  Each student has the same cover.

I have the cover available as a free download here.

There are many templates available on Teachers Pay Teachers.  If you don't send one home, now is the time to start that parent communication folder or binder and increase school-home communication.

We would love to hear from you.  What do you do for a classroom newsletter?

Flipping For Flamingos

Are you ready for spring?  Are you still shoveling out piles of snow?  I know the answer for me...  I am definitely ready for spring!!  I am ready to watch my 2016 Chicago Cubs, work on my spring landscaping, do some spring cleaning, and get outside with my kids!  I am ready to drive with the windows rolled down.  I want outdoor recess, homemade lemonade and fresh air.  (Do I have you ready for spring yet?)  Well, by the end of this post I hope you are ready for spring weather and all that spring brings us, as teachers!  What better way to get the spring (or summer) feeling... FLAMINGOS.

This week my kindergarten students are working on nonfiction texts.  I use Kim Adsit's Reader's Workshop lessons daily.  Unit 6, Diving In, uses flamingos as part of the nonfiction text unit.

I used her lesson, but also supplemented with my own Flamingo Graphic Organizers.

I took several pictures of student work.

These are the books that I used this week to teach about flamingos.

We have worked very hard on writing and with the Six Traits of Writing.  This week, I have focused on labeling.  I found this adorable craftivity from Crafty Bees Creations.  Then, I gave my students index cards to label the flamingo.

Next, I instructed a directed drawing of a flamingo.  I was very impressed with my kindergarten students and their drawings!

These are pictures from the (can, have, are) chart from my Flamingo Graphic Organizer pack.  There are so many interesting facts about flamingos.  I can definitely say kindergarteners know WAY more than I ever did when I went to grade school!

These may be my favorite anchor charts from the week.

I know you probably read my anchor chart.  I wrote "don't breathe"... I ran out of room to write...  Flamingos don't breathe while they are eating!!  Maybe if I tried the flamingo approach to eating, I wouldn't have to diet anymore.  :)

Well, has all the talk about flamingos have you dreaming of a tropical location or even just a local vacation?  Are you ready for spring? summer? or just ready to dive into this unit?  If you are, the link for the graphic organizer literacy pack is here.

Endless Possibilities,

Best Homework EVER

I can honestly say I have tried homework in kindergarten year after year.  I have found it either doesn't get completed, gets lost, or is forgotten on the bus or at home.  I would often get a phone call at home from parents not knowing what to expect.  It just didn't work (for me).  I went a few years just accepting that it was lost or incomplete.  I then went through a time where I just did not send home homework.  Well, now I have changed.  I discovered homework that actually works!  It is differentiated, organized, and self-paced.  And... I LOVE IT!

I call it "Skills Pouch".  That is all it is.  Students came to school on the first day with a supply or pencil pouch.  I use them as student homework pouches.

They are reasonably priced and can be found just about anywhere.

  Then, I purchase book rings.  I prefer the 2 inch book rings, but any size will work.

I begin the school year in August (on the first day of school) by putting letters on the ring.  I started on the first day of school so that it WAS the expectation that students have homework.  When students master the uppercase letters, they move on to lowercase, sounds, color words and number words.  Then, I move students on to sight words.  I print them on cardstock.

I am including a blank template for you to use.

Click here for the PowerPoint template.

Click here for the Keynote template.

After students have mastered the letters and words, they move onto Deanna Jump and Stephanie Stewart's Sight Words that Stick Fluency Phrases.

       

If a student masters ALL letters, words, kindergarten fluency sentences, and first & second grade sentences, I advance them on to Jen Jones's Fluency Passages.  I DO have two students already on these passages this year and a few more that will get there before spring break.  (so exciting)

After Christmas break, students have two rings in their skill pouches.  One is the reading skill they have been working and progressing on.  The new one added is the math fact ring.  I use my Mastering Math Fact Fluency Pack.

Students have been taking home facts on their ring in their skills pouch.  When they pass the set of facts, I add to the ring.  Then, the next time I assess the student they must read all of the facts on the ring to move on.

One thing I must say that I LOVE about the skills pouches is they are personal.  I want them to be personal.  Students have their parents write me a hand-written note.  I have had some notes on napkins, scrap paper, or even the back of a receipt.  They say, "Evan is ready to test!" or "Elsa has practiced and wants to be tested."  or "Leevi is excited for his math facts test."  They are not fancy notes...  instead they are personal.  And I truly believe the personal connections are what education is missing.

So, that's it folks... Homework I LOVE!!  When I assess students it is personal.  I am hearing them read.  I am spending one-on-one time with that child to see how far he or she has come.  It is differentiated, organized, self-paced and most of all, personal.

Endless Possibilities,