Appropriate Pictures Search

Need appropriate pictures for what you  are doing?  I was given this site for approriate pictures for classroom use.

Happy Veteran's Day

One Month down and Nine to go!!!!!!!!!

It is hard to believe that we have been in school 20 something days.  The kids are great and so is my assistant.  We are learning and growing each day. We have made it through 90+ degree heat in the classroom, rain for a whole week and not geeting outside to lots of hugs and smiles each day.  The smiles and looks on their faces it what makes each day worthwhile.

New Room

Well the day we all have been waiting for will soon be here.  The room is filled with boxes everywhere.  Hours of work await me and those who work with me. I wonder what the final results will be of this!!!!!

The Simplicity if it all!!

It was very hot today, nearly 92.  So to help the children cool of without getting drenched, I filled a squirt bottle and sprayed them as they went down the slide.  Well let me tell you, that was the best thing going. It was like a water ride at Kennnywood!  As we often discover it is the simplest things that they like the best!!They did this for at least 20 minutes.  I stopped counting the refills in the bottle after 5!!!!

First Week of School

What are some favorite first week activities that you have done in your pre school room?  I teach 3-5 in one group so at times that can be a challenge. Since I am in a new room I do not have to worry about repeating activities- although that can be a good thing at this age.

The New School Year

The new school year will soon be here.  Where has the summer gone.  I have started to gather materials for the first month of school and began planning in my mind.  However as I start to do that my min dbecomes full and overloaded.  There is just so much that I want to do and I have yet to meet the kids so that I can plan more effectively.  I think that even teachers get that "back to school feeling".  We are excited and nervous just like the children. I will be setting up a new room again and working with a new assistant again.  So I want to get a lot done, yet I want their input as well- but yet it needs to get done.  I want to be 100% prepared the first day and not 99%.

Camera Class Day 2

Well today we had to practice inserting photos like we were doing a lesson with kids.  We took photos of handwashing and sequenced them into a paper.  This could easily be done with any age.  In pre school as a small group at the computer and then as a follow up have a hard copy for a gluing activity.

Next we took photos for a Power Point Presentation.  These would be a great activity to have running at an Open House. 

We learned how to make an online Poster with Glogster. It was cool.

Finally we had to make a video with the camera. I have included that here. This would be used in a handwashing lesson that goes along with the sequencing activity.

Camera Class

I am taking a camera/photography class. It is a 2 day class and we are learning how to use the camera and its features. We are learning how we can use it to extend and support learning in the classroom. Adults are no different than kids when it comes to a new "toy". We all were excited to get to using it and taking photos and exploring all of the features. I am sure it will be useful in developing my website and blog as well as using it in the classroom. What a great tool to use to communicate and share with parets about what the children are learning in the classroom.

Rainbow 7/31/10

I saw a beautiful rainbow this evening. It was a full rainbow. I felt like a kid, I had to run inside and get the camera and then call my mom to tell her.

More news from the sandbox

Well today I had the best lunch!!! There was a group of 3 kids who told me it was my birthday. They sat me down by the sand box and said we were having a celebration. I had cake, soup, sandwiches, tea, icecream cookies. In fact I had seconds and thirds on each. One was a waitress and took orders and the other 2 were cooks. They even sang to me!!

I saw such creative play,teamwork and cooperation. The roles they played were approriate to the theme. The play went on for at least 20 minutes.

Mud Pies in the sand

It was a crazy Thursday and a long week!! We went to the Story Mobile for a story and to get some books. Then out side for the whole morning since the weather (heat) broke a bit down to 82!! We ate mud pies- were they deicous. Who knew 2/3 year olds could cook s well!! We also had fun looking at our shadows. Sometimes it was in front of us and sometimes it was in back of us.

Speaking of being outside does anyone have any ideas on how to incorporate print rich litereacy outrside on a playground? I have a few ideas, but I want to see what others think befor I talk about them. It is a private playground and only the school uses it, it is not a shared playground.

Part of a Whole Cards

Example of a game card for the part of a whole game.

Circle Time Activity

Well here I am day 2 of this thing called a blog. I like the idea but still can't seem to know what to write. I am going to describe an activity that I did today.

If you are looking for an activity for children to guess a picture by looking at only part of the picture. This skill is harder than you think. (For those who use High/Scope it ison the Child Observation Record)

I took about 12 pictures the size of an index card.

I found a camera shape and made a circle where the lens was.

I put this over the picture on the index card size picture and bound it on the left like a book.

I then had the children guess what it was.

I will try to take a photo of it to post later, as I left them at work.

Why a blog?

Well this is my first attempt at a blog. I am doing this for a class that I am taking for my ACT 48 continuing education hours. I hope also to be making a web site for this same class. So please be patient as I do this. I hope to share teaching experiences and idea.