Slow down October!

October is my favorite month - but I'm sad that it flies by soooo quickly! We have Parent Teacher Conferences, Quarter 2 Transition, Assessments, and I'm sure a bazillion other things to do that make this month cray cray. Right?!?

I haven't been able to post as much as I like - mostly because the life a teacher leads is insane hectic and it becomes hard to make time for everything. Ugh. 

Here's a quick freebie for you - October Find it Fast. If you haven't read my previous post, check it out here. It will explain the directions/how to set up Find It Fast games. 

http://ketchenskindergarten.blogspot.com/2012/09/find-it-fast.html 

Like these but don't need letters? I added a version that can be EDITED to my TPT store!!! You can select any skill that you are working on and program the template to fit your needs. 

Interested in that product? Click on over. 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Find-it-Fast-October-Themed-Customizeable-Product

Front, Back, Side to Side

We are working hard at learning all of the concepts of print! My kiddos are doing really well (which is good since I feel like we've been talking about it for years!) with all of it - and are actually applying what they have learned when they partner share about reading books.

These anchor charts aren't anything new - but I've made one for the past 3 years and they really do help. Last year, we did Eric Carle's VHC. Please excuse my hand drawn illustration (can't draw for the life of me). 

This year, I decided to go with one of our favorite books for the theme. I made it a tad bit snazzier too - since I'm all about fonts and digi paper backgrounds at the moment! 

I think it's really important to use a book kids are familiar with. 

We've read Chicka Chicka at least 10 times this year (sometimes it feels more like 100 times haha!).

I found a copy of the cover online and printed it out. 

 I also found a picture of the inside and printed it out. 

I have the pieces for the anchor chart in the file below - click the pic to grab your copy!

October - My Favorite Month!

I love the month of October - seriously. December comes in at a close 2nd. October is just so fall-y. Pumpkins, leaves, hoodies, fires, etc. Love.it.! 

Part of me can't believe it's October already (well technically tomorrow). We are moving right along at school - but my kiddos are having trouble with letter and number recognition. 

Not picking up as fast as I'd like - but I know they will. How are your kiddos doing this year?

October Math Journals are ready - I love getting emails about them. You all are super sweet. :) 

I've been working on my October Math Activities too - and have a pack up in my TPT store if you need some activities to add to your math stations.

Are you a font junkie like me? If so, please check out Nicole over at Rowdy in Room 300. She has some to die for fonts - can you tell I am obsessed with the one above?!?

http://rowdyinroom300.blogspot.com/p/fonts.html

Find It Fast!

I am forever trying to think of cutsie titles that will work for our classroom activities. I think I finally found one that I like and will use for all of these types of activities!! Yeah for thinking on the weekend right?!?

These games are pocket chart games - and review just about any skill you can think of. I make them around a theme and then we review the skill that we need the most (right now it's number recognition). 

For this month, it's the Johnny Appleseed edition! The idea behind these games is that you hide an object and students have to identify whatever is on the cards before they can check for the hidden object.
Nothing new - but a great review game. 

This works in whole group, small group and even centers. I've put these at my pocket chart center before and my kiddos love hiding their eyes while their partner hides the object. 

Want to grab your freebie? Click the pic below! Enjoy!

Kindergarten Common Core

Remember that one time that the states switched to Common Core and you were super prepared? All of your activities, vocabulary cards, lesson plans and more were printed, laminated and really you were just waiting for the kids to show up? 

Yeah? Me neither. Ha. CC is here - and I have a feeling it's here to stay! If you are familiar with them, you know how much of an undertaking it is to try and get a grasp on both the standards and the activities required. 

Think.no.more. (Well, maybe a little! We are teachers. Do our brains ever shut off?)

Kindergarten Common Core

Have you seen this baby? It's the CC book that you need!

Reasons: 

1. It's 600+ pages. What an incredible resource!

2. It is not just worksheets - 

there are activities, prompt cards, picture cards that can be used in games and centers and more!

3. It includes both Math and ELA standards. 

How awesome to have both subjects together right at your fingertips!

Get a jump on CC now - check it out!

Hey! That's my name!

Names are fab - especially in Kindergarten right? I love watching my kiddos learn to write and read their names and even friends names.

There are so many great literacy activities that can be used with names.
Check out some of these fun Pinterest finds!

One great resource is Jessica Meacham's website.
She has some great resources for using names in the classroom. 

Source: jmeacham.com via Arianne on Pinterest

Have you seen this pin?
What an easy center to put together - but at the same time is meaningful and has a purpose. 

Source: rainbowswithinreach.blogspot.com via The Mad on Pinterest

Do you have a names chart in your classroom? Kids will read, read, read all day long.
They need practice with familiar words to build confidence as a reader. So easy!

Source: aplacecalledkindergarten.blogspot.com via Crystal on Pinterest

Another favorite? From Mrs.Albanese's Class. 

She has a picture of this great chart - that utilizes many 

different activities to practice one child's name at a time. 

Source: mrsalbanesesclass.blogspot.com via Arianne on Pinterest

I love this chart. We've done these activities before - but all just orally. I'm really trying to use as much print as possible this year to help my kiddos understand concepts of print and become better readers overall. 

Of course I needed to make this immediately!
This is my version - just with picture cues!

We completed our first name today - and I was so happy with the kiddos response!
I even had one student read the -ake word chunk from Jake's name (no prompting)! Awesome. 

Want to play the name game in your room?
Have at it - I promise it is a worthwhile activity!

Only in Kinder?!?

With the first few weeks down, we are quickly getting settled into a routine. My class is great - and my little sweeties have a lot of personality!

One slight problem we are having? Restroom breaks. I don't take restroom breaks - don't like to and would really prefer not to. Most of the time they go throughout the day - especially during workshop/independent learning! I have some little sweeties that are either afraid to go or afraid to ask - and end up having an accident. I'm hoping that within the next few weeks it will stop - as they become used to school.

What are your restroom procedures? Do you take a class break? Lucky enough to have a bathroom in your room?

Here's a freebie - I plan on printing out a stack and sending home when necessary. I have 2 versions (one if they had clothes - one if they did not). They are 4 to a page - easy to print and cut.

Clipart on these pages courtesy of DigiScrapKits, Moo & Puppy Designs. HelloFirstie font by Jen Jones - http://www.helloliteracy.blogspot.com

We are still working on procedures - but I'm definitely ready to get into more content. These next few weeks we are working on concepts of print.

Sneak Peek: Can you guess what I'm working on now?!?

I'm also breaking out the sight words this week. We are just going to dive right in!! Check out my new Sight Word Number Puzzles.

What are you up to this week?