Thursday, August 27, 2015

"These are a few of my favorite things!"

I LOVE the Kohl's Cares for Kids merchandise!  Good quality, hard back books and stuffed animals to go along with the books for $5.00 a piece!  You can't beat that AND 100% of the proceeds go to local children's hospitals.  Double win!  The kids love them too!  I use the books and stuffed animals in a variety of ways in the classroom.  Read the books to the class, students read on their own or with a friend, cuddle with the animals at rest time, also play and read with the animals during centers.  Many times I have caught the students using the animals as reading buddies and they are "reading" to the group of animals arranged around them.

Right now, the "If You Give a...." books by Laura Numeroff are the featured book  and stuffed animals.

 
The red mouse is from a couple years ago and goes with "If You Take a Mouse to the Movies."

Also, here's a picture of a small portion of Kohl's stuffed animals I have in my collection.  And when I say small, I mean small! ;)


Last week's orientation/open house




New Music!

Just ordered some new music for the students from Amazon!  Can't wait to share it with them!

I ordered "Bean Bag Boogie" from The Learning Station.  All of the songs use bean bags to dance and complete the motions.  I have two songs we already do using the bean bag and now have a couple more!  :)

I also ordered two Sandra Boynton CDs I didn't have.  "Frog Trouble" has country music and "Blue Moo" has 50's/early 60's music.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Thomas Edison is on a one hour delay.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

More favorite songs

"Baby Shark"



"Body Boogie"


First week playlist

This week we have been listening to music after lunch during centers.  The students enjoyed working and playing while listening to some great music!  Music plays such an important roll in learning!  Some of the little girls were wearing the princess dresses from the Dramatic Play area  and dancing to the music.  Some were even singing along to......


Yep!  I have the "Frozen" Soundtrack!  :)  There was a nice little chorus of  "Let It Go" being sung throughout the room.



We also listened to "Dog Train".



Sandra Boynton is a children's book author and also produces music for children.  This is one of several CD's for children she has and they also come with books.  The songs are silly, fun, and serious.  Music artists across genres sing songs on the CDs.   The Bacon Brothers, Spin Doctors, Allison Krauss, Hootie and The Blowfish, Meryl Streep, and Blues Traveler.  

Here's a sample of the songs on "Dog Train".









Also, here's the link to her website.





Thursday, August 20, 2015

Another school year!!!

Hi everyone!

So sorry I fell off the face of the Blog-o-sphere last year!  Last school year was my busiest one yet and something had to give.  Unfortunately, it had to be the blog. :(  This year, I promise to try and post more often and update the tabs on the blog.  It is one of my many goals for continued improvement as an educator.
This week has been spent meeting parents and students during open house/orientation.  It is so good to see my returning students (They have grown SO much over the summer!) and meet my new students.  I am excited for the school year and know it's going to be a good one!

School starts next Monday for the 2 day class and Tuesday for the 3 day class.

Here are some pictures!





















Fair display