Two Hoots and A Holler

Hoot #1

In kindergarten, it is our goal to develop readers who have a love for books.  In order to promote this, we have already started using book boxes in our classrooms this year.  Book boxes are used during IDR time, Read to Self time, DEAR time, or whatever you may call it.  This year's group of students are SO excited to get their book box and read their books.  I have never had a group of kids so excited to read this early in the year.  It makes my teacher heart happy!  I learned from a co-worker last year to use whisper phones during independent reading.  Because students this age are emerging readers, it is good for them to read out loud.  But it can get very noisy and distracting with 26 different voices.  Using whisper phones made out of PVC pipe (from Home Depot or any hardware store) helps with the noise level and helps students be able to listen to themselves read.  Students were able to stay engaged in independent reading time for 5 minutes on the first day!  We are continuing to work on our reading stamina and increase it daily.  

Jitterbugs love reading too!

Hoot #2

Well, we have survived our first field trip! We have been studying the 5 senses, so we took a trip out to Litcherman Nature Center. The students loved it. They got to rotate through centers to explore their senses and learn how different animals use their senses.  They were able to see and hear the animals in the woods as they took a hike. They were able to see the fish, geese, and turtles eat food. They were able to taste things that were sour and investigate their taste buds. They even were able to feel a snake and opossum. It was very warm, but an awesome way to reinforce the skills taught in our classrooms.

We love when parents come along as we
learn!

 

We LOVE field trips, but these kiddos were "field tripped" out on the bus ride back to school! 

 
This Week's Holler... 
This week's holler goes out to Mr. Mike, AKA Cowboy! He has been in charge of our PTA for several years. He does an outstanding job! He and his helpers are the reason our students and teachers get the things they need. Well, the past week, he has been very sick, but we are glad to report that he is doing much better. We love you Mr. Mike and all that you do for us! 

    

Two Hoots and A Holler: Making a Difference

Hoot #1

Last week, we were all about counting down one of our biggest events at our school.  It is the Father/Daughter Dance.  These fathers and daughters come dressed to impress for a perfect night! Our awesome PTA provides the decorations, food, and a DJ that allows our families to experience a night full of dancing and laughing! I know this was a night that these girls will never forget!
Here are some pictures of our gym transformed into a gorgeous Winter Wonderland....

 Above is one of our own Kinder Girls helping her husband DJ!  
You go girl!

Hoot #2

Throughout the school year, it is always important for us to instill in our students that even though they are small, they can make a difference! It is important that they know they have worth, and they have the ability to make this place even better than it is.  This week we learned that one of our students' grandmothers was dealing with cancer.  She had been having a tough week, so we decided to make cards to send her well wishes! 
Our class was so excited to receive a letter back!

These kiddos are ready do more things that will make a difference in this big world! Teachers... always remember, students will only meet the standard for which you set. So, set them HIGH!! They will reach it! They will meet it!! They will soar beyond those goals! 

This Week's Holler...

This week's holler goes out to Katie Mense at Little Warriors. We are in love with her room design and decor! Since we are having our classrooms gutted and rebuilt this summer, we will definitely be referring back to her blog  for some ideas for the classroom.  Be sure to go check her out to see all the great things she is doing.  

Two Hoots and A Holler

Hoot #1

Last week we were spoiled by our school's PTA.  They had lunch prepared for us every day (YES! ALL 5 DAYS!), and they had breakfast prepared 2 mornings.  It was so nice to have lunch brought into us, and the food was SO GOOD!  We are so blessed to have a PTA that truly cares for its teachers.  On Friday, they surprised us with tote bags, sports bottles, and a Cracker Barrel gift card!!  Thank you to all of the parents who volunteered their time to support the teachers at Walls! 

Hoot #2

Last week, I shared with you about the journals that my students created with Art To Grow On,LLC.  I promised to show you what we did with these books.  Here it is!! 

Each year we create portfolio boxes for our students (we will tell more about that in next weeks Hoot).  We made these journals into our memory books that will be placed in the portfolio box.  I am so excited about the way that they turned out.  Each child created their own cover and wrote about their favorite memory related to that picture.  Each child had about 13 pictures.

 "I liked the train ride the best."

" I like to work. I love being a Jitterbug."

"I like riding the camel."

The last page in their memory book is a picture of me and my wonderful assistant, Amy Willoughby.  I couldn't do half the things I do without this lady!  I couldn't describe how special she is.  During the school year, I refer to her as my other spouse (we are literally together more than we are with our husbands)!  We are truly live, love and laugh our way through the day!

This Weeks Holler . . .

This weeks holler goes out Brittany Banister! This girl has got it going on! 
She has not only one blog...BUT TWO!!!!
When you visit Brittany at iheartkindergarten.blogspot.com, you will see her classroom blog.  This is such a great blog.  We are really loving her baseball theme activities that she did this past week! She has incorporated it into every aspect of their learning!  It is too cute! You have to check it out!

Her second blog is co-written with Tiffany Copple. This blog is all about technology.  We are loving their blog post "Facilitating Creativity: Relinquishing Control." If you want to learn how to expose your children to more technology, look no further than 2techiete4achers.blogspot.com