Two Hoots and A Holler

Hoot #1
Well the end has come! We have been so busy over the past few weeks with graduations, celebrations, field trips, field day, etc. We have not even had time to sleep!  It all started with our former Jitterbugs and Rockstars making their walk through the halls at our school before they graduated. This was the first time they have ever done this. This is definitely going to be a tradition!

Hoot #2
We had our annual Kindergarten Portfolio Breakfast and Kindergarten Celebration. It was a hit! We always love this time of year. We are exhausted but we can sit back and enjoy what we have done. Just seeing how excited our kids are to share their work and the looks in our parents eyes, makes it all worth it. 

This Week's Holler...
The final holler for this school year goes our to our assistant principal, Patty Beyerlein. After 28 years in the world of education, she is retiring. She has been such a great support for, not only us, but for the thousands of students' lives that she has made a difference. We were given the honor to throw her retirement party. We think that it turned out pretty good. We were able to share good food, good conversation, and great memories. Finally, she left in style...in a limo! We love you, Mrs. B.!!! Welcome to the next chapter of your life. We hope you carry us along with you on your journey in your heart, and we hope to have lunch dates where you can tell us all about your new adventures.

 

Here's to another great school year 

that is in the books!

Have a great Summer ya'll! 

 

Two Hoots and A Holler

Hoot #1

It is getting close to the end of the year, and we have spent well over 100 days together.  As with any family, we sometimes forget how important it is to always be kind and love one another...no matter what!  You teachers know what I am talking about...this time of year stress levels are high, emotions are all over the place, everyone is tired...and by everyone I mean teachers and students!  Well, that has been my class lately.  I have had to begin teaching kindness and character education lessons to help them remember the importance of being kind.  I have used a lot of videos and songs from YouTube to help my students with this.  I began a kindness chart in class.  I give students a check by their name when they are caught being kind.  Once they receive 6 checks (on check for each letter in "Be Kind"), they will choose a reward.  We have learned multiple ways to be kind, and they understand that they have to be "caught" being kind (they just can't tell me).  Some days are really hard, and there is a lot of whining, arguing, tattling, and disobeying in class.  On those days, I take a washable marker and draw a heart on each kid's hand.  This heart is to help remind them to always be kind.  The students love having the hearts on the hands!  They don't even want to wash their hands...so be prepared to redraw hearts! (Because we definitely want them to wash their hands...you fellow kinder teachers out there know what I mean!)  One of the most important goals for my students is to be a successful citizen in society.  Understanding kindness and showing kindness, even when we think someone doesn't deserve it, will help them achieve this goal.  I challenge each of you to try a little kindness challenge in your classroom!  It feels good to make someone smile!  A little kindness goes a LONG way!!!  

BE KIND AND PAY IT FORWARD! 

Hoot #2

We are 5 days away from meeting our chicks. We have studied all of the things that the chicks are currently doing inside the shell as we wait for their arrival. We have also been learning everything that it will take to care for them. One of the things that we learned was the body parts of a chick. We did a fun activity of tear art to reinforce labeling. The kids had a blast!

This Week's Holler...

This week's holler goes out to Elizabeth at Kickin' It In Kindergarten. I don't know about you, but right now, our class is all about word problems! We are loving Elizabeth's Wednesday Words Problems. She has them for the whole year. Hop over and check it out!

Two Hoots and A Holler

Hoot #1

WE HAVE CHICKS!! This has been a wonderful experience for the children (and us too)! This week the students have ran to the incubator every time they hear a noise. The first chick that hatched was honored by the name Rockstar Jitterbug. He is spunky and loves to jump right in your hand to cuddle.

The students reaction to our new friend was priceless!

Derek was so excited, he made his very own chick at home and brought it to schoool! JaVaughn loved it so much that he begged me to take a picture of him standing next to Derek's chick!

Hoot #2
The end of the year is near, and testing season has begun!  Kindergarten students have already taken their state test, and we are SO proud of how much each student has grown this year!  In order to keep things as normal as possible during this busy time of year, we have to get creative!  Students love technology, so we use that as a reward daily for growth and behavior.  They have worked so hard this year, and they deserve a little break from the norm.  They are allowed to have free time on the computers and tablets, which means they do not have to do a certain program picked by the teacher.  This has been the best reward EVER! They share and work together so well!

 

This Week's Holler...
Hop on over to check out The Kindergarten Connection!  This blog has a team of wonderful people, each with their own specific job to help make this blog full of creative and fun learning activities!  One of our favorite reads from this blog was the Mother's Day activities since Mother's Day is just right around the corner.  They also have lots of items for sale on Teachers Pay Teachers.  Several have already been put on our wish list!  Be sure to check them out and follow them!  You will be glad you did!