Two Hoots and A Holler

Hoot #1

As everyone knows, Fortnite is all the rage. If you have not used Phonicsman's Fortnite sight word song, you are missing out! My kids love it and beg to do it everyday.  You should definitely try it. He also has a great counting song to 100 song to the "Shoe."

Here is the link to Fortnite sight words.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJtjkn59CFo 

Here is the like for counting to 100.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ldilsh4_Gk 

 You are able to see the videos of the counting and sight words on our Facebook page.

Hoot #2

 For Christmas this past year, I asked for a karaoke machine with disco lights!  Of course, my parents thought I was crazy to ask for such a thing...but I knew 22 kinders who would absolutely LOVE it!  My favorite feature of this is that is syncs with my phone through bluetooth, and all of my alarms are loud.  Now transitions are easy because they know what the alarms mean.  My students love the microphone!  We sing and dance a lot in my class, so I ask students to lead the class in the songs that are being sung on the PowerPoint.  It may be leading the class to sing and spell sight words or count to 100.  What I have found by using this silly machine is that students are on their best behavior because they WANT to use the microphone.  I also have found that students focus and learn more so they can perform for their peers.  For instance, if a student is struggling to count to 100, then I will let them know that their turn will be coming up in the next few days.  They begin to listen and participate more eagerly, and when it is their turn to use the mic...they can do it!!!  

This just may be one of the best things I have ever bought for my class!! 

 

This Week's Holler...
This week's holler goes out to Phonicsman! You have made sight words, counting, and so many more things that we learn fun for students AND teachers!! Yes, we do the moves too!

Two Hoots and A Holler

Hoot #1

My class got to do an escape room at school!  With the help of our Title I teacher, it was a HUGE success!  The students were all engaged and had a blast!  It all started when the mad scientist hid clues to keep them from escaping and getting their prizes.  Students had to count objects and search for clues around the room as they worked in teams.  It was hilarious to watch their faces and hear the conversations that took place!  Before we began, I told them that they would be like detectives who had clues to find and a mystery to solve.  They insisted on bringing "spy glasses" with them on this adventure!  I was so proud of how well they worked together!  And every team escaped with 10 minutes to spare!!!  We can't wait to do another escape room!! 

 

Hoot #2
We are 100 days smarter! We created stations for the students to do. They each were given an exit ticket. As they finished one they simply moved on to the next.  We had an awesome day! These students have worked had and have really grown. You can see a video of all of the centers on our Facebook page.

Making a 100 Day snack

 Walking 100 steps

 Making 100 day trail mix

 building a tower with 100 cups

 Making our hat

We are 100 days smarter!!!

This Week's Holler...
This week's holler goes out to all of the teachers out there!! Everyone know that there is a teacher shortage. It is understandable. Daily, it seems, there are more and more demands being put on us on top of teaching our children. At times it can seem impossible, but you get up every morning and give it 100%. You make it happen for these kids. You stand strong for their rights as well as yours. You are a fighter. Keep fighting the good fight.

Two Hoots and A Holler

Hoot #1
This hoot is all about PUMPKINS!  We have read about them, learned about them, explored them, carved them, and picked them!  
First we read this book, then we guessed how many seeds we thought would be in our pumpkin. Our pumpkin had 681 seeds!!   

We cut open our pumpkin and pulled out all of the pulp and seeds.

We dug through the pulp to pick out the seeds.  
Then we counted out 20 pumpkin seeds to take home.  

We completed a pumpkin brace map after we explored and carved our pumpkin.  

The Rockstars voted, and they decided that their jack-o-lantern was going to have a scary face.
  I think they were happy with the end result!  

The next day, we were able to take our pumpkin unit further by attending a field trip to the farm.  Every student got to ride on a hay ride out to the pumpkin patch to pick their very own pumpkin to take home!!   

Hoot #2

This year our kindergarten team decided to go all out on Halloween!  It was SO much fun, and the kids loved the entire day!  Students and teachers got to dress up in a costume for Halloween!!  There was only one catch though...it had to be a book character costume!

We also had students from the middle school come and read to our class in costumes!

After reading Room on the Broom, students got to make Witch's Brew for snack!  They got to help mix the snack in the cauldron and make spooky noises to make sure it mixed just right!  There was dry ice under the cauldron, but it had stopped smoking before the picture was taken.  The dry ice was so cool!! 

Then we got to do a "potion" and see whose jack-o-lantern would make the most elephant toothpaste.  The Jitterbugs won!  On the count of 3, we all shouted "HOCUS POCUS" and watched our jack-o-lanterns erupt!  The students all "oooohhh'd" and "aaaahhhhh'd"!  It was AWESOME!  

A Spook-tacular day was had by all!!
Even heard one student say, "this is the best day ever!"

This Week's Holler...
This week's holler goes out to all of our kinder team! We all work hard (that goes without saying), but we also work very well together as a team! This year we decided to dress up as letters from Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. The students absolutely loved seeing their teachers dressed up, and even though they may not admit it...the teachers had fun dressing up too!