Peace, Love, Kindergarten

There are a million and one things happening in our class right now! It is so exciting! I decided to split up some of the posts, primarily because I only have pictures at the moment for a few different things we're working on... (who wants to read a picture-less blog??)

First of all, I am in.serious.love. with this activity we did to round off our discussion on rules. I'm a little bit of an out of the box thinker when it comes to basically everything. Thankfully, my kiddos seem to be understanding my never quite direct approach to topics!! When I hear "rules" I immediately think of "peace" (out of the box I tell ya) So instead of preaching rules over and over we discussed, shared, and read stories about peace, peacefulness, what peace means to us, and how we can spread peace.

Here's a precious list we came up with on what peace is to us...

I wrote the "watching football in the fall" one...counting down the days for Texas Tech's first game this weekend! (Parent's don't worry I will won't try to brainwash your child into becoming a huge Red Raider fan!)

When the hand picture was complete, someone asked why their names weren't on it and another students said "It doesn't matter, we're all the same" ...BINGO! Mission accomplished! (Have I mentioned how much I love this job??)

Have a *PEACEFUL* evening!

Friday, Friday, Friday

We made it!! One week down and lots left! We had an amazing first week! Throughout the week we had more students join our class...we are now up to 21 from 18. Hopefully, we are pretty set with our numbers now.

Today after days of wondering when "we get to play" our class earned P.A.T. (preferred activity time) At the end of each Friday we can choose basically any activity in the classroom as long as we continue to follow class rules and stay in control, it is our choice. P.A.T. has to be earned. If students choose to play while they should be working they will have to work to finish their things while others are playing. This week we definitely earned every second of it! I don't think this class will have a problem with that!

Here are some pictures of our class enjoying P.A.T

The first week of kinder was a HUGE success, very few tears were shed (and not one of them were mine, ha)! Although, I am looking forward to a little R & R this weekend. :)

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend relaxing and enjoying family time!

We're off to great places!

We dove right into our daily routine and I've held nothing back! Everyone is keeping up and having fun (it seems they are anyway!)

We have been introduced to "word work". This is part of our morning routine. We can choose from lots of different options which makes working on words extra fun! Right now we're working on words we find around the room but soon we will have a "ring of words" which I will explain in more depth very soon (my absolute favorite and most beneficial part of our day).

Today we got our book boxes. We are learning how to pick "good fit" books to keep in our boxes while we read. This week we are working on reading to ourself but soon we will also be reading with a buddy and listening to reading (on computers and books on cd/tape). We will keep all our "good fit" books in our baskets but right now we have books with simple text and other fun books we've picked.

In math, we've done some graphing and started math stations. We are free exploring with different manipulatives. I am amazed at how creative everyone is being and how great everyone is planning and working together. I quote: "Let's do this as a team, ok?" ....music to a teacher's ears!

We also started calendar. For the first few weeks I will be helping but soon, the leader and tail leader will be in complete control. It's actually quite amazing to watch once we've gotten in some practice. What can be better than students teaching students??

Yesterday we came up with a set of class rules together. I think the most important one is "treating others as you want to be treated".

I don't want to jinx anthing but my class this year is sooo quiet!! I can't even believe how everyone has adjusted so quickly. I am so lucky to have an entire class of students ready to learn. We are off to an incredible start!

'twas the night before kindergarten

At kinder camp on Thursday I read a story "The Kissing Hand" with my new precious class. If you aren't familiar with this story it's about a little raccoon who is starting school for the first time. He's nervous and sad to be leaving his mom. I love this story and alway get a little teary eyed while reading it. (Mostly because I know the first day of kindergarten is way harder on the parents than their kids)

As nervous as some of my new Kinders are, I guarantee I am more nervous. A first impression is worth everything, I want my kids (class of 2024 by the way!) to gain a love of learning this year that will never leave them.

My promise to you, my parents, is to give it my all to make your child's first real experience with school a positive one.

I am SO excited to start a new year tomorrow! Silly songs, fun stories, hands on games/activities/projects...bring it on!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, it's only a day away! Can't wait!



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Kinder Camp

Let your imagination run WILD in Ms. Landin's class!







Today is Kinder Camp at CWE, the first day I officially meet my new Kinder babies!



can.not.wait.



Kinder camp is one of my favorite moments of the year. From the second their name is called to line up with me in the cafeteria I can already begin to see each little personality...SO fun!



I am so excited to be tweaking a few things in my classroom. I know it is going to be a great year!

NEW YEAR!

I am so excited about a new year in Kindergarten! My class is ready a constant work in progress and we are all set for a fantastic, super fun year!



I am anxiously awaiting my class list and can't wait to meet all my new kinder babies!



My goal is to keep updated on all our K-6 happenings....hopefully that will happen, but don't hold me to it just yet!