Reading Strategies with Beanie Babies

I am not sure of the originator of the Beanie Baby Reading Strategies, but I have always loved using them with kinder kids.  I created my own set that we have already started utilizing in small group instruction.

This bulletin is set up near my reading table so that my cuties can always see it, but I also created a smaller set to help each group as needed with their strategies.

These smaller ones are attached to a mini poster that says "Our Reading Strategies" so that student groups know which strategies to focus on.

Each group has a min poster and a set of strategies.  I attach their poster to my small group easel when that group comes to my table.

I also wrote a note to families about each strategy.  I only send home the strategy a group is working on with those students.  These notes help families understand how to help their child with their reading at home.

You can grab this pack in my little store for only $3. 

Number Formation

Helping kinders print numbers correctly is stinkin' hard!  I was determined to figure out a way to print numbers correctly and I read on another blog (though I cannot remember which one) about having students imagine the numbers are lined up to walk through a door.  All of the numbers face the door like good little numbers do, except for the naughty numbers - numbers 5 and 6.  I created this little chart to help my kinders see that image of the good little numbers and the naughty numbers.

We have been practicing that correct formation with activities from my Seasonal Number Activities for Fall unit and one of my cuties actually drew a door to remember the direction that number 3 faces!  I love these little friends!

It's nothing fancy, but here is my number chart if you want it and if you know where this idea originated form, please leave me a comment and I will add it to this post.

Quiet Critters

I found a pin recently about Quiet Critters and thought I would try them out with my 21 little friends.  Quiet Critters are simply pom pom balls that sit with students who are working quietly during any independent practice time.  I keep them in this container and place them on table while students are working.  The rules for the Quiet Critters are to keep working quietly, but you can pet their heads or give them hugs. 

I found my Quiet Critters already assembled at Michael's craft store in packs of 16 for only $2.99.  You could also make them by hot gluing google eyes onto poms. 

Writer's Workshop Freebies and Fun!

Happy Monday!  Today was the first day that I felt we "got" writer's workshop.  All of us kinder teachers know what a success it is when our little kinders {finally}understand the routines we are setting. 

The first routine that was set in place was understanding what a writing folder is.  I started by showing my writing folder - a giant version of my students' folders.

The green dot side means that writing piece still has some work to do and the red dot means that writing piece is complete.

Another routine that's been set in place is writing partnerships and a conferring schedule.  

My conferring schedule is set up so that I meet with 2 partner groups a day.  On the schedule the partner groups are placed together so that I can easily see who is partnered together.

I use my conferring toolkit ALL THE TIME for my emergent writers.

This is my dedication stamp that is used when we publish.  We are a
L   O   N   G
way off from publishing, but it stays in my conferring toolkit for when we do publish.

In our partnerships, we have writer's toolboxes to share.

These stay stored on a shelf and each partner group grabs one as they make their way to their writing post (assigned spot for that partnership).  Inside of the kit is an alphabet chart, eraser, and pencils.  Other things are added as the year goes on, but that's all for now.

My favorite part of writer's workshop is share time.  To decide who shares, I pass out Share Bears while students are working.  Any student who gets a Share Bear, gets to share their story with the whole class.

To help us with writing, my students learn the 3 ways to write.  I created this anchor chart to help my kiddos feel successful.  First we started writing with pictures, then moved into labeling.  That is where we are now, but soon we will begin writing with words and creating sentences.  You can get the wording and title here for free!

We also have differentiated writing paper that is located in this paper tray.  All of my students are listed on the chart next to the tray with a dot beside their name.  The dot indicates which tray to get paper from based on writing needs.

So many routines after 15 short days lead to young, emergent writers who are labeling and understanding what on Earth is going on... Sprinkles to Kindergarten!!!

Oceans of Fun with Oriental Trading Goodies!

Happy Monday!  I cannot believe My littles just completed day 10!  What a world of difference 10 days makes in little kinders!  Wow!  All I can say is, wow!

Well, down the hall from my kinders is my best friend who teaches 3rd grade in a ocean-filled classroom.  She has been enjoying some goodies that were generously provided by Oriental Trading for her reading corner.

Oriental Trading's Reading Corners are a great way to have a themed reading area.  Take a look at some of these other themes from Oriental Trading:

There are so many more!  Click HERE to visit Oriental Trading and see all of the Reading Corners themes!