Chrome Book Charger Hack

 

This isn't my original idea.  Saw it on IG and had to try it.  Lifesaver!

I ordered a multipack of washi tape with several colors. The washi tape needs tape around it to keep it on.  My kindergartners needed zero help using this and now all the Chrome books are charged every day.  My only tip is not to put two similar colors next to one another. 

Go Away, Big Green Monster Craft

 

Every October, we read Go Away, Bug Green Monster by Ed Emberly. It is always such a hit with kindergartners.  After reading it, I model making my own monster and then give them the paper to make it.  They need very little guidance and it turns out great.  The beauty of this project is all level of learners can produce a great monster and it makes a great hallway display! 

Reading Raffle Program

I know kids should be intrinsically motivated to learn and do all the things we want them to do.

BUT, sometimes a little extrinsic motivation is justified, at least it has been in my 23 years of actual classroom practice. 

Starting in early October, I start a reading raffle incentive program to get kids to read at home more often.  It's a simple system:

I send a paper book home at each child's reading level with a raffle ticket.  (If kids don't know all their letters or how to sound out words, I start with letter or word lists). They practice at home and when they are fluent with the book, the parent/guardian signs the ticket and the student brings the book and raffle ticket back. I listen to a page or two, and put the raffle ticket in a basket. Then, that same day I send the next book.  Each day I pick five-ish tickets and those students spin a prize wheel.  They LOVE the prize wheel.  So do I! 

Pros to this program:

• The kids love it!
• I get a chance to listen to my kids read each morning and watch their confidence soar. It gives us a chance to talk about the book and I learn what they like about books.
• Most days I have at least 10 tickets returned.  That's 10 kids that read at home that day!  WIN!
• The parents are given the materials they need to work with their child.  Often it is hard for parents to find the right reading level for emerging readers.
• My kindergartners average a level DRA 15 by the end of the year. Many of my kids are confident, voracious, readers a year above grade level or more. 

Cons to this program:

• It is time consuming on the teacher side. But, if you get a good organizational system down, it is totally doable. 
• It takes a lot of time to set up your systems. 
• A subscription to readinga-z.com is the best way to get books for this program, and it is pricey for a year. I only subscribed for one year and made all the materials I needed. Luckily my school paid for my subscription. 

Organizing Tips:

• I keep tickets on my desk.  As kids come in and start unpacking, I have students come to me and read.  I make their new ticket right there.
• All the word lists and letter lists are paper clipped in folders, so we just open up the folder and they are right there. 
• Mini clothes pins are on the file for their current book.  I just grab the clothespin and move it up, grabbing the next book. 
• Since I have a para, we log when books are returned so we can keep track of anyone who hasn't been participating.  Sometimes parents lose the book and it's "out of sight, out of mind." If you don't have a para, a parent volunteer could do it.  If that is also not something you have available, you could have kids keep track, too.  Kids can do a lot more than we think.  Sometimes you just need to think outside the box. 

Resources:

My Reading Raffle Pack (includes tickets and word lists, plus parent information to help the parents succeed). $1.50 on TpT.

Reading a-z Website.  (Free trial is an option)

Prize Wheel (many to choose from on Amazon)

Happy Reading!!!!

October Journals

In October, I take journal writing up to a little more challenging level.

In September, I guide students word by word, using our word wall and short, phonetic words, to write a simple sentence. They learn so much in September from capitals, to periods, to spacing, to counting words. 

In October, I give them a sentence starter (with word wall words) and then they have to write the last word on their own.  I pick words in which we have learned at least the beginning and ending sounds for.  Some kids stop after the initial consonant.  Some kids have beginning and ending sounds, and some kids can do all sounds. 

I circulate giving feedback, and of course using Mr. Sketch scented markers to give a smiley face or star when I check it with specific feedback. The daily practice and feedback is crucial to helping our emerging writers feel confident! 

After about ten minutes, students share with a partner and give compliments to each other.  It's one of my favorite times of the school day. 

Leader in Me Leadership Notebooks

 

Our school is a Leader in Me school, which I LOVE.  We start our leadership notebooks in kindergarten one tab at a time.  First up is the "Myself" tab. One thing we will have the kids add is a monthly self portrait with name writing.

We put sheet protectors in three ring binders, then the students add their work. They were pretty excited about it!

Self Portraits available on my TpT store for $1.50. Click here!

Leadership Notebook Cover and Divider Pages are free on my TpT store.  Click here! 

All things Class Dojo

For years I was told, "Try Class Dojo!" But I didn't do it and I wish I did the first time I heard about it.

I love Dojo for two main reasons:

1. It is motivating for kids and so fun for them.  

2. It is an amazing parent communication tool.

What do I do with Dojo in my kindergarten class?

Kids get points for all sorts of things like working hard, kindness, and initiative.  Every Friday they can shop at the Dojo Store or save their points. (My Dojo store menu is below).  My Dojo store changes throughout the year to keep it exciting!  For example, I might grab a box of popsicles then add them to the store as a "flash sale." 

I do the Dojo store for my morning meeting activity.  Toward the end of the year, my students see how many points they have and determine what they can buy.  Awesome for number sense.

I DO take points away because I think it's important to be transparent with parents: it's not always positive in class.  I do this in private.  I add a note to it when possible, but not always.

I use random Dojo ALL THE TIME.  It is a great management tool. If you aren't familiar with it, it picks a kid at random.  If that kid is on task, ready, etc, I give them a point. I pick my student of the week with random Dojo.

I assign groups through the group maker.  Takes ten seconds.  You can pick how many kids per group and it automatically assigns them.

There are tons of other resources, but those are what I primarily use. 

How do I use it with parents?

I post a ton of pictures and videos on Dojo. It is easy and not time consuming at all. Parents love seeing glimpses into their child's classroom.  It builds stronger teacher-parent relationships.

I post a weekly parent video (I try to keep it under three minutes) with important things for parents. I pick very important topics or things that are easier to explain on a video.  Parents are very receptive to this and I get really positive feedback. For example, ahead of conferences I sent home their conference forms.  My video went over what each item was so I don't have to spend time at conferences explaining it, thus having more time to talk about the child specifically or the parent concerns. 

I print point reports periodically for parents to see how their child is doing with behavior.  This can also be a huge help to your school's MTSS/RtI process.