Reading Stamina Goal

They Did It!

It didn't take long for this group of fantastic readers to reach our Daily Five "Read to Self" stamina goal!  It is so important that during Daily Five, the munchkins are able to sustain 10 minutes of quiet, on task reading to themselves.  We have been practicing the past week on reaching that goal.  We've recorded our progress each day on a special "Read-o-Meter" graph (a self-modified version of the one found here.) 

Well...

Today we reached our goal!

10 whole minutes without interruption or lack of focus!!

10 whole minutes without talking or using the restroom!!

10 whole minutes without leaving our chosen reading spots!!

10 whole minutes!!

And to celebrate, the munchkins were awarded a popcorn party!

Great job, Munchkins!

Until next time,

Giggles,

Mrs. D.

Introducing Daily Five

Reading to Self

Our Kindergarten classroom utilizes the reading strategies of the "Daily Five".  These strategies focus on five important components:

Listening to Reading

Reading to Self

Reading to a Partner

Working With Words

Writing Words

This week, the munchkins learned all about the books in our classroom library and how to use them.  They learned to choose them wisely, care for them and put them away properly.  They also received a special tote bag just for storing those they have chosen for their "Reading to Self" time.

After several days of practice using the books, the munchkins learned that during their "Reading to Self" time, they could read just about anywhere in our room (as long as they weren't hanging from the ceiling).  During our first "Reading to Self" practice, we had munchkins reading books everywhere!

Some read at their seats...

Some read to Jesus...

Some preferred the cushy library chairs...

Or the sharing chair...

Some liked a spot on the rug...

Some found a special corner...

Or hid in a private spot behind the pocket chart...

And some even got under the table!

And it all meant one thing...

Reading to yourself can be FUN!

Until next time...

Giggles,

Mrs. D.

Our First Feast Day

The Queenship of Mary

What a great way to start learning the feasts of our beautiful liturgical year!  Today we celebrated the Queenship of Mary.

(Thanks to Charlotte for the beautiful coloring image.)

We ended our mid-week activities with an end-of-the-day snack to represent Mary on the clouds of heaven.  This was a quick and easy first recipe of the year, but the munchkins enjoyed placing their teddy graham Mary in the center of the donut cloud and sprinkling it with heavenly Marian blue sprinkles.  Of course, they loved eating it even more!

I'm sure it's the start of another year of wonderful Wednesday afternoon recipes and yummy fun!

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Our Mother ~ Pray for Us!

Until next time...

Giggles,

Mrs. D.

Discoveries

Learning to Play

and

Playing to Learn

The first week in our classroom is a fabulous time of discovering all the new toys and tools for learning.  There are so many new experiences!

Math Manipulatives

Rug Toys

Science Tubs

Cutting Trays

Pouring and Transferring Tools

So much to play with...So much to learn!

Until next time...

Giggles,

Mrs. D.



Getting to Know Each Other

Paper Plate People

Our first week together is filled with all sorts of fun ways to learn about ourselves and our new friends so our paper plate people are always a huge success.  It's so funny how these cute projects always truly seem to look like their owners!

Our Paper Plate Munchkins!

Until next time...

Giggles,

Mrs. D.

Welcome Munchkins!

Our New Crew

A great big welcome to all our new munchkins!  We're so happy to have you as part of our St. Mary's Family!

It's going to be a great year!

Until next time...

Giggles,

Mrs. D.



It's That Time Again!

Ready, Set, Go!

We're all set for another fantastic year in our NEW ROOM! 

Our first day of school is Thursday, August 16.  The school bell rings at 8:00 and I can't wait to see the bright and shiny new faces of my Kindergarten Munchkins for the 2012 - 2013 school year. 

This year, we are having a special day-before-school "Unpack Your Sack" day.  All my munchkins (Mom & Dad too) are welcome to stop by and see our new room, drop off school supplies and ease all those "first day" jitters.  I will be in the room from noon until 5:00 on Wednesday, August 15 to meet and greet, so please stop in and see me. 

On Thursday morning, I will be outside on the playground to gather all my cuties for the walking program and bring them to the classroom as a group. Parents may drop off students between 7:30 and 8:00 at the north entrance.  Parents are also welcome to come to the classroom for one last picture before we begin our day, but please don't plan to linger.  The sooner we begin our normal routine, the more secure the munchkins feel. 

One other new thing to consider this year...LUNCH!

Our first day is a full day, so please remember to purchase lunch cards or send a boxed lunch for your munchkin.  If you have any questions about the process, please contact me:

stm_k@mtco.com

Can't wait to see you all!

Until Thursday...

Giggles,

Mrs. D.