Educational creativity

Exploring words in a variety of ways will help children learn spelling and improve vocabulary.  I believe in a hands- on approach even when spelling words.  I plan on making word boxes using sight words I will show you as soon as they are finished.  I will be using the empty baby food containers and stickers and other letters.  Children will be able to put the words together using the outside word as an example.  I may also make a surprise word box when they start reading words a little better.  For now here are some really special ideas I would like to try this year.    Name work- provides letters so children can practice their names without worrying about correct letter formation.  These activities easily fit on a tray to encourage individual work. Word work - for older children Milk caps or bottle tops make a simple name game.  You can make each child a set and put it in a baggies with a label or just provide plent...

Sorry everyone if you were looking for Fingerplay Friday or any other fun posts.  I have been very busy this week.  I was given a classroom to set up in 2 days before kids came, and because of budget cuts, it was taken away.  So I am in the midst of cleaning up and back on the sub list again.  I am also preparing for a wedding my daughter and I will be attending, so I will try to get things back up and running soon.  Thanks for your support and all the wonderful comments.  

     I don't have a lot of experience with a specific writing curriculum, but I have acquired a lot of knowledge though observation, conferences, college classes, and reading.  I was very fortunate to have a really good language arts teacher in college.  She showed us how important real literature and writing go hand in hand to teach children to read and write.      Before a child is ready to write, Handwriting Without Tears , has shown that children progress in markings in a certain order.  First, side to side, then up and down, then a cross, then a circle, then a square, then a triangle.  This just states that diagonal writing is the hardest for little hands to make.  So, don't start writing with letter A.  When children start to assign meaning to their marks, then starts the real writing. I found this very neat worksheet somewhere and thought it was a good description for parents to look at.  I hang it up...

Eric Carle exibit in Japan.  Neat!  Check it out on his blog

Children get to explore numbers in a variety of forms.  Numeral to set These types of games are very simple to make.  Pick any theme.  Cut shapes or buy them already cut out.  Then find something that goes with the shape to use as counters.  I like using those shaped erasers you can buy at the dollar store. Here are butterflies cut from the ellison machine. I put numbers 1-10 on the front and 11-20 on the back just so higher level thinkers can have a challenge.  I have snowmen, cars, Christmas trees, hearts, and flowers.  Any little manipulative piece can be paired with a shape to make a thematic game. You can also buy store bought games and adapt them to your needs.  This game is cute but is too easy.  It is set up more like flash cards so that kids can count the number of M&M's on each card.  I use bowls or thought about making candy jars with the little M&M pieces. great number work This site has the cutest printab...

Some how I post my Fingerplay Friday post on Monday so here are some more for Friday Shadow I see my shadow and my shadow sees me. I waved to my shadow and my shadow waves to me. I run with my shadow and my shadow runs with me. I love my shadow and my shadow loves me. Ten, Two, and One I have 10 fingers, I have 10 toes, I have 2 ears and one little nose, I have 2 eyes, one mouth, one chin, I have one tongue that moves out and in. Number Rhyme 1,2 How do you do? 1,2,3 Clap with me. 1,2,3,4 Jump on the floor. 1,2,3,4,5 See the bees in the hive.

If you are interested in getting the kids attention try this. I've seen it called catch a bubble also. It does say it may stain, but I have not had any problems.  Parents are a little concerned when they see them in their hair, but they do wash out. Just blow (i do not let the kids do it), count to 10, then catch.

I love fingerplays and songs where the tune is familiar but the words are new.  Here's one. The Friendship Song (London Bridges) A friend is someone who is kind, who is kind, who is kind. A friend is someone who is kind, just like (child's name) A friend is someone who can help, who can help, who can help. A friend is someone who can help, just like (child's name) A friend is someone who can share, who can share, who can share. A friend is someone who can share, just like (child's name) A friend is someone you can trust, you can trust, you can trust. A friend is someone you can trust, just like (child's name) Finger People Finger people are such fun We will meet them one by one. First comes mother, (pointer finger) Next comes father, Ther is big brother, Here is sister with her ball Here is baby last of all Now we'll count them just to see How many in our family 1,2,3,4,5               ...

For those who saw my post on edible crayons and are planning to try it, here is a little more information. I told you I was planning to use a large block of candy instead of the chips.  This is because I live in a small town and that was all that was available.  Well, I have never made my own candy before so I assumed you could use food coloring to add color to the candy once melted.  When you read the directions, it says to use oil based coloring.  What is that?  Also something not available in this small town.  Here is where I got it.  Do not use regular food coloring.  It will ruin your candy.  Good luck creating. Wilton Candy

On Fridays, I will share with you the fingerplays and poems I have collected over the years.  Some I have used over and over.  Others I may use just for fun.  Others I have yet to use, but like them anyway. The Name Game Names are short (put your hands close together) Names are long (put your hands far away) Say your name and clap along Child's name, Child's name (clap sylables in child's name) Welcome Give a smile Give a cheer Let us know that you are here Child's name. The Name Clapping Game (BINGO) words by Steven Traugh I'll sing and clap with my new friend, And child's name is her name, oh! -----(say each letter in child's name_ ----- (repeat) ----- (repeat) And child's name is her name, Oh! 2 Little Hands (my favorite- I used it every day after we did calendar counting to get kids to sit down) 2 little hands go clap, clap, clap. (clap hands) 2 little feet go tap, tap, tap. (stomp feet) 2 little hands go thump, thump, thum...

     This one is for all those teacher's out there preparing for your days with your students.  How have you prepared for when you can not be in the classroom?  I know teachers do all they can to come to work day after day, but if you sprang your ankle, your child is sick, or your car wont start, do you have everything ready for someone who has never met your students to teach them.  Down here you only need a GED to substitute teach, so you may get a substitute teacher with varying experience when it comes to teaching.       Since I have yet to find a job teaching, I will be returning to substitute teaching this year.  Since I have a lot of experience being a substitute teacher, I thought I would share with you what I would want to see in your classroom.  1. Normalcy- The one thing I don't want to see is a day full of worksheets because you don't know if I can handle your class on a normal day.  Changing thi...

I Love this guy. Find out what he says that probably made his teachers cry.