Day 9: Snow Angels

Day 9: Trixie didn't think it was fair that it was snowing outside but not in the classroom so she decided to add a little white salt to our classroom. She made a snow angel to show the kids she can have fun too!

Day 8: Fishin'

Day 8: Trixie had no luck fishing in the classroom sink...I think next time she should look for real gold fish. ;)

Bad Case of Stripes

Another activity we completed towards the beginning of the year to teach the students about cause and effect went along with the story "The Bad Case of Stripes".  We read the book first then discussed all the different ways the author displayed cause and effect. The students then wrote their summarized version of the story including examples of cause and effect.

Elmer and Wilbur

We created our own page for the Elmer and Wilbur story. I first read Elmer and Wilbur to the students to introduce them to the creative backgrounds found in the book. I told the students to look for unusual plants and trees, the use of color, and size of the objects. After we read the story, the students used oil pastels to create a pattern for Elmer and Wilbur. Then they used water colors to create a fun background for Elmer and Wilbur to be placed in. 

Amelia Bedelia: Cause and Effect

Two weeks ago in our reading textbook we were talking about cause and effect. We read a few books about Amelia Bedelia to show how she was always told to do something but misunderstood what was being told to her. These books had amazing examples to help students learn about cause and effect. At the end of the week, we put on a play for the kindergarten class along with the other second grade class. Each student had their own piece to participate in the play. We ended up having to have two groups being their wasn't enough parts for just one play. The students enjoyed acting their characters out and performing in front of others.
Here are a few pictures I took while they were performing:

Day 7: Peek-A-Boo!

Day 7: The kiddos found Trixie hiding in our library basket. Trixie forgot to hide her arms and legs from the kids. ;)

Day 6: Sleepy Little Elf

Day 6: Trixie was a little sleepy from the weekend off from school. The students found Trixie still tucked into bed.

Day 5: Board Game Party

Day 5: Trixie had a few friends over during the night to play some board games!

Day 4: Pencil Helper

Day 4: Trixie left the students clues found on the classroom board this morning. The clues were printed on construction paper that was shaped into a pencil. It also had words that describes a pencil typed on the paper. The students ended up finding Trixie sharpening the extra pencils. She helped out pencil sharpener helper out last night. ;) Trixie even left us a little note written with pencils.

Day 3: Naughty or Nice

Day 3: Have you been Naughty or Nice
Trixie the Elf thought she was funny by moving the behavior clips to Parent Contact. Trixie wrote the students a little note telling them to be on their best behavior so they can make their way back up the chart. If they make it to the top at the end of the day, they will get a treat from Trixie.

 

 

Day 2: Decorate the Tree

 Day 2: Trixie had a little fun in our classroom during the night. This morning when the students walked into the classroom, they found two notes for Trixie. The students spotted Trixie in the classroom tree. Our classroom tree was semi-decorated with ornaments and toilet paper. The note told the students about her adventure last night. Trixie asked the students to decorate the tree in their spare time. The students enjoyed finishing the job Trixie had started. 

Day 1: Elf in the Classroom

Day 1: The students were introduced to Elf on the Shelf. I read the book "Elf on the Shelf" and discussed classroom rules that go along with our elf. We ended up voting on a name for our Elf right after we read the book and talked about the rules. We decided to call our Elf Trixie! During the day, Trixie watched the students learn. 

Classroom Helpers

In our classroom, everyone is entitled a job for a whole week. I have the jobs typed on fun paper with a pocket folder stapled to it. I wrote numbers on popsicle sticks to correspond to the alphabetical order of students in our classroom. Each child has a job for a week then at the beginning of the next week we switch jobs. Giving everyone a job holds the students accountable to responsibilities in the classroom. This has seem to work fantastic in our classroom!

Take Home Readers

Every week I send home a "Take-Home Reader" for the students to read to their parents. It is due back every Thursday with a parent  signature on their "Take-Home Reader Folder". When it is signed and brought back on Thursday they receive a sticker to add to their chart to keep track of their reading progress. After six stickers they receive a Pizza Ranch Coupon. So exciting for kids! 

Daily 5

Recently, I introduced the Daily 5 to the students in my classroom. Although we are still working on getting the Daily 5 to fit in our schedule, we enjoy it  when we are able to fit it in. We LOVE it! The Daily 5 allows me to get more one-on-one with my students to improve areas of weakness. As of right now we complete: word work, work on writing, read to someone, read to self, and listen to reading.

The students use the Daily 5 rotation cards to pick their centers. The students begin at the top and work their way down the card. These are nice to remind students where they should be going after each center.

Halloween Party

Our Halloween Party started with making our Frankenstein pudding. All of the students were able to participate in preparing, adding, and mixing ingredients. We used four instant vanilla pudding packets, green food coloring, and crushed Oreos. I purchased clear punch cups then decorated them with Frankenstein faces using permanent markers. The student's enjoyed this yummy morning snack.

We also brewed up some Witches Trail Mix. This included: Corn Chex cereal, Reece's Pieces, Raisins, Candy Corn, and Peanuts. This was a good lesson to teach students how to read a recipe and learn their measuring cups.

Later in the day, we played many exciting games and danced to Halloween music.

Frankenstein Pudding

Frankenstein Pudding

Pumpkin Bowling

Spider Addition

Witches Toss

Mummy Contest