We're not cupcakes!

There is a two word phrase that I hate! Can you guess what it is? 

"I'm done!" 

So on the 6th day of school I said to them "You're not cupcakes!" And the looks I got were priceless! 

So I explained to them the cupcake story. 

I asked, "When you bake cupcakes, how do you when they're done?"

In which they replied, "The timer dings!" 

So I asked, "Are you guys cupcakes?" 

I got a big "NOOOO!"

Then I was able to explain to them, "if you're not cupcakes, then I don't need to know when you're done, right? When you say 'I'm done!' All I hear is a oven timer dinging. "

For the rest of the day, if anyone said "I'm done!" I looked at them and said "you're not cupcakes, I don't need to know when your done. " 

Today, while in centers. One group finished before we were ready to switch. I overheard them saying "but we're not cupcakes! She doesn't need to know that we are done. Maybe we should do something quiet until we switch." 

Yes!!!!! I'm so proud of these kids so far!! They've done such a wonderful job! 

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Journeys - Kindergarten - Lesson 3

Lesson 3 is completed! Now that the students are learning a few sight words, I added in some new fun activities! I hope you enjoy!

Visit my TPT store to grab these! Or go directly there using this link.

Math Journal Prompts

I've been so focused on the new Journeys ELA program, that I've kept putting off writing the prompts for my math journals. Well, I decided this weekend that I couldn't put them off any longer. While my step-son was playing some Minecraft on his Xbox, which I guess some big stuff just happened to that game, I decided to write... write and write!!

And well, I only came up with 54 prompts. But, I'm thinking that's pretty good for now! I don't know how quickly my students will pick up on them. There may be some who need these beginning of the year type of prompts longer than the others, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!

There are 2 different prompts per page, with 10 prompts of the same. I know some classes are larger than 10, and all you'll have to do is print each page twice. For someone like myself, who's class will probably be no larger than 8 children.. making 20-30 prompts per page was a waste of paper!

I put a primary journal on my school supply list. The kind with drawing space at the top and writing on the bottom. Like the Mead Primary Journal below. This is what I plan on using as our Math Journal.

I may put something nice on the front, but I don't know. I think it'll be fine leaving it just the way it is.

The students will glue their journal prompt on the lined part of their page, and they'll draw on the top half. Later on with the prompts, i'll have them write simple math equations to represent what the prompt is saying. Once the school year gets going, i've only allowed a 15 minute space for Math Journals... I still don't know if this is something we can accomplish in this amount of time! We shall see!

For now, enjoy the beginning of the year Math Journal Prompts!! You can get them at my TPT store!

Chevron Behavior Clip Chart and Calendar Recording Sheets

Okay, so I already have a clip chart. It's up and ready to go... but I was just given the greatest idea on how to record the behavior by a great friend! So, of course I had to make it! After I made the calendar pages, I just quickly added in the clip chart for anyone who does not have one. Just to be safe. :)

So this is how it works. My students will have a plastic 3-prong folder that they will use as their take home folder. In the middle, I will place a plastic page protector which will be for their weekly newsletter and their calendar behavior recording sheet.

At the end of the day, they will take their take home folder, open it up and grab the calendar. Which ever color their clip is on, they'll color that square. If the student is below the green "ready to learn" color, I will add a reason why.... which is where the 10 different pre-made reasons are already there! So all I have to do is put a number down! That is, unless the reason isn't on there. Then i'll put a 10, and write on the back of the sheet the reason along with the date.

This is a perfect way to keep track of their behavior for a month, and the reasons why! That way the parents and I can try our best to fix them.

Pretty great! Right? Well I hope so. I know sometimes the best laid plans never work. So let's hope!

Anyways. You can get these calendar recording sheets and the clip chart at my TPT store! Happy shopping!

Could I be overwhelming myself?

I am not only a Kindergarten teacher, a wife and a step-mom... but I'm also a Thirty-one consultant. As I was working on some lesson for my class, an email came through from Thirty-one.

I had already decided, being a first year teacher, that I will not take many parties in September. However. I might have to change my mind about that one!

DOUBLE HOSTESS CREDITS!! Plus it's an amazing special that includes the perfect teacher bag.. the organizing utility tote.

So I just might have to push to book more parties in September! I really hope I don't burn myself out. Someone tell me it wont be that bad!

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Journeys - Kindergarten - Lesson 2

I wish I could say I've been working hard on setting up my classroom and such since the last time I posted, or at least busy relaxing. But I've been busy doing other things! Family reunions, watching my nephews, yard work... and 7th year wedding anniversaries! ;) I guess that day was pretty nice and relaxing!

Anywho, I finished Lesson 2's supplemental materials! My stations are ahead of the game luckily! If I finish Lesson 3's, all of Septembers ELA centers will be completed! Well, besides the printing and laminating part of it all.

I added a few more fun items to this packet. I hope you enjoy!

Visit my TPT store to grab these! Or go directly there using this link.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Journeys - Kindergarten - Lesson 1

The first lesson supplemental materials of Journeys is completed!! Unlike the "Welcome To Kindergarten" section, this one has 6 different stations. The rhyming station can also be completed as a whole group activity, but it needs to be teacher run. Unless you have some VERY high flyers. Then challenge them with it!!

Enjoy!! You can get it here!