COLORS!

We are working on colors this week.  Today was primary color day!  I made play dough last night and today we got to mix it to see what happens.  Last year, I had them make a rainbow out of their play dough and we put it on a paper plate... it turned out super cute.  This year I just let them explore it.  I didn't take a pic though, wish I did. :(

I just found a post on Chalk Talk about science notebooks (journals) and it links to a totally fun mini lesson on mixing colors.  I am thinking about trying it tomorrow.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Ladybug drops of glue and cutting practice

At the beginning of the year, we like to start off with lessons on how to conserve glue and how to use scissors safely and correctly.  Mostly because we get a lot of friends that have never used these things before, but it also serves as a good review and good fine motor practice for other friends in class.

Ladybug drops of glue:

 The  ladybugs are made with red paint and the drops are made with clear glue mixed with black paint.  It's another fun way to practice making little dots of glue.  The "Little Dot of Glue" song is also glued on the page to help them remember a little dot holds a lot.

Cutting Practice:

For this project I drew 3 different lines on a sheet of construction paper.  One was straight, the other curvy, and the last zig zag.  They had to cut on the lines and then glue them on a another paper.  We talked about how to hold scissors and that they were kind of like a car and the line was the road.  We said that we need to go slow so that we could cut nicely just like a car needs to go slow on the road to stay in their lines (lanes).

The day is almost here...

I can't believe the first day of school is only a few days away.  We had Meet the Teacher last Thursday and I got to meet my new group of kiddos.  They are super sweet.  The few days before I had been feeling a little "off".  Well, after Meet the Teacher I went home to discover that I had a fever.  YIKES!!  I crawled into bed and slept until Friday morning.  I woke up and felt so much better --fever gone!  I think all the work and craziness of the week finally caught up with me and my body was saying that I need some rest. 

Here are some more pics of my classroom.

Notice that number 10 is missing?  It fell behind my white board.  :(

To avoid big glue messes...

Why not practice making little drops of glue.  After all, a little dot of glue holds a lot.

At the beginning of the year we teach the kiddos a song and show them how to conserve glue by just making little dots.  I just redid the glue practice sheet.  Click on the picture to get yours.  Each child practices placing one little dot on each circle they see.  It is good fine motor practice as well.

 

 Once they learn the song, don't be surprised if when you are working on another gluing activity someone will start it and they will all sing along.  Click on the pic for the song.

 

A little dot of glue holds a lot!!

We also have another activity called ladybug drops of glue.  More on that one later when we get the kids.  They don't start till next week.  I was just redoing some first week activities.

**OH - Just found these TOP SECRET GLUING TECHNIQUES ON TPT!!!  IT'S FREE!!!!

 

Click here

 

Frog classrooom theme

The past few years I have had a frog themed classroom.  It seems as though each year I accumulate more and more treasures.  I just love it!

Here are some of my treasures that I use in my reading center. 

This is last years picture...somehow the one I took this year has been deleted.  The chair on the right is an unfinished chair from Joanne Fabrics.  The one on the left I found at a dollar store.  (Not sure which one- maybe Dollar Tree) My talented sister painted the one on the right.  I probably could have done it, but I don't have the time or the energy and it might not have turned out as cute as it did.  Right now the chair is in my daughter's play room.  (I take it home during the summer so that it doesn't get scratched or nicked during moving and cleaning time.)  She's almost 10 months old and she loves to sit in it and then get out again.  I may have to get her one now...how am I going to sneak it back to school?

K Crew BUZZ Book on SALE - TODAY ONLY!

I ventured into blog land to discover something fabulous!

The K Crew is having a sale!  

One thing I love doing is a morning message, K Crew does the Buzz Book, which is pretty much the same thing with a little spin.  WELL, they are having a Friday sale and the E Book is selling for $5.  Yep, $5!  It regularly sells for $50!  Can you believe this deal.  I just snatched mine.  Pick yours up here: