independent reading time

As Kindergarteners learn how to independently read, it is hard to keep them engaged in reading for periods of time.  So I present to you...

...Dress Up Reading! The sample pictures show two of my favorites; wearing a reading hat and using a pointer.  

Reading Hats
I've been incredibly lucky at the Target $1 Spot to find different themed headbands or hats having to do with our theme, season, or holiday.  If do Reading Hat day, I often assign a student to pass around half as many hats as there are students to peers they believe are making good readers choices.

Reading Pointers
Are just plastic drink stirrers!  They are sold everywhere, but the most festive and durable ones I have found have been from World Market for $2.99 (about 20 in the pack.) I also love this as a tool for me to track my students' reading during small-group reading center.  You know how some of them love to get away with just repeating the pattern from previous pages! This way I know which exact word they are reading.

who made this?

for my first idea post, i'm going to highlight something i've been using for years... picture clips.  i use the 3M strips to attach a laundry clip with picture of each student.  my private school requires a parent drop-off so during these precious 2 minutes they are in the classroom they enjoy looking straight to their child's picture to see what kind of great artwork they have accomplished during the week.

confession: i live vicariously through my kindergarteners

confession: i live vicariously through my kindergarteners.

i am an ordinary girl, as much as i hate to admit it.  i am so lucky in my life, i have wonderful parents, amazing sisters, a dog who turned me into a "dog person," and a husband who makes sure my life is never boring.  however, life as a late 20-something living in the 'burbs of atlanta isn't always fast-paced.

i am so happy when i'm teaching kindergarten,  i love it's chaos, humor, and unpredictability.  i wish i had as much sheer joy and amazement as the 5 year olds in my class do every day. they are so positive and filled with excitement.  i am constantly blown away how they have the ability to take constructive criticism from a teacher or a classmate and just bounce back like nothing happened.

i am so excited to start this blog about teaching kindergarten, i've had 5 years of teaching experience and a very messy home office that validates i have oodles of ideas to share with the teaching community.  

here i am!!!