It's All Good....

There's nothing quite like teaching precious kindergarteners the essence of learning with Pete the Cat! I am IN LOVE with these books. Not only are they adorable, catchy, and down right perfect... they also teach amazing morals that the students can understand.

I had a blast reading the Pete the Cat books this week and using his songs to incorporate a fun colors theme. A teacher friend of mine owns the Pete the Cat Puppet and let us borrow him for the week!

We started the week with the original story, "Pete the Cat; I l Love My White Shoes." We took turns reading the pocket chart and matching the shoes to the color words. I got these adorable shoes from Alyssa Plummer. Thanks Alyssa! You can grab this freebie from here tpt store here. We even played a little hide'n'seek game with Pete later on in the week using her game pieces.

The kids loved 'reading' their color word book with Pete! Although this was a challenge for some of them, it was great practice to find the color word, write the color word, and color the picture to match. Click on the picture to take you to this freebie! Talk about following directions! AND YES, I had many friends color the page the wrong color or circle words that were no where near the right word, but it is all part of the learning.... or so I keep telling myself. And then we have to stop and 'smell the soup.' This saying comes from The Teeny Tiny Teacher, and if you have not read her blog yet.... you should. Click on the link to take you to her 'smell the soup' post. Her blog is medicine for the soul and will make you laugh out loud. Although you should probably wait to click on the link until finishing my blog... because once you read hers, you will be hooked... and my blog will then be a mere figment of your imagination. Forever.

Later in the week, we discussed writing in our journals. This is normally when you hear the, "But teacher I don't know how to write yet!!!" (in the most whiny, sincere voice) and quite possibly followed by tears. I then responded in my most excited teacher cheer that they can write! (while wearing my giant magic reading glasses because there is no talking while I'm wearing the glasses..) I explained that writing is simply drawing what you see in your brain. "Close your eyes and think of Pete the Cat," I say. "Can you see him?"

"YES!" They squeal!

So we began to look at the shapes used to draw Pete the Cat and I slowly used my sad, pathetic artistic ability to draw this cute guy. I have to say... I was impressed with myself. He is so cute. I also informed them that one way to write words is to label a picture. We barely touched the surface about labeling, because by now we've sat on the carpet for longer than a 5 year old can handle, but I'm hoping this will be a good start to lead into my labeling literacy center down the road.

LOVE HIM!



And this is where I would insert the picture of me using the Pete puppet... however, I will not. Because apparently I am allergic to something in our school and my eyes were too swollen and red to wear my contacts and feel human. Sigh.

Or maybe it's the 24 students who have already decided it is time to be sick. Nonetheless, we had a terrific week!

And as Pete would say, "It's All Good...."

Back to School!

It's official! We've been back in school for 8 days! I never thought we would make it that far, but we did! I have a class of 24 precious sweethearts this year. I have to say it has probably been the best beginning to a school year I've ever had... as I knock on wood while admitting this.

How is it that every year when school starts I forget how EXHAUSTING it is!? I mean, it feels as though my legs or feet will never be the same. Not to mention the relaxing pedicure that took place on the last day of summer feels nonexistent and only a figure of my imagination! Although I do feel my first day back to school this year was VERY GOOD, this pretty much sums it up....

 

 





I had a ton of fun using Deanna Jumps Names packet this past week! I highly recommend this packet to anyone for beginning back to school fun! We started the week with reading "The Wheels on the Bus." Oh, but not just once, not twice, but we read three different versions of this fun ditty! My awesome teacher friend across the hall had an adorable pop up version that not only made the kids giggle but myself included! Here's my teacher example! You never get too old to enjoy a craftivity here and there. (sorry it's sideways) oops.

This is the writing prompt that goes along with the pocket chart activity in this unit. Yes, that is indeed a green and pink floral carpet you see behind this picture. I was cutting things out at my grandma's house, because we all know that this time of year... or let's face it, all year long we are carrying around a bag of things to cut out! Oy.

Out of all of the cute name activities we did this past week, the self-portraits were by far my favorite!!! Look how cute they turned out! Mrs. Jump included the very helpful tip to go around the room while they are working on their hair, and write down a word on a post-it note that begins with the same letter as their names. The kids loved helping brainstorm words that begin with the same letter and yes... most of them make you laugh because they are so far off from what their names actually begin with. But, at least we get a nice chuckle out of it and will help us dance with joy weeks from now when the light bulb goes off and they get it.... we hope!

 

 

You can find the cute names packet by Mrs. Jump here.

 

 

I am excited about this upcoming week! On to colors and introducing Pete the Cat!

Have a great week!