Kindergarten Kiosk Blog

From memories from my own childhood, to memories I have made with my own children (and now grandchildren), to memories I have made with thousands of kindergarten children, celebrating the traditions of Thanksgiving will never get old.

I love having parent volunteers in the classroom. It creates such a sense of community and family when children are able to include their family member in the classroom! However, many parents are not able to come into the classroom. I have such a parent whose daughter really wanted her to come into the class, but who couldn't attend because of work. Fortunately, technology affords us many ways to include parents who might not be able to be a part of the classroom otherwise. Here are some ideas:

Reading is a complicated process that involves multiple points of understanding along the way that lead to the connection of text and understanding. These points of understanding include instruction in phonological awareness and phonics. 

Who doesn't love LEGOs? Well LEGO is getting even better because LEGO Education is introducing a new line of products, STEAM Learning! Although this product is labeled preschool, it is very appropriate for kindergarten students at well.

It's no secret that one of my favorite parts of the kindergarten classroom is the science center! This year I introduced it to my students through the concepts of magnification and magnifying tools. One of the first things I purchased for this center was a set of GIANTmicrobes. These fun stuffed plushies replicate the look of real microscopic organisms and cells. The children loved looking at these cute little critters under the microscope.

Introducing Unit Two of our "Math Through Play" series.

This math unit is developmentally appropriate and *classroom-tested for early learners. The lessons are geared for a typical Kindergarten classroom and can be easily adapted for Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, or any Homeschool setting.

Young children need to know alphabet letters and sounds; in fact, knowledge of the Alphabetic Principal is crucial for a young child to become a successful reader. The Alphabetic Principal is simply the idea that a letter or groups of letters represent a spoken sound. Once young children understand the letters and their predictable sound(s), they are able to apply that knowledge to the decoding of words.

Seriously! If you are not using ESGI, you are missing out! I began using this great program about 5 years ago. Within the first week, I was hooked! Gone was the need for my stacks of testing paper, gone was my home-made "Red, Yellow, Green" spreadsheet!

I have spend the last few days clapping syllables to the extent that I have even found myself breaking up words into parts at home! So why all the clapping? Syllables, or being able to hear the parts of words and the rhythm that makes up our oral and written language is a crucial beginning step in the learning to read process. I love using our easy to prepare lessons from our Learning to Read: Syllables Unit; I think you will love it to! We have recently updated and added to the product making it a complete syllable curriculum of four lessons for four weeks.

If you have not heard of Heidi Songs, you will LOVE what using her music will do for your early learning classroom. The Hexagon one is my favorites! This song is generally stuck in my brain at all times!

We've been working hard on our new Math Series, Math Through Play, and Unit 1: Counting and Cardinality is now available!

This math unit is developmentally appropriate and *classroom-tested for early learners (*We ONLY sell what we use successfully in our three kindergarten classrooms)!.

Are you looking for a great start to your school year?

These great cross-curricular thematic units are PACKED with activities. All of the lessons are scripted for easy lesson delivery! 238 pages of quality early childhood learning, and for the first time -- bundled for great savings!

What I've been using counting straws wrong?

Do you have a set of these small counting straws in your classroom calendar area? Do you dutifully add a straw to the pocket chart every day counting the days of school? Do you immediately bundle the straws into groups of ten on every tenth day and then a group of one hunderd on the hundredth day of school? That's what these straws are for isn't it?

So your new classroom is in a Portable Trailer. Take a look at how you can make yours home?

If you have yet to give ESGI a try, perhaps now is the time! Everyone that signs up for free 60-day trial will be entered to win one of ten $50 Amazon gift cards! Sign up now by using the promo code B7227 to save $40 at the time you turn that amazing trial into a subscription.

Teaching about colors is fun any time during the year! All children have some experience and level of understanding about color so it serves as a great anchor for young learners!