The most successful classrooms are rooted in strong relationships. Before students can maintain healthy relationships with each other- they must be taught. I strive to make students feel seen, heard, and appreciated daily- pushing them to do the same with each other.
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affirmations.movAttendance and Affirmations
Attendance and Affirmations
Students look to the teacher to set the tone in the morning- making our first interactions imperative to the rest of our day. I take attendance by saying, "Goodmorning, _____!" to each student so they start their day knowing that I am excited to see them. This is followed by asking what we do first thing in the morning- love on yourself! We do our affirmations daily to help them remember all of these things about not only themselves, but the peers next to them. After we have learned them all- I begin choosing a student to lead them!
Morning Chit Chat
Morning Chit Chat
Immediately after our morning affirmations- we will do our morning chit chat! This is a fun way to practice various skills such as letter sounds, capitalization, reading, rhyming, addition, subtraction, etc- but the best part is at the very end! The "chit chat" question changes daily and can range from asking what is heavier than a giraffe to your favorite food. Students are able to start their days sharing their opinions in discussion with peers before a few "lucky ducks" are pulled from the jar to share their answers with the whole class!
Star Student
Star Student
Students love to tell each other about their interests, families, talents, and favorite things! Every week we will choose a student who has been doing a fantastic job to be our star student! After texting home to be sure their grown up is okay with it, I send home a poster to decorate. They bring it back on Monday and present it during snack before hanging it on the wall for the week! This has been a great way to help students identify shared interests and form relationships- especially if they are more shy!
Birthdays!
Birthdays!
Birthdays are a big deal when you're this little! Everyone gets to write their birthday on our display, but then we get to celebrate together! Students arrive to their "special birthday seat" before getting a hat and filling out their birthday sign! They love sharing their wish with the class. We sing happy birthday and will make a card that all their classmates get to sign!
Beginning ELA Units
Beginning ELA Units
It can be very difficult for kids to adjust to starting kindergarten as they attempt to not only learn curriculum, but how to simply be a student! To help ease some of their stress- the first 3 ELA units are about themselves, their families, and how to make friends. They feel more comfortable as they get to share about themselves the first week, the people closest to them the second, and form new connections the third. Friendship week is filled with read-alouds about how to make friends and accompanied by crafts and activities to practice making them!
Getting Involved!
Getting Involved!
I want my students to feel excited about learning, especially with one another. We will play the "math game" as part of our warm ups! They stand in a circle and take turns passing the microphone and saying the following number. Every group of 5 or 10 may sit until there is only one person left. They get their name written on the board as everyone cheers for them! We love practicing celebrating others' victories!
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