Progress

People often ask me why I teach Kindergarten. There are a number of reasons-but one of my favorite things is watching my students grow over the course of 9 months. They grow socially and academically.

We write in my class every day. Usually we write in response to a story we've read. But we also keep writing journals where they can write about more free ideas. The first week of school we make a title page and we write usually several times per week. The students in Kinder are learning the fundamentals of writing. How to write left to right, make spaces between your words, sound out words to spell them. Here are a few examples of the growth we made this year. I have had upper grade teachers and admins criticize the writing I post on the bulletin boards. They need to work on their handwriting, where's the punctuation? But this is where my students begin and where they progress to in less than 200 days. I am very proud of them!

First week of school

May

October-not even writing on the lines, dictating the answer

Sounding out their words to finish the sentence

Beginning

May

Beginning

End of the year-sounding out the words-""I like to swing

                     

Just writing random letters in September

Writing in complete sentences in May.

Beginning of the year

End

Beginning of the year

September

May.

End of Year Reads for Inspiration

If you couldn't tell, I'm a little obsessed with books. I love finding new stories to share with my kiddos. I want to make them laugh, make them cry. I want to inspire them to be good people in life. So the choice of what to read to them the last week of school is always the hardest.

These are some titles I recommend for inspiration:

This is a book about advice parents are giving their child for life. I love to have the kids write their own life advice.

My students will be wonderful things, I want them to remember that. :)

Everyone encounters problems-what do you do when that happens?

I lecture my students often on including others. This is a great story about how a boy who felt invisible doesn't anymore because of the kindness of others.

Another book about simple kindnesses.

Cornelius was a master trash collector in New Orleans. It's a great story about being passionate about whatever you do.

A little tree growing and thriving can inspire others to do the same.

I hope everyone is enjoying their last few weeks with their kiddos! What books are you leaving your students with?

Graduation Advice

This time of year there are lots of great clips from keynote speakers at graduation ceremonies with inspiring messages that often end up as memes. We watched a few and then read this book that I am officially in LOVE with:

I was afraid the boys would balk at the title because even when we put on a JustDance Kids video and it's all girls they sit down and refuse to do it. But no one said anything. Her advice for girls is spot on as great advice for anyone. "Never lose your sense of wonder" or "sometimes you just gotta stop and dance". "Find people you, find people unlike you".  "Listen to your brave side".

Then I asked the students to write their own advice for the world. 

 

You should always be yourself.

You should never listen to strangers.

You should always be friends.

You should never be a bully.

You should always be nice.

You should never hit anyone.

You should never cuss.

You should always have fun.

You should always tell your teacher to help you count.

You should never kiss someone from your class.

You should always be good.

You should never be bad.

You should always be playing.

You should never steal.

You should always be respectful.

You should never be rude.

You should always be unique.

You should always be creative.

You should always be thankful.

You should never be rude.

'

Immigration Debate with Kindergartners

The news for the past few days has just made me so sad. I am not afraid to publicly say that I disagree with the way immigration policies are being enforced by the current administration. Children getting lost in the system, the terrible conditions where they are being held. Repealing DACA and giving ICE the authority to do whatever it takes. I wanted to have my students debate whether or not we should allow immigrants into our country. Many of their families are from Mexico and it's something that may actually affect them in their daily lives.

But they are 5 and 6 year olds-so how to introduce this topic delicately. I read them this story:

It's the story of a little boy who is fleeing El Salvador and making the journey on foot and by bus to come to America where his mother is. They don't specifically say he is entering the country illegally, however that is the implication. The story focuses on his shoes and how they get him through this journey.

Then I asked my students to think about ethics-should we let immigrants into America. I made sure to remain completely neutral and assure them that whatever their opinion was-there was no wrong answer.

No because then Donald Trump will get mad and I will love it.

Not the biggest fan of our President. :) 

No because it might be a stranger.

Yes because I don't want them to die.

Yes because they need to speak to you.

Yes because we should help them.

Yes because they will be nice to us.

Yes, because they are excited.

Yes because they need water to survive.

Yes because we are good people and they are nice and careful.

Yes because it is helpful.

Yes because they have no country to live in.

Yes because maybe they lost their family.

I truly hope these kiddos grow up and seek roles in government. I think their hearts are in the right place.