Kindergarten and Kindness

I couldn't ask for a more wonderful first week of kindergarten! The students have done a great job at learning our rules and classroom routines.  We know how to form and stay in a perfect, quiet line.

We can follow the rules for learning during carpet time.

We can follow directions in the lunchroom.

We can also recite the 5 rules of the classroom. And they are:
Rule #1: Follow directions quickly
Rule #2: Raise your hand for permission to speak.
Rule #3: Raise your hand to leave your seat.
Rule #4: Be kind to others.
Rule #5: Keep your dear teachers happy!

The students have hand motions to go along with all 5 rules and they're so cute when they do it!

Our biggest objective this week was to establish a kind and caring classroom environment.  I read the story "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" The story talks about how everyone has an invisible bucket that can be filled with good thoughts and feelings when others show kindness to us.  But we can also dip into each others' buckets when we choose to be unkind.  We discussed ways we can be kind to one another and the behaviors we want to avoid so we don't become a 'bucket dipper.'  We made a chart that is posted in our room to help remind us of this lesson.

We also did an exercise in kindness where we sat in a circle and rolled a ball to a classmate.  We then paid that person a compliment.  My goal is to have a classroom full of students who love and respect each other and who look for opportunities to make their classmates happy.

Every student is looking forward to their chance at being the daily superstar.  Each day, a new name is magically revealed (ok, it's a blue marker colored over a name written in white crayon - but don't say anything!) and that student gets to share 3 things about themselves. This activity builds early reading skills and sight word recognition.  And when the day is over, Mrs. Taylor laminates the chart for the student to take home. 

The students also learned how to operate the Smart Board (which is basically like a jumbo-sized ipad).  We use the Smart Board multiple times a day, everyday. We listen and watch instructional songs on Youtube and play fun learning games. We also do our classwork together.  The worksheet is on the board so I work through it as they work at their own tables. 

 Since we had a little rain this week, the students also got to see what inside recess is like.  We dance along with Kids Just Dance videos on the Smart Board and they get to play at the tables.  

All in all, it has been a terrific week.  We are making friends and having a great time.  I can't wait for next week.  Remember to have your child wear red on Monday!