Back to School with Pete the Cat

I am super excited about ROCKING the start of our Kindergarten year off with Pete the Cat!  It is always a favorite with my students and MUSIC is a topic we will be exploring as a school during the first semester.

Before school started I made a large Pete the Cat for my bulletin board and made colored high tops shoes to hang above my student work tables.

On the first day of school we read the book, Pete the Cat, Rocking in my School Shoes by Eric Litwin and danced around the room as we listened to the audio.

On the second day of school, we reread the book, this time there was a clue at the end of the book for us to search for Pete the Cat.  We toured the school in search of Pete as we met some very important people and places on our campus.  We sang as we walked from place to place.  We ended in the auditorium where we met our music teacher as we sang and danced in our school shoes.

All day they were looking for clues to find Pete.

We made our first class book where each student decorated their own school shoe and completed the sentence frame:  Here comes _(name)______rocking in his/her __________ shoes.

We ended the day with making musical shakers from old pill bottles and filled them with beans and lentils.
Next week we will continue to have fun with Pete the Cat singing, dancing, reading and decorating our wall with more unique shoes.

WE LOVE PETE THE CAT!  It was a fun, engaging and memorable way to start the school year!!!!

Link to the story: http://www.petethecatbooks.com/9780061910241/pete-the-cat-rocking-in-my-school-shoes/

Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-n6c6Ggs-Q

TShirts - I purchased on https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-cm-licensed-pete-the-cat-tees

Fall is Here

Here are two simple Fall projects to kick off the season:
1.  School House - The start of school is always very exciting!  This simple project is a perfect keepsake.  Depending on the child, paint or ink their hand or foot.  Each heart has information about the child, including their height, weight, name, age, teacher's name, etc.  It would be fun to do this every year and see how they have grown,

Very proud of his first day of school!

2.  Leaf Painting - Cut out a leaf shape and child paints using Fall colors.  It is fun to use red and yellow and have them create the color orange.  My son loved mixing the colors on the paper plate.

Back to School

My vision of heading out the door this morning and my reality were a bit different!  I found these signs online and thought we could take a cute picture - this is what I got.  Welcome back to school!  http://www.classyclutter.net/2014/07/first-day-of-school-free-printable-sign.html
         Wishing everyone a great school year!

MORE Ideas...Countdown to Kindergarten

Countdown to Kindergarten

This is an exciting time for both students and parents.  You play the most important role in getting your child off to a good start in kindergarten. Children love to learn. Be sure to give your child plenty of praise and encouragement without pressure. Remember that children learn best through "hands-on" activities and participation. Here are a few activities that you can do at home to help your child prepare for that First Day of Kindergarten.  Enjoy the journey together!

*I-Spy - This game can be done anywhere: the car, the dinner table, the park, the doctor's office and can be fun for all students.  You can "spy" for letters, beginning sounds, rhyming words, numbers, shapes, colors, etc.

*Rainbow Write - Have your child trace pre-written words many times using a different color.  REMEMBER to START YOUR LETTERS AT THE TOP!

*Environmental Print - Cut out and glue words that your child can read on a poster.  This includes popular logos, restaurant names, etc.

*Sorting and Patterning- These are valuable skills.  Be sure to have your child explain their reasoning.

*Name Puzzle - Cut out their name or important words and have our child put them in the correct order.

*Back Writing Letters and Numbers - Need some relaxing time...practice letters, numbers, or words by "writing" with your fingertips on someone's back and have them guess that you wrote.

*Concepts of Print - Show and tell how to use a book correctly, tracking from left to right and use your finger to point to the words as you read.  Spend time looking at the book to look for the title, how many words or letters on this page, where is the front of the book, and rhyming words.

*Create a book together.  Making books or writing a story even by drawing pictures helps your child practice reading, writing, listening and speaking. These are important skills for success in school.

*TALK to your child about what they see, what they do and what they are thinking about.

*READ, READ, READ - Set a good example by encouraging a love of stories and books!  AND visit the library!

Countdown to Kindergarten

Countdown to Kindergarten

Tomorrow marks - 10 days until school begins.  Make a paper chain to help countdown to the big day!  Tear off one link each day.

Make pattern, write numbers, ...

then, staple together to make chain

Here are some things you can do to prepare for that first day:
*adjust your body clock to fit your new school schedule
*talk about healthy choices for lunch/snack
*make sure your name is on your backpack and lunch box
*check supply list
*find your classroom and playground
*say your new teacher's name 3 times (when you find out)
*discuss drop-off and pick-up procedures
*pick out your first day outfit
*don't forget to take a first day of school picture
*SMILE and have a great day!


For more fun first day of school ideas, check out: http://mrsodaniels.blogspot.com/search/label/first%20day%20of%20school

Back-to-School Fairy

This year I have been introduced to the Back-to-School Fairy and am so excited!  Heading back to school always has so many mixed emotions and this is the perfect way to ease any fears.  This concept can be modified for your family but hopefully can be a new tradition to start each new school year!  Whatever the Fairy brings, make sure it is something they need - not just a reason to buy more toys!

Message and PJ's from the Back-to-School Fairy

1.  Back-to-School PJ Fairy - I'd like to thank my college roommate and now mother of three beautiful girls for this idea.  Her girls found this adorable message and brand new PJ's the night before school started.  You could also put some special fairy dust under their pillow.

I brought you some jammies to wear tonight, 

I hope they take away back-to-school fright!

You will do great!  You can hardly wait!

Jump in bed - Don't cover your head.

Good Night...Sleep Tight...Sweet Dreams!

Love, the Back to School Fairy

2.  Back-to-School Book Fairy - There are so many great books about starting school.  Inscribe a special message inside from the School Fairy wishing them a great year.  Don't forget to write the date inside!
The Storyteller: 30 Lafayette Cir, Lafayette, CA 94549  (925) 284-3480


3.  Back-to-School Fairy Breakfast - Prepare a special, healthy breakfast from the Fairy.  Make a personalized placemat, Welcome to First Grade!

4.  Special Delivery - Tell your child to place their backpack outside their bedroom and in the morning, the Back-to-School Fairy will deliver something special.  You can put school supplies, new shirt, snacks or new water bottle.

5.  School or Class Mascot - The Back-to-School Fairy can surprise them with a small stuffed animal of their class or school mascot.

6.  Special Message from the Fairy in their lunch on their napkin

There are so many fun ideas!  You can bet your child will look forward to starting school each year with the return of the Back-to-School Fairy!  Just think, you could also send a care package to your college student from the Fairy.

Have a great year!

"Twas the Night Before School Started"

My sister-in-law shared this with me and I thought was appropriate...

Twas the night before school started,
When all through the town,
The parents were cheering.
It was a riotous sound!
By eight, kids were washed
And tucked into bed...
When memories of homework...filled them with dread!

New pencils, new folders, new notebooks, too!
New teachers, new friends...their anxiety grew!
The parents just giggled when they learned of this fright
And shouted upstairs-...
GO TO BED-IT'S A SCHOOL NIGHT!

I pray all our children have a wonderful year of growth!
Good Luck with the upcoming school year!  


http://mrsodaniels.blogspot.com/search/label/Class%20Schedule

Back to School - One More Thing...

Congratulations Moms!  You've successfully gotten your little ones off to school.  Hopefully you were able to document the "first day of school" with their photo.  But there are a few other important items you may want to cover.   Handprints are always fun to see to show their growth as well measuring their weight and height.  I used the Giant Washable Ink Pad from Lakeshore Learning for the handprint.  It is a lot easier and cleaner than paint.

For more ways to organize your child's artwork, check out: http://mrsodaniels.blogspot.com/2011/07/organizing-your-childs-masterpieces.html
 

Last Minute Review

School starts in a few days and parents are afraid their children have forgotten EVERYTHING over the summer!  No fear, check out these easy, fun ways to review.

ABC Match:
Write the alphabet in CAPITAL letters on a large piece of construction paper.  Write the lower case letters on post-it notes.  Place the lower case letters out of order on the wall.  Have your child put the lower case letters on top of the CAPITAL letters.

Stick Writing:
Kids love using colored popsicle craft sticks to practice making letters, sight words, name, or creating fun designs.

Do-A-Dot Art Markers:
Another great way to practice name writing or sight words.  Kids can "dot" out words, names, numbers, etc...

Countdown to School!

Here are a few fun ideas you can do at home to prepare for that first day of school!

1.  Make a "Countdown" road to school with your child.  Find out how many days are left before school starts.  You can write or print out numbers and have your child glue them in order from the biggest number down to number one.  Draw a line to connect the numbers to make your path.  At the end of the "path" have your child draw a picture of their school.  Take a post-it note and put in on the biggest number.  Each day, have your child move the post-it note one number until you reach the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

 

Here are some things MOMS can do to prepare for your child's first day:
*adjust their body clock to fit their new school schedule
*talk about healthy choices for lunch/snack
*make sure your child's name is on their backpack and lunch box
*check supply list
*find classroom and playground
*have your child say their new teacher's name 3 times (when you find out)
*discuss drop-off and pick-up procedures
*don't forget to take a first day of school picture

*SMILE and have a great day!

It will be a great year! 

Ease Those First Day Jitters

Excitement and anxiety are only a few emotions that are present when you and your child prepare for their FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
I will be offering a two hour workshop for children entering Kindergarten and First Grade to help ease those first day jitters!

Kindergarten Countdown:  August 24, 9:00-11:00
We will be reading stories, like Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, playing games that encourage name recognition, letters, sounds, and numbers.  We will be discussing what to expect and get excited about starting their first day of Kindergarten and learning!

First Grade Countdown: August 24, 1:00-3:00
We will be playing games to review Kindergarten skills such as sight words, letters, sounds, numbers and basic addition and subtraction.  We will be talking about what to expect and reading stories to get them excited about their FIRST day of First Grade!

*Location: Talega Swim and Athletic Club
*Cost: $30

*Registration forms can be picked up at the Talega Swim and Athletic Club or emailed to you directly at dcodaniels@gmail.com