Dr. Jean Cheers and youtube links

After the morning I spent with Dr. Jean on Thursday, I am looking forward to getting back in the classroom with the kiddos! I have had 2 back to school NIGHTMARES (which is an August tradition), so I am ready to face the REALITY of the classroom because I know it will be much better!

Dr. Jean has some fun cheers to use for transitions and rewards/compliments in the classroom. You can find them {here}. I printed them out onto cardstock and tucked them into a binder using page protectors. I have a spot next to my lining up spot that I hang one at a time and we use it as we line up.

She also demonstrates alot of her things on youtube. She is so gracious to share and its fun to "see" and be reminded of how the songs, fingerplays or actions go. Go to www.youtube.com and search Dr. Jean fingerplays - once you are there you can link off of the video you are watching to see more. She also some posted on teachertube I think, I haven't checked those out yet, but if you are blocked from youtube at school, that's an alternative.

Happy teaching!
Patsi K in MN

Back to School Prep

I have a little over 2.5 weeks until I'm in the classroom with kiddos. In our district, we start the year with the parents on the first day of school. We have a Parent's Day meeting. It works out great - we get to meet with the parents and take care of all the last minute details that are important to easing the transition for their child. The school gets the "kinks" out of bus routes, morning lines and lunch without our kinders in the mix on the first day of school. I posted the Fall Handbook that we share with our parents - it cover the basics of our kindergarten year - on my website. {click here} You can download it and take a peek if you'd like.

Happy teaching!
Patsi K in MN

Energized for the New School Year

I had such a good time connecting with old teaching friends and meeting new ones today at Dr. Jean's workshop. She is so full of energy and genuine. It was fun to be reminded of why we do what we do - for the KIDS! When I saw her 10 years ago I had a photo taken with her (which I am trying to locate) and we took one today. I'm sure neither of us have changed!

I can't wait to try out some of the new ideas I learned today. I will try to post some pics of things next week. I did some website updates {click here} regarding back to school and more will be coming - I start with kids on September 7 - teacher workshop the week before and my cheerleading coaching season is in full swing - so I have a few things on my "to-do" list! Check out Dr. Jean's website if you haven't connected with her lately - she is so generous - check out the July 2011 link for a great Parent Power Pak.

Happy teaching!
Patsi K in MN

Dr. Jean is coming to my town!!!!

I am so excited! I have an opportunity tomorrow to attend a workshop presented by Dr. Jean! It's been about 10 years since I attended one of her workshop and I am ready for a new dose of energy! Stay tuned because I'll post my favorite parts over the weekend!

Happy teaching!
Patsi K in MN

Fun Freebies

I have become addicted to following teaching blogs! Today I hit the jackpot - several teachers are offering GREAT freebies on their sites -

Kindergarten Crayons has a free pattern strip booklet - {Click here}

Growing Kinders has great blacklines for a Daily Calendar book - Click here

Mrs. Miner has a free Monkey Number Sense Center - Click here

I hope you will become a follower of my blog and also check out these great freebies that these teachers are sharing!

Happy Teaching!
Patsi K in MN

Everyday Math Section 3 Smartboard files online!

Hooray! The SmartBoard files for Everyday Math Section 3 are up on my website now {click here}. If you use Everyday Math in Kindergarten you may want to check them out. They are supplemental - you will need your teacher's manual to follow along with them. I have been working section by section to create a file for each lesson as a template to keep me on track! I don't think Section 4 will be posted until later in the Fall. I want to test out Sections 1-3 before I invest more time. If you want to be notified when I upload more, become a follower!

Happy Teaching -
Patsi K in MN