Help the little guys to write!

This is not a new idea, but you may not have seen it before.

We have been reading

The Very Blue Thingamajig 

by Narelle Oliver.

Our goal was to write a sentence about something that

happened in the story.

 

So, for those little ones still struggling with writing and text, they told me their story and I wrote it using a highlighter.

(Yes, difficult to see in the picture ... just squint and search!)

They, then, wrote over my writing to form their story. This technique is great for encouraging those not so fond of writing. It can give them the boost they need.

 

Just be careful they don't start to expect it all the time, though!

Also, a good technique for beginner name writing.

Fine Motor Skills

Here is a great activity I use in my classroom for developing fine motor skills.

I am lucky enough to have had these great little plastic tweezers donated to me, so I am putting them to good use. If you know a nice nurse, you might be able to score yourself a set, too!

wink! wink!

I start with some little trinkets ... anything will do. These little plastic guys came in a mixed set of collage trinkets.

I toss them into a tub of rice.

You can use coloured rice if you like...

... then using our little tweezers in our little fingers, we count how many items we can remove from the rice.

One!

Two!

etc.

Loads of fun!

Group work in Prep.

 

I wanted to share with you, the way I organise group activities

with my Preps.

I start with 4 groups -  RED, GREEN, BLUE & YELLOW.

Each group has a list of names written on a card to help our mums with names and to help with organization. When you're 5, you like to go anywhere and everywhere, so this helps keep every-one in the right place. ...  well, most of the time, anyway!

There are four different activities each session and I have 4 adults to help. This is usually 2 parent helpers, my aide and myself. Each group lines up with a different leader, chosen by the adult at the table, and walks to the next activity once I have rung the bell. I make it very structured so every-one knows where they are going and what their next activity will be.

 

This week, we worked with 10 sight words. I had 3 copies of the words written on cards for 3 tables, the play dough table used mats.

 

The activities were:

 

Stamping the words.

 

 

Writing the words.

 

 

 

Spelling the words using magnetic letters.

 

 

 

 

Play dough fun - make the words using word mats.

 

Sessions last 15 mins which makes groups last an hour.

I organize a Roster of parents who can help and I write their days on the roster. We all get a copy and they let me know if they can't make it on their day and we see if we can swap with some-one.

Groups really focus the learning for the children. They are fun and effective and the children don't realize they are actually learning.

Just the way I like it!

 

 

Great Birthday Cakes

I always love when clever mums share birthday cakes

with the class.

Mr "O" shared these this week.

Smarties fun! Yum! Yum!

Thank you, Jeanie, for sharing. 

 

The Power of Words

Welcome to the 2014 School Year!

As we, in the Southern Hemisphere, head into a new school year, I intend to present to my newbies the wonder and power of words.

 

We have the honour, this year to be able to make friends with a special little guy, whom I'm hoping will gain as much from us, as I know he will give.

With "differences" often being our focus, I hope to enlighten my littlies that words can be powerful.

It is our differences that make us special, unique and individual.

Differences should be celebrated.

 

 

 

CLICK ON THESE WORDS TO GET YOUR FREE COPY OF THESE POSTERS

 

Words can hurt & Words can heal,

but words can change peoples lives.

I want them to learn that words lead to thoughts and

thoughts lead to beliefs.

 

 I want them to know they have entered an "I CAN" room as opposed to an "I Can't".

 

 

 

Words are Powerful, but is how we use them that makes the difference.

 

I hope you get the opportunity to use the 'power' today!

 

 

Freebie Linky

Nancy's having a freebie linky Thank Goodness It's Free!  T.G.I.F and I've joined up with her to offer a freebie from my blog. If you are interested in collecting other teacher freebies,

check out her blog!

Teaching With Nancy.
 

Mine can be found here!

CLICK ON THIS TEXT TO GET A PENGUIN FREEBIE

 

Holiday Artsy-Arting

Whilst being on Holidays, (Love,love love em!) I've been busy Artsy~ing. Drawing and painting and making some special pieces of jewellery and beads. I thought you might like to see what I've been up to...

This is my pink-haired fairy.

And my night-time sparkle fairy...

 

I'm working on some others and they may be ready to post soon.

 

This is a Daydream Island inspired bottle.

It has a tiny treasure map inside with some sand and shells.

It has a key attached, also, for the treasure chest!!

Cute!

 

And some a little larger... with crystals on top.

 

 

 And some a little smaller ... one has a Teeny - Tiny Map, one has pearls (not reals ones though!), and the third has golden sand pearls with one tiny white pearl inside.

These are seriously Cute!

 

These are available at my Etsy Store.