Cyber Monday and Tuesday Sale!!!

Hope the school year is going well!  Don't forget to check out our store http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Teacher-Bin for Cyber Monday and Tuesday Sales!

YOGA!!!

Yoga has really grown in popularity over the last few years and for good reason.  I use yoga with my kiddos in special education and also strongly encourage classroom teachers to utilize it in their classrooms as a nice movement break for their students.  I have made up cards that I can use with my kiddos that can also easily be implemented in the classroom.  Yoga movements are easy to incorporate into morning meetings or circle times.  They can also be used during free play or as a station!
So why yoga? Here are just a short-list of the benefits of yoga!

• Yoga can help improve strength and balance
• Yoga helps kiddos with body awareness and a sense of self in space
• Yoga helps with breathing and awareness of breath
• Yoga helps with relaxation
• Yoga helps with concentration and focus
• Yoga partner poses promote social interaction
• Yoga can help with self-control
• Yoga can help with poor motor coordination for those in need- this point is especially important with my special education kiddos
• Yoga can help regulate the sensory system- thank you occupational therapists for helping with this point!
• Yoga can also help those with heightened anxiety
• Yoga is all inclusive - poses are meant for all abilities and can be adjusted to for each individuals

Yoga can also be done using a story format.  Doing certain poses as you go through the story.  (Example- you take an airplane (airplane pose) to visit your grandma.  She lives on a mountain (mountain pose) with her dog (downward dog pose).  The story can go from there and the children can help create!

I have also found fun books that can be read to students to promote yoga.  This book is by a physical therapist in Minnesota http://shop.livehappilyeveractive.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=37.  Her whole website is dedicated to yoga.  I have enjoyed using this book with my students as well!  

Yoga cards are a popular way to get yoga out in the school.  Our store has a new set of yoga cards out there for you to check out!

  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Yoga-Cards-926802 

October Fun and Free Play!!!

We are having glorious weather in Minnesota this fall!  We have to enjoy it all we can as we have LONG winters up here. Remember getting your students out for that break and free play that they need!  Remember free play and motor breaks are essential to learning.  They aren't just a luxury but a necessity!  It is easy to forget this aspect with all the requirements upon us!   We have added a bonus Halloween Free Play that can be purchased separately or in conjunction with the free play unit.
                                                                                                                                                                                     

Get this at our TPT store!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Teacher-Bin

Enjoying the weather with Baby Cade!

                         

Fall Ideas!!!

Now that fall is in full swing we wanted to share a few great ideas.  First off student love to play and learn so well through play!  So why not try some great fall themed games to add to your units!  These games can focus on helping children learn the necessary skills that are required of them.  We have a great Counting Apples Game!  Game is for partners to play and there are two different options, one option is for simple number identification and the second option is for simple addition.  We also have a great game for a Halloween theme called Monster Mash!  This game would remind you of your "war" game.  It focuses on numbers 0-21 and consists of Sets of Cards (6) - This many sets of cards allows you to play with several different groups of students. Each set has their own monster theme to add even more fun to the game. This way kids get to play with a different monster on different days. 

We also have monthly math homework with themes for the upcoming fall months.  They are great packets for the kiddos to work on their math with word problems, drawing, and coloring.  

There are also a few lessons that are available. The lessons include different math and literacy activities.  They also have art projects, snacks, songs, books, movement activities and finger plays.  You don't want to miss on these.

 

Morning Job Board

I have a 9-10 jobs the kiddos have to do each morning when they come into the classroom.  I have it posted on the bulletin board with a number and a corresponding picture.  Early in the year it has a couple of jobs,but weekly I start to add a job.  It takes the kiddos about ten minutes to do all jobs, but just to keep them focused I have" free time" as the last job.  There have been times when free time must be set up at a different time in my day because of a schedule, but I never omit "free time"  in a day.  It is fun to watch the kiddos get right down to business.  I have even had parents in the class say they set up morning jobs and bedtime jobs at home just like this!  The time I set up for morning jobs and free time is about 40 to 45 minutes.  Our day begins with Morning Jobs!


Morning  Jobs
1. Empty your school bag
2. Put away your BEE book  (parent information binder)
3. Drop any mail into mail basket
4. Hang up school bag and jacket
5. Choose your lunch preference
6. Choose milk preference
7. Morning sign-in binder
8. Estimation jar
9. Math card – Question of the day
10. Monthly Math journal-check this out with teacher
11. Free time

Free Time, Sign in Sheets, and Math Journals can be found in our TPT store!  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Teacher-Bin

Money, Money, Money!!!

One thing that is challenging for Kindergarteners is recognizing and differentiating between coins. Anyone who teaches money knows that kids have a hard time differentiating between coins especially the quarter and the nickel!  So to help with this I have a money chart that I utilized in my classroom.  When I first introduce money in the classroom the kiddos have a hard time!  This chart makes it easier for kids to work on their money skills.  I use different games and activities to work on money and the kids can refer to the chart when playing these games or activities.  The chart is mobile and I move it all over the room.  I would recommend a money chart to anyone who teaches money!

I also have money games available in my TPT store.  Check out the skeleton unit with the most recent money game!http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skeletons-Dem-Bones-899170

Sale!!!

Come by our TPT store.  Everything is 20 percent off this weekend!  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Teacher-Bin