Wordless Wednesday (Why I Love Kindergarten)

Crayon-Resist Names

We've been having a great time getting to know our friends. 
The students have also been doing several name activities. 

Here's one that the students LOVED:

They wrote their names and drew with crayons, then chose their favorite color to watercolor over the top. I just love walking into our classroom and seeing these bright pieces of art! 

Check out more of my growing artists below...

This slideshow customized with Smilebox

Drawing in Writer's Workshop

We are off to a great start in Writer's Workshop.

Our first unit is Drawing.

 This week we've been reading GREAT drawing mentor texts...

and learning how to draw lines, shapes, and faces.

The children *loved* roll and recording different lines with partners. 

Great fine motor practice!

(if they rolled the ?, students could try any line we've learned, or teach their partner a new line)

This week we will focus on drawing details 

and "filling the white space". 

Looking forward to watching these amazing artists and writers grow! 

UPDATE!! 
I have created a Doodle Book to capture your students' growth in drawing... 

Check it out here: 

Meet My New Kindergarten Friends

Check out whooooooo's in Mrs. Rider's Room this year:

A slideshow design by Smilebox L-O-V-E all of these sweet faces!!!!!

First Day of School

It was the first day of school for my children...

I really can't believe how quickly they are growing up.

It doesn't seem possible - but my son Scott started 5th grade and my daughter Madilynn began Kindergarten today!

Just had to share their first day pictures. : )

Wordless Wednesday (Why I Love Kindergarten)

First Day Fun!!

We had a fantastic first day of Kindergarten! 

Here are some of my favorite moments of the day:

drawing and sharing summer memories

recess

reading with friends

snack time

our dance party 

our dance party 

free choice time 

making playdough with Mrs. Raymore 

getting my 1st "I love you Mrs. Rider!" from this cutie! 

I just *love* all of my new Kindergarten Friends!!

Summer Memories

    On the first day of school I shared this slideshow with the students.

It captures some of my favorite memories from this summer.

A free scrapbooking design by Smilebox

My new Kindergarten Friends LOVED watching this!! 
They were so sweet asking questions about each picture. 
There were MANY giggles during the video clips. 
: )

After sharing this I asked the students to draw their favorite summer memory.

Kate

Will

They enjoyed sharing their pictures and stories with friends and I loved getting to know them better. 

 A few of their favorite memories included:

going to California (Kate)

going on a beach vacation with my cousins (Leah)

seeing a lot of interesting sea creatures (Michael) 

  tubing on the lake (Tommy)

I can't wait to have all of my new Kindergarten Friends together on Monday!

Once I receive all of my blog permission slips back I will be posting about the rest of our first day fun!