Thing One and Thing Two Hair Headbands

Seuss is so much fun!!!

Grab the instructions and printable to make these adorable Thing One and Thing Two Hair Headbands for just $1 in my TpT Store. 

Teaching Vocabulary in Kindergarten

A couple of weeks ago I shared about an incredible teaching conference I attended. 

Read more about that here. 

One of my favorite sessions was Cara Carroll's outstanding presentation on teaching vocabulary.

Cara stressed that systematic, explicit instruction is key.
She also shared that students need to work with the words many times before they become a part of their working vocabulary.

I couldn't wait to try some of her strategies with my growing readers. 

I have been absolutely blown away with how my students have reacted.

I introduced words through a fun word detective activity.

It was very fun, and certainly left an impression on the students. 

You can read more about this activity on Cara's blog.

Cara stressed giving students MANY opportunities to interact with the words. 

Here are just some of the ways we have worked with our words:

practiced using them verbally

I recorded their examples so they could see the word in print again.

We also practiced showing the word meanings in our reading notebooks: 

When I challenged the students to write 100 words on our 100th day...

divvy

lair

schema

and

onomotopeia 

were the very first words on our chart!!

I thought it would be fun to have WOW word Wednesday. 

What kindergarten student doesn't love a microphone?

The students could act out, sing, or do a little speech about one of our vocabulary (wow!) words...

This was the HIGHLIGHT of my week!!!!!
For our very first try, I was impressed. 

I promise to get better footage next time, but here are a few amazing word nerds performing:

Create a picture slideshow

Word experts. 

Choose 4 of your favorite vocabulary words and illustrate the meaning. 

Thank you, Cara, for reminding me how 
powerful vocabulary can be!

Here are some other fun vocabulary ideas I have pinned:

Next professional read for me?

I am looking forward to continuing to challenge my students and learn more about vocabulary instruction. 

Songs for my BOOK LOVERS!

Hey book lovers!

I thought you'd love these songs:

       

Which one do you like the best?

You know me... 

they are both stuck in my head! 

Makes for a funny mixed song.

:)

Love,

Book Lovers Club = Happy Teacher Heart

Oh my goodness...

I am seriously over the moon with my ADORABLE class!! 

We are off to a great start.

A few years ago I created a Book Lovers Club to get my Kinders excited about books and reading.

It is magical. 

I love meeting with my book lovers throughout the year! We celebrate authors, illustrators, creative choices, great books, reading, sharing our thoughts, predictions, and connections...
and more!!

Today I presented the option of creating a new Book Lovers Club with this crew and their enthusiasm with the idea was UNBELIEVABLE.

Like so unbelievable, that I couldn't even snap a clear picture. 

HA!

It made my teacher heart so happy!!

The students had to sign up and make official membership cards. 

Which we immediately took down and laminated together. Who knew watching the laminator in action would be SO FUN?! 

During free choice, Adelyne decided we needed a Book Lovers Club Poster! :) 

Here are just a few of the book lovers I have spotted this week...  

I am looking forward to so many great reading adventures with my newest members.

HOORAY FOR BOOK LOVERS!! :):)

Teacher friends -

Click {HERE} to see the ways I use the Book Lovers Club in my classroom. 

You can find it on TpT HERE. 

Cool Non-Fiction Find!!

I *LOVE* teaching non-fiction during this time of year. 

It is absolutely thrilling to watch 5 and 6 year old children research, collect and share facts, use NF text features like bold print and captions, and more!

Click {HERE} to check out a previous post I wrote about how I teach non-fiction. 

{Here are other non-fiction posts I have shared} 

I just found another AWESOME non-fiction resource that I wanted to share...

LOOK AT THIS!!!

Tons of National Geographic Young Explorer non-fiction books online. 

They are all incredibly engaging - 

gorgeous photographs

interesting facts

and...

each page can be read by the students - or read to them!

I can't wait to share these with my kindergarten friends!

Follow my non-fiction board to see what other resources inspire my kinders!