Pinterest Linky Party

Hi, my name is Amy and I am addicted to Pinterest. 

Really, I just started- but this is getting ridiculous! :)

There are SO MANY creative ideas that people are sharing on Pinterest. My children and I loved making this adorable centerpiece for Madilynn's 4th birthday:

I am currently working on two other projects from Pinterest:

for my classroom

for my daughter's preschool teacher

I was so excited to read that Michelle's Math in the Middle blog was hosting a Pinterest Linky Party. 

Please consider following me on Pinterest using the button on the left side of my blog.... and joining the fun at Michelle's Pinterest Linky Party. 

Can't wait to link up! 

Adorable Seuss Bracelet Giveaway!!!

Adorable Dr. Seuss Bracelet Giveaway!!!

  My awesome Kindergarten team and I love all things Dr. Seuss. Our kindergarten friends spend two weeks in March reading all of his books, studying his craft, and doing many FUN Seuss activities. 

Check out all of our Seuss Fun here:

Seuss Fun Review 

I was SUPER EXCITED when I read that this adorable Seuss bracelet was being given away:

Head on over to 4^th Grade Frolics  to enter this giveaway. 


And check out Sophie's Beads to shop for more adorable book bracelets. 

Good Luck!! 

Cuddle Up and Read

My husband Mike, cuddling up and reading with our children, Madilynn and Scott. 

Teaching Blog Addicts is hosting an awesome linky party called Teaching Tips for Parents. 

It is a compilation of simple teaching tips for parents.

 I highly recommend checking it out here.

When parents ask me how they can best help their child succeed in Kindergarten, my reply is always the same, "Cuddle up and read". 

Often parents push a little further asking for "real homework like flashcards, games, or worksheets" to help their child learn to read. Again, my response, "Cuddle up and read". 

I truly believe reading daily with your child is one of the best ways to help them learn how to read. It is also a really great way to slow down and connect with your child. You can never start too early (board boards are my go to baby shower gift) and once they start reading is no reason to stop. 

My children and I love this special time together each night.

This is what I read last night with my soon to be 4 year old:

And here's what I read with my soon to be 4th grader:

 Reading with your children promotes many reading skills such as fluency, vocabulary building, comprehension, listening, but ABOVE ALL it gives them a relaxed, fun way to fall in love with books and reading. 

Looking for a great list of books to get started?

Children's Book Guide has put together a list of the top 100 children's books of all time. 

Click here to check it out!

We also love to just browse at our public library. Browsing is how we came across a few books that have become favorites:

 

Parents and Teachers- 

check out all of the other GREAT teaching tips at 

Teaching Blog Addicts now. 

THANK YOU!!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Our last day of school was Thursday. We had a wonderful time during our end of the year celebration with parents. Everyone enjoyed eating pizza, looking through their memory books, and making plans for summer play dates.

At the end of our celebration I shared a movie.. 
Our Kindergarten Memories:

Photo slideshow made with Smilebox

I cry every time I watch it. 
The faces, the music, the memories- oh my! 
This year has just flown by and I will miss my students SO MUCH! It was a nice way to end our year- reflecting on all of the fun we've had. I gave each family a DVD copy. 

My parents absolutely overwhelmed me with very special gifts.


One was a very sweet memory book that includes adorable pictures of each child and a special message from each of them!

They also made me an adorable scrapbook story:

I love, love, love this!!! Looks like I will be having a fun, relaxing summer! 

Parents,

Thank you so much for the thoughtful gifts. I was absolutely overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity! I will cherish these sweet books forever and have shared them with anyone who will listen! 

More importantly, THANK YOU for sharing your amazing children with me! We had an awesome year together and I am so proud of each one of them. They inspired me daily!

Thank you for all of your support throughout the year.

Have a wonderful summer!

Amy Rider