Clean-Up Race Game

Here is what we've been doing to encourage the children to clean up faster. First, we start the clean-up song playing on the CD player. We use our chart with all the areas. 

Once an area is clean, we cover it with an apple until they are all cleaned up. If they are all clean by the time the clean-up song is over, they get a star. 3 stars in one week means we get to play Wii on Friday.

What do you do for clean-up time?

Rule Chart and Chant

Here is our rule chart. I made this using the rules the children came up with. We wrote out their ideas on chart paper and then consolidated them into these 4 simple rules.

We also do a chant to go along with it:

Hands to yourself, hands to yourself,

rule number 1 is keep your hands to yourself.

Continue with each rule.

How do you enforce the laws in your classroom?

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

This blog is undergoing some changes. I have decided to broaden the content by adding topics such as recipes, parenting, crafts, etc to my main focus which will still be teaching and activities for young children. Thus, I am also changing the title of the blog to Cachey Mama's World of Learning. The Facebook page, Google+ page, and Twitter are all still the same as is the domain name for the blog: www.cacheymama.com. If you have any questions, suggestions, or to report a problem, please feel free to e-mail me at  cacheymama @ gmail (dot) com. Thanks!

Bean Letters

Here is our art project from today, bean letters. Each child got a letter (printed from a word processor document) and glued beans to the letter. Then we glued them to cardboard to make them more sturdy.

Short and simple one today. What are you doing to start teaching literacy to your class?

Macaroni Art

Here is some of macaroni art projects we made last week.

We glued the macaroni on the first day, then waited for it to dry. The next day, we painted our pictures.

This is great for working on fine motor skills. By using glue bottles, children have to squeeze just the right amount out at one time while controlling where the glue goes. Also, while we allowed the children to make anything they wanted, you could give a topic for them to create or they could try to write their names with it. 

Also, you can experiment more with this activity by adding salt to the paint for example to give it a rough texture. Or come up with your own ideas!

Have fun and MACARONI on!

Classroom Organization

So, here are some before and after pictures of my classroom.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Circle time and library area with the computer just off to the left so we can show videos at circle time.

The Childrens' Hatch Computer

Our word wall with no words added yet. I love that it takes up much less room than the one we had last year.
These letters were printed from the TpT Store of Love of Teaching.

Writing Area

Sensory Table

Block Area

Dramatic Play Area

Toys and Games

Discovery Area

Art Area

A lot of the room stayed the same, but we just flip-flopped the blocks with toys and games and the circle time with dramatic play.  I love the new setup because it's much easier to show the whole class a video on the internet now and the room just feels more organized. I also love our discovery table. So far, the kids have mostly been flocking to the dramatic play area, although when we get out specific table toys, they tend to like those as well. We'll see how it goes and if we need to make any changes. I also tried to de-clutter as much as possible. Sometimes I feel like that is a losing battle with 2 classes of 17 coming through there each day and 2-3 other adults sometimes using the space as well, but you will never get there if you don't start out that way.

What did you do differently in your classroom setup this year?

Transition Board

Here is a transition board we are using this year to transition from large group to the next activity, usually going outside.  First, we will put the names of all the kids who are at school today on the hand prints. Then, we will have a child use the pointer to count how many girls and how many boys are here at school today and put the number up on the board.

What are you using to transition this year?

Birthday Board

Here is the birthday board we did this year. Each cupcake has a month on it and will have the childrens' names whose birthdays are in that month clipped to the ribbon hanging from it.

At my center, we are not allowed to let parents bring in cake or any food for birthdays, so we made a birthday basket where they can choose a prize on their birthday.

What did you do for birthdays in your classroom?



Self Portraits

This year, we decided to give the children a cutout of a person. They used the multicultural paints to choose a color that closest matched themselves. Then after they dried, the children added the eyes and hair. Unfortunately we ran out of all colors of yarn except this tan color and grey. But all in all, they turned out ok.

We posted these on the front board where the parents come in, so that every child is represented. Each child can feel a sense of belonging at their school.

First Day of School Keepsake Bears

I made these for all my kids to give them on the first day of school. I wanted them to feel welcome at school and to know we cared about them. They are magnetic clips to hang children's artwork on the refrigerator made with clothes pins and bears cut out of foam. They have a special message written on them and a note attached in English and Spanish. I am hoping they helped put the parents' minds at ease knowing that we not only care about their children, but want them to know (in their own language) that they are special!

My workspace

What did you do for your first day of school?