From One Kindergarten Parent to Another :)

Dropping your child off for their first day of Kindergarten is definitely something you will always remember.  Your emotions are running high and your Kindergarten child is beyond excited to meet their teacher and see their bright new classroom space filled with friends and fun! 

In my teaching career I taught Kindergarten for only two short years! But in those two years I remember clearly being so focused on welcoming the students and making sure I was doing all the right things to help them get settled on their very first day.  I remember the parents lingering by the door and peeking in my windows.  In order to help put the parents minds at ease after ushering the littles to their tables I would hand out this poem and tell the parents we would see them in just a few short hours.  I was given this same poem when I dropped my boys off at Kindergarten both times.  Each time I cried as I left the school, but a sense of security was also there as I read the words handed to me on this piece of paper.  I remember thinking..this will be a great year for them and me!! 

There are two versions of the poem included - a boy version and a girl version.  I have also added a black and white copy to save on ink :) that can be printed on some brightly colored paper.  

Teaching Students to Take Action

Working in an IB (International Baccalaureate) school we spend a lot of time cultivating students that are globally minded.  We strive to teach our students guiding principals in life based around our learner profile traits.  We also spend a great deal of time talking with our students on how they can take action in their lives, and how their actions effect the lives of others.  In my classroom I have an action cycle posted.  This action cycle is referenced when behaviors are noticed.  This may be behaviors that we want to celebrate or sometimes it's even behaviors that we want to change.  Talking with my students and pointing out desired behaviors and how these behaviors impact those around us helps my class to start noticing when other students "take action." Since I am brand new to TPT I have posted this action cycle as a freebie in my store.  If you would like to have a copy of the Action Cycle just click to grab one.  Teaching children to take action can be done in any classroom.  Just taking the time to actually notice students actions and behaviors, and verbalize them with your students makes them aware of how they treat others and the impact they can have.  

Have a great Sunday!! ~ Kim 

And a blog was born...

I have been reading teaching blogs for what feels like forever.  I decided it was finally time to join the party! I am always inspired by the creative ideas and tips that so many educators share and couldn't be more proud to call myself part of this great profession.  

Thank goodness I have several weeks still left of summer to continue to learn this process, because it sure can take a while to teach an old dog new tricks!  Enjoy your remaining days of sunshine and freedom!