Wow, what an amazing first week of JK! We have been passing our class mascot, the frog, around our circle at morning meeting to share things with our classmates. This helps us with a great visual of whose turn it is to share and how long until it is our turn. We have been reading many books this week about going back to school to talk about all of the exciting and sometimes confusing feelings about starting school with new friends and feeling comfortable in a new environment. The kids' imaginations at free play and center time has had me laughing out loud every day. My favorite was "I have to go now, my cab's here!"...while carrying a train and a stuffed Cat in the Hat!
We have been reading other stories to introduce our "All About Me" theme. I will be sending home a poster sheet with instructions on completing an "All About Me Poster" they will share with the class. They will be learning more about each "Star of the Week's" favorite things, places, family, games, activities etc. This is an amazing time for friendships to grow as the children find similarities in each other and begin relating on other levels.
The children have learned our weather song and snack time thankful poem. Some were not excited about yogurt and said they were thankful for ice cream after school! Most also said they are thankful for Mommy and Daddy, or "Ma Ma", or cousins, or dinosaurs, or their teachers. They have done so well with their classroom jobs and circle time activities and games. It turns out "The Hokey Pokey" really is what it's all about! JKers love music and movement, so we are actively singing, dancing and making music around the room each day.
The class is working together as a community to earn frogs to fill our frog jar, which will earn a pajama/popcorn party and movie day! As individual students are observed showing helpful and kind behavior, they are also “building their rainbows” and will soon be able to choose a prize from the treasure chest for excelling as classroom solid citizens! Positive reinforcement encourages positive behavior and cohesiveness within our classroom family. They are all excited and working very hard to exhibit the qualities of a leader and friend.
I will have the daily schedule finalized by next week. I am still tweaking it now to adjust to the class and all of their needs. We have already moved snack time up because everyone was getting so hungry early.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions and I will do the same- as I get to know more about each child and cultivate the foundation for a love of school and learning. I will also be adding photos of our activities to this site, so stay tuned.
Mrs. Massey
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