The Countdown begins!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving!  I certainly did!

This week in Kindergarten we will be talking about families.  I will read a book called, "Families are Different."  It is about a little girl who is adopted and all the different kinds of families there are.  Well, not all of the different kinds of families!  Anyway, then we will be doing a four-square about what the children's families like to do.  If you are doing in something special this month that I can be a part of, please let me know!  For example, Shari Manke and Mark Jones are reading winter Jan Brett books.  I will read other winter books by Jan Brett in the library.  I really don't mind doing different things for different classes!  It makes my days much more interesting!
In technology, we have finished learning all about WiggleWorks and the kids can do it totally on their own now!  On the Smartboard, we are finishing up "Jolly Phonics Fun!"  Please let me know where you are with Jolly Phonics.

PreK teachers, please let me know what your themes are this month, so I can read books that go with those themes!  For example this week, I am reading "Gingerbread Friends" by Jan Brett to Alyssa Reed's classes.  It is the sequel to "Gingerbread Baby."

In other technology news, if you are having problems with eschool, please let me know!  I can usually help!  If I can't help you, I know who to contact to be able to take care of the problem.  Actually, if you are having any technical problems, please come to me first, then I can call Donna if it is necessary.  Thanks!

Have a great week!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This week I would like to give you a few tips on teacher checkout:
      Books can be checked out for as long as you would like, but be mindful of other teachers who might want to use the same books.
     Magazines now have a card that you need to sign before you take it out of the Media Center.  There is a little basket by the magazines to put the cards in when you take them out.  Has anyone seen the Teacher's Helper for December/January?  It seems to be missing....
    Listening centers (books and tapes) can be checked out as well. Please remove the card that is inside the bag.  If it has a bar code Linda or I will check it out to you.  If it doesn't, please sign your name on the card and give it to one of us. Listening CD/books are to just be checked out to you, the bar code is on the book.

Books for this week:  
Kindergarten:  Turkeys and Pilgrims
PreK:  Pilgrim counting book.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!   

Turkey Day is on its way!

For our Kindergarten friends, this week in the Media Center we are going to be talkin' turkey!  I have a fiction book, A Turkey for Thanksgiving, and a non-fiction book, All about Turkeys, that I will be reading.  We will  also be talking about fiction and non-fiction and where to find them in the library! 

Did you know that there are actually fiction books in the numbered section of the library?  It's true!  When Mr. Dewey set up the Dewey Decimal System, he had all the books classified.  Over the years, librarians have separated the fiction books out so they are easier to find.  Some fiction books, however, were left within the system.  Books like folk tales, poetry and literature are still found in the numbered section of the library.  Check it out!

For our PreK friends, I will be reading, Thanks for Thanksgiving.  This book is all about what kids are thankful for.  I chose this book because I won't see any of them next week because of the holiday!
As always if this doesn't work for your class, please let me know!  I will be happy to choose something else that would work better!

In Technology news, this week is a double dose!  First, Media Monday is this week!  Meet me in the reading room at 3:20 and I will share some tips about how to set up and use the Smartboard in your classroom.  I will also show you where to find fun activites!
Second, for our late start, I will be showing you the improvements on the report cards.  I know it's still a month away, but if I wait until December it will be too late!  I will also talk a bit about Performance tracker and how to access it.

If you have any questions, comments or fun suggestions, just let me know!

Have a great week!

November news

In Technology news:

All the computers have been moved.  You can log on to the laptops with the username of "studentv" and the password is dino2007.  We will be getting mice to go with the laptops in the near future.  For the time being, let the children use them--you will be surprised at how well they do with the touch pad!
Coming next week:  Media Monday!  It will be on November 14th at 3:30.  We will be working with the Smartboards.  I will show you how to set the movable Smartboard up in your classroom.  In addition, we will use the Smartboard to do some activities.

This week in the Media Center, Kindergarten will be listening to the story, "Trouble With Cauliflower."  Then they will be working on foods that they like and don't like.

PreK will be listening to the new Laura Numeroff story, "If you give a Dog a Donut."

As always, if there is something else that would fit better with what your classroom is doing, please let me know!  I really don't mind reading different stories with different classes!

Have a great week and enjoy your day off!