The new Google Sites (pretty version that came out the latter part of 2016) is super user friendly, so friendly that LITTLE KIDS can create their own websites! This year I had my kindergartners create digital portfolios in Google Sites. I wanted the kids to showcase their amazing digital work for Continue Reading →
It amazes me how my kindergartners were learning to identify letters and sounds at the beginning of the school year, and now they are learning about words with specific phonics patterns. When learning a new phonics pattern the kids will read a book with the pattern, participate in a whole class brainstorm Continue Reading →
In January, I started reading a chapter a day from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to my class. While I read, the kids would draw mental images of each chapter and then share with their classmates. Upon finishing the book, the kids watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Those kiddos really enjoyed Continue Reading →
In honor of remembering Dr. Seuss on his birthday, we read his book My Many Colored Days. In a round about way, Dr. Seuss connects feelings to colored days in the story. I extended Dr. Seuss’ ideas a bit and introduced more feeling names to my Littles. The kids drew out what the facial expressions Continue Reading →
Graphing in Google Sheets is an “intro to spreadsheets” skill my kiddos learn early in the school year. I have designed several activities that involve the kids manipulating a Google Drawing inside the spreadsheet, and graphing their results according to their image. christinepinto.com/leavesonmytree This particular activity allows kids to choose Continue Reading →
I am a big believer in using visuals, manipulatives, and technology to learn about math. Students need multiple approaches to learn about concepts, especially when we are expecting them to share their thinking and reasoning. christinepinto.com/modelsandequations In the Models and Equations template, there are four sheets allowing kids to make models Continue Reading →
Kids love games! One of my favorite things is hearing the shrieks and squeals when the kids walk in the classroom and see a BINGO game or board game set up for one of the centers. Who says school can’t be fun and games? 😉 christinepinto.com/candyland I created a template Continue Reading →
Part of our morning ritual in kindergarten is to check the weather outside. Someone’s classroom job is to open the door and peek his or her head out as the class sings the weather watcher song that is to the tune of Frère Jacques (I did not create the weather Continue Reading →
Building relationships and making connections with other peers is important for students of all ages! My kindergartners recently buddied up Meghan Curry’s fifth grade kids. The Littles and Bigs used a Google Slides presentation to record their first interactions and capture their first memories of being buddies. Getting to Know Our Buddies Continue Reading →
Often times I try putting myself into my kindergarten students’ shoes and wonder how they embrace the world. Approaching a keyboard can be intriguing for students because they contain letters and numbers, items that little kids are learning about. Since the letters on the keyboard are out of their alphabetical order, Continue Reading →