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Friday, March 21, 2014

Five for Friday!


Happy Spring!! It's been three weeks since I have posted a Five for Friday {gasp}! Needless to say I have been so busy with personal things and work. I'm excited that I can finally have some time to link up with Doodle Bugs for Five for Friday!
 
In my last Five for Friday post, I discussed how my school was adopting the "flipped classroom" model. I am almost finished with the assigned book, Flip Your Classroom: Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day and have learned more about what the "flipped classroom" looks like. After further clarification, pre-k teachers are not required to use it, although it was suggested that it can be used to reinforce the skills learned at school. Here is a mock video I made, which I played for my class to see how they reacted to it. They really enjoyed it and were very receptive to following the directions/ prompts as I instructed. Overall, I am excited to continue to make videos! We will be receiving training in April, on how to make videos, using screen casting programs, etc... so please bare with my lack of editing, the times I get tongue-tied and the times I pause for an awkward amount of time :) 


Last Friday, we made a leprechaun trap. The children came up with great ideas and worked very cooperatively to come up with a trap with the supplies we had! We didn't capture him this year ;) but we knew he was for sure in our class because he stepped in the bowl of paint and left footprints all over the shelf and windowsill, which Miss Harbison of course had to clean up! He also left us a teeny-tiny note! 


Last week & this week, in math stations, students continued to practice counting and writing numbers from quick products I created and other wonderful products I found on TpT!



In language art stations, I worked with a group of children who are ready for instruction on blending and word families. This week we played a "mix and match" CVC game and then the students completed this activity page from my March Simply Print Pack
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/March-Simply-Print-Pre-K-Kindergarten-Math-Literacy-Printables-1139625

Have you ever heard of a Super Secret Reader or done something similar?! Well in my class, a S.S.R. is someone who comes into our class and reads a favorite book or a themed book without the children's knowledge of who is coming in. It's a BIG surprise! This person signs up using a form I provide each parent (siblings, grandparents, and extended family members are also welcome to sign up) and we set a date and time that works with both our schedules. When someone is coming in to surprise the class, I have the children all face the door, I go greet the S.S.R. in the office (while the aide watches the class) and then we are ready... in walks the "Super Secret Reader"! The expressions are PRICELESS and I have literally been brought to tears a couple of times due to the overwhelming happiness of my students. I especially get emotional when the S.S.R. is one of my former students and they are surprising their sibling, whom is my current student. Today was one of those days!! 


How was your week? I'd love to hear about it... link up with Doodle Bugs to share with others!

10 comments:

  1. Hi Jacqueline!
    I loved your leprechaun trap! Thanks for sharing your week. I look forward to hearing more about your flipped classroom!
    :) Shelley
    The Write Stuff Teaching

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    1. Thank you, Shelley! I make one every year with the class, and it is so much fun to hear their ideas and see their expressions when they come in the next day! I will be posting more about my "flipped classroom" journey, as I continue to gain more info. through my readings, research and in-services.

      Jacqueline

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  2. I love the trap and foot prints! Have you seen the magically shrinking leprechaun hats??? Kiddos decorate a styro cup. You bake it at 250 for a couple of minutes and it shrinks to perfect leprechaun size. The bottom even flips up to make a brim. It's fab!
    KaSandra
    MemoriesMadeinFirst

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    1. Ohh my KaSandra, this sounds so cute! They would love that! I will definitely have to try it next year with my kiddos!

      Jacqueline

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  3. Hi Jacqueline! Love your reading idea!! It got me teary eyed thinking of how meaningful this must be for your kiddos! What a wonderful thing you have set up for them :)
    Elyse :)
    Proud to be Primary

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    1. Elyse, It brings so much joy and excitement to the class! I would recommend this to any teacher, as a great parent involvement activity! Thank you for your sweet comment!

      Jacqueline

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  4. Love that you are taking things a step farther by trying out the flipped classroom when it is not required of you. Super teacher material!

    Loved the video!

    -Sarah
    A Rocky Top Teacher

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    1. Thank you, Sarah! I'm looking forward to learning more about implementing it and ways to make the videos more appealing! I thrive on learning new and innovative techniques that will help the children learn, as I know many teachers do!

      Jacqueline

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  5. I love your traps! They are so fun to make! Also I like the video! flipping your classroom looks like a lot of initial work! Good luck!
    Found your blog through Five for Friday and I am your newest follower. Would love for you to head over and check out my blog! Missy TheAdventuresofAClassyTeacher

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    1. Thank you so much, Melissa! Yes, a lot of work, but I'm willing to put the time in if it'll benefit my students! Thanks for stopping by! Cute blog!

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