Archive for May 30, 2012

Praying for the Children as They Follow Their New Paths

I have gone back this week to start packing things up for the summer. This is one of my least favorite tasks … but the cleaning staff won’t touch my room until I get it done!

It’s got to be done, but I get very sad as I start to remove the children’s names from our tables and chairs. I get lonely for their sweet faces, young voices and big hugs as I take down the pictures they drew for me over the year. The room starts looking very empty. Read more

Ending the Year on a Fun Note

We went to the Public Library on Wednesday this week. I loved showing the kids how much fun you can have for free! Ms. Lori and Ms. Alice, the librarians, showed us around and talked about all the fabulous happenings at the library for the summer. They read us a delightful book, Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians. Then we enjoyed free time to look at the picture books. Read more

Flames that don’t burn?

Recently during Jesus Time we read the story of that first Pentecost. The children could relate more than you might think!

First, we talked about really windy days and how it feels outside. We imagined what it might feel like to be inside a room with such wind. And fire! Wow. The children are fascinated by fire that doesn’t burn. (To be on the safe side, I reminded them that it will burn them today, and to never touch fire!) Read more

Ending Our Year…

This is always a bittersweet time for me. I am looking forward to summer, including being home for Noon Day prayer, taking a class on iPads, going to the Benedictine Spirituality Workshop and Retreat, and being on a more relaxed schedule. (The IPad class sounds great: Each participant will receive a full day training on how to use it in the classroom. Topics will include setup, management, digital books, online resources and student apps. I hope to receive helpful information on how I might be able to use it as a group center activity for literacy centers and math centers.) Read more

I Heard that Story During Jesus Time!

We had our spring program last week … and it was truly fun. Every grade participated, enjoying the special gifts everyone could bring. The littlest ones bring such sweet innocence while the older ones bring a growing professionalism. Read more

Helping Students Pass Tests with Flying Colors

Oh boy, this is the next to last week of school. It’s hard to get anything really “done.” Everybody’s too excited (including the teacher)!!!

I do have to finish up testing, though. I model my assessment after the Illinois Early Learning Standard, but I also test in different ways though out the year. Read more

All You Hungry Caterpillars!

This week we are learning about caterpillars and butterflies. We are using the story, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, in shared reading. We are also sequencing the story using the things the caterpillar eats on each day of the week.

 

Read more

Crowning Mary in a Preschool Classroom

Now that May is upon us (where has the year gone??), our thoughts here at Our Lady of Grace have turned to … Our Lady of Grace. It’s time for our May crowning. Read more

Rainy Day Fun

Last week was a wet one. We had been inside for 3 days, and if you teach young kids, you know what that means!! To put it lightly, the students had a lot of energy. :) Read more