Valentine Love!

Are you ready for the love-fest that will be invading Kinder classrooms everywhere starting tomorrow?  

I always get some kick out of how Kinders turn the holiday that happens during a month into something that begins on the first day of that month.  We all know the moment that the "October" calendar title gets placed on the classroom calendar there are cheers of, "Halloween!"  We go through the same process in December (oh man- December), and February brings us to "I got Trolls valentines!" "My mommy said I can get Shopkins cards!" Today brought a special moment where one of my students informed everyone that she would be wearing special leggings for Valentine's day and that people should touch them because they will be really soft. (Teachable moment of the morning- reminders about keeping hands to ourselves even if we want to touch someone's clothes.)

This year I had a chance to try out three sets of Valentines from my favorite game company, Peaceable Kingdom. (If you don't own a Peaceable Kingdom game yet- get one! You won't regret it.)  These cards are really fun- one set is even scented! (Flashback to your own childhood memories of scratch and sniff stickers and of course, getting dots on your nose from smelling a scented marker a little too close).

I've ranked the three sets I tried for cuteness factor and how user friendly they are for my Kinders. All three of these packs are adorable and well constructed. I tested out writing on the "To" and "From" lines on each of these cards and I was able to write on the Valentine with a pencil- no permanent marker required here! You'll be happy with any of these!

The frog bookmarks are sturdy enough to survive being tossed between the pages of an early reader chapter book (or even a not-so-early reader chapter book.)

Each bookmark pops out of a rectangular card which fits neatly inside the enclosed white envelope.  The envelopes have enough adhesive to actually stick (envelopes that don't stick are one of my teacher peeves.)

Next up I'm putting the Tic Tac Toe Valentine.  This Valentine has a fun bonus- you get to pop off the X's and O's and play the game.  The game pieces are made of paper and can be reused for multiple rounds- best game of three, perhaps? 

The kit comes with envelopes and stickers.  My plan was to use the stickers on the envelope (even though the envelopes are sticky enough to stick shut) so that the envelope is reusable.  I love the idea of playing the game, don't so much love the idea of finding little X and O game pieces everywhere- easy fix if you use the envelope to hold the pieces!

Okay- I am partial to a pencil "gift" for my students.  These scratch and sniff pencil toppers have a sweet grape or strawberry scent to them (even though I was nervous about smelling the skunk- don't worry, all good!)  The holes in these cards made for easy assembly.  The only thing to know about these is that while the box seems large enough to have pencils included, it does not.



You can get any of these Valentines here!

What ever way you celebrate with all your little Valentines, I wish you a month full of love! All holidays are month long after all, remember?

The Great Kindness Challenge

This week I won't be teaching Kindergarten.  This week I'll be teaching KINDergarten.

January 23-27, 2017 my school will be participating in The Great Kindness Challenge. Check out the event website- it's loaded with activities and resources!  Each day this week has a different kindness theme, complete with wardrobe options to match (we all know Kinder teachers are great at dressing up- it's basically an unofficial requirement for this grade level).

I was a fan when I heard of the idea of a week devoted to Kindness.  After checking into the program I discovered that one of the bigger sponsors is Peaceable Kingdom.  Peaceable Kingdom is my favorite company for the cooperative games.  Check them out here!  The games are age appropriate and entertaining.  The games are also made from recycled materials and parts are replaceable (just call the company- they are super helpful and 'get' the mystery of where game pieces disappear to within classroom walls.)  I reviewed the company a few years ago, I still think they're fabulous!

I don't have too many exact plans worked out, yet (the inspiration moments that happen in the shower or on the way to school haven't hit yet).  Here are the two ideas I have plotted out on my particularly blank plan book for next week.

• One of my lessons is going to be to make a Kindness Quilt (out of paper).  We'll be reading the book The Kindness Quilt and making our own quilt as a class. When I was in Kindergarten my teacher had an annual family project where each Kinder's family decorated a fabric square which was sewn into an actual quilt.  I have always wanted to bring that project back and feel that this paper quilt may eventually become my version.  For now, this is an in-school project.  

• We're also participating in a door decorating contest (school wide) where our classroom door will be transformed from sparkly snowflakes to a, "flurry of kindness."  (Taking down all of the snowflakes to put them back up in a week just isn't a good use of any of my prep blocks- this would be an example of 'working with what you've got').

So what will you be teaching?  Ready for the challenge to teach KINDergarten? You've got this!