Five for Friday February 27

I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday. Thank you for hosting, Kacey! 

We measured, watered, and watched our amaryllis bulb every single day since we planted it.  Finally, it was JUST about to burst open on Friday afternoon right before our week off.  SO, my wonderful mother took care of it for us at her house- and she actually made a book to show the children the beautiful blooms!



That wasn't all-  she brought in the plant, which now had four gorgeous flowers on it.  I love my mom's excited face!  That is exactly what makes a great teacher, because you should have heard the excitement when the children saw those flowers.   The book has been a favorite in our classroom book bin!

Every year, I take the children's pictures in a hat they choose, and have each of them tell me why they are lucky.  This first one made me smile. 

This one got lots of  bonus points, as you can imagine... 

Letter Man is great reinforcement for those children who still need some work on letter sounds.  We use him for reading sight words, too.  Then, of course, he becomes Word Man...

I got the garbage can at the Dollar Tree.  My sweet husband made the hair for me, just because that's what kindergarten teacher's husbands do. And he wanted to give him a mullet.  Because that is just what men do, I guess.  

We also have fun feeding Hungry Harry.  He's a tennis ball that I cut a slit in with an Exacto knife.  The eyes and hair brought him to life.  Eating  letters and words keeps him alive. He's always hungry for letters and words.  Sometimes numbers or shapes.  He's our hungry helper. 

One of my favorite things to do is watch the children read in their special spots.  I have pop sickle sticks with eight  different special spots on them. The spots I use are housekeeping, front corner, under table (3 times because I have 3 tables), rug, by my desk, and out in the hall.   Each pair of reading buddies (which I  choose ahead of time, by the way) choose a stick and go off to read, read, read.  It's just a fun way to change up independent reading time. 

Magic Smart Glasses are a fun way to change up Read the Room- or to wear when they are writing sight words.  They just write more neatly and remember how to spell those words better  with these magic glasses.  You know- it's magic!

 I wrote this letter because I wanted to send home some ideas to help parents while they read at home with their children. Reading at home with children is such a huge benefit and important part of a child's reading success, but sometimes we forget that parents don't always know what we're focusing on or looking for as they read with their child.

I labeled the praise points, "Wonderful," and the questions for parents to ask, "Wondering."  These ideas help parents remember to praise, praise, praise and encourage their child as they read together at home, as well as provide questions to help parents take their child deeper into the text and beyond the text. 

If you would like a copy to send home with your students'  click the picture below if you would like a copy!  Enjoy!

Have a happy, healthy weekend. Thank you for stopping by!