Pre-K 2018-2019 We Can Use the Panel

PRE-K 2018-2019

We Can Use the Panel

Teaching Pre-k is very different than any other grade level.  If you haven't taught Pre-K, LOOK OUT! LOL  Four year olds are very interesting and different than "others".  They have developed their own personalities, they are all about themselves, and they are very sweet.

BUT.........It is amazing how different they are than a five year old.  Who knew one year makes a difference?  I know now!

I taught kindergarten for 6 years.  I was used to what they say, what they do, and how they act.  I have a whole new respect for people that teach these little ones!

I have slowing been introducing the panel this school year.  I have been the ONLY one to use it, along with my assistant.

I decided to be brave.........
We used it this week to write the LETTER OF THE WEEK.  Of course we went over the instructions, we talked about everything, I was very specific, and then I slowly started letting them come up and "write on it" with the stylus.  I have it near the "classroom library" and so I am hoping it will get the respect it deserves being in the library area.

It was a successful lesson!

Teachers Need Cute Coffee Cups

I LOVE TO CRAFT!

Thanks to technology I can watch TONS of YouTube videos and teach myself how to do things.

I decided that I needed a cute coffee cup.  People are walking around with their CUTE water cups, with their straws, having their name on their cups, so I decided I wanted a coffee cup.  No one seems to "sell them".  No one seemed interested in custom making a coffee cup, although they "take orders".

I decided that I am "kinda" crafty and decided that I could make my own.

I did some research, threw caution to the wind, and decided to give it a try.

I watched probably 20 different videos.  WOW!  What I am getting myself into?  LOL  Oh well, why not?

You need:
coffee cup (used one from my cabinet)
spray paint of color you want it (this is a base) MINE WILL BE PURPLE OF COURSE
Mod Podge (People use different ones.  I used what I had on hand.)
Sponge brush (already had it)
glitter (always need more)
glitter sealer
Epoxy stuff 
cups to mix the two-part stuff
gloves (have some)
craft sticks or something to stir it
electrical tape (instead of painters tape - have it)
and of course vinyl to personalize (already have it)

Here are the links to Amazon.  I bought my supplies from there.  (It's too hot to get out and shop.)

Alumilite Amazing Clear Cast 16 ozhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CVYNQ4U/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Mod Podge (already had it, but this is cheap)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JX1OFDU/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Glitter
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009CFZUEK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Rust-Oleum Sealer
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B4GQDQ4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

NO TECH Tuesday - More Learning Sensory Bottles

I love creating things for my class!  I ordered VOSS water when I place an order at Amazon.  They are $2 each.  I drink the water and recycle the bottle.

I realized I had some rice in my cabinet.  I don't usually buy rice, so I know this is out.  I decided to dye it different colors.

I am planning to make different colors for each bottle.  I am not sure what all I plan to put in each one, but I can add things to it after school starts.  Maybe I will do one per theme if I have little things to put in the bottle.

So far, I have made red, blue, green, and purple.

I put the rice in a bowl, added food coloring, and two "lid fulls" of rubbing alcohol.  It seems like the rubbing alcohol activates the food coloring and makes it brighter.

After I stir it up and make it the color that I want, it is necessary to spread it out (on a plate) to let it air dry.  I let it dry a few hours, but mixed it up a few times just to make sure it was all dry.  Then, I put it inside the bottle.  I will add the "other items" later.  If I find something before school starts, I'll make another post.

NO TECH Tuesday - instant center with Target Mini Erasers

My newest and latest find are the MINI ERASERS at TARGET!  They are all the rage lately with all the teachers.  #targetteachers

I have seen many many teachers posting about the new stuff that Target has out in the "One Spot", Bull's Eye Playground" or whatever it is called now. 

They have stuff for one dollar, three dollars, and five dollars.  Of course it is all colorful, bright, and very inviting.  Teachers are obsessively grabbing up things.  Some of them are overbuying (I think).  I saw a lady with about 50 - yes 50 of the colorful containers.  She and her husband grabbed every one of them on the shelf.  I surely hope she has plans for all that and not being greedy.

I did manage to find a Target that actually had ONE bag of the CATS AND DOGS! 

I know teachers buy up these erasers, but I am not sure if they do it for themselves of the kids.  LOL  They are very addicting.  I have seen the collections they are posting on social media.  I don't want to "collect" them and store them in containers.  I want to put them to use in a center, so I made a center I think the students will like to play (and learn).

Two students can play this game together.  One of them will be the CAT and one will be the DOG.

They can spin the spinner (with the paper clip and pencil).

They SAY the name of the letter and then place their ERASER on the graph above the letter. 

If you are interested in this product, you can find it on TPT. 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Target-Mini-Erasers-Alphabet-Cats-and-Dogs-Spin-and-Graph-3908200

Be sure to join my Technology Page on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/975388825890055/

NO TECH Tuesday - Making Play dough for Pre-K

I have to plan ahead.... way ahead apparently.

So I decided to test out recipes and flavors of play dough.  Other teachers say that it keeps in the refrigerator so I will will store it in air-tight containers and hope for the best.

The recipe I used was:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 tbs oil
1 cup water

Then either Jell-o, food coloring, or Kool-aid.  I added lavender essential oils to the purple one.  I checked to see if it still smelt good a few days later and it did.  I hope it will when we use it after school starts.

The Jell-o and Kool-aid was sticky and you will need to add about 1/2 cup more of flour, a little bit at a time.

Of course, Gizmo the Human Dog had to get in on the action as well!

The colors and possibilities are endless!!

NO TECH Tuesday - Letter Sensory Bottles

Now that I am going to be teaching Pre-K, I have to have a new mind set.  I am learning about how to teach 4 year olds.  I have heard they are similar to kindergarten students, yet way different.  GO FIGURE!

So, I attempted something and it came out pretty good. 

I bought some letter beads at the 99 cent store and the container with the purple in the middle.  This time I used the Voss water bottle instead.  I will use the purple one next time.

I added water and food coloring to make it purple.  I put in the letters and added a little bit of the oil.  Then of course I added glitter!! 

TA DA! 

The students will search for the letters and write them down as they find them.  I plan to put this in the ABC center!

Crafting, Technology, and Teaching

Crafting, Technology, and Teaching are all passions of mine.  When all three collide it makes for a great day!  It was a really rainy day recently and I didn't want to do much, so I decided to craft.

I decided to make pencils... yes, pencils.  Extra large pencils, as a matter of fact.

I went to the local hardware store and purchased yard stakes.  How weird is that?  You know you are a teacher when every day objects remind you of school supplies!!

These yard stakes are pointy and are very dangerous..... because you could get a splinter.  Be careful!  They need to be sanded, sanded, and sanded.  So be sure to get one of those hand sand sponge things.  I don't think that is the technical term, but that is close enough.

Sand it down, and then do a little more just to be sure.

Then, you will need craft paint, a Sharpie, and some painter's tape and as you guessed it, I had all that on hand. :)

Next, put painters tape at the end so you make the yellow go almost to the end.  Also figure out where you want the "band" and the "eraser".  Tape off the end, so you only have to paint yellow part all at the same time.  Let it dry in between coast.  I painted two coats with a few touch ups.  (I waited about 15 minutes.)

Next, use the black Sharpie to color the end and the band.

After that, use the paint to make the "eraser".

Lastly, this is where the technology part comes into play.  Use your vinyl cutting machine to make the name, sayings, or decorations.

I did think about adding two eye bolts with some twin to make it so that you can hang it.  I didn't have any at home, so I didn't do that part.

It's great if you have a little helper! :)

Hope you liked this quick DIY teacher gifts!!  If you don't want to make them, they retail for $15 each plus shipping.

Tuesday at TCEA Conference in Galveston

My brain was on overload after the first full day, but I drank some more caffeine and powered through in order to make it to the next few classes.

*BrainPop 

It does so many things.  You can set up several teachers and each teacher can set up their class.  The instructor said if you are all using the same code to access BrainPop or BrainPop Jr. then you aren't doing it correctly.  The ADMIN person that set up the account has a code they can share so it can be used correctly.

I was amazed at all the things that it can do, what you can assign your students, and how they can create things including clips of movies, etc. 

*Learning on the Go with GooseChase

Do you remember doing scavenger hunts when you were a kid?  Well, now you can do them with today's modern technology!

If you haven't done a "GooseChase" be sure to participate the next time the opportunity presents itself.  It is fun.  

There are educator accounts that won't cost anything, so check it out!  It is awesome!!  So much to learn and so little time.

*Coding with Pre-Readers

*Interactive Four-Year-Olds - this class would be good only if you have the "SMART" brand  SMART board in your room.  I don't have that brand, so this class wasn't for me.  

*Little Hands and Big Ideas: PreK Technology Integration

The little ones can use technology if you teach them how to do it properly.  Some things you can use with them are:

Bee-Bots

Robot Mice

Ozobots

iMotion

QR Code

Osmo

Interactive Whiteboards

Monday at TCEA Elementary Conference

I just love the technology conference in Galveston.  SERIOUSLY, you should attend next year!  This was my 5th year to attend and I always have a fun time and enjoy meeting other teachers that love to learn!  I was told it would be able the same time next year and would be in Galveston again.

Day one - Monday:
Green Screen
DIY Listening Centers
Google Slides
Birds of a Feather - PREK Teachers
Alexa
KIBO

I really enjoyed all these classes and the presenters were very knowledgeable!  It is great to learn new things that I can incorporate in the upcoming school year.

Green Screen - Try the app DOINK or STIKBOT.  These both are great.

DIY Listening Center - This was so cool!  I'll be teaching PREK next year and I think this will be a great center for them.  It uses the app called VOICE RECORDER on the iPad and it looks like an old-fashion cassette tape!  AWWWW THOSE WERE THE DAY!!  No, I'm not old, so don't say and don't think it!  If you don't know the joys of recording things off the radio onto a cassette tape - YOU HAVE MISSED OUT!  :)  If you have, you understand what I mean.

Google Slides - I love all things GOOGLE!  I am sure you are tired of hearing that, but that's okay.  I have to say it again.  I LOVE GOOGLE!  https://sites.google.com/view/tcea18/home?authuser=0

We learned things like:
page sizes
insert images easily
shape engine
masking
inserting videos
Keep integration
voice typing
download options
and more

Birds of a Feather - A group of PREK teachers all in the same room!
Successful things in the classroom:

Building Blocks (website that works with Smartboards/Mimio)
Bugs and Bubbles
Bugs and Numbers
Writing Wizard
Counting Caterpillar
Doodle buddy (app)
Starfall.com
Blue-bots
Bee-bots (also an app)
AR Flash cards (app)

ABC Mouse

ABC Ya

Starfall.com

Alexa - Do you have one in your classroom?  You should get one.  It is great for setting alarms, spelling words, finding out facts about animals, making animal sounds, etc.

KIBO - floor robots without a screen.  These are a little pricey but are really cool.  You build them with blocks and then scan them and the robot does the commands.