The first day of kindergarten should feel exciting, joyful, and just a little bit magical! One of my favorite first-day traditions is reading The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes. This sweet story helps children feel confident and ready to begin their own kindergarten adventure. After reading, we make crowns and celebrate every new member…
I love teaching kindergarten science. It’s hands-on, it’s messy and it’s fun! But over the years, I’ve realized that we need to teach kindergartners to use science tools just like we would anything else. Otherwise, you end up with droppers up noses and hand lenses being used as pickle ball paddles. Young children can’t investigate…
I can remember my kindergarten classroom so vividly–the big, chunky crayons, the paste in a jar, the “Big Chief” tablet (yikes…that was a little culturally insensitive), the blocks and the “homemaking” center. I remember my teacher, with her long, silky hair and cheery voice. I’m sure she was a princess. I remember singing songs and…