Blog • The Kinderhearted Classroom

Shake, Rattle and ROLL Sentence Practice

22 Sep

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for a way to make learning fun. There's something about an element of fun that makes my students tackle a task with more rigor and excitement. As a kindergarten teacher, I take my students from writing letters, to writing words, to writing sentences. Then I send them off to hone their writing skills with other teachers. There's something magical that happens when a student has an 'ah-ha' moment with writing sentences; the glimmer in their eye when the world of written communication opens up. But it takes some practice to get ... Read More about Shake, Rattle and ROLL Sentence Practice

Super Simple Organization for the Classroom, Bedroom or Playroom

14 Sep

Oh teacher friend, momma friend, anyone who works with kids friend - the struggle is REAL! How do we keep all those toys organized?!? What I really mean is, how do we teach the kids to keep those toys organized so we don't spend precious hours doing it ourselves??? When I became a mom I had dreams of an organized play room. One where everything had a place and toys were easy to find. What really happened was a few bins that toys got thrown into with no rhyme or reason. The only way to know what toys were there was to dump them all on the floor! I found though that ... Read More about Super Simple Organization for the Classroom, Bedroom or Playroom

Progress Monitoring Made Easy

29 Aug

Oh teacher friends - the struggle is real! On-going progress monitoring and you want me to teach too?!? I don't know about you, but progress monitoring could be its own full-time position. Why I {LOVE} Progress Monitoring . . . I'm a huge fan of progress monitoring because it allows me to know where my students are at all times. I see their growth and their struggles. I can adjust my teaching and differentiate as needed. That is, after all, what progress monitoring is all about. But it is TOUGH to get it all in! What I was doing was okay, but not great. I knew ... Read More about Progress Monitoring Made Easy

Printable Anchor Charts That Save You Time and Money!

16 Aug

Hi Teacher Friend! I am so happy you found your way to this blog post because I have some amazing time saving, money saving tips for you! Annnnnddddd . . . you don't have to give up an engaging lesson or student engagement. OK to get started - let's play a quick little game. I am going to give you a word and I want you to think about the next word that comes to mind. Are you ready?!? Here we go . . . **ANCHOR CHART** So, what popped in that mind of yours? A word? A feeling? Both? Did you do a little happy dance? Did you let out a big sigh? Here's a ... Read More about Printable Anchor Charts That Save You Time and Money!

How I Taught My Students to Love Writing

8 Aug

Hi teacher friend! You and I both know writing is a fundamental part of a child’s education. They will be communicating in some written form for the rest of their lives. So let's help them build a solid foundation for writing. Let’s make writing fun and engaging. Let's make them want to write! don’t just mean kinda sorta want to do it, I mean, WANT as in "PLEEEEEAAAAAZZZZZZ can I go the writing center Mrs. Coller!" Can't you just see those begging hands, big eyes and huge smiles. Wouldn't it be great to see and hear this all the time. Creating a Love for Writing Most students don't just naturally ... Read More about How I Taught My Students to Love Writing

Digital Centers for Kindergarten and First Grade {With a FREEBIE}

12 Feb

Digital Centers for Kindergarten and First Grade {With a FREEBIE} "Students can't develop a pencil grip from swiping on a tablet". I will never forget hearing a friend say this, as we were discussing how to integrate technology into our primary classrooms. This sentence was the catalyst that helped us develop Digital Centers for Kindergarten and First Grade. Our Digital Centers were designed with fine motor skills in mind! Whole Group, Small Group, Homework and MORE! Our Digital Centers can be used a variety of ways - in whole groups, small groups, independent work settings, and they can even be sent ... Read More about Digital Centers for Kindergarten and First Grade {With a FREEBIE}