Part of my job

Most of my job as a Kindergarten teacher is to teach the ideas laid out in the curriclum.  Things like the alphabet, counting, recognizing number sets, changes in our environment, etc.  But there are things that I teach that are also as important as the curriculum guidelines. 

One of my jobs as a Kindergarten is to teach your child self reliance , confidence in themselves,   ability to problem solve, and deal with difficult situations.  It is not always easy to sit back while a student struggles with a task that they deem too difficult as it would be easier if I did it for them.  I know that these small struggles are what makes them more confident and self reliant.   I am the first to cheer with them when they do succeed and it warms my heart when they do so.  I love to hear when they are able to tackle a task thought to be too difficult and the sight of them with the look of excitement of their face is something that brings a tear to my eye every time. I am proud of all them. 

Nutrition Nazi

I apologize for being so picky with lunches this past week.  Part of the expectation across the board for Health as a curriculum is to promote and teach healthy eating.  If we are able to show and teach kids about healthy eating and they start to eat healthier they will have more energy, be ready and able to learn, sustain attention and have less mood swings.  I am expecting that lunches will contain fruits and vegetables as well as the other food groups.  I understand (as I am a parent too) that lunches are the last things on our brains some of the time but taking the time to pack a healthy lunch most of the time will pay off.  So, please send only one or two small "extras" to help with that.  Raising Healthy Eaters and  Super Healthy kids are two websites that I visit for more information and interesting  lunchtime and healthy eating ideas. Please feel to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.

Kaleidoscopes

We made kaleidoscopes with pattern blocks today.  It was so good to see them being so careful with their work.  I have attached their work.  I have not added faces to keep it anonymous.  Please attach a comment to the end of this blog and let me know if you think  it should be anonymous or if I can show faces.  Really I just want to know who reads the blog.  lol . 
Halloween party on Friday.  We will not be attending Spooktacular on Friday as it will interfere with our party.  Boys will bring snacks (small plate only). 

Check out the kaleidoscopes - they are really cool. 
Sorry for the lateness.  Computer issues again.  I feel I am cursed. 

The Next Couple of Days and How to be a Friend

As I previously stated I will not be here Thursday or Friday so I will not be posting in the agenda.  I have sent home a floruide consent form for you to fill out if interested.  Halloween party will be next Friday so we will not be doing spooktacular with the rest of the school. 
I am asking the boys in the class to please bring a small healthy snack to share with the class - not too big as we have lots.  We will share this in the afternoon.  We will be doing activities in the classroom so if you want to come and join us you are welcome to come.  We will start the afternoon with a tour of the school to show off our costumes.  Please do not send your child in their costume in the morning as it is too hard to do the morning normally.  We will get dressed after noon recess.  I will help those who are finding it too difficult to dress on their own. 

We have talked about how to deal with small problems and I have told the kids that they need to tell the person who is bothering them that "Stop doing that.  I don't like it - let's try this instead"  because some of  the students are being "told on" all the time.  They are still to come to me with big problems.  I would rather that we all work on being a good friend to all the class because kids respond to other kids very well.  We'll see how that works. 
Please email me if you have any questions. 
Have a good weekend!

Pictures from Friday and good things of the day

Thanks to the Brittania Wilton Fire Department members - Shane, Shane and Dean.  We appreciate it!


Just a reminder - I will not be here on Thursday and Friday. 

Just today I was so proud of two Kindergarten students.  One came to me to tell me that the toilet paper was empty... "oh- what should we do" was my response. " Oh we already changed it for you!" 
Yeah - what little workers I have!   

Ah Friday!!!!

It seemed like that work week just flew by... oh right. I was only there one day. I have to say I haven't been that sick in years.  Three days on the couch and I couldn't move without wanting to sleep. 

Today was a rush. We started with a visit from our friendly neighbourhood firemen.  We love it when the Wilton Britannia Firemen come to visit.  They are all such good sports. 
We learned about smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, STOP DROP AND ROLL and how to use 911.  They suggested that all families make and practise a fire escape plan and that your land location or address is available for all to see in case of emergencies.  One thing that I like is that they always dress up as "real firefighters" and show the kids that is not something to be scared of in case they were ever in a fire. 
I will try to add pictures later when I get back to school as they are on the school network....

I am sorry for not sending a note home.  My computer is not helpful and does not play with the rules so I can often not print when I need to.  Any time that I do not send home a note, please look here and I will try to post. 

Please remember to send your child in clothes appropriate for the fall season.  Some of the child have come to school in only a thin bunnyhug and are cold before the recess has hardly started.  I swear that there is an Arctic iceberg just over the hill when the wind starts blowing so it can get very cold out there.  A pair of mitts would help too (please label them clearly as one pair of black mitts look just like another to a five year old.)

I will be gone Thursday and Friday next week as I am the cochair of the Saskatchewan Early Childhood Educators Conference in Saskatoon so I will be at school Monday to Wednesday.  Please feel free to call or email or text if you have any questions before I go. 

We will have a Halloween party on Oct. 28 in the pm.  We typically have a party where we dress up and tour the school and then play some games and share some healthy(and unhealthy) treats.  Parents are welcome to join us if you like and little siblings can come if they would like.  I will send a real note next week. 
Have a great weekend. 
Robyn Hunter

September is over - oh how it flew by!!

Thanks to all the parents who have sent back the information and papers so quickly.  As well,  let me know if there is something that you don't understand because chances are that someone else has the same questions.  Remember there are no silly questions and I promise not to laugh. 
Heads up that even though it is not a Kindergarten day,  parents are welcome to bring their children and families to join us at the Thanksgiving dinner.  More info will be sent out in the coming days. 
Scholastic orders are due on Oct. 7th.
And I promise that I will add to the blog.......I promise!