How are YOU feeling today?

At the beginning of the school year
-hmmm... all year, actually-
I try to help the children identify their emotions.
Not only does this improve the way a child communicates
with us teachers AND with their friends,
it validates the way he or she is feeling.

A lesson I'm loving right now:

The cards are from The Kindness Curriculum,
and there are lots of different ways to use them.

-Of course, you could easily make them yourself!
If so, I would suggest writing the words below each picture...
that's the one thing that bugs me about these cards!-

I like sitting with a small group of children,
taking turns making faces into the mirror,
chatting about times when we felt surprised or angry.

How I feel today:

1st day of school...

I am too tired to write much... but, I just have to say,
it was good
really, really good.

I took these photos of the classroom
before I went home for the day.
What a happy place!
Maybe it's the new yellow paint on the walls...
or the fact that it was finally filled
with busy, smiling friends again!

Last day of summer vacation!

birthday adventure

matching objects to pictures - apples and worms!

I am so excited about my new felt board! As you may know, I am a big fan of felt boards - they are perfect for activities like matching and storytelling. I made this one from a thrifted frame and a rectangle of felt. It's just the right size for little hands to carry to a table, and because it's a frame, I can easily replace the felt. A new felt board, for less than $1 - woo hoo!

Here are some photos of the new apples and worms matching lesson I made to go along with it:

When presenting this lesson to a child,
I would set out all the possible pieces
on a rectangle of felt like this.

Then, I would chose a card...

and make a match!

I would also encourage the child to come up with his or her own combinations, too! :)