Creative Kindergarten

In episode 6 of Creative Kindergarten’s Book Club, we read and reflect on chapter 6 of Literacy Foundations for English Learners. I haven’t put much thought into building fluency with my kindergarten students, and this chapter gave me some perspective and some ideas to think about. I love the focus on the foundational skills needed for readers to build fluency and the different ways we can work on...

In episode 152 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast, I am preparing for my summer break by organizing and reflecting. I want to set myself up for success and recharge over the next two months, so I do some things that help me with that! > 3-Day Read-Alouds Scholar’s Choice Webinar: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/266/5vpx0f0n   > Sign up for Camp Kinder: https://bit.ly/CKcampkinder23  ...

In episode 5 of Creative Kindergarten’s Book Club, we read and reflect on chapter 5 of Literacy Foundations for English Learners. I am so excited to be talking about phonics! Ensuring that my instruction meets the needs of all my students is so important to me, and I think about the different ways that I can differentiate my lessons so that my English learners can continue to learn and thrive! Lin...

In episode 4 of Creative Kindergarten’s Book Club, we read and reflect on chapter 4 of Literacy Foundations for English Learners. I reflect on my growing understanding of phonological awareness skills, and how I can ensure my English learners start to build a strong foundation in these important skills. Go to the forum to answer this week’s reflection question, or to share your thoughts on this ch...

In episode 151 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast, I talk about how I clean up the classroom for the end of the school year! It’s almost time for summer break, and I am ready to pack up for summer break. What does this look like for me? I’ll let you know in this week’s episode! > 3-Day Read-Alouds Scholar’s Choice Webinar: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/266/5vpx0f0n   > Sign up for...

In episode 3 of Creative Kindergarten’s Book Club, we read and reflect on chapter 3 of Literacy Foundations for English Learners. Literacy instruction has been a huge focus for my own professional learning these past few years. I want to ensure that my teaching benefits all students, and incorporates strategies to help my English learners become readers. This chapter helps me come up wth strategie...

In episode 2 of Creative Kindergarten’s Book Club, we read and reflect on chapter 2 of Literacy Foundations for English Learners.  There are many components to learning to speak, read and write in English. This chapter specifically focuses on language development, and how we can effectively use your classroom time to help develop these skills with your English learner students. Go to the forum to...

In episode 150 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast, I look back on this school year and reflect on how my programming has grown and changed. A core part of my practice is ensuring that I am constantly evolving and tailoring my classroom to fit the needs of my students. How did I do that this past year? Listen to find out! > 3-Day Read-Alouds: https://creativekindergartenblog.com/kindergarten-r...

Welcome to Creative Kindergarten’s first episode of Book Club! I am so excited to embark on this amazing professional development with you and read an amazing book that will further my understanding of teaching English learners. In this first episode, I discuss the first chapter of the book: “Teaching Literacy Skills to English Learners”, and share my experiences as a language learner growing up i...

In episode 149 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast, I go over some of the fun things that I like to do at the end of the school year to keep students engaged and learning! This can be a hard time of the year to plan for, so make it easier with these tips and ideas! > Free Monthly Idea List: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Kindergartens-Monthly-Idea-List-with-Centers-and-Pr...

In episode 148 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast, I give my tips and strategies for making it to the end of the school year with your mental health intact. This can be a challenging time for educators and students, so how can we set ourselves up for success and prevent burnout?  > Problem-Solving Skills podcast episode: https://creativekindergartenblog.com/ep-141-problem-solving-skills/   To...

In episode 147 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast, I go over what I have done in the past for my Alphabet Countdown to the end of the school year. Make each day exciting and easy to plan by reviewing and having fun with each letter of the alphabet! >Alphabet Countdown blog post: https://creativekindergartenblog.com/alphabet-countdown/   > Alphabet Countdown activities: https://www.teachers...

In episode 146 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast, I go through the information that I leave for a supply educator in my handbook. What I think is important, tips I’ve picked up from supplying and advice for how you can make a supply’s day a bit easier! > Make a Silly Sentence: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Make-a-Silly-Sentence-Decodable-Literacy-Activity-9440371?ref=feed/selle...

In episode 145 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast, I talk about the need to know basic first-aid, and how to calm a student down when they are hurt. I often call myself a ‘part-time nurse’ with all the ailments and injuries that I ‘treat’ throughout the day. To join in on the conversation with me, you can find me on: Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Creative-Kinde...

In episode 144 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast, I reflect on all the important fine motor work I have done with my students to ensure that they are developing the necessary skills. Fine motor skills are important for self-help skills, writing, and so much more - but how can we focus on strengthening them in the classroom? > Fine Motor Skills blog post: https://creativekindergartenblog.com/...

In episode 143 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast, I celebrate the arrival of spring! I love this time of the year with my students when we are able to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather (without snow pants!) I go over my spring ‘to-do list’ of activities that I love doing with my classroom every year. > Butterfly Lesson: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Butterfly-Unit-with-S...

In episode 142 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast, I share my thoughts around teaching during Earth Hour, Month and Day. How can we ensure that our students are engaged in authentic learning and that we understand the why behind the activities that we are engaging in? > Earth Hour slideshow: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Earth-Hour-Unit-with-Slideshow-and-Printable-Information-P...

In episode 141 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast , I reflect on my own practice when teaching problem-solving skills to my students. How can we explicitly teach the strategies needed for our students to think critically about problems they encounter, and be able to solve them independently? > Problem-Solving Task Cards: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Problem-Solving-Task-Cards-a...

In episode 140 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast , I discuss Pink Shirt Day and the implications it has for our practice all year. How can we teach our students to be upstanders and stand up to social justice issues? > Pink Shirt Day information: https://www.cbc.ca/kids/articles/what-is-pink-shirt-day > Blank Canvas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blankcanvasca/ To join in on the...

In episode 139 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast , I talk with Annabelle about how we can work to build effective and healthy partnerships with our teaching team members. > Find Annabelle. on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missperston/ > Camp Kinder Weekends: https://campkinder.ca/ To join in on the conversation with me, you can find me on: Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacher...

In episode 138 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast , I talk with Sophia about introducing art materials and techniques with Sophia from Creative Kids Co. We dive into some tips and tricks on how to get started, where to get materials and where to find inspiration! > Find Creative Kids Co. on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creative.kids.co/ > Creative Kids Co. Website: https://creative...

In episode 137 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast , I discuss self-regulation skills with Avery and Alannah. We talk through strategies that we use and the learning that we’ve done around teaching our young learners how to regulate their big emotions. > Find Avery and Alannah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gentle.teachers/ > No Drama Discipline: https://amzn.to/3J1cMeR > Love B...

first step to creating a successful outdoor program. Lauren gives us the tools and the confidence to bring the learning outside! > Find Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentoringnatureconnections/ > Read Lauren’s blog: http://www.mentoringnatureconnections.ca/ > Listen to the Mentoring Nature Connections podcast: https://mentoringnatureconnections.ca/podcast-2/ > Me and M...

In episode 135 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast , I have an amazing discussion with Marissa from Mme Marissa about Story Workshops. We talk through how she uses them (along with her whole school), how impactful they are, and how you can get started doing your own story workshops. > Find Mme Marissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmemarissa/ > Read Mme Marissa’s blog: https://www...

In episode 134 of the Creative Kindergarten Podcast , I discuss decodable texts! I go over how I use them in the classroom and where I have found decodable texts that I use. They have been an amazing tool to use with my students and are an integral part of building confident readers. > Documentation blog post > Flyleaf Publishing > Journeys > Educators Publishing Service books > Dec...