Back to School

Bulletin Boards

Actually I use this bulletin board at the beginning of the school year but thought it fit in nicely to this theme. I have black paper for the background. I tack up the characters I have made first and then with different colored chalk I write "Welcome to Kindergarten" and then write all of my student's names around the characters. This works good if I need to erase a name I just wet a paper towel and it comes right off. I have also hairsprayed the whole thing so the kids can't accidentally erase their names.

Learning Centers

Teacher Dramatic Play The students each have a turn at this center to be the teacher for the rest of his/her group. Writing paper and used teacher record books are kept at this center for the teacher to use. A timer is set so each student has an equal amount of time as the teacher.

Color & Shape Road Large squares, circles and triangles are cut-out of three different colors of construction paper and laminated. They are evenly distributed into a road. Direction cards have been made up showing and stating what the student may step on to go down the road. For example: "Go on green triangles" or "Go on any squares". Each student takes a turn drawing a card and going down the road as the card states. The other students in the group are the judges to make sure the student followed directions.
	Build a School The group uses the blocks to build a school together. They also have wooden vehicles, people and signs to play with their school when finished building it.
	Back To School Games File folder games and school related write-on wipe-off cards are placed at the center. Students can work independently or together to practice basic skills.

Author Web Sites
Eric Carle	We read the story, Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? Eric Carle was the illustrator of this story. We visit his web site and learn about how he makes his pictures. We also e-mail him about the activities we have done with the story in our classroom.
Bill Martin Jr.	Author of Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?
ABC's of Safety	A safety rule for each letter of the alphabet. Click on the letter and you can print out a color sheet for that safety rule.
American Sign Language Dictionary American Sign Language Browser	These are two sites to find the correct way to sign almost any word. As an activity to go along with Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? we learn how to say the whole story in sign language. Basically it is learning colors and animals and the kids really pick it up fast!

Technology