Kindergarten Goonies: Always Looking for Hidden Treasures!

Duckies! Chicks!! & Pics!!!

2013-04-27T23:34:00.000-04:00

Just sharing some crafts; please "PIN" the ones you like!

Comments...anyone?

Have a good one!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Kid Writing Part II: A Way to Advance your Kiddos!

2013-04-23T21:53:00.002-04:00

We LOVE Kid Writing !!! So sorry there was not a part II to the program. So we have been experimenting with things to expand the program. We instruct our kiddos to make an "I" sentence. For example, "I love ducks." Then the graphic organizer above reminds kiddos to have an "are", "have" and "can" sentence. For example, "Ducks are water birds." Then conclude with a question: "Do you love ducks?" What we did above is take a picture with each kiddo and our duck. For kiddos who can write without support; how about allowing them to write paragraph 2? Differentiating instruction is what we all do. We have been adhering to Common Core and watched a short non-fiction information video on ducks to get facts. Non-Fiction writing goes along with Common Core!

Click HERE for a FREEBIE copy of the graphic organizer above.

Click HERE the link to the video we watched.

We would love to hear your comments!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

"HURRY...The Sky is Falling!" said Chicken Little

2013-04-19T20:17:00.002-04:00

This craft is based on "Little Chicken". After reading and listening to Little Chicken be read to us on DVD, our kiddos wrote: I am the brightest chicken in the coop when.....

After candling our duck and chick eggs, our kiddos drew pictures of what they observed.

We are anxiously awaiting for ducks and chicks! Be back soon with an update!
If you are Blog Hopper and LOVE our projects...how about becoming a follower?; we would like to know who is checking out our blog! Give us a comment, let us know what's going on in your classroom???
Let's make an effort to keep these blogs goin'; many have just stopped....

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Click HERE for another Chick Project!

Click HERE for an Earth Day Project!
Click HERE for Book!
Click HERE for DVD!

Check out these DVDs...these DVDs have books that highlight words and read aloud to your kiddos; what a great DVD center! You kiddos get stories read aloud to them while you are working in small group!!!

Do your kiddos use your Word Wall?

2013-04-14T19:21:00.001-04:00

Sight Word Bowling...what FUN! Below is a bowling rug.

Attach your sight words with Velcro from your Word Wall.

If interested, Click HERE...

I know all of you looking at this page have Word Walls. But the BIG question is: Are your kiddos using your WW? If so, why or why not? Have you ever thought about that. There are about 8 more Fridays left in this school year but you might want to start thinking about next year. This is a SW Word Wall for Kindergarten. We have about 80 sight words because we find if a kiddo enters first grade with 60 sight words, they are on about a Level D...end of Kindergarten Reading Level. We shoot for the highest Reading Level possible. Our WW are utilized with pictures and letters from our ABC Chant. Everything is positioned on lower level so that kiddos can reach the sight words. Sight Words are removed with Velcro. Below you will see a WW with 1st and 2nd Grade SW. If you move your kiddos according to their academic level, you are differentiating instruction. Some kiddos will struggle learning the Kindergarten SWs but I bet all of you have kiddos and parents who know their kiddo can move forward. So why not think about a second word wall for enrichment?

This is an example of a Word Wall with First and Second Grade Sight Words. This is a good way to differentiate your instruction when you have kiddos who are ready to move on! All words are attached with Velcro so that they can be utilized by kiddos. We also LOVE using them for game such as: Bowling (above) and Sight Word Car Racing. We utilize hearts because "We Know our Sight Words by Heart". If interested in this set-up, click HERE....

Here is a close-up pic of a Kindergarten Word Wall.

Here is a close-up pic of a First-Second Grade Word Wall.

Remember these tips...

1. WW need to be low enough for your kiddos to have access to the words;

Velcro is an excellent material so kiddos can use word and return it.

2. SW Knowledge is one determining factor of Fluency.

3. SW Knowledge is one determining factor in reading level.

4. Games are one of the best ways to learn SW.

5. Repetition is needed to learn SW.

For Word Wall Activity click HERE...
Click HERE for info on Differentiation...

We would LOVE to hear from our followers! What do you do for WW or SW games?

Have a good one!
XOXO The Goonie Gals

Better Late than Never! Lots of Pics to Share....

2013-04-05T19:37:00.002-04:00

So Sorry for the Belated "Hoppy Bunny Day!"

Goonies were hit with computer virus and then the flu...just "EW!"

Still recovering from both...hoping to be back in the groove soon.

Did feet part of this project first. If you attempt...keep feet as close to the top of the paper as possible. If you notice one foot was done at a time so you can get that slant in bunny ears;

just a little extra if you are a detail person as we are! LOL

Still working writing paragraphs. This graphic organizer is working like a charm!

Getting tons of writing; in some cases 2+ paragraphs.

Jelly Bean Game Picture as Promised!

Here is link if you are like WHAT?
Jelly Bean Game Freebie

In the past, we have used 2 liter soda bottles to make baskets; this year we used water gallon bottles.

Close-up pic of front. Kiddos used paint brushes for their glue.

They glued tissue paper around the bottom.

Who can forget that cotton ball for the tail?

Just a cutesy hat!

Were you feelin' like we didn't even get to give a decent good-bye to the Leprechaun and HOP...here came and went the Bunny? If so, click HERE...we are focusing on chicks now!

For more chick FREEBIES, click HERE!

Have a good one!

XOXO The Kindergarten Goonies

Jumping Jelly Beans: FREEBIE

2013-03-19T18:31:00.000-04:00

Click HERE for FREEBIE!

If you are interested in the packet, Click HERE!

Jumping Jelly Beans! You got a FREEBIE!

Become a follower if you are not and/or leave us a comment;

we would LOVE to hear from you! Be back soon with another FREEBIE!

Jumping Jelly Beans for our kiddo's gift; will share pic when we are done!

Have a good one!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Sight Word Racin': The Race is On!

2013-03-17T23:07:00.001-04:00

Here are our kiddos writing who won a round a sight word race.

Now you could have a number, alien word, letter, etc. race

Click HERE for a FREEBIE.

Click HERE for the entire packet!

Here are some pictures of our race. This is a race against "by" and "girl". The kiddos pull their words from our velcro word wall. Notice how the words face the kiddos as they race down the ramp. How do they know what words they should pull? See below for some differentiated instruction. We use dollar store white boards that has the name of the sight words that they are either learning to read and/or spell, depending where the kiddo assessess. Yes, they are magnetic boards placed on our white boards and/or heaters. Each week their words change after an assessment. Above we used "Little Tyke Wheelies" to race because it folds. But really you could use any ramp to race. We can't hi-light enough how much more the kiddos have been using the word wall for writing due to this Sight Word Racin' Activity. Let us know if you have any questions.

Click HERE for more info. on this activity!

Our next venture...we purchased these large plastic eggs at the dollar store for our kiddos. Yes we are planning to put a game inside. If you have ideas, please share!

Happy Monday!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Do You Believe in Leprechauns? FREEBIE

2013-03-14T18:28:00.001-04:00

Howdy Leprechaun Lovers! This is a fun Leprechaun painting activity. Afterwards, use this FREEBIE (Click HERE) to get your kiddos writing paragraphs. How???? you may be saying...Well start off with this formula: 1. Start with an "I "sentence. 2. "are" sentence 3. "have" sentence 4. "can" sentence 5. End with a "question" about your first sentence.

Here's an example:

I believe in leprechauns. Leprechauns are green. Leprechauns have hats. Leprechauns can do tricks. Do you believe in Leprechauns?

Then our kiddos asked "Can I write more?" Say What? you may say!

Yep, start with another "I" sentence and use the same pattern.

I like leprechauns. Leprechauns are funny. Leprechauns have orange beards. Leprechauns can jump. Do you like Leprechauns?

This simple pattern has motivated our kiddos to go on a writing kick! Kiddos who were having problems writing one sentence on their own are writing paragraphs. This writing pattern has built confidence and stopped their writing block. No more "I don't know what to write!" whining. We recommend using this pattern for other writing topics and your kiddos will have the hang of it after just a few lessons. Combine this with your Kid Writing knowledge. Try it and tell us how you like it! If you have some writing tips, please share! More writing tips coming soon!

We LOVE Leprechauns!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2013-03-13T20:33:00.002-04:00

What do you give your kiddos for St. Patty's Day? We have been trying to make "most" gifts have an academic purpose. Really... how do we take our famous Shamrock Shake off the menu? Anyway we want to give our kiddos something of more educational value than a pencil and a shamrock sticker. This container is from the dollar store with hot glued decorations.

What would you put inside? Well that will depend upon your kiddos. Where do they need practice? The game, "Green" is just like "Bang"; the player must put all of their cards back in this container of that card is drawn. You could also add a card that says, "The Leprechaun gave you his hat; Take one card from the deck or any player." Your cards could be the alphabet, numbers, sight words, sight word phrases for fluency, spelling words, alien words or even Funky Chunkies (Click HERE if you just said "Say what?"). Yep any educational game would be great for this container or any cutesy container from the dollar store. Differentiate by giving each kiddo what they need or the areas where they need practice according to their assessments. Don't forget to make an extra game for your centers/RTI. Kiddos LOVE to play games they know! We can't wait to show you our dollar store Egg Containers...so CUTE! If you have a fun game to share, post it!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

The bottom of the container where you put the kiddo's name!

Reading Stamina Link

2013-03-12T20:22:00.000-04:00

Hey Goonie Followers!
We hope this week of warmer weather has brought some smiles to your faces. Above you will see an online stopwatch that we use to track our kiddos reading stamina. We have projectors so we display the site on our whiteboards for our kiddos to gain more motivation. Sorry no Smartboards for us; BOO-WHOO! Anyway we make the best of what we have. "The Sisters" speak about Reading Stamina in the Daily 5/CAFE books. Check them out if you haven't. Click here for online stopwatch. Come back later this week for some chat about Sight Word Differentiation; sound interesting?

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Spring Ahead with Starfall...

2013-03-10T19:45:00.000-04:00

We just wanted to share what we purchased at a bookstore. These are two packs of Starfall "decodable" books with sight words! Our kiddos LOVE www.starfall.com
We have printed books for our kiddos in the past from Starfall but they always like color and the "real thing"! Please share any decodable books that you use in your classroom; love to hear from our followers!

Tomorrow is the big day for Dallas fans, it is Larry Hagman Day! Yes, what a way to go out with a "Who Shot J.R.?" extravaganza!!! Will Dallas fans see Pamela Ewing? Perhaps Victoria Principal will not return but the "character" Pam may; can't wait to find out!

Happy Larry Hagman Day to Dallas Goonies!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Sad But True... Sight Word Talk...Guilt-Free FREEBIE!

2013-03-06T20:29:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone!
Why do kiddos have a hard time learning sight words? A colleague brought this to my attention from a reading series: "This is the sight word, spell the sight word, say the sight word, let's read the sentence with this sight word and WAH-LA...you learned the sight word...NEXT!" HA! HA! SAD BUT SOOOO TRUE! Sure we have Heidi Songs (and LOVE it!)and utilize multi-sensory strategies and yes, our "MY WORD WALL" (check our blog for this FREEBIE) has broken some ground. But just thought we would share something an administrator shared with us. How about making certain that a kiddo can correctly "spell" the sight words before worrying about the weekly spelling words that are not utilzed often OR better yet, the weekly spelling words from all of the same word family??? (That's why our "Funky Chunkies" have really helped with decoding b/c the word family changes which forces our kiddos to decode! (& escalated our DIBELS NWF/Alien Word score). So our wheels began turning... 1. Assess the K kiddos up to our 80 sight words (Yes 80 b/c a kiddo needs to read 200 by the end of first grade to achieve the DIBELS fluency score; yep, do the math!-a discussion for another time) 2. Play a game like BANG 3. Integrate using the velco word wall into the game so kiddos practice using it (so the WW it is not just cutsie decoration). We enjoy blogging and blog stalking because we have been experimenting with ideas and listening to what colleagues around the world have to say and share. Please share one sight word idea, sight word item and/comment and then be GUILT-FREE and take this FREEBIE! HEE! HEE!

Have a good one!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Click HERE after you SHARE a comment/question...

Just Checkin' In!

2013-03-04T23:49:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

It has been such a busy month. The Sight Word Race Game is working well. We will have to post pics. We have never seen so many kiddo interested in sight words...whooo hoooo! The kiddos start at the bottom and root for their choice. Letters, Numbers, Chunkies, Nonsense Words, etc. are all part of the packet. Now onto the bowling. We have been working on Fluency Folders. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment. We will share soon! XOXO The Kindergarten Goonies

RTI Activity#3 Raceway & Bowling FREEBIE

2013-02-04T01:20:00.002-05:00

Welcome Everyone!

Please don’t get overwhelmed, this packet has 150 pages! But the possibilities for use of this packet are endless. We were at TOYS R US and saw both the Fisher Price Wheelie and Little Tikes Clear Bowling Pins.

We needed an excuse to make purchasing these items worthwhile for our classroom…so “WUH-LUH” development of this packet began. Here are a list of things that can be done with this packet:

1.Use hearts for Wheelie Cars for Raceway. Laminate Hearts and use velcro.

2.Use hearts for putting inside bowling bins. Laminate Hearts and use velcro.

3.Use Raceway sheets to practice writing whatever is on the heart. Holy Smokes…you have the choice of letters, numbers, shapes, colors, over 350 sight words, long/ short vowel nonsense words and long/short vowel Chunkies! Click HERE if you need Chunkie defined. PLUS the opportunity to do your own thing with the hearts.

4.Use the Hearts for a “I Know My Words By Heart Word Wall” OR I Know my Word Chunkies By Heart Funky Chunkie Wall….you decide!

5.Over 350 Sight Word Cards for Word Rings. (Dolch/Fry and Scott Foresman Reading Street Words included).

6.Parent Letter Enclosed for “YOUR” Class Sight Word Average. Now you can answer your favorite question-”How is my kiddo doing compared to his/her classmates?”

7.Ability to make an “Assessment Binder” with FREEBIE on blog and assessments graphs included in your packet.

8.You also have the ability to make a “Love Bug” or a “Love Bites” Game with the hearts. Just pick up a cute heart container from the Dollar Store.

What’s included….Over 350 Sight Words so you have the ability to take any kiddo to his/her potential. No one can accuse you of not challenging their kiddo! Nonsense Words, Letters, Numbers, Colors, Shapes and Funky Chunkies are all included in this one packet. What a steal and a good excuse to visit the local toy store! Enjoy!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

www.kindergartengoonies.blogspot.com

Click HERE for a FREEBIE!

Click HERE for the PACKET!

GH Winter or Spring? FREEBIE

2013-01-28T23:58:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone!
The Goonie Gals are still pumped up; Dallas was AWESOME. The Ewings are on repeat on TNT as this is being typed...WHOO-HOO! Click HERE for another gift. If you download our new GH Shadow Writing Book and you want to keep the FREEBIES comin', please become a follower and leave a comment!

Does the kiddo want the GH to see his shadow or not? Attached are two shadow writing books. The book that the kiddo will get will depend on what the kiddo wants. Check it out, become a follower and leave a comment.

Happy Groundhog Day!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

www.kindergartengoonies.blogspot.com

My Word Wall FREEBIE

2013-01-27T21:36:00.002-05:00

This is a two-sided homework paper that can be used for both practice and assessment. It is a simple paper that let parents know where the kiddo is. There is a spot left open to add in sight word phrases. Remember sight word knowledge depends on fluency and likewise comprehension. For struggling readers, insert or sandwich SW words that the kiddo can read with some words that the kiddo needs practice. For enrichment, keep going add sight words that the kiddo doesn't know. Yep, go beyond your grade level words. Differentation, differentiation, differntiation...we can't stress this enough! "One size fits all" just doesn't cut it! LOL

The return of Dallas is on TNT Monday night! Yes, one of the Gonnie Gals is happy and one of the Goonie Gals' daddy is also dancin' in his shoes. So we are in a generous mood.

Favorite Pic but wish they remembered Ray & Poor Gary!

Not a bad crew for a remake...but where is Pam?

Click HERE and see ya' all at Southfork!

Happy Monday!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Hey Partners...if you are taking a FREEBIE; be sure to come back and leave some comments. If you are taking a FREEBIE, make sure you are a follower.
FREEBIES aren't around as much these days!

What Does the Tooth Fairy Do W/ UR Teeth? FREEBIE

2013-01-24T18:29:00.001-05:00

This is a Tooth Fairy Craft that our kiddos made. The gown is made with wallpaper. If you ask Home Depot or Lowes for old wallpaper books, they are usually glad to get rid of them!

This is the cover. We took our crafts and made it into a book. We glued our TF's with white posterboard. These TF's look just as cute on a wall but we ran out of wall space! We are certain that all of you know that feeling...LOL

If you see below. This is our kiddos' writing. After doing this project, we wanted to upgrade it. Yes, we are sure all of you know that feeling. But this quote from Heather's Heart that fits so perfectly when we are doing a lesson and/or project. We LOVE it and have to repost because we ALWAYS "upgrade!" or at least...think we do! Hee! Hee!

If you have not visited Heather's Heart, we urge you to do so. Amongst the best teaching ideas; she has the MOST INSPIRING quotes! Gotta love it! Click HERE and visit her site!!!!

If you are interested in a FREE Tooth Fairy packet click HERE & ENJOY! In return all we ask is to tell us about one of your tooth activities!

Be Good to Your Teeth; We Only Get One Set!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

100th Day Linky Party!

2013-01-23T19:38:00.001-05:00

Click the image above or HERE and check out the Linky Party!

On a side note, do you remember the post for RTI Activity #1? Click HERE if you need refreshing and/or want the FREEBIE! Anyway we are always trying to upgrade our activities. Please see picture below. These trays came from the dollar bin at Target. As you can see, it helps the ball stay on the table instead of across the room. If you have kiddos still having problems with their ABC's, we urge you to try this activity because it practices saying the sounds correctly. If a kiddo can't produce the correct sounds, that kiddos' DIBELS scores are MIA or in the red on the assessment paper.
XOXO The Goonie Gals

What Will U Do Before U Turn 100? FREEBIE

2013-01-22T21:40:00.001-05:00

Here are some self portraits of some of our kiddos at 100 years old! Sooo CUTE! We backed their portraits with white posterboard. Then we let them choose their favorite color construction paper (12x18) for their background. Next they torn paper for their face, eyes, mouth, nose and the hair...what a great fine motor activity!!! Then we used wallpaper for their shirts, blouses and of course, our gentlemen needed ties. On the bottom, we added their first name with computer font and Modge Podge to make their portraits "glossy"... just for the sprinkles! I know we all like to let our kiddos do their own work BUT we love adding our own watermark or would you say....TLC to their projects!

After we displayed this project with the bucket list below. We decided to use the cover above and make it into a book. Do you ever turn the projects you display into books? We LOVE watching our kiddos read their writing! Click HERE for a FREE 100th Day packet! All we ask is that you share your favorite 100th Day project below!

Happy 100th Day...HOORAY!!!!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Let's Do Funky Chunkies: RTI Activity# 2 and FREEBIE!

2013-01-15T22:58:00.002-05:00

Our work SCREAMS room for Classroom Differentiation! We have included short and long vowel chunks, consonant letters, digraphs and blends. Teachers may choose to have their kiddos sort between nonsense and real words OR list them in one area for those kiddos just starting to decode words. What makes this activity different from all word family activities is that the word chunkies CHANGE! There is no memorization; students are learning to decode word chunks and are exposed to the most common short and long vowel FUNKY CHUNKIES!!!

This is a 87 page packet that includes both short and long vowel chunks. The goal is for students to practice sounding out/decoding, blending, vowel sounds and then sorting both real and nonsense words. Improve DIBELS and AIMsWeb Scores with this packet. 100 RTI Decoding, Blending and Vowel Activities READY TO GO and meets Common Core Standards!

This packet is great for homeschooling, tutoring, RTI/Intervention groups, small/large group instruction as specific, explicit phonics are taught in a kid-friendly manner! Please click HERE for this item!

Become a follower and leave a comment and then Click HERE for your FREEBIE!

If you utilize this packet, let us know how it is working with your kiddos!!!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Alphabet Intervention: RTI Activity#1

2013-01-13T21:59:00.001-05:00

Many kiddos who have issues learning their alphabet do have speech concerns "most" of the time. Those kiddos found in RTI do need extra help and thereby require explicit, specific phonics instruction. Quick and Long "Time" terms are used so that kiddos do NOT get confused with size of the letters. Yes, many times kiddos with concerns need to know what is meant by long and short in regard to time. You are correct! This is an issue with vowels also. So PLEASE emphasize "sound" and "time". For this activity, you will need one bouncy ball and Slinky Jr. for each kiddo. Check us out and become a follower @ www.kindergartengoonies.blogspot.com

Have Fun in RTI!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Click HERE to add to your FUN RTI items! Yep, it's FREE for your kiddos!

How about sharing a RTI activity that you do in the comments section?

Of course, if you are not a follower...join us because we are UNIQUE Goonie Gals!!!

Text Complexity: Raising Rigor in Reading

2013-01-11T18:28:00.002-05:00

A couple of months ago, we were blogging regarding Text Complexity and how new reading series have changed from leveling books from A-J vs. below level, on-level and above level. Click on this link and read a few interesting pages about the relationship between Text Complexity and Common Core. We believe with "some" Reading Specialists advocating to classroom teachers "No More Running Records!" that there is a misunderstanding. No More Running Records!!! REALLY ???? GR out the Door with Common Core!!! (Click here) is a previous blog that we posted looking for answers. We reached out to several bloggers and received great insight. Thank you!!! However, this chapter in the book entitled, Text Complexity: Raising a Rigor in Reading was the summary that put our minds at ease. We just ordered this book and can't wait to read it! If you know of other great resources on text levels, please let us know.
Happy Blogging & Have a Great Weekend!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Nuts About the Little Kiddos' Writer's Cramp?

2013-01-10T20:48:00.002-05:00

Here are some pics for anyone who has a kiddo who complains that their hand hurts when they write. I spoke with an OT professional and their diagnosis is that the kiddo is holding the pencil too tight. So the remedy is to get a pencil, two rubber bands and some nuts. The weight on the top of the pencil releases the kiddos' tight grip and wah-lah! their hand stops hurting. I never saw this idea before so I went hunting online. Here is a website where they show the same technique on a crayon too. This site also mention that this technique is used for a kiddo who does not press hard enough on the paper. Check it out here!

Happy Sharing!

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Will Michelle Rhee Bring Glee?

2013-01-08T23:40:00.002-05:00

Will Michelle Rhee Bring Glee? Well... that's a difficult question to answer. Tenure was originally given to teachers to protect them from political decisions as he/she became older, seasoned teachers who earned more compensation. Yes, there are ineffective, incompetent teachers out there as there are ineffective, incompetent workers in every field. In the same breath, non-union workers do not have job protection. However is there a true way to assess a teacher without given an opinion or personal perception of him/her? Instead of looking at numbers and standardized test scores, which leads to competition and cheating issues, why not look at student growth? Where did the student start in x and how did the student progress in x each marking period? What do you think makes a good teacher? How should we as teachers be assessed? We do not have these answers; just a few thoughts... First, Common Core Standards should change to National Standards. (Yep, keep wishin'!) Once National Standards are agreed upon, teacher's license should become National. Why not prepare all of us under the same standards in every state at all colleges? Then we can start deciding upon National Teacher Assessment. Rhee rallies a lot of good points and our kiddos' (the future adults in our world) best interests should be number one! Click on this link and Google "Student's First" to check out what is coming up our pike.

Have a good one! We would love to hear your thoughts.

XOXO The Goonie Gals

Have a "Beary" Happy New Year!

2013-01-07T23:05:00.000-05:00

Do you have a Teddy Bear Day? Better yet, have you ever had a Teddy Bear Sleepover? What's a Teddy Bear Sleepover? Just as it sounds, the kiddos let their bears sleepover in the classroom. Guess what their lovely teachers do? Yep, you guessed it! We have all of the Teddy Bears hide in one spot outside of our classroom. (A table in the hallway). When the kiddos come to school and don't see their bear, guess what happens next? Yep, the bears leave the kiddos a note with clues to go on an adventure to find the bears. SHH!!! If you have good weather, you could talk those bears into hiding on the playground. The Teddy Bears are so happy when they are found. Guess what they leave the kiddos? Cookies and milk along with their favorite bear books that they would like read aloud! You could also have your kiddos do a few writing activities: Meet My Bear and/or what happened to their bear on the sleepover. The writing choices are endless! Of course, math can be tied into this activity. Kiddos can predict and then measure their bear with snapping cubes, measure themselves and do a comparison-How much taller am I than my bear?. How about weigh their bear and tie in words such as: more and less. Check out the colors of our bears and see how we tied in Valentine's Day to our craft. Please share some "Beary" cute ideas that you do on your Teddy Bear Day. We would LOVE to hear from you!!! Have a "Beary" Happy New Year!!!

XOXO The Goonie Gals