Fox News Cool School!

This week was really crazy

It was short with much to do

However, sometimes learning

Can involve turning blue...

Wednesday we left early

And had resource all through the day

We had assemblies twice this week

And were on the news, Hooray!

Friday resulted in a mess

With paint strewn everywhere

Learning through play is a necessity

And these kiddos loved their share

Enjoy the pics and realize

That these kids learn all day long

Social, academic and functional skills

We keep on going strong!

I have a shortage of pics this week!!!  We introduced the iPad into the classroom and I spent a lot of time teaching the kids how to use it appropriately and rarely had my camera/phone at the ready to take pics.  Oh well, I am sure there will be plenty more to come! :)  See you all next week.

Chris found a bow on the playground.  Seriously??  LOL  He is a joker.  He knew it was funny to because he would point and laugh at it!

Abbie wanted it in her hair to...for about 1/2 second.

Warning: Hard work can result in exhaustion!

Swinging on the playground!

The kids did a fabulous job sitting and listening to the Jacksonville Giants talk.  Great learning opportunity for them to be able to participate in an assembly like this.

David was very involved, clapping with the rest of the school etc.

Chris working on PCI site words with me and Ms. Spivey.

Great programs on the iPad help reinforce the teaching that happens.  I can program our site words in and there are other apps like beginning letter sounds matching that with the picture that the letter represents.  Very interesting and creative way for the kids to be reinforced after learning something new.

Ms. Krystal leading a group activity about the famous Cherry Tree that Washington chopped down.  The students were read the story and then they made their own tree.

Climb Chase CLIMB!

Uh oh!?  Maybe they are coming to film the blue kids in the class?!

We are the latest Jax COOL SCHOOL!

It started so calm...

Footprints everwhere!

We can thank Ms. Kathy for the paint covered children!

She wanted to let them body paint and have an intense sensory experience.

It worked.  They had a blast!

Ms. Krystal pulling students one on one for reinforcement of the ULS program. 

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwoAYir7Vsk&feature=player_embedded#!

Parent Question:....Hmmm.  I did not really get one.  Anyone want to ask a question in comments?

Class Challenge of the Week

Finding enough time to reach every child.

Getting outside resources is another challenge right now.  I am trying to help parents in the classroom receive outside help from agencies.  I am seeking further info from the district and hope to have a list put together soon.  If you have any resources you wish to share PLEASE do so...either here or email me!

I "heart" this class!

Love is in the air

No two crafts came out the same

They created for their parents

A most lovely picture frame

They colored in some pictures

Wrote, painted, glittered, glue

More community helpers

Postman, doctors, fireman too!

We created our own boxes

For our Valentines Soiree

We filled out our own cards

And ate cupcakes that same day

Thanks to all who had a helping hand

And made this day a treat

Your gifts for me and kids in class

Were more than super sweet

It may all seem like fun and games

Like no work was done this week

Well you better scroll on down the page

And have yourself a peek!

These kids amaze me day by day

With all that they can do

They keep chugging along and learning more

And of course, I do too!

Our amazing Picture frames.  These were made with leftover pieces from the "Teacher Supply Depot" which has free recyclable materials for teachers.  The "Family" piece was blue, the kids painted and glittered them.  We then painted old mismatched puzzle pieces and glittered them as well.  I of course had to do the hot gluing.  On the back is a half of a clothespin painted red and hot glued into place to keep it propped up.  I kept one for myself I loved it so much.

Andre is proud of his V-Day Box.

Reading about community helpers Corey?

Hi Andre!

These boxes are perfect! They are made from  post office boxes that are free.... we then wrapped them in tissue paper and the kids decorate freely!

Some of our crafts for community helpers.  Differentiation here is seen in the writing and level of assistance Hand over Hand, or Independent.  If you look you can see if a child wrote the words, " I see a firetruck" or if it was written for them that means they did the project with more extensive assistance.  However, every tiny step in these projects, even though they seem like fun craft projects, is intense work for some of these kiddos.  Following, one, two and three step directions can be hard for them and I am so proud at how far they have come in being able to stay on task and remain focused for these assignments!

Play? Oh no...this is actually work.  Abbie is learning to sort by category.  There are three types of items here.  People, food and dishes.  All are present in the block area and I want her to be able to show us she knows the difference. 

Clapping because she got it right! ;)

More of our lovely boxes.

Chris sorting and making patterns.

Nice Andre!

This word reader is really nifty.  The card shows the picture and the word is written and then spoken.

Andre having a great time in speech! Smart kiddo.

Independent work....Back to work Keegan!!

Yes Abbie...I see you sneaking one in....

You did it Abbie!!! And only ate one ! :)

Graphing hearts for Valentine's :)

Completely independent and prior to instruction even being given.  Nicely done Keegan!

MY hearts....

And yes...sometimes our toys get...bitten.  Our poor fireman lost his head, nothing some hot glue could not fix!

David checking out the words on his hearts.

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!!  This is Ms. Kathy, Abbie's one on one, however, she is a huge part of this class and the kids and I adore her!

Hey Matthew! Great job cutting out the words and finding where they fit.

LOL I am not sure what Corey is doing here, but he is proud of his stop light.  The famous African American Garrett Morgan invented the stop light, we learned about him and created a stop light in his honor for Black History Month.

We also made Dr. bags and talked about tools that they would use.

Runnnnn!

Getting out our energy!

No rest for the weary, back to work Chase!

Chris doing his spelling words.

Just a little red icing....ok who am I kidding it was alllll over the room!

Not sure what is happening here?

Pe class inside due to rain....how fun!

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ublHwPtUAzE

Yes its Barney...but seriously, teaches about community helpers and our kids love it!

Parent Question:

"What can I do at home?"

I think we have had this question before?  It is really on a case by case basis.  If you want activities and projects to do with your kids at home, ask me, and I will find and prepare you some materials that are based on their individual needs/IEP goals. :) 

Class Challenge of the Week

Red frosting....nuff said.

Getting outside resources is another challenge right now.  I am trying to help parents in the classroom receive outside help from agencies.  I am seeking further info from the district and hope to have a list put together soon.  If you have any resources you wish to share PLEASE do so...either here or email me!