Tying shoes - with style!

Me (Jill) again, 

a friend pinned the coolest thing and I'm addicted!

AND what luck, it's tying shoes - HA! That's a must post, Isn't it?

I teach kindergarten and I'm not super fond of tying shoes.  I get grossed out with all the germs, especially since it's on the way to lunch when I realize all of the laces flying everywhere. Blech!  My frequent answer is "Put the laces in your socks".

One year, I even bought Y-ties for the whole class - they didn't get the hint :(

At open house, I share the rule I had for my own kids when they were young: 

School shoes were velcro until you learn to tie. Period.

I would not make the teacher tie shoes. 

But, oh my son knew that tie shoes were...FASTER! He had soccer cleats so he was sure of it. Even being a not-so-coordinated lefty, 

(sorry lefties - fine motor, not so great, being a lefty in soccer - awesome)

the boy learned to tie to "earn" tie sneakers for school. 

(Girl had more options, but she too found it important to learn to tie)

Still, in my class - the laces flop everywhere, argh.

But NOW...

enter:

from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbaHxsilsKI

HOLY-COW-OLY!!!!!

I see untied shoes - I say "may I tie that for you"

even to adults - HA shh, just a few

So go and tie shoes.  It takes a little practice and it's easier to go faster than slower!

Ha, I'm still chuckling I posted about tying shoes :)

Good thing Andi loves me, odd humor and all..

Enjoy and Happy Friday~

Jill

HULK SMASH

Last week we completed the Reading Series. Hooray!

Now, I can actually pick and choose what we read in class.

Oh joy of joys -- Freedom!

Today we read the story, When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry....

I like this story because it covers many topics.

Imagery - Author's Purpose - Cause and Effect - Feelings

When I thought about the lessons I wanted to do with this book, a lightbulb turned on in my head:

The HULK!

The Hulk has major problems dealing with his anger just like our main character, Sophie.

Since the Avengers just came out and you know the kids go ga-ga for super heroes, I pulled out my Hulk Hands {Yes, I own a pair - They are almost 10 years old!}

I came out with those things on and the kiddos were hooked!


First, I read the story aloud, stopping at certain parts of the book to let the kids get with their "thinking partners" and discuss questions I had about the story.

Let them talk during a story???
During this time of year -- Oh ya, I'm not fighting with their summer-itis!


They were totally engaged. 
Which makes me worry that my students have anger issues ....


Afterwards, we completed our Anger Management Anchor Chart.
I read them a way to handle anger and they added it to the chart. Then, they had to decide if it was a good way (thumbs up) or a bad way (thumbs down) to handle anger.

Sorry, it is so difficult to read. The chart says:
"Everyone gets angry sometimes. It is how
we handle the anger that is important."

Completed Chart

Later in the day, we wrote about times when we were angry.


I was inspired by Cara Carroll's "No David" Inferencing craftivity.


 I told them to write about what made them angry, how they handled their anger, and what calmed them down. Then, they added Hulk heads to their writing.
Love their Hulk heads - So angry!


I think their pieces are some of the best this year
{strong - voice, organization, word choice; weak - conventions!}

Sorry, crummy pictures!

I'm running out of places to hang their work!

At the end of the day, they were begging me to let them play with the Hulk hands.

I caved and let them have a little fun.

No one was harmed during play time. They were just hamming it up for my camera.

I love her face as she is watching!

I'll add the anchor chart phrases & hands, writing paper, and dimensions to the Hulk heads on a post tomorrow.

I left it at school. 

Bad Teacher!