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Mrs. Nelson's class offers some wonderful ideas and activities for a pumpkin unit...
The Activity Idea Place offers many, many, MANY ideas for October/Halloween activities for preschoolers and kindergarten students...
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Off to decorate!

"Digital citizenship isn’t just about recognising and dealing with online hazards. It’s about building safe spaces and communities, understanding how to manage personal information, and about being internet savvy - using your online presence to grow and shape your world in a safe, creative way, and inspiring others to do the same.”
MindDisorders.com further notes: Executive functions “include the ability to initiate and stop actions, to monitor and change behavior as needed, and to plan future behavior when faced with novel tasks and situations.” Therefore, “executive functions allow us to anticipate outcomes and adapt to changing situations” while providing us the specific “ability to form concepts and think abstractly.”
Blogging for almost two years now, I’ve read with great interest those posts by favorite authors (bloggers, whichever you prefer) that pop up from time to time regarding anonymity, confidentiality, off-limit topics, etc. I’ve found it interesting that bloggers of all makes and models, be they crafters, artists, teachers, poets, home decor gurus or chefs, have had to deal with clarifying their blogs' focus and intentions, and in some cases, have either had to publicly defend their blogs' value and validity at the risk of losing their employment or customer base, or stop blogging all together because bosses didn't like what was being put out there.
Several of my favorite educational bloggers write anonymously. Some blog sites include disclaimers such as “this blog reflects my own personal opinions and not necessarily those of my colleagues or employer,” while other authors avoid identifying their schools, school districts, state or locale in any way, shape or form. Some friends and blogging colleagues with whom I write identify themselves and their locales on their blog sites, and have received varying feedback from their employers when their blogs have been shared, or in some cases, “discovered." Encountering a few no-holds-barred blogs authored by anonymous teachers with bones to pick and gripes to share, I felt a strong inclination that my own blog should be written honestly and without cheap shots.
When I decided to start blogging, I did so only at my MySpace page. Only friends or those who were willing to dig through millions and millions of MySpacers could find the blog, and frankly, I wasn't sure anyone would find it of interest once they did. Friends, family, colleagues, even former students are linked to my page, so should you visit it, you'll find it's a pretty accurate reflection of who I am. The page expresses my tastes, my humor, and my interests, much like my blog. My friends and family reflect a wonderful diversity that I enjoy, but I understand that visitors might not feel as comfortable with what they encounter when they leave my page to explore others. As always, it’s your choice to keep reading, or hit the back button. Leave the page, empty your cache or history, or shut down your computer. I have the right to write, you have the right to read, or to not read. Freedom is cool that way.
My writing evolves as do my interests. My writing "voice" continues to develop and change. I’m not only a teacher, but a wife, mother, daughter, friend, baker, and crafter, who enjoys sharing discoveries, recipes, teacher tips, family funnies, and the occasional rant with my readers. Since moving to Blogger (Kindergarten’s 3 R’s) I've gained more experience, fiddling with templates, subject matter, my blogroll, avatar, and all of the other bells and whistles that accompany publishing online. I choose to use my real name on my blog, but also choose to not “out” my family, friends, or colleagues by using their last names, location, school, or naming their employer(s), or mine. I am sensitive to the issues of confidentiality, safety, and mutual respect. I have chosen to share my thoughts with whomever might want to read them, and understand that just because I want to share doesn't mean everyone else will feel so inclined. I'm sassy, I'm silly, and I'm sarcastic. I appeal to some readers, not to all. Thankfully it's not my job to make everyone happy.
My present employers have told me they do not have a problem with me maintaining the online presence that I have at Blogger, EduBlogs, or MySpace. The content I’ve shared isn’t cruel or illegal, nor have I exposed my students’ or their families’ identities. As a teacher I’m happy to give credit where credit is due, so I link back to blogs I share, and identify colleagues (former and current) by first name only. They are appreciated, they are creative, they are inspiring, and for those far from my present location, they are missed. Many of them keep tabs on me and my family’s adventures by subscribing to my blog or checking directly at the site. Some colleagues have been inspired to create their own blogs, while many others enjoy their "lurking" practices. Several readers love the videos, while others find them a waste of space, preferring photos of my home decor or classroom center arrangement from which they can draw inspiration. To each his/her own.
Being a teacher who has been on the move for the past five years, my blogs reflect my emotions and impressions that are tied to each relocation, family upheaval, new school district, each state, and yes, each staff. I post the good, the funny, the stressful, and even the not-so-hot. I voice my enthusiasm, my questions, my concerns, and my frustrations. I advocate for my students, their families, and for my colleagues. My criticism and rants almost always strike a nerve with those who agree with my point of view as well as with those who don’t. When I read comments or emails about particular posts, I know many of us share common issues and concerns, though we don't always agree with each others' philosophies or opinions. I welcome dialogue and open communication- it’s how I learn, clarify, and understand. While readers regularly offer support and agreement, often it's due to the fact that my rants match many of their own beliefs. Those who disagree with me move on and find other bloggers with more appeal. Readers may feel that I’ve aired dirty laundry about my school environment, though I’m guessing they find no objection with the praise and appreciation that I’ve also shared.