Happiness is Using a Desktop Laminator...

... in a classroom equipped with A/C.

Not much to see today, just lunch signs and our crate for returned library books.  ~And~ I learned something new:  Zip ties are cool little things!

*****

Some of the classroom chores I've checked off of my to-do list include:

~ Rearranging furniture to open up the front of the classroom
~ Sorting through and donating reproducible materials
~ Making new book tub labels
~ Sorting and prepping math manipulatives
~ Reworking my quarterly binders and giving them a facelift with new covers
~ Mapping literacy, math, science and social studies concepts and activities by month
~ Reading through and creating Pinterest boards for Common Core Curriculum Maps
~ Prepping Bulletin Boards
~ Organizing art supplies

I'd still like to find a place that will cut composition books in half for kindergarten journals and mini-books.  Does anyone have an idea of where I could take them that *wouldn't* cost an arm and a leg?  I've seen half-sized notebooks at Walmart in the back-to-school section, but I'd like to work through the stockpile of full size notebooks that I already have before making another purchase.

Eskimo Teacher in Oz

I'm wearing a kuspuk that I made, and my boots, mukluks, were made ~decades~ ago by my aaka (grandmother).  Certainly not ruby slippers, but just as treasured.

I wore them as part of my "costume" for Book Character Dress Up Day.  I was "Mama" from Mama Do You Love Me?

In Alaska, my garb wouldn't have been given a second glance, but here in Kansas, friends, colleagues and parents were either eagerly curious or they politely attempted to not stare, not look at all.

Why ~does~ something culturally different make us uncomfortable?

Question: Do You "Flex?"

A question (followed by quite a few more): are you a kindergarten teacher who "flexes" or utilizes grade level "flexible grouping?"

If so, HOW?  An hour?  Half an hour?  Math and Reading?  Centers or didactic/teacher led instruction?  Small group, large group, aides, volunteers, school specialists?  How long does it take for your students to get into the groove of moving (smoothly) between multiple ever-changing classrooms at the beginning of the year?  Do your groups REALLY change, or are your highest kids always your highest requiring enrichment and your most needy always behind the curve year-round?

Seriously, I'd love to know!  Plusses, pitfalls, pros and cons.

You know how I feel about developmentally appropriate practice, so just put that on the back burner if need be, and share what you've experienced when you've assessed and grouped at this age level.  Thanks so much for any and all information you can share!