Mr. M's Mighty Kindergarten M&M's

I am happy to report we had a good start to our school year.  No crying, meltdowns or accidents.  Everyone, I believe, enjoyed our day.  And I got all thumbs up when I asked them at the end of the day.  

We started our day with introductions on the alphabet carpet  It was nice to see that most all of the students already knew each other.  Without exception everyone was polite and respectful, and I know that behavior will continue going forward.  We then had choice time where the kiddos explored the classroom and had an opportunity to play.  I quickly found out that I had too many choices  as they tried everything, leaving a trail of toys throughout the room.  Surprisingly enough they where able to clean up everything with not one of them saying, "I did not play with that."  A quick scavenger hunt produced rewards for all with our class treat, "a twist of M&M's."  I will have to teach them the dance, "The Twist."

After recess and lunch, we did a journal exercise in their journals about special things they did this summer with me modeling what I did this summer.  If they knew their sounds I encouraged them to write a sentence or two, and draw a picture.  Some were a little concerned that they could not write to which I said "that is why we are here, to learn how to write."  We ended our day with watching the beginning of Fern Gully.

The following is my 1st day checklist of which I got partly through.  It's a lot for children to absorb,  but in a short time they will learn what is expected of them in class.  I almost forgot but Puff, our class dragon, seemed to be enthralled with the kids, as they were with her.