103/180 100th Day Madness!

It's really 103, but we had our annual grade-level Zero the Hero Day on Friday!

102/180 Part 2: Zero, The Hero

So guess who is coming to our school tomorrow?

I didn't do a 100 counting chart this year in ETK.

Calendar is pretty basic at the beginning of the year: months, days of week, counting to 20, etc.

I  just recently introduced a monthly calendar to the students.

I think I'll start a more formal count (tally, groups of 10's, etc) in spring.

We have been practicing counting to 100 for a long time through song and exercise.

And they know there is some guy (or gal) that is called Zero the Hero.

And on the 100th Day of School, Zero makes an appearance!

In our case the 103 day of school this year!

We have been engaged in counting activities all week.

Today, I wanted to do a guided Zero station.

It's not "truly" art, but more following directions, fine motor skills, shapes, etc. 

I always love to see what the kids come up with using the same set of directions.

I haven't done much art stuff with the class this year...

Our competent TA's handle those stations, while I concentrate on early literacy stuff.

But today, I got to witness their visions of Zero.

Yatzil loves to draw. She always draws really long haired girls.
She has really long hair. So does her Zero!

One of the skills on the kindergarten checklist was... draw a circle and cut it out. Check!

 

I offered to write names on papers today, but nearly all of the kids declined my offer!
"I know how to write my name."-heard countless times! Check!

Zero comes in different shapes, sizes, and gender! "That one looks like Ariel Miss Fung!"

I have a talented neighbor. I like to surprise my kiddos on special occasions. Hence... Zero cookies!
They don't even know how crazy it's going to be tomorrow!

102/180 The Magic of Water

Hey, look what I can do with this big lego!

A crowd gathers...

Making more discoveries with the big legos at the water fountain...

Hey, how about a bucket?

More group discoveries...

#ETK #ECE #WaterRocks #LetthemPlay #JustWatching

101/180 The Magic of Bristle Blocks

Bristle blocks, like legos, are an amazing tool for creativity.

4 year old Nicolas with his wonderful, symmetrical, aircraft!

Damian's true blue cell phone!

Another wonderful example of how children naturally have a sense of balance and symmetry.

Birthday boy Brandon and his creation. You can see the world through it's eye view!

100/180 On to More Positive Things...

I have taught in public schools for 30 years.
Today was a sad day.
It doesn't matter what party you support,
it just doesn't make sense
for someone with no experience in education
to lead public education.
Teachers have to be highly qualified.
Funny that Cabinet members don't have to be.

But on to more positive things...
Today was our official 100th Day of School!
We will formally "celebrate" on Friday.

What do you think Zero, the Hero looks like?

What can you do with 100 cups?

99/180 Rainy Days and Mondays...

Another rainy day.
Another day without outdoor play.
A class full of 3, 4, and 5 year olds stuck indoors for 6 hours is not the best way to spend a day, but we made do. We need the rain. We just need some outdoor play too! #Day99

Some of us sneak outdoors when we can!

I forgot to post this.

We did this center activity for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Wanted to convey, that we may look different on the outside,

but inside we are the same.  It helped to cook and feed kids too!

Bring on the Good Luck! Year of the Rooster...

Saturday in the life of a teacher...

 After 4 years of playing basketball in the YMCA Little Lakers League, Bryce has been promoted to starter! It helps to be one of the two tall guys on your team. It helps that you went to a short, intense, and serious basketball camp last summer that helped alleviate your fears of touching the ball. It's a young team, but they played their hearts out today and Bryce has shown much improvement. Still working on the basic fundementals of the game and being present the entire time. Proud of him!

 Game ran late. Rushed over to park in Union Station for the Golden Dragon Parade in Chinatown. Union Station is my dream location for my retirement party. I have loved it there ever since I attended a party in the old bank over 25 years ago. I can still dream... #Needbigbankaccount #lotto

Flat Stanley's first Chinatown Parade!

 Waiting to find a Lion to give a red envelope to for good luck!

Found a few! (You can only see the video on Google Chrome I think. Crazy Safari)

 Feeding the hungry crew after the parade and then this happens... 

 More Lion Dancing and good luck!

Always a pleasure to spend time with my former SAA and good friend Flor and her girls!

 Then we walked back to Union Station via Olvera Street. 

I love Downtown Los Angeles. You can walk from Chinatown to Olvera Street to Little Tokyo all in the matter of minutes! Stopped by Mr. Churro for New Years sweets... too sweet! #churrosdontneedchocolate

Then get home to find groceries left by grandpa (next door neighbor).

He does that from time to time. Said he gets it from the Food Bank!

And a $700 Target Field Trip Grant check!

(It did pay off to give red envelopes to lions during Chinese New Year!)

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