Kindergarten Reading and Kindergarten Writing
Kindergarten is where many children first learn to read. We help you guide them through this exciting time with helpful hints and fun reading activities that will keep them engaged and actively learning and give you an alternative to reading worksheets. Didn’t find what you were looking for? Let us know – we value your input! Also, don’t forget to check back soon – we are constantly expanding our offerings!
We know you’ll agree with us that Kindergarten writing is more than just worksheets! We help you find hands on, engaging ways to teach writing and inspire your students with writing activities even your most reluctant learners will love! Again, don’t forget to check back soon – new ideas are always being added!
Dear Mr. President
Did you know you can write the president? Even better – you’ll get a response! You can choose to send a traditional letter or email the President. This is a great way to add a present day touch to your President’s Day studies and incorporate writing into your social studies lessons. If you’re looking for a math lesson, these patriotic patterns will add some sparkle. Looking for some books to support your teaching? Welcome Books are a great series of non-fiction books with wonderful photographs and simple text...
read moreWinter Books to Warm Up Your Shelves
From classics to funny, we’re sure your students will warm to these winter themed books as much as we have! (As always, any purchase made after clicking through an Amazon link on CKA’s website benefits CKA without costing you anything additional. Thank you so much for your support!) The Snowman, Raymond Briggs – This wordless classic is deceptively simple looking. Following along the rather complex story requires plenty of thought though and is sure to provoke an interesting conversation with your students. A...
read moreSnowy Sight Words
The end of the year is almost here! With all the excitement of the holidays, it can be very challenging to keep a classroom of little folks calm this time of year. Here is sight words activity that is super quick and easy to prepare. Dabbing all those dots seems a little hypnotic, making this a soothing activity for frazzled students – and teachers! The prep is almost embarrassingly simple. Take blue 9×12 construction paper and cut it in half. On each piece of paper, write a sight word in white chalk. Give the kids a...
read moreTop Ten Ways to Use Magnetic Letters – Hands-On Kindergarten Reading and Writing Activities
Have a tub of magnetic letters in your classroom? Looking for ideas for hands on learning? Look no further! Here are 10 easy and quick ways to use those letters with little to no prep required! 1) Sort magnetic letters by color. Great for the beginning of the school year, or just for a quick review of colors at any time. Want to extend the learning? Create a graph showing the number of each color. 2) Sort magnetic letters by shape. Letters with curves (a,b,c, etc) go in one pile, and letters with straight lines...
read moreColor Rhyme
It’s the end of November already! The year is flying by! Let’s take a moment to review the colors. This quick and easy rhyme will make practice a snap. I’m thinking of a color, It rhymes with bed, It starts with ‘r’ The color is (kids respond together) red! Continue with other...
read moreFall Poems and Songs to Celebrate the Season
The days are growing shorter and chillier! Here are some poems to help you celebrate this fall season with your class. Poems and songs are wonderful ways to work on phonemic awareness, excellent opportunities to incorporate ELD into your day and a great way to have fun in Kindergarten! Happy singing! The Leaves are Falling Down (tune of The Farmer in the Dell) The leaves are falling down The leaves are falling down Red, yellow, green and brown The leaves are falling down Fingerplay: Way up high in the apple tree Two little...
read moreThanksgiving Songs and Poems
Mr. Turkey I have a turkey, big and fat. (Make a fist with one hand-thumb Out for turkey’s head) He spreads his tail and walks like that. (Attach “tail” by spreading Out fingers of other hand and join together) His daily corn he would not miss. (Poke with thumb at floor) And when he talks, it sounds like this: Gobble gobble gobble! Let’s Be Thankful (To the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) Let’s be thankful for this day Four our friends and our play Let’s be thankful; let’s be glad For our food...
read moreSing the Sounds the Batman Way!
Remember the old Batman cartoon? The one with the theme song, “B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-Batman!” Well, it can easily be adapted into a super fun way to practice the letter sounds. First, cut 26 bats out of black construction paper. (You could use the outline of the bat below, make your own, or make it even easier on yourself and use blank calendar cut outs or die cuts). Write the letters of the alphabet on them (a silver Sharpie works well, so does chalk). Glue them on a rectangular piece of construction paper. Laminate for...
read moreBooks to Get Your Year off to a Great Start
A good book can help a set the tone for a great day in kindergarten – especially at the beginning of the year. There are so many emotions as the new school year starts, and the right story can help you work through them all with your class. Here are some of our favorites to help you get started on the right foot. The Kissing Hand, Audrey Penn – Chester Raccoon doesn’t want to go to school – he just wants to stay home with his mother. To help him feel comfortable with being separated from her, she gives him a special...
read moreStorytelling vs. Story Reading with Debra Weller
Professional storyteller/kindergarten teacher, Debra Weller, demonstrates the difference between story reading and the animation of oral tradition storytelling.
read moreOur 30th Annual Conference
Thank you all for making our 30th Annual California Kindergarten Conference such a success! We were so glad to be able to celebrate with so many of you! This year's conference sold out, so make sure you keep an eye out here and on our Facebook page and we'll keep you posted on next year's!
ART Really Teaches
