In previous years I have assigned centers each morning for the students to complete as they arrive at school. This gives all children something to work on as soon as they come to the classroom, and is especially effective for those who are arriving at staggered times.
This year I am trying something a little different, and giving the students more say in what they do in the morning. We still have centers, but we are calling it "Choice Time" because the children get to pick what they work on. I have been keeping notes aobut what they choose, and it is interesting to see how they make their decidions. Some people pick the same thing everyday, and others pick different activites. Some students choose what their friends pick, but many are completely independent in their choices. Typical activities include: reading, writing/drawing, listening center, legos, computers, art, math drawers, project work, etc.
Popular choices today were: painting outside, store (project), computers, and legos. Reading and writing are usually top choices, but apparently not today :)
In previous years I have assigned centers each morning for the students to complete as they arrive at school. This gives all children something to work on as soon as they come to the classroom, and is especially effective for those who are arriving at staggered times.
Mrs. Laudadio brought in some new critters to our classroom this week. We have quite a few caterpillars making a home here. They eat dill weed, and are getting fatter every day. One has started his pupa stage already. These caterpillars look very similar to Monarch Butterfly larvae, but they are fact another butterfly variety called an Eastern Black Swallowtail.
