Household Chores!

I don't know about you all but, getting chores done around our house is always a battle.  I decided to get online and see if I could find some chore chart ideas that would be simple, cheap and effective.  There are hundreds of different ideas out there ranging from simple lists to quite elaborate wooden carved family boards!  I wanted something SIMPLE and EASY!  I found this site in my search:  http://shared.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/momstuff/ChoreCards2x3.pdf

This site has MANY different little chore cards that you can use in a pocket chart.  I loved the cards...didn't love the pocket chart.  I found another idea on a different website to use the really small 3M Command Strip hooks.  That way you can just hang the cards up for the person who is to do the chore.  When they are done, they flip them over.  I plan to laminate mine but, you could also print on card-stock.  There are several different self-sealing laminating sheets that you can buy as well!  I'm on a mission!  I'm going to set a goal for myself to get my chore chart up and running by the end of the week!  Then I will post a picture.  

Chores have been a concern of parents for as long as there have been kids! Perhaps this is the solution...or perhaps it is a starting point for a solution!  At any rate, it is totally worth a try!!  Let me know if you try it or if you have any other great ideas that have worked for you!!  I will post any ideas that I get on the blog!

Pre-School and ECFE Registration

Registration Time is Here!!

It is time again to register for Early Childhood programs at Parkers Prairie Elementary School!  The Registration deadline for Preschool is fast approaching (April 30)!  Please mail your registration forms for Adventure Preschool, Discovery Preschool or ECFE to:

Parkers Prairie Elementary School

Attn: Preschool Registration

518 S. McCornell Ave.

P.O. Box 46

Parkers Prairie, MN 56361

They can also be dropped off in the Elementary School office or with any of the EC teachers!  Spots fill fast so get your forms in quickly for the best chance at your first choice!

If you are in need of registration information or know someone who would like a packet, please contact either the elementary school office at 338-4079 or me at 338-4079 ext. 316 and we will make sure that you get the information!

You can also turn in registration forms at the Early Childhood Big Wheels Event on April 29, 2013.  This is held on the North side of the Elementary School and in the Multi-purpose room.  5:30-7:00

SMARTboard!

One benefit of all of these snow days is that I've had the time to sit down and really explore the many uses of the SMARTboard!  I have been making lessons to help support the kids in their learning of colors, sequencing, shapes and more!  Our Welcome Circle is also going "high-tech".  Our weather graph is now on the SMARTboard!  The kids are learning how to manipulate the objects on the board by using a pointer.  They can slide different images around to specific spots on the board.  Feel free to ask for a demonstration at your child's conferences!  

This is a sample of one of our color sorting activities.  The students must drag the picture into the appropriate column.

Pete the Cat has gone high-tech as well!  There is a link connected with each of the images.  The students choose the book, tap on the link and are brought to that story.  As a BONUS, we found a Pete the Cat Wheels on the Bus song, too!  

This is a screen-shot of how we practice our shapes!