Herding Kats in Kindergarten: Schedules & Organization

Sarah over at Kindergarten Korner was asking about schedules and my mind immediately started racing. I have to go back to a kindergarten schedule rather than a 1st grade schedule! My little ones won't have as much stamina to start with as my firsties did! Ack! Then I took a deep breath and remembered that I am extremely lucky and I am only mandated to have 1 hour of direct math instruction and 1 1/2 hours of language arts instruction. That's it. Everything else is up to me!

So, I thought I'd share very quickly what my day looks like, at least for the first semester:
Schedule

Not bad, eh? I totally love the freedom of being able to have free choice centers at the end of the day. This is also one of the things that I never take away, even for really bad behavior. I honestly think it's the most important part of our day as it gives my kids the opportunity to actually internalize our lessons. I usually walk around from center to center with a notebook and jot down quick anecdotal records so I can back up the learning taking place in case anyone asks. I also take tons of pictures! In each center the students voluntarily and independently incorporate either math, science or language arts into their "play". The conversations are usually phenomenal as they use math concepts in the building block area, read to their baby dolls in housekeeping, paint letters at the easel, or explore our science center materials.

As for rest time - it depends on the class. Some classes don't need rest time at all, others need extra time and some are content with 15 minutes with their heads down. I get a lot of children from homes where regular bedtimes are not enforced and they simply can't function in the afternoon without some type of break. That's also why I put my math block in the morning when they're fresher! Usually by 2nd semester we can slowly eliminate rest time and I use that time for extra writing or reading.Oh! I also incorporate my Social Studies and Science into my Math and Language Arts - didn't want you to think I just skip them :P

Now onto Organization Day....hmm totally lost track of the days! I know I'm supposed to keep organizing until the 14th, but I'm honestly losing steam. I'm hoping I can hang in there and get all the boxes in the garage organized, but I'm not going to bet on it. Today I organized my computer closet a little bit - some things still need a better home, but at least everything is together in one place now so I'm not searching through the 5 cardboard boxes I used to have in there!

I bought this organizer in the fishing section at Walmart. I love that you can adjust the compartment sizes!

My BragTags are ready for the new school year!

My pony beads are organized by color.

And I'm starting to organize all my googly eyes as I find them (thanks to Maria from Kinder Craze for the idea!) I am storing some hot glue sticks in the long compartment because it's easier to adhere the eyes that way and sometimes I can't find my glue sticks when I need them lol!

So, not too shabby in the organizing department, but there's still a mini mountain waiting for me!

~ ~Squirrel ~ ~

hehe, when we took this picture with Dog at California Adventure my husband yelled "Squirrel!" and darned if Dog didn't run around looking for one. I wonder how many times a day the poor guy hears that one?

Anyways, for those who might be interested, here's what my breakfast looked like this morning:

2 over easy eggs with bacon and cherries on the side! My 12 year old is getting tons of cooking practice and I am getting spoiled this summer! I don't know what I'm going to do come school time when I go back to just a cup of coffee for breakfast.

Also, have to brag on my husband a little as he finished the plaque he was making for his commander's going away party: