Kindergarten Kindergarten

BINGO!

So I start staff development this week. I don't know about you, but I LOVE every minute! I really, REALLY do! But it's going to be even better this year, because I made this BINGO game for my team and I to play.

The rules are simple...when you hear one of the words, mark that spot. Whoever gets 5 in-a-row in any direction wins!

Here are some tips for playing...

DO listen closely and carefully to all of the presenters. They are telling you relevent and important information that I'm sure you've never heard before. And...you don't want to miss any words.

DON'T use an actual BINGO dobber. That might look a tad bit unprofessional.

DO be inconspicuous. Hide the BINGO card under your data binder. When you hear a word on your card, nod your head in agreement and thoughtfully highlight that word as if it's very important for you to remember later. Your principal will be very impressed.

DON'T bring a troll doll and rub it's belly for good luck.

DO make a plan for the winner. Perhaps a cold Sonic drink (or adult beverage) later.

DON'T, under any circumstances, jump up and scream BINGO!! while your principal is going over last year's test scores.

Download Bingo

If you would like your own copy of Staff Development BINGO...you may download it for free! I'm sure it will help you focus much better while you're making plans for lunch determing how to use the data and lastest research-based pedagogy to help all of your students reach their highest potential.

A Funny...

How much do you love Jimmy Fallon?

And the Gold Medal goes to...

So are you all as excited about the Summer Olympics as I am? I love them! I've pretty much been glued to my TV the past few days watching swimming and gymnastics and soccer...not to mention David Beckham, James Bond and the Queen!

And it got me thinking--I could have been an Olympic Athlete. Except I usually want to die after just 1 Zumba class. But if there were such a thing as Kindergarten Teacher Olympics...I would be on that podium for sure!

So here are just a few of the events I think we would all qualify for...

 

What's you record? Once, I laminated enough to stretch all the way down the kindergarten hallway! And then I cut it all out. Yeah--I got a blister. But I'm dedicated that way.

 

Don't laugh. This takes talent! It's just as much of a "sport" as some of the real Olympic events. (I won't mention specifics, but if you can be more out of shape than me and still win a gold medal, it's not really a sport.)

 

Because when we need to, we can get somewhere really fast...using our walking feet...possibly pulling a 6 year-old with a bloody nose behind us. Let's see Usain Bolt pull that off (in cute shoes).

 

So the Olympic version includes pistol shooting, fencing, swimming, horse jumping and running. The kindergarten version includes putting a band-aid on a skinned knee, tying a shoe, breaking up a fight, finishing your lunch, and monitoring 100 or so kids on the playground. But we do all 5 events at the same time--SUCKAS!

 

This is the premier event. Kindergarten teachers can go for hours without using the bathroom. And we should get difficulty points, because we're usually drinking a Sonic Route 44 Diet Coke while doing it.

So, in honor of all of the incredible US athletes competing in the Olympics, and in honor of all of us Kinder Teachers--who compete in our very own sort of Olympics every day, I say....

So what events do you think should be added to the Kindergarten Teacher Olympics? I'll bring it up to the IKOC (International Kindergarten Olympics Committee).

 

Tell Me More Linky Party

I'm linking up with Step into Second Grade for this linky party...

Because I know you're dying to know more about me. Right? So you want my "quirks"? Here they are!

10 Things you Never Wanted to Know About Me

1. I live in Austin, TX but I left my heart in San Francisco (I used to live and teach there).

2. I love, love, love, love, love my Kindle Fire. I can't go anywhere without it. I read on it, watch movies and TV on it, check my e-mail and my Pinterest and my Facebook on it, play Words with Friends on it...it's basically the most awesome thing ever.

 

3. I play too much Words with Friends. I scored 84 points on the word hazy last week. (And yet...I still lost that game).

4. I love to read. This has been the "Summer of Fluff". I have read lots of books, but nothing very deep. I keep saying that my next book is going to be really deep and meaningful...then I end up reading another young adult dystopian future book again.(Darn you Hunger Games!) I just finished Insurgent by Veronica Roth.

5. I've read every Jane Austen book at least 3 times. Have you read all of her books? You should. She's funny and romantic and she was actually making some pretty bold statements about social class and the role of women in Regency England. She was the Nora Ephron of the early 1800's. And come on...Mr. Darcy!! (You can get all her books FREE on the Kindle. So do it!!)

6. My Starbucks drink is a Grande Black Tea Latte with six pumps of classic syrup. It is NOT good for me.

7. When I'm around my friends, I listen to really cool music. (But when I'm alone, in my house, I sing and dance around to the Backstreet Boys, Justin Bieber and the soundtrack to the Little Mermaid.)

8. I'm still waiting for my Mr. Darcy. (In other words, I'm single). I think Jane Austen would think I'm a spinster! I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that I spend most if my time either with 5 year-olds, in Hobby Lobby, listening to Justin Bieber or watching reality TV on my couch? Hmmm....

9. I have the cutest dog in the world. Don't argue...

10. I am starting at a new school this year and I'm scared! I feel like I'm 5 years old and am starting kindergarten for the first time. Will they like me? Will I make friends? Will they have toys there? Insert worried face {here}.