Saturday, October 12, 2013

Stamina Critters

WOW-zers...How in the world is it already October???!!!??? I am not sure where the end of August and the whole month of September went! We have been very busy in 1st grade...all 22 of us. Our class sizes are usually around 17 so 5 extra kiddos make a HUGE difference in EVERYTHING we do! I know many, many of you have larger class sizes than this...all I can say to that is Bless Your Hearts- You amaze me! :)

We are doing Daily 5 for the first time this year so we are really working on our STAMINA in all we do! Because there are so many of us, we started by working on our stamina on the Learning Rug. I have a very verbal groups this year who are experts in sharing...we are just needing to work on sharing about learning at the appropriate time! :)

After talking and writing about Our Learning Rug promises, we learned a song about stamina!



Later that day, we had a visit from the Stamina Critters.




Here is the poem they sent us. :)


When the Stamina Critters arrived, they quietly started talking to me. I would hold one up to my ear and they would tell me about how they would be watching for children keeping their stamina. They would really be watching for kiddos working quietly. As I noticed kiddos staying on task and working quietly, they would get to go and add a Stamina Critter to the jar. Sometimes I hear Stamina Critters calling out student names that they spy keeping their stamina. The kiddos swear they hear the Stamina Critters talking too....This is when I pray that I am not warping my kiddos too severely! :)

They are so stinkin' cute when they carefully take a Stamina Critter out of the basket and place them in the jar. They are always sure to place them in there so their eyes are watching us.

This has really helped my kiddos. They love to see how many of them can keep their stamina at different times during the day. I have even carried a Stamina Critter when we go down the hallway. Of course, it talks to me while we walk. We have been able to add 22 Critters before when everyone did Read to Self for 20 minutes with no call backs! :)

I hope to build my stamina back so I can blog more, I have really missed my sweet bloggy friends. :)

From My Heart to Yours,

23 heart notes:

Natalie said...

I love this idea! I could definitely use something like this with my firsties! :)

Recess and Beyond

Unknown said...

I love the magic of first grade. The kids' imaginations allow us bring magic in the classroom. I can't wait to use this idea! Thanks for sharing!

Olwyn Hughes said...

Oh how I have missed your posts! I love, love, love the stamina critters and think you are awesome!

Nancy VandenBerge said...

Love this post, Heather!!! You are so creative and all about the kids!!
HUGS!
Nancy
firstgradewow.blogspot.com

Growing Firsties said...

Simply Brilliant!!! Shouting this out on my fb page tonight!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

AlyseC said...

I know I already posted a comment but wanted to let you know that I am having a giveaway on my blog. Come and check it out!

Alyse
Keep Calm and Apple On

Kelly said...

Terrific Idea Heather! Thanks for sharing!
Kelly
I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher

Holly said...

Well look how cute those stamina critters are!!! Building stamina can be tricky business...especially when you have a few that just aren't as strong as others. Your kiddos will get there...slow but sure! Once they reach first grade, they are able to build {and rebuild from Kindy} their stamina quickly. There's light at the end of the tunnel...and you'll be so happy that you put all this effort in early on. Your kiddos are well on their way to sustaining independent QUIET work time!!!!!

Hugs,
Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

clorkmy said...

Instarect
Three Categories of Male Enhancement Pill The three main categories of male enhancement pills (supplements) on the internet are semen volume enhancement pills, penis enlargement pills and pills targeted to increase libido

Ocanna Cbd said...

Ocanna cbd Tincture
Ocanna cbd Gummy
you might get an opportunity to enter into a discussion with the pharmacist about the kind of illness, which medicines might be most suitable, and he/she might even be able to recommend a better doctor than you had visited so far. Similar examples could be sought for in scenarios where you visit your local grocery store, your simple local fruit vendor, your electrician and plumber, and also the sleepy person sitting behind the counter at the local cinema

jabby said...

healthinsideinfo
Health Savings Accounts are dependent on a high deductible insurance policy, which lowers the premiums of the employee's plan.
https://www.healthinsideinfo.com

jabby said...

weightlosscharitychallenge
consultants stress the importance that local leaders play in building community health. The Healthy People 2020 toolkit Identifying & Engaging Community
https://weightlosscharitychallenge.com

jabby said...

evianne cream
http://www.virgildizon.com/evianne-cream /
rapid fast keto boost
http://www.virgildizon.com/rapid-fast-keto-boost/
about five years ago, he stopped taking medications to control his blood glucose levels. You can find out more from beating-Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce or use insulin

charleydon said...

synapse xt
A proper plan with right combination of resistance and cardiovascular training with adequate progression and a right nutrition plan to support it can help you achieve this.

charleydon said...

steel bite pro
link below. You will be able to join my free membership website, and gain access to all of the nutrition, dieting, and fitness

charleydon said...

Okinawa flat belly tonic
unbalanced and essentially impossible to follow long term vs. diet B, which will take the weight off at a slower pace

jabby said...

resurge Prescription weight reduction tablets are not the correct - I could say they're a long way from it and typically due to side effects and unnatural chemical substances applied. The equal Xenical gives you a bunch of "additional blessings" like oily spotting, oily stool, possible nausea, diarrhea and more.

H-Thor said...

These capsules are made from all-natural ingredients, including tongkat ali, a powerful herb used to promote the production of natural testosterone. This herb works to ensure that testosterone is used properly. It also boosts libido and improves brain function. The product is made for men, and it is unlikely to cause adverse side effects in women. Using this pill does not pose a risk of triggering unwanted side effects for women.
Original H Thor Herbal Booster | Sexual Strength Booster

Online Shiksha | Online Tuition Classes and Education Tips said...

Hi,
This is really a nice blog by you. I really appreciate your efforts for this blog. Keep it up and keep posting such blogs.
The reason behind many students getting low grades is that their parents are unable to review their child's performance due to their busy schedule. Due to this many prefer to take online tuition for class 5, 6, 7 etc. for their child so that they can review their child’s performance. For this they look for Best Online Tuition Classes to support their child in their academics.