Kindergarten Review and These Kids Got Game

Friends! Family! Whoever you are viewing my blog in Alaska, Germany, and Russia!

We made it! Month One of Kindergarten is in the books for TJ, and likewise for Lola in French Preschool. We have been inundated with requests for updates and questions about how the first days/weeks/months went for the bigs starting school, so I thought the best way to share without overwhelming ourselves with media requests would be to resurrect the ol' blog and start posting some videos. Because I need more things to do ;)

TJ is LOVING kindergarten. His teachers are fantastic and he thoroughly enjoys his classroom environment, he pops right out of bed everyday for his 6:15 wake up call excited to go to his school, and I have not heard one negative story about a classmate yet. When I pick him up everyday it's like walking through the classroom with the Mayor as "Bye TJ!" echoes from every corner, and T points, waves, high fives, and schmoozes his way to the door where Lola is always waiting for a giant hug. 

TJ's class is half kindergartners, half first-graders - a unique concept, for sure, but one that we are very happy he has the opportunity to experience. The first-graders and kindergartners are together for activities and learning in the class more often than not, but are separated for subject study like reading, handwriting practice, and math. The first-graders show the kindergartners "the ropes" and it seems everyone gets along famously with more cohesion than separation.

TJ's teachers are absolutely incredible ladies and at the end of each week T brings home a "Weekly Review" where the kids vote and decide on one thing to share about each day in the week, and the class VIP for the day (the line leader) draws a picture of the activity to include in the Weekly Review. 

At the end of each month the kids take the time to create an exhaustive list of allllllllll of the things they did and accomplished that month, and the teachers type up the list and send it home. The "September Celebration" or "Giant List of Stuff We Did in September" is what we have prepared in a video for your viewing pleasure today. The first 6 weeks of school revolve around a lot of "getting acclimated" and "getting to know you" activities. You may not understand exactly what the heck he's talking about or referencing in the video, but that's ok - this is the rendition of the most important things that took place during the first month of school according to the kids in the class.

Before you ask, yes TJ is reading! He's been a full-on reader for a little over 6 months now, and he's really enjoying it. He reads chapter books and LOVES bringing home a new book from the school library every week to read us at bedtime every night. The video here is about nine minutes long, so grab a snack, settle in, and without further adieu...TJP...

 

I make absolutely zero promises that we'll do this every month - but we'll try! I also make no promises I'll get around to updating the blog on a regular basis, but again - the intention is there and I'll do my best to find the time. I highly recommend you follow the blog if you would like to receive any updates I post!

I'll also leave you with these little video nuggets below. The first is what Lola was doing when you heard her yelling at doggies in the background of TJ's video. All I can say is thank Jeebus she was fully clothed...this time. The other video is a glimpse into Saturday mornings in our football-obsessed household. Gameday, baby!

 

 

Much Love from the Land of Littles!

CP