A note about conferences...

Conference time can be a very crazy time of year in an early years classroom. Helping 25 children prepare 25 portfolios is always a challenge... but worth every second and every effort! Over the past two weeks, the children and I spent lots of time talking about our year so far, reflecting on the things they've learned, setting some goals for next term, choosing just the right pieces for portfolios, and practising sharing learning with others. The night and afternoon of conferences can be quite hectic, but also very rewarding. I love eavesdropping on the children in my classroom as they talk their way through their portfolios with their families. Hearing the children explain their work, talk about their favourite books, teach their families a new math game, and laugh about something they remember about a project is my favourite part of the night. Seeing them explain, reflect, and discuss all of their learning makes me feel very proud. Watching parents look at their child's work, ask them questions about their learning, and congratulate them on their accomplishments is also very rewarding. It was another AWESOME week.

On Friday afternoon I came across some interesting tweets while I was checking my professional Twitter account. A number of the educators I follow were at a conference where author Peter Reynolds was the keynote speaker. (Peter Reynolds has many great children's books including "Ish" and "The Dot") The tweets were sent by Tony Baldasaro and many were quotes from Reynolds' keynote speach. Here are 4 of the tweets Tony sent. I thought they came at a perfect time. I love it when that happens :)

Here they are:

The last one was my favourite. Simple. To the point. True in everyway. Every child is amazing. 

-Erin



A Special Delivery

After lunch recess, we walked into the room and there was Frisbees in our classroom and everyone got a Frisbee with their name on it. After we got our Frisbees, there were some leftovers so we got to practice with the Frisbees outside in the front and the side. -Taylor

We were throwing them to our partners. My partner was Sydney H. It was feeling great! -Sam

When I was outside, me and Jadyn were throwing the Frisbee and we threw it to each other. It ended up over the fence. Then Mrs. Malkoske had to get it. -Rhianna

Me and Tristan threw the Frisbee together. It got full of mud. I threw it and it looked like it was going over the fence, but it didn't-Cole & Tristan

When we were outside in the front, my partner was Nicholas. We are friends. Nicholas was a really good thrower. -Rylee

I thought my Frisbee was going to end up over the fence. It got all full of mud too. -Jonathon

My partner was Aliegha and Jolene and Mrs. Malkoske. When Aliegha threw the Frisbee it went in the mud and I had to go get it. -Madeline

You put your pointer finger out and hold it with your thumb on top. Then you wrap it with your arm and throw. -Cameron

Taylor was my partner and she was awesome! -Ashley

I caught the Frisbee two times. -Jadyn

My partner was Sydney R and we sometimes hit the glass on the window. -Kendall

Lindsay was my partner. She was a good thrower. -Olivia

My partner was Brandon and we almost went so high, it almost went over the fence. -Peyton

My partner was Alexander and he was AWESOME! -Tyson

When Kendall threw the Frisbee, it rolled and I thought it was going to go in the parking lot. -Sydney R

Halloween Photos

Here is a Photopeach spiral of some of our Halloween photos!  :)
Halloween! on PhotoPeach