Someone is Coming to Visit!

Every child in my classroom has the opportunity to take home "The Cat in the Hat" at least one weekend out of the year. What does this involve? I'm glad you asked! Well, when it becomes a child's turn to take "The Cat" home, they are given a denim bag that has a picture of "The Cat" embroidered on the front. Inside they find a laminated copy of the letter I have attached below, a stuffed "Cat in the Hat", "The Cat's" very own suitcase and a journal. Because they get the bag on Thursday, they have 4 days to play with the tricky cat and document their adventures. The bag is then returned on Monday and the child gets the opportunity to tell the class what mischief "The Cat" got into by reading their journal entries. Many of the children choose to include photos taken with "The Cat" and others choose to illustrate and embellish the journal in other ways. The suitcase, which was a new addition last year, is filled with little trinkets that the children decide "The Cat" can't live without. It has things like a Halloween costume for "The Cat" (made by one of the children), a jingle ball because of course he is a cat and needs a toy, a rubber mouse, etc. Once all of my kids have had the opportunity to take "The Cat in the Hat" home, it then becomes one of the many things the children can purchase with their class cash (which is part of my positive classroom behavior plan). What a Deal! Five dollars buys a certificate to allow you to take the fellow home for an entire weekend. The kids love the additional time with "The Cat" and you as the teacher have extra prizes for your treasure box. Talk about a "Win-Win" situation!

Someone Has Escaped From Whoville

Classroom Scavenger Hunt

What in the world do you do as the children are coming in at different times to meet you at Sneak-a-Peek? Well, I have my kids get familiar with the classroom by going on a scavenger hunt while their parents fill out important information sheets for me. In order for the questions on the sheet to make total sense I must tell you that the school I teach at is a "7 Habits School" and the theme of my classroom is Dr. Seuss. Another way you can use this sheet is during the first week of school when you are trying to acquaint the children with one another. Pair up the kiddos and them explore!

Classroom Scavenger Hunt