Wednesday, April 25, 2012

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten...

Throughout the year in kindergarten, we talk a lot about "the important things in life."  How there is more to learning than just reading, math, science, etc.  It is important to be kind to one another, take care of yourself, and live life to the fullest.  As is stated in one of my favorite poems, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten."  The poem hangs over our sink all year long.


At the beginning of the year I put up this bulletin board with quotes from the poem.


The last page in the kid's memory books is a copy of this poem.

When I was a kid my parents took my brothers and I to John McCutcheon concerts.  He is a local musician who sings folk music.  One of my favorite songs of his is "The Kindergarten Wall."  Toward the end of the year I play it for my kids a couple of times a week and then we perform for both Grandparent's Day and Kindergarten Recognition.  Here is the link to a practice run my kids did:



15 comments:

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  2. LOVE IT...what a great way to being poetry into a kindergarten classroom! The song was awesome as well and your students' did a great job signing! It would be fun for you to make a class book with your students’ thoughts about what they learned in Kindergarten with the same format. This could be a fun gift to give to your students at the end of the year. THANKS FOR SHARING!

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  3. This is wonderful!! Thank you for sharing. Your students' did a outstanding job!!

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  4. This was so fun to watch! They all looked so engaged and were smiley. I think it's a great way to connect your beginning and ending of Kindergarten. As I'm sitting here in Autobiography class I'm thinking there HAS to be a way to incorporate this into my class. Especially since I have seniors getting ready to graduate. I can give them the "Everything I Learned in K" and have them adapt it somehow. I'm going to have to give this some thought! Thanks for the great presentation!

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    1. Jennifer,

      I was thinking of the same thing. How can I adapt this idea or another situation.

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    2. What I love so much about this poem and song is that it truly is life long lessons. My favorite part in the song is in the last verse: "But lately I've been worried, as I look around and see, an awful lot of grown ups acting foolish as can be..." I think it's a great reminder to take a step back from our everyday hustle and bustle and think about what is really important:)

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  5. I'm totally going to have this little tune in my head tonight ;) Absolutely adorable...love the actions...love the words...great! I have a close friend that teaches kindergarten, I will certainly be sharing this song with her! Okay, now my ADHD moment...those flowers on your bulletin board were fantastic! I want to make some of those! Actually, that entire corner of your classroom was cute! Nice work Heidi!

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    1. Ha thanks Mindy! The flowers started out as Truffula trees and we changed the trunks into flower stems. I just couldn't part with them yet:) I found them on Pinterest if you're interested!

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  6. How can you stand it! Cuteness!! John McCutcheon is a huge family favorite--we've been listening since my kids were babies and still do! He speaks to people like they are people, no matter the age! Awesome choice and great singers, those kids!

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  7. Awwww, so cute! What a great idea. Such great lessons for everyone to learn. I will have to look into more of John McCutcheon's songs. I noticed the flowers too. I'm thinking they would be a great project for my children to do for their grandmothers for Mother's Day. Great performance by your students.

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  8. I have never thought of actually using this for kindergarten students. Of course these are exactly the things we would want them to know. Having them learn it in song truly imprints it on the mind. Music is a powerful memory tool.

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  9. Excellent Heidi.I loved how their voices got louder each time they came to the chorus! Like Christine, I had not really thought about using this poem with kindergarten children. I always kind of thought of it as being a reflective piece for more "experienced" people. However, now I see that the children can make those connections as well and the song really helps solidify those points.

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  10. I haven't thought about "All I Learned" in years, but I remember how well I liked it! It's got much truth in it--and in some ways people and true things don't really change much as we get older.

    It was fun to see how you tied it in with the song. Love it.

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  11. I really like this!! Our kindergarten teachers use this song in their graduation ceremonies. I kids love and the adults think its so cute. Thanks for sharing!! Your students did a great job. I would love to hear how some of you are tweaking this, I think it has many possibilities!!

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  12. YOU GO GIRL!!! This is so awesome! I am going to be teaching K next year so I think I am going to copy this!! GREAT WORK!

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