Along with the mediator, the children who are having the issue complete the following steps:
- What's the problem?
- How does it make you feel?
- What should we do?
- Let's try it!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Social Emotional Development
I saw a great idea in a classroom and wanted to share it with all of you! In response to some unattractive behaviors in the classroom, this teacher created a "work it out" station. The idea is that the children use the station independently, with the help of a peer mediator. To get things started the teacher explained the way to use the station, and selected the first peer mediator based on the child's maturity. In other words, she selected a child that she knew was up to the task! I don't have a lot of details of how she got started, but I am sure that in addition to the explanations she used role-playing so the children could "see" what she was describing.
Along with the mediator, the children who are having the issue complete the following steps:
Isn't this a fantastic idea? I love it! The teacher reported that it has been very successful!
Along with the mediator, the children who are having the issue complete the following steps:
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Earth Day is April 22nd
What will you do to celebrate Earth Day? This is a great time to talk about Global Awareness!
Last year when we talked about Earth Day we linked it to Global Awareness. This led to (among other things!) a celebration. Our unit lasted until Cinco de Mayo, so we decided to have a Fiesta!
Initially we started our "Earth Day" unit with conversations about recycling. We walked around the school and picked up trash. We read lots of books about our Earth and about recycling. We collected things from the cafeteria and took them back to our room. We washed and reused what we could from our collected "treasures." We took home what we could recycle. We discussed ways to reduce the amount of waste we created. It was a wonderful experience for all of us! Here are some pictures:
Last year when we talked about Earth Day we linked it to Global Awareness. This led to (among other things!) a celebration. Our unit lasted until Cinco de Mayo, so we decided to have a Fiesta!
Initially we started our "Earth Day" unit with conversations about recycling. We walked around the school and picked up trash. We read lots of books about our Earth and about recycling. We collected things from the cafeteria and took them back to our room. We washed and reused what we could from our collected "treasures." We took home what we could recycle. We discussed ways to reduce the amount of waste we created. It was a wonderful experience for all of us! Here are some pictures:
 |
| Painting on newspaper instead of easel paper :) (Kids in the background washing out spoons and yogurt cups so we can recycle them) |
 |
| Collage with recycled newspapers |
 |
| We are making a pinata! Mixing the ingredients. |
 |
| Making the pinata (recycled newspaper strips over a large bouncy ball (that we popped after the newspaper strips were dry). |
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| The kids loved doing this :) |
 | ||
| Painting our "Earth" |
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| Pinata time! |
Involving Parents
What do you do to involve parents in your program? Is your classroom inviting and welcoming? Actively involving families in your classroom is a wonderful way to bridge the gap between school and home. Here are some suggestions:
Here is a parent who loved to interact with the students in my classroom. After I noticed a pattern of "lingering" in the mornings, I asked him if he'd like to participate. He created the cardboard box "puppet theatre" and did puppet shows for and with the children. His child was so proud and happy to have him there...and all of my students enjoyed the activity.
I had parent workshops after dismissal. This was a take-home math activity. All of the parents worked together along with their children (my students as well as younger and older siblings). These workshops created a really nice family atmosphere and the families formed relationships with one another outside of the classroom because of their connections within the classroom. I really enjoyed being a part of this :)
- It's never too late to start, but start early! The very first time you meet is a great time to tell them how much you would love for them to participate!
- Create a family board with volunteer opportunities.
- Ask parents to volunteer... some may be too shy to offer!
- Create a welcoming environment - make them feel like they belong in your room. Give them specific ideas of things to do...they might not know how to make themselves useful.
- Have a parent "training" or workshop several times throughout the year. Ask them what they would like to learn about. You can create a short survey and ask them to complete and return it. Ideas: behavior management strategies; developmentally appropriate math or literacy activities; creative activities, etc.
- Post pictures of family members in your classroom.
- Ask parents to share family traditions, cultural traditions, etc.
- Provide ways for parents to volunteer outside of the classroom (cutting out materials, helping with project preparation).
- Be thankful and express your appreciation!
Advocacy
Standard 1 is all about Leadership... and advocacy work is a wonderful way to demonstrate that you have it! Please consider contacting legislators to advocate for young children. Let them know that you do not support cuts to More at Four or Smart Start. If you need help or guidance, please let me know.
Advocacy Alert!
From the NC Early Childhood Association (ie - not my words):
Dear Early Childhood Advocates,
We need your help now more than ever!
Last week, our legislators in the House released their budget for 2011-2012. The news was not good because they seriously hinder our ability to deliver services, raise funds, or even remain in business. In addition, it would virtually eliminate two programs that have proven to be very successful...
The Smart Start Program- a 20% cut ($37 million dollar cut)
In addition to the cuts, these special provisions were added:
1. Administrative funds for local partnerships are capped at 8% and exclude the $52 million required to be set aside for child care subsidy. This means our partnership would face about a 50% reduction in administrative funds. (It is unlikely many partnerships, including ours, would be able to afford to stay in business.)
2. Local partnerships must raise 15% cash match and another 5% inkind match on all non-subsidy dollars. This doubles the match percentage expectation and means that about $15 million in cash match will need to be raised. (Currently, partnerships are required to raise 10% in cash and in kind with no requirement on whether it will be cash, in kind, or a combination of both; it is unlikely partnerships would be able to raise these funds in this economic climate).
3. The mission of Smart Start has been changed from a broad focus on the health, early education and well-being of all young children to improving the quality of early care and education in North Carolina for children from birth to five. This eliminates the funding of health, family support and perhaps most early intervention activities that are currently supported. (Although the legislature cannot change the mission of our own local organization, this would eliminate our ability to use our funds on these activities and to raise additional funds that would be able to count towards our new fundraising requirement).
4. The $52 million in subsidy funding would be taken directly off the top and the remaining $37 million in cuts would have to come from the remaining 61% of the budget. This would effectively eliminate our programming because the percentage cut would actually be much more substantial when applied to a smaller portion of the budget.
The More at Four Program- a 20% cut (32 million) and the elimination of the office of early learning
In addition, these special provisions were added:
1. More at Four is moved to Division of Child Development, and be designated as pre-kindergarten on the five-star licensing system.
2. Pre-kindergarten slots will be available to eligible children.
3. Parents will be required to pay a co-pay. (Currently the program is free to qualifying families)
4. The pre-kindergarten day will be expanded to a full day, full year program as in the subsidy system, no longer a 6 hour day, for 10 months. (This will significantly increase the costs, with many fewer children being served)
5. Payment for pre-kindergarten will be run through the SEEK system. (Payment will go directly through this new payment system and Smart Start will no longer receive administrative funding for this activity)
6. Pre-kindergarten classrooms will be expected to meet higher standards and be paid higher rates.
What do we need from you?
These cuts are absolutely devastating! They are clearly a back door way to get rid of Smart Start and More at Four. These programs won't be able to function and we will not survive. We cannot accept one single special provision. They are about reducing spending and not about doing what is best for children. We must fight now and not stop until this is over.
It has been brought to my attention that this is a "test" to see what our advocates will do. My understanding is that the senate proposal will be much worse and will probably remove subsidy funding in its entirety. Without subsidy funds, or the funds to administer them, we will have no ability to affect change. We will see the destruction of quality child care as we know it and all of our hard earned investments and work will simply go down the tubes. I am not willing to let that happen and I will fight for this program to the very end. This is not about fighting for my job. It is about fighting for the children who will be most impacted by our presence.
Advocacy DOES work. I have seen some of these special provisions in the past and I have seen them go away due to the efforts of a lot of people who care about the work we do.
Please pick up the phone and start calling our legislators today. Don't let them tell you about tough times and how we have to tighten our belt. The decisions they make now are going to impact all of our communities for the next 20-30 years. You must tell them that the cuts to More at Four and Smart Start are too deep and that we cannot accept any of these special provisions.
Senator Stan Bingham
2117 Legislative Bldg.
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919)733-5665
Stan.Bingham@ncleg.net
Representative Jerry Dockham
1213 Legislative Bldg.
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919)715-2526
Jerry.Dockham@ncleg.net
Representative Rayne Brown
638 Legislative Office Bldg.
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919)715-0873
Rayne.Brown@ncleg.net
Representative Larry Brown
303 Legislative Office Bldg.
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919)733-5607
Larry.Brown@ncleg.net
Start with your own legislators and feel free to call other representatives from other counties. Don't stop even if they ask you to. We have nothing to lose!
Other NC House Members
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=House
Other NC Senate Members
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=Senate
Thank you for your help saving these vital Early Childhood Programs!
Dear Early Childhood Advocates,
We need your help now more than ever!
Last week, our legislators in the House released their budget for 2011-2012. The news was not good because they seriously hinder our ability to deliver services, raise funds, or even remain in business. In addition, it would virtually eliminate two programs that have proven to be very successful...
The Smart Start Program- a 20% cut ($37 million dollar cut)
In addition to the cuts, these special provisions were added:
1. Administrative funds for local partnerships are capped at 8% and exclude the $52 million required to be set aside for child care subsidy. This means our partnership would face about a 50% reduction in administrative funds. (It is unlikely many partnerships, including ours, would be able to afford to stay in business.)
2. Local partnerships must raise 15% cash match and another 5% inkind match on all non-subsidy dollars. This doubles the match percentage expectation and means that about $15 million in cash match will need to be raised. (Currently, partnerships are required to raise 10% in cash and in kind with no requirement on whether it will be cash, in kind, or a combination of both; it is unlikely partnerships would be able to raise these funds in this economic climate).
3. The mission of Smart Start has been changed from a broad focus on the health, early education and well-being of all young children to improving the quality of early care and education in North Carolina for children from birth to five. This eliminates the funding of health, family support and perhaps most early intervention activities that are currently supported. (Although the legislature cannot change the mission of our own local organization, this would eliminate our ability to use our funds on these activities and to raise additional funds that would be able to count towards our new fundraising requirement).
4. The $52 million in subsidy funding would be taken directly off the top and the remaining $37 million in cuts would have to come from the remaining 61% of the budget. This would effectively eliminate our programming because the percentage cut would actually be much more substantial when applied to a smaller portion of the budget.
The More at Four Program- a 20% cut (32 million) and the elimination of the office of early learning
In addition, these special provisions were added:
1. More at Four is moved to Division of Child Development, and be designated as pre-kindergarten on the five-star licensing system.
2. Pre-kindergarten slots will be available to eligible children.
3. Parents will be required to pay a co-pay. (Currently the program is free to qualifying families)
4. The pre-kindergarten day will be expanded to a full day, full year program as in the subsidy system, no longer a 6 hour day, for 10 months. (This will significantly increase the costs, with many fewer children being served)
5. Payment for pre-kindergarten will be run through the SEEK system. (Payment will go directly through this new payment system and Smart Start will no longer receive administrative funding for this activity)
6. Pre-kindergarten classrooms will be expected to meet higher standards and be paid higher rates.
What do we need from you?
These cuts are absolutely devastating! They are clearly a back door way to get rid of Smart Start and More at Four. These programs won't be able to function and we will not survive. We cannot accept one single special provision. They are about reducing spending and not about doing what is best for children. We must fight now and not stop until this is over.
It has been brought to my attention that this is a "test" to see what our advocates will do. My understanding is that the senate proposal will be much worse and will probably remove subsidy funding in its entirety. Without subsidy funds, or the funds to administer them, we will have no ability to affect change. We will see the destruction of quality child care as we know it and all of our hard earned investments and work will simply go down the tubes. I am not willing to let that happen and I will fight for this program to the very end. This is not about fighting for my job. It is about fighting for the children who will be most impacted by our presence.
Advocacy DOES work. I have seen some of these special provisions in the past and I have seen them go away due to the efforts of a lot of people who care about the work we do.
Please pick up the phone and start calling our legislators today. Don't let them tell you about tough times and how we have to tighten our belt. The decisions they make now are going to impact all of our communities for the next 20-30 years. You must tell them that the cuts to More at Four and Smart Start are too deep and that we cannot accept any of these special provisions.
Senator Stan Bingham
2117 Legislative Bldg.
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919)733-5665
Stan.Bingham@ncleg.net
Representative Jerry Dockham
1213 Legislative Bldg.
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919)715-2526
Jerry.Dockham@ncleg.net
Representative Rayne Brown
638 Legislative Office Bldg.
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919)715-0873
Rayne.Brown@ncleg.net
Representative Larry Brown
303 Legislative Office Bldg.
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919)733-5607
Larry.Brown@ncleg.net
Start with your own legislators and feel free to call other representatives from other counties. Don't stop even if they ask you to. We have nothing to lose!
Other NC House Members
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=House
Other NC Senate Members
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=Senate
Thank you for your help saving these vital Early Childhood Programs!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
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