Link to NAEYC Articles

NAEYC Articles

Another great link! :)

Making Connections

Have you ever noticed that many young children get fidgety when you read to them? Children (and let's face it, adults!) like to actively engage with their environment. And just like you and I, young children are capable of listening while "fidgeting" with something. Do you doodle at workshops? I do... and when I doodle I have a much easier time staying focused. Think of it the same way with your students... some people just need to move and "do" at all times.

I think I am particularly sensitive about this because I understand it. And when I was in the classroom I tried really hard to provide some kind of tangible object that I could pass out to the kids who wanted or needed it. It can be really simple... here are some quick examples: when talking about outer-space, hand out little pom-poms (planets, stars, moons); when taking about snow or winter, hand out pieces of cotton (snow); when talking about construction hand out little rocks; when talking about Fall hand out acorns or leaves... the list goes on and on. When I read The Very Hungry Caterpillar I handed out foods from dramatic play; when I read Caps for Sale I handed out paper hats that we'd made; when I read Blueberies for Sal I handed out plastic grapes. The children don't care if the object is exactly like the object that is in the book. They like the connection though, and it helps make it concrete for them. Use your imagination and the sky is the limit. What can you turn cotton or pom poms into? Please share your ideas in the comments below! :)

Also, below are a couple of pictures of things that were made to accompany books. They are simple and inexpensive... have fun and be creative!

What can you do to make your stories come to life?


These are construction paper sea animals to accompany the book Swimmy by Leo Lionni.



These are felt pieces to accompany The Jacket I Wear in the Snow.



The cast from Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

Food for Thought

"Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire."
~William Butler Yeats

• What does this quote mean to you?

• Are you "lighting the fire" of the children you teach, or extinguishing the flame?

• Are you excited about the possibilities of each day, and do you share your enthusiasm for learning and discovery with the children in your classroom?

• How can you turn your students on to learning?

• What steps can you take to engage every child?

• If you were a child in your classroom would you have fun? Would you enjoy spending the day there?
  

• What is the most important thing you can do each day...? And do you do it?
  

Magnetic Letters

A teacher in Wake County created this activity for the children in her classroom. She provided environmental print and some picture cards along with magnetic letters. This was a very popular activity the day I was there!

Pete the Cat

Pete the Cat story telling video

Have you heard of Pete the Cat? Click on the link above to see a live telling of the story.

Parent Involvement

Looking for ways to get your parents involved? This example is provided by a teacher in Harnett County. She has it posted near the entrance on the side of the cubbies. Isn't this great?!

Another Great Link! :)

A link to Foundations