And we're back!

...almost! Things are moving, though not as quickly as any of us want them to be.

Please be patient while I update links, etc.

Looking forward to a fantastic year! :)

Around the classroom...

Daily sign-in :)

Magnetic letters and environmental print

Birthday Chart

Writing center

Self-Regulation

Article on Self-Regulation

A serious setback to Pre-K schooling - Other Views - NewsObserver.com

A serious setback to Pre-K schooling - Other Views - NewsObserver.com

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:

• What's the problem?
• How does it make you feel?
• What should we do?
• Let's try it!

Photo attached so you can see it :) (If you click on the picture it will get larger)

Isn't this a fantastic idea? I love it! The teacher reported that it has been very successful!

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:

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).

The kids loved doing this :)

  

Painting our "Earth"

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:

• 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!

 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 :)