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Kindergarten Teachers Chatboard

Kindergarten Teachers Retention Practices

by Gwen

Apr 7, 2016

Hello, I'm a grad student (education), my assignment for this week is to ask a kindergarten teacher question about their retention practices. If you could be please take the time to answers these questions, that would be wonderful. 1. How often have you retained children in kindergarten during your career? 2. Has there been change in their philoso...See More

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DonnaR/CA Before I answer your questions, I should add a caveat: I have only been in my current Kinder assignment for two years. Before that, I was in Music and in 5th grade. However, as a music teacher, I usually knew what was going on in the school when it came to retentions.

> 1. How often have you retained children in kindergarten > during...See More

Apr 10, 2016

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Judy2/CA I taught kinder for 6 years in a Title 1 school district. 99.9&37; of our students were ELLs and knew no English when they started school. I probably had 2-3 students who'd been to Head Start but no other preschool for the others. For most it was their first time away from family members. I only retained 2 students during my 6 years because the...See MoreI taught kinder for 6 years in a Title 1 school district. 99.9&37; of our students were ELLs and knew no English when they started school. I probably had 2-3 students who'd been to Head Start but no other preschool for the others. For most it was their first time away from family members. I only retained 2 students during my 6 years because they simply could not have made it in 1st grade. The main reason we didn't retain is because a child could be retained only once during the elem years. Our kinder was just 1/2 day. If they were going to be retained it was preferred they be retained in 1st grade when they would repeat a full day program rather than 1/2 day kinder. Also in 1st grade they would get a full day of English rather than another year of 1/2 day exposure to the language. The teacher in our district makes the initial determination on retention but the principal has to sign the form and the parent also. If the parent doesn't agree it would be rare for the principal to let the child be retained. The feeling is if the parent doesn't support it, it will not be successful. Retentions at every grade level in my district are now rare. They seldom seemed to be successful and the students often seemed to have discipline issues as they reached the upper grades.

On 4/10/16, DonnaR/CA wrote: > Before I answer your questions, I should add a caveat: I > have only been in my current Kinder assignment for two > years. Before that, I was in Music and in 5th grade. > However, as a music teacher, I usually knew what was going > on in the school when it came to retentions. > >> 1. How often have you retained children in kindergarten >> during your career? > > None of my students were retained last year. This year, I > took in 2 students who had been retained *by their parent*. > They were simply not ready for kindergarten in the first > place. > >> 2. Has there been change in their philosophy/practice of >> retaining children in kindergarten since starting >> teaching? > > No, not really. We still don't retain in kinder unless the > parent requests it, or if the child is very, very immature. > (The latter problem has been somewhat solved by the > "transitional kindergarten" in CA these days, where a child > who turns 5 between September 1st and December 2nd is > enrolled in Pre-K then in regular K the following year.) > > >> 3. What criteria do you use in making the decision to >> retain a child in kindergarten? > > See above. > >> 4. Who else is involved in the decision making? > > Parents and principal, and to a degree, the special ed > department chair and psychologist. > >> 5. What is done to ensure that children do not suffer a >> loss of self-esteem or stigmatization by other children? > > Since we haven't done it in so long except by parent > demand, I'd say it was up to the parent. > > > > Donna

Apr 11, 2016

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No substitutes will be hired next year

by getting prepared

Apr 5, 2016

We have been told that our school (OKla.) will not be able to financially afford to hire subs when someone is absent during the 16-17 school year. We will have to split the students from the absent teacher's class into ours. That would mean about 5 more students per class on those days. Has anyone done this before in the school system and if so, do...See More

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maureen At my grandchild's K last year, two of the teachers "team taught" by sharing duties on Wednesdays and breaking up the classes into small groups as they went from each room for centers. That way the children became familiar with other students and the other teacher. When there was a guest speaker, they would combine the two classes for tho...See More

Apr 5, 2016

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Flacka At the beginning of the year work with your team to
develop a plan that will help you get through the
practical stuff. Pre-divide each class so the same
children always get sent to the same teacher, call the
rest of the grade the night before or in the early AM to
give them a "heads up" that you won't be in, figure out a...See More

Apr 6, 2016

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college student

by Jenn

Mar 28, 2016

can anyone answer some questions on teaching philosophies for some insight on a report for school?

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ret. K teacher Thank you for being honest about why you are asking. Can you be more specific about what you need or what questions you have.

On 3/28/16, Jenn wrote: > can anyone answer some questions on teaching philosophies > for some insight on a report for school?

Mar 29, 2016

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Free resource

by Grace/IL

Mar 18, 2016

Haven't been around for a while but just want to let you know that The Spel-Lang Tree: Seeds is now downloadable free at [link removed].

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The recipe for "genius"

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Mar 15, 2016

So-called "genius" has a recipe...

A recipe you can also share with your students.

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What This HS Teacher Learned from Elem Grade Teachers

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Mar 2, 2016

Elementary school teachers teach me a great deal. Some of my normal classroom routines come directly from [elementary level teachers]; they all have their roots in elementary school classrooms.

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jade On 3/02/16, Teachers.Net Gazette wrote: > > Elementary school teachers teach me a great deal. Some of my > normal classroom routines come directly from [elementary > level teachers]; they all have their roots in elementary > school classrooms.

Mar 2, 2016

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retired K teacher Elementary teachers, and kindergarten teachers and particular, have been treated much the same as a battered woman. We are told that we don't add value (i.e.: worthless), have little to offer, aren't intelligent (how hard is it to play all day) and basically, have nothing to offer. At the same time we are being beaten down we must give the opposite...See More

Mar 13, 2016

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Surprising relationship: The Brain, Sleep, Learning

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Mar 5, 2016

The effects of sleep on learning and memory are surprising and impressive! (Click below to read the article.)

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Positive discipline

by Elle

Mar 1, 2016

Need to chat with someone who uses this in their classroom please.

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Possible Move

by Beth

Feb 15, 2016

Hello All, I have lived in the state of South Dakota all my life, and when I graduated from college I was hired in my hometown. I told myself after three years I would be brave and move. However, I am at a crossroads and where to go. I know that my window is closing as far as applying; however, I don't just want to throw applications out like they ...See More

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Flacka From your description, the DC area might be a good choice. There are definitely 4 seasons and lots of diversity. When friends and family visit, you will never lack for things to do and because you are in DC, they will come.

There are lots of young people in DC, Arlington Va, and even Alexandria Va so there are lots of bars, good restauran...See MoreFrom your description, the DC area might be a good choice. There are definitely 4 seasons and lots of diversity. When friends and family visit, you will never lack for things to do and because you are in DC, they will come.

There are lots of young people in DC, Arlington Va, and even Alexandria Va so there are lots of bars, good restaurants, and shopping. The "reverse commute" is doable so check out Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax county, and even Prince William county. Don't let the price of housing freak you out because the pay is adjusted for the cost of living so, while it's not great, it's doable, especially if you have a roommate for a year or 2.

I am not sure what the rules are now about reciprocity for your license and what tests are required but the VDOE website should have that. This is definitely the time to start looking because the principals are starting to hire for next year now since there are more openings than candidates. Right now there are 50 elementary openings posted for my district and that number will grow over the next few weeks so it's the right time to apply. Good luck!

On 2/17/16, Beth wrote: > Thank you for the information on the D.C. area! I come from an > area where we have the four seasons, or something similar and > would like to keep that. I don't want to live in a big city, > but am also looking to find someone and start a family so > having a fairly good sized city would be great. Also, we don't > have much diversity in my home state. So I would like an area > that has more diversity simply so that I can become a more > rounded individual. I don't have an early childhood endorsement > but have taught Kindergarten the last three years and would > like to stay within the K-2 possibly 3rd grade area. Again, > thank you for taking the time to answer me! > > > On 2/16/16, Flacka wrote: >> It sounds like you have given this some thought and are >> ready to try something new. We just retired and went >> through a similar process only we didn't need to worry about >> jobs. >> >> If you are open to going anywhere, what part of the country >> would you like to call home? Do you want to be within >> driving distance of your family or are you OK with flying >> home to see them for the holidays? Do you want to be in or >> near a city, small town, or "out in the country"? How much >> does the climate play into your decision? Do you have >> friends or family that you would like to be near? >> >> There are many areas of the country where teaching jobs are >> hard to come by and other places where they have a >> shortage of teachers. I live near Washington DC and it's an >> area that is growing and transient because of the military, > so >> there are lots of teaching and no- teaching jobs. Most >> everyone is from someplace else originally and there are 3 >> airports. On the other hand, it's expensive to live here and >> the traffic is some of the worst in the country. The winters >> are milder than the Dakotas and when it snows or is icy, >> everything pretty much shuts down (like today). >> >> DC has a mix of public, private, and a lot of charter > schools. >> They struggle with the issues of a large urban population, >> Maryland is a CCSS state and Virginia is not. Virginia is, in >> general less expensive to live and where many young people >> live. The school divisions (districts) cover the whole county >> as there are few cities in Virginia. >> >> Good luck with your decision! >> >> >> >> >> >> On 2/15/16, Beth wrote: >>> Hello All, >>> I have lived in the state of South Dakota all my life, >>> and when I graduated from college I was hired in my >>> hometown. I told myself after three years I would be brave >>> and move. However, I am at a crossroads and where to >> go. I >>> know that my window is closing as far as applying; >> however, >>> I don't just want to throw applications out like they are >>> dandelion seeds. If you are able to share any thoughts or >>> suggestions on your states and districts, it would greatly >>> be appreciated. Thank you!

Feb 18, 2016

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NFM On 2/16/16, Flacka wrote: > It sounds like you have given this some thought and are > ready to try something new. We just retired and went > through a similar process only we didn't need to worry about > jobs. > > If you are open to going anywhere, what part of the country > would you like to call home? Do you want to be within...See MoreOn 2/16/16, Flacka wrote: > It sounds like you have given this some thought and are > ready to try something new. We just retired and went > through a similar process only we didn't need to worry about > jobs. > > If you are open to going anywhere, what part of the country > would you like to call home? Do you want to be within > driving distance of your family or are you OK with flying > home to see them for the holidays? Do you want to be in or > near a city, small town, or "out in the country"? How much > does the climate play into your decision? Do you have > friends or family that you would like to be near? > > There are many areas of the country where teaching jobs are > hard to come by and other places where they have a > shortage of teachers. I live near Washington DC and it's an > area that is growing and transient because of the military, so > there are lots of teaching and no- teaching jobs. Most > everyone is from someplace else originally and there are 3 > airports. On the other hand, it's expensive to live here and > the traffic is some of the worst in the country. The winters > are milder than the Dakotas and when it snows or is icy, > everything pretty much shuts down (like today). > > DC has a mix of public, private, and a lot of charter schools. > They struggle with the issues of a large urban population, > Maryland is a CCSS state and Virginia is not. Virginia is, in > general less expensive to live and where many young people > live. The school divisions (districts) cover the whole county > as there are few cities in Virginia. > > Good luck with your decision! > > > > > > On 2/15/16, Beth wrote: >> Hello All, >> I have lived in the state of South Dakota all my life, >> and when I graduated from college I was hired in my >> hometown. I told myself after three years I would be brave >> and move. However, I am at a crossroads and where to > go. I >> know that my window is closing as far as applying; > however, >> I don't just want to throw applications out like they are >> dandelion seeds. If you are able to share any thoughts or >> suggestions on your states and districts, it would greatly >> be appreciated. Thank you!

Feb 26, 2016

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Handwriting

by Cindy G

Feb 23, 2016

Hello! Just wondering about handwriting.... How often do your students practice? How important is it that they have correct formation and spacing? We used to do HWT and I loved it. Then we were told to use the instruction provided in Fundations which , while I like that it is integrated into the program, the instruction itself isn't as good IMO.

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maureen My dgd is in K this year and her teachers have her write daily and a lot. I have noticed a big improvement with her forming the letters correctly and holding her pencil correctly.

I wish I could say the same about her older siblings who attended a school that did not actively work with the students in letter formation or correct hand posit...See MoreMy dgd is in K this year and her teachers have her write daily and a lot. I have noticed a big improvement with her forming the letters correctly and holding her pencil correctly.

I wish I could say the same about her older siblings who attended a school that did not actively work with the students in letter formation or correct hand position when holding a pencil. Both have horrible handwriting (the third grader learned cursive earlier this year and has beautiful handwriting - just can't print worth a darn). The 12 year old has an awkward hold and her writing is very messy and difficult to read. The final letter or number resembles but they do not have the correct formation. (like making two circles for an 8 or starting from the bottom kinds of things). Their teachers in the early grades did not reinforce those kinds of things and now we see the results.

Kindergarten (and earlier when they first start writing in preschool) are the ideal times to learn the correct formations. It is much easier to learn how to write the first time then to try to overcome bad habits later on.

I do want to say that the third grader lacks sufficient hand strength even now to write for long periods of time. The school is working with him on hand strenthening activities. Writing in shorter periods of time while doing homework also helps.

When I taught the younger grades I always worked one on one or in small groups of three in writing. I sat and wrote with them and kept an eye to help them make their letters/numbers. I served as role model. To me, this is the best way to make sure bad habits are not being formed. The social aspect of being together with the teacher was a very good motivator in learning this.

On 2/23/16, Cindy G wrote: > Hello! > Just wondering about handwriting.... How often do your > students practice? How important is it that they have > correct formation and spacing? We used to do HWT and > I loved it. Then we were told to use the instruction > provided in Fundations which , while I like that it is > integrated into the program, the instruction itself isn't as > good IMO.

Feb 23, 2016

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