As a reading tutor, I have been advised by a friend (who is a pre-school teacher) that a fun way to teach the Alphabet to pre-schoolers is posted on Youtube. Just go to Youtube and type in "At Last! A Reading Method for Every Child" and the technique is demonstrated on the video. I have used this procedure with good success.
On 6/24/15, Sarah S. wrote: > On 4/20/15, Ms. Mouse wrote: >> My grandchild attends a 3 year old preschool where the >> teacher and assistants really push handwriting, cutting >> on the lines, knowing the letters and sounds, and doing >> homework. They believe in really pushing these little >> kiddos and sometimes get cranky and visibly impatient. As >> a former preschool teacher, have I failed to keep up with >> the times? Is this how it is in preschool now? > > > Yes and no. I just finished my MAED, and trends are > focusing on developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) and > differentiated instruction. However, due to politics and > such, something called the push-down curriculum is > happening in the public schools. Kindergarten is the new > 1st grade. Some preschools feel the need to prepare them > for the workload they will face in public schools. Yet, > Bright from the Start upholds sound research based > standards and encourages preschools to use DAP and child > centered approaches.
preschooltchrOn 7/16/15, Ms. Mouse wrote: > Thank you! > > On 6/24/15, Sarah S. wrote: >> On 4/20/15, Ms. Mouse wrote: >>> My grandchild attends a 3 year old preschool where the >>> teacher and assistants really push handwriting, cutting >>> on the lines, knowing the letters and sounds, and doing >>> homework. ...See MoreOn 7/16/15, Ms. Mouse wrote: > Thank you! > > On 6/24/15, Sarah S. wrote: >> On 4/20/15, Ms. Mouse wrote: >>> My grandchild attends a 3 year old preschool where the >>> teacher and assistants really push handwriting, cutting >>> on the lines, knowing the letters and sounds, and doing >>> homework. They believe in really pushing these little >>> kiddos and sometimes get cranky and visibly impatient. As >>> a former preschool teacher, have I failed to keep up with >>> the times? Is this how it is in preschool now? >> >> >> Yes and no. I just finished my MAED, and trends are >> focusing on developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) and >> differentiated instruction. However, due to politics and >> such, something called the push-down curriculum is >> happening in the public schools. Kindergarten is the new >> 1st grade. Some preschools feel the need to prepare them >> for the workload they will face in public schools. Yet, >> Bright from the Start upholds sound research based >> standards and encourages preschools to use DAP and child >> centered approaches.
MsMouse, could you tell me what state you live in?
I am a new director and my teachers are struggling with getting the kids to nap, then getting them up, and then the cots put up. Can anyone share their naptime routine? There are 18 kids in the classroom, one teacher, and one helper.
On 8/18/15, Tara wrote: > I am a new director and my teachers are struggling with > getting the kids to nap, then getting them up, and then > the cots put up. Can anyone share their naptime routine? > There are 18 kids in the classroom, one teacher, and one > helper.
preschooltchrOn 8/18/15, CC wrote: > I am a pre-k teacher and our nap time is pretty simple. It > is during the last hour-hour and half of the day. I usually > have my assistant read a story and once that is done > everyone lines up to go to the bathroom. While they are > doing that, we are both laying out cots and blankets. Might > be harder ...See MoreOn 8/18/15, CC wrote: > I am a pre-k teacher and our nap time is pretty simple. It > is during the last hour-hour and half of the day. I usually > have my assistant read a story and once that is done > everyone lines up to go to the bathroom. While they are > doing that, we are both laying out cots and blankets. Might > be harder if no bathroom in the room, but could split the > class up and do half and half. Once everyone is done they > lay down with lights off and low classical music playing. > Our only rule is that they have to be quiet and stay on the > cot. Most do sleep though. When it is time to get up, we > turn lights on and if there are children awake we have them > help wake friends up gently (good social teaching moment)we > put their cots up as they get up and have them get > backpacks ready to go. > > On 8/18/15, Tara wrote: >> I am a new director and my teachers are struggling with >> getting the kids to nap, then getting them up, and then >> the cots put up. Can anyone share their naptime routine? >> There are 18 kids in the classroom, one teacher, and one >> helper.
My older 3s and young 4s have learned to put on their crib sized sheets on their cots, so they do before lunch. After lunch, bathroom and hand washing, they lie down. I read 45 Mother Goose nursery rhymes to them daily as they lie there, then play soft classical music. They lie down for 2 hrs and most do sleep.
Everyone has to find what works for them. For my few disruptive kids, I announce I have my sheet out and ready. If you whisper, sit up on your cot, or make noise, I write your name down with a question mark. A second infraction, and you get 4 minutes sitting time outside at playtime. Since I enforce the rule and kids sit outside after we wake up and have snack, and they know why, I have almost no trouble at nap time.
I am interested in hearing from anyone who has used the Building Blocks math curric for preK. Specifically, suggestions for how to organize the large and small group work across a week. Thanks.
I am pursuing a master's degree in educational psychology. I need to find out from existing teachers what is their personal philosophy of education? What are your thoughts?
In our state you have to have a teaching license to teach pre-k in the school district. But, teaching preschool in a community preschool or in a home, as the OP is suggesting would not require a teaching license. In our state, it would only require your home being licensed by dcfs (which is all about health and safety and little to do with programming or teaching).
We had the same holiday breaks as most schools - fall, winter and spring breaks and the three day weekend ones, too. I closed for about a month total over the summer with two weeks of June and the first two weeks of July before starting up again in August. I opened the summer months to "new" children when openings were available.
I LOVED being done at 3PM every day so I felt like I had a life and I had an older grandchild who needed to be picked up from elementary after 3. Not starting until 9 as nice to be able to have some time to myself, time to prepare for the day and to get some lunch ingredients. I also provided two snacks each day. Parents were very pleased with the program and worked around my schedule. Only having to have 9 students instead of 30 to make ends meet was a lot easier to do.
If you have an excellent and unique program that parents were seeking those parents will find you. Being done at 3 wasn't a problem as parents seemed to work out something for pick up - babysitters, grandparents, flex time with spouse, etc.
I would still be doing this if our family didn't need the space the school took up.
Home preschools are excellent opportunities to make some $, keep using your skills and providing quality programs for families who prefer the smaller group sizes. I found only doing the five days and the 9-3 cut out a lot of extra paperwork and time spent outside school time. Having an AM and PM class means you would have twice as many students. Just a thought.
Hello. My name is Jennifer. I have an interview for a lead teacher position at a learning academy. Do you have any tips or questions I should look out for.
On 3/23/15, Emily wrote: > On 3/23/15, mlynn wrote: >> Hi all. Does anyone work in a center or > school that uses >> The Creative Curriculum? If so, how do > you like it and was >> it expensive? Thanks > > My school used to use creative curriculum > for 3/4 year olds and 4/5 year olds. I > don't know about the cost but there were > mixed feelings on it. Some teachers > really liked it. I did not so much. But I > am not in North America and it's designed > for Americans and has a lot of Spanish > resources. For new teachers it's very > directed. Questions of the week and > guiding questions for each lesson. For me > that was too guided. But my neighbour who > was a new teacher liked the structure. > The resources it provides are quite good > and I do like the ideas it had. We also > did it in to grade levels and did not > divide it well so the grades were doing > identical things. if you do decide to > use it there is training that I think is > important. I didn't get the training so I > didn't buy into the program.
NYC PrekTry Core Knowledge for Preschool. The program is well written and has good thematic units. Not all things you will use, and you will use much more than is there, but I find it a great starting and middle point.