Reading, writing and words in general intrest children around the age of 2-2 1/2 years old. It is important to flood childrens worlds with ample amounts of literature. The movie "The Color Purple" had a simular idea in the scene when Nettie was teaching Celie to read she labeled things throughout the house and used those things tho teache Celie to read. This idea stems from the fact-the researched fact that children learn best about things in thier "world". Labeling a door or a chair would be more effective than writing the word and teaching them to say it.
The Word Wall or ABC Wall idea is almost the same. The difference is that you categorize the words learned by the begining letter rather than labeling items.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The Home School Connection
In my three year old classroom we learn about a variety of subjects and we do many fun and fulfilling activities that assist us in moving the children to the finish line...being ready for Pre-K. Many times parents ask "Is there anything we can do at home to help with this process?" and sometimes teachers are reluctant to give a honest answer.
This is my general answer to this question without getting child or behavior specific...
1. Constantly read to your children.
In the morning, before bed, in the car... everything has words and young children are so curious about everything around them they would welcome this. Create a reading area equipped with books and magazines geared towards the interest of children. Offer them time to read with you as well as by themselves. This provides personal time to explore the books, and gain interest in figuring out the words for themselves.
2. Consider providing a writing/art area or center in your child's room or play area and give them a specific time to enjoy this area. (one area can be used for both subjects)
This will give them a specific "down" time while still offering that creative process. Every moment of a child's day does not have to include running around or being out of control. It will be very important for this area to be well stocked with the usual crayons, markers, paper etc. You could also offer specialty items like glitter pens, glue sticks, scissors etc.
3. Include a word wall or a ABC wall in a common area. This will build on their prior interest in reading and writing while letting them be in control of it. Of course they will need some assistance but what parent wouldn't help a new reader or writer.
4. Incorporate music into your child's life. Music can be soothing but it can also be fun for the entire family. Dancing around the house or playing while music is playing offers a great sound for the children and they wont feel the need to fill the room with their sounds by being so loud.
I hope that these suggestions are helpful. Please leave a comment and let me know if you are interested in specific subjects or if you have any questions about anything that I have written.
This is my general answer to this question without getting child or behavior specific...
1. Constantly read to your children.
In the morning, before bed, in the car... everything has words and young children are so curious about everything around them they would welcome this. Create a reading area equipped with books and magazines geared towards the interest of children. Offer them time to read with you as well as by themselves. This provides personal time to explore the books, and gain interest in figuring out the words for themselves.
2. Consider providing a writing/art area or center in your child's room or play area and give them a specific time to enjoy this area. (one area can be used for both subjects)
This will give them a specific "down" time while still offering that creative process. Every moment of a child's day does not have to include running around or being out of control. It will be very important for this area to be well stocked with the usual crayons, markers, paper etc. You could also offer specialty items like glitter pens, glue sticks, scissors etc.
3. Include a word wall or a ABC wall in a common area. This will build on their prior interest in reading and writing while letting them be in control of it. Of course they will need some assistance but what parent wouldn't help a new reader or writer.
4. Incorporate music into your child's life. Music can be soothing but it can also be fun for the entire family. Dancing around the house or playing while music is playing offers a great sound for the children and they wont feel the need to fill the room with their sounds by being so loud.
I hope that these suggestions are helpful. Please leave a comment and let me know if you are interested in specific subjects or if you have any questions about anything that I have written.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Schools and their Curriculum
Curriculum is an important factor when parents are searching for the right school for their children. It is also important to schools when they first open for business as well as with attracting new business. Teachers also pay close attention to a schools curriculum prior to entering that school. Typically curriculum's are labeled as age appropriate or not. This simply means that the curriculum is appropriate for the age and stages of the class that it is written for.
At times you will find a curriculum that is not only age appropriate but that is really child centered. Most modern schools are now choosing bits and pieces of other curriculum's to accompany their own. This helps a school to stick with their curriculum tradition while modernizing it with snippets of other proven and more popular curriculum's which tend to be helpful selling points especially in this time of economic instability. However, as a parent seeking a new school for your children or an aspiring teacher seeking a new place of employment, curriculum becomes the main focus. Here are some quick tips to assist both groups on your respective sides of the spectrum come to the best decision for you and your family.
Parents:
This is or should be the most important aspect of the school selection process. This tells what your child will learn, will experience and will be exposed too. This should line up with your families belief of education and children or should be explained enough to persuade you to think otherwise. Some people feel that children at two years old should be exposed to writing while others feel that a two year old child should be enjoying life through play. This is the GREAT DEBATE in the education realm and his is why there is such a diverse range of written curriculum's.
In my opinion, the classroom should reflect the curriculum and the curriculum should be child friendly. Meaning that There should be less work that is teacher created or directed as possible, in fact zero. Children should be free to explore their world and create their own way. This makes children feel very capable, and encourages Independence. Although some parents would like to keep their babies a baby forever, that is not reality and that Independence goes a long way socially, emotionally and cognitively.
Teachers:
Entering into a new school setting is already a unsettling challenge but working for a organization that you do not believe in is more of a challenge. Of course there are ways to get around it but it helps not to have to worry about it. Some teachers use the curriculum provided and apply it to their teaching style which usually works out and it helps the teacher see the benefits of both sides to the educational story...
My bottom line is, both parents and aspiring teachers should investigate the environment prior to entering into it. Doing your homework on a place will go a mighty long way!
At times you will find a curriculum that is not only age appropriate but that is really child centered. Most modern schools are now choosing bits and pieces of other curriculum's to accompany their own. This helps a school to stick with their curriculum tradition while modernizing it with snippets of other proven and more popular curriculum's which tend to be helpful selling points especially in this time of economic instability. However, as a parent seeking a new school for your children or an aspiring teacher seeking a new place of employment, curriculum becomes the main focus. Here are some quick tips to assist both groups on your respective sides of the spectrum come to the best decision for you and your family.
Parents:
This is or should be the most important aspect of the school selection process. This tells what your child will learn, will experience and will be exposed too. This should line up with your families belief of education and children or should be explained enough to persuade you to think otherwise. Some people feel that children at two years old should be exposed to writing while others feel that a two year old child should be enjoying life through play. This is the GREAT DEBATE in the education realm and his is why there is such a diverse range of written curriculum's.
In my opinion, the classroom should reflect the curriculum and the curriculum should be child friendly. Meaning that There should be less work that is teacher created or directed as possible, in fact zero. Children should be free to explore their world and create their own way. This makes children feel very capable, and encourages Independence. Although some parents would like to keep their babies a baby forever, that is not reality and that Independence goes a long way socially, emotionally and cognitively.
Teachers:
Entering into a new school setting is already a unsettling challenge but working for a organization that you do not believe in is more of a challenge. Of course there are ways to get around it but it helps not to have to worry about it. Some teachers use the curriculum provided and apply it to their teaching style which usually works out and it helps the teacher see the benefits of both sides to the educational story...
My bottom line is, both parents and aspiring teachers should investigate the environment prior to entering into it. Doing your homework on a place will go a mighty long way!
Monday, January 18, 2010
2010...
2010 came in with quiet fireworks for me. Spending time with family and resting up for the second half of the school year was what it was all about.
School news:
My classes have been increasingly challenging. However, I have been doing the best that I can. I have a new counselor which she seems to be on top of her job and me. She called and lit a fire under me; holding me accountable for the work that I have and have not done. For me, this is good, it is encouraging and maybe it is just what I need to keep me going. Everyone knows that going to school, working, starting a family, running a house hold and having some sort of social life outside of all of that can be a lot to deal with and try to handle. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have seen it, I am dutifully aiming for it on this journey. I was able to get my computer fixed FINALLY so I can work at home. This week showed how important it is to have a computer at home. I was able to turn in my assignments this week ON TIME! WhooHOO! So there shouldnt be any excuses.
Work News:
I had my first official observation and evaluation of my Teaching Career. I was soooo nervous about it. I called my good friend Nahema for back up. She came over to give me some help but she was excited when she heard my plan that she only gave suggestions to build on my plan. Of course I checked and double checked and triple checked the plan before it was time to implement it.
On the day of, I was super prepared. I was ready for the show to begin. Down side: the majority of my class was away on vacation so I had to work a little harder than I usually do. The plan was to show them exactly what I do well within my written plan. The observation went well, the kids were into it, the boss who observed loved it and I was happy. AND I wasnt nervous AT ALL!
The evaluation went well too. The comments that were made:
I have great control over the classroom, the kids seem to have a really good time in the classroom and I seem to be very confortable and confident when teaching.
It is really reassuring to hear great feedback from the bosses and the parents.
School news:
My classes have been increasingly challenging. However, I have been doing the best that I can. I have a new counselor which she seems to be on top of her job and me. She called and lit a fire under me; holding me accountable for the work that I have and have not done. For me, this is good, it is encouraging and maybe it is just what I need to keep me going. Everyone knows that going to school, working, starting a family, running a house hold and having some sort of social life outside of all of that can be a lot to deal with and try to handle. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have seen it, I am dutifully aiming for it on this journey. I was able to get my computer fixed FINALLY so I can work at home. This week showed how important it is to have a computer at home. I was able to turn in my assignments this week ON TIME! WhooHOO! So there shouldnt be any excuses.
Work News:
I had my first official observation and evaluation of my Teaching Career. I was soooo nervous about it. I called my good friend Nahema for back up. She came over to give me some help but she was excited when she heard my plan that she only gave suggestions to build on my plan. Of course I checked and double checked and triple checked the plan before it was time to implement it.
On the day of, I was super prepared. I was ready for the show to begin. Down side: the majority of my class was away on vacation so I had to work a little harder than I usually do. The plan was to show them exactly what I do well within my written plan. The observation went well, the kids were into it, the boss who observed loved it and I was happy. AND I wasnt nervous AT ALL!
The evaluation went well too. The comments that were made:
I have great control over the classroom, the kids seem to have a really good time in the classroom and I seem to be very confortable and confident when teaching.
It is really reassuring to hear great feedback from the bosses and the parents.
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