Tough love is about to commence in 3..2..1..
Unfortunately developmental, physical and emotional delays are apart of the global misfortunes that people become victims of. I, in no way, shape or form would ever wish any of these ailments on anyone.
However, God has placed capable people in your path to provide parents and other family members guidance and insight on things that seem off, awry, or things in need of fine tuning with your children.
In English: Teachers are trained and equipped to recognize areas of concern withing your children. They are with your children -in most cases- for more hours than the parents are during the week, definately during the day. They have built relationships with your family (or they should be or should have)and are well-educated with the age and developmental stages of the age groups that they are teaching.
The Bottom Line:
Teachers are parents' first line of defense. They are on the front lines in each families war on the best education for their children. So seek the information that they have for you. Pick their brains, discuss anything that you may find questionable and be proactive about the situation; prayfully before there is a situation.
Please, if you feel the need, seek the professional expertise of a second opinion however, please do not disregard the professional opinion of the teacher that has worked seemingly tirelessly with your child as well as your family for some one who evaluated your child through either a series of one on one test or though five minutes of adult interaction. Dig deeper and resolve the deeper issues not just dissolving the debris on the surface.
**My sincere prayer is that this ranting really helps a parent, another family member or even a friend of the family find the answers or even some resources to put them on the path to the answers that they need.**
**Continuing that same prayer, I pray that this ranting renews the passion within that weary teacher that is short on patients and big on issues, that is questioning the zest that he/she has for the job that they do so well** Keep on keeping on!!!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
What do Teachers do in the summer?
Teaching three year old children you learn not to be surprised by the questions that you are asked as this age group is naturally inquisitive.
As a circle time conversation, I asked the children "What will you do during your Summer break?" After they supplied their fun answers a child turned to me and said "Ms. Tomika what will you do in the summer?" -I had to construct a fun answer (which I will include at the end) but this is what a Teacher does during the summer.
Hopefully most Teachers are enjoying lots of down time. Fun at the beach, fun with the family etc. However, in my experience, it is not always fun and games for teacher. Here are a few things that I will be working on during my summer break.
1. Organization:
During the school year I try to stay organized but the days fly by really fast. So during the summer when you have some down time or for me, before my true vacation time starts, I organize.
2. Clean
Organizing and cleaning are similar but very different. In a classroom, cleaning means sanitizing, removing unwanted items, recycling other teachers unwanted items into my classroom.
3. Planning, Planning, Planning...
I am a planner. So I am always thinking what to do ahead of time. Getting a head start on my planning will help me once the school year creeps closer and closer. I try to plan The First 6 weeks of school which will allow me plenty of time once school starts to plan ahead.
4. Execution
Weeks before children arrive, Teachers are arranging the classroom and rearranging to make the space perfect for the children and their families that will be arriving soon.
Now as you know I didn't tell the child who asked me about my summer break plans all of this so I stuck to the fun plans of hanging by the beach, in the pool and with my family- which are all in the plans but the not so fun stuff is the more pressing info for me.
As a teacher or educator, how do you handle all of your teacher responsibilities and summer time fun during the summer?
As a circle time conversation, I asked the children "What will you do during your Summer break?" After they supplied their fun answers a child turned to me and said "Ms. Tomika what will you do in the summer?" -I had to construct a fun answer (which I will include at the end) but this is what a Teacher does during the summer.
Hopefully most Teachers are enjoying lots of down time. Fun at the beach, fun with the family etc. However, in my experience, it is not always fun and games for teacher. Here are a few things that I will be working on during my summer break.
1. Organization:
During the school year I try to stay organized but the days fly by really fast. So during the summer when you have some down time or for me, before my true vacation time starts, I organize.
2. Clean
Organizing and cleaning are similar but very different. In a classroom, cleaning means sanitizing, removing unwanted items, recycling other teachers unwanted items into my classroom.
3. Planning, Planning, Planning...
I am a planner. So I am always thinking what to do ahead of time. Getting a head start on my planning will help me once the school year creeps closer and closer. I try to plan The First 6 weeks of school which will allow me plenty of time once school starts to plan ahead.
4. Execution
Weeks before children arrive, Teachers are arranging the classroom and rearranging to make the space perfect for the children and their families that will be arriving soon.
Now as you know I didn't tell the child who asked me about my summer break plans all of this so I stuck to the fun plans of hanging by the beach, in the pool and with my family- which are all in the plans but the not so fun stuff is the more pressing info for me.
As a teacher or educator, how do you handle all of your teacher responsibilities and summer time fun during the summer?
Friday, June 18, 2010
Summer Fun
Parents across our nation have been thinking about this for months. Some have acted on it but others, procrastonators haven't and are looking for some professional input. Well, here is some information for the parents who are clueless to what to do with their children during the summer.
To start, Parents please remember that children are people too. They have hectic schedules (for thier little bodies) and they need some down time too. From cheerleading practice to soccer practice from visiting Grandparents to play dates with neighbors, our children need their rest but they also need their fun and down/relaxing time. In looking for a summer camp or summer activities, try to remember when you were a child and what was fun for you.
1. Look for places that offer a balance.
If acedemics are important to you and you believe that there should be a continuation of acedemics over the summer, please be sure that there is a balance. I personally believe that there should be acedemics throughout the summer. So find a way to balance it and you will have a happy camper.
2. The Full fledged summer
Allow the children to enjoy thier summer; I mean really enjoy the summer. No homework, different experiences throughout the summer with family and friends.
3.Acedemic Camps
Camps that specialize in acedemics but offer something fun such as robotics (math) or geology (social studies) technology etc. Along with acedemics, these camps usually offer swimming or something else fun. (back to the balance)
These choices are very good for children but also quite expensive for the parents. There are fun, low cost even free activities that children can enjoy.
Girl scouts and boy scouts offer wonderful summer activities, there are volunteer opportunities and every child enjoys swimming or a picnic in the park.
I hope this helps, please leave a comment to let me know as well as for any questions you may have.
To start, Parents please remember that children are people too. They have hectic schedules (for thier little bodies) and they need some down time too. From cheerleading practice to soccer practice from visiting Grandparents to play dates with neighbors, our children need their rest but they also need their fun and down/relaxing time. In looking for a summer camp or summer activities, try to remember when you were a child and what was fun for you.
1. Look for places that offer a balance.
If acedemics are important to you and you believe that there should be a continuation of acedemics over the summer, please be sure that there is a balance. I personally believe that there should be acedemics throughout the summer. So find a way to balance it and you will have a happy camper.
2. The Full fledged summer
Allow the children to enjoy thier summer; I mean really enjoy the summer. No homework, different experiences throughout the summer with family and friends.
3.Acedemic Camps
Camps that specialize in acedemics but offer something fun such as robotics (math) or geology (social studies) technology etc. Along with acedemics, these camps usually offer swimming or something else fun. (back to the balance)
These choices are very good for children but also quite expensive for the parents. There are fun, low cost even free activities that children can enjoy.
Girl scouts and boy scouts offer wonderful summer activities, there are volunteer opportunities and every child enjoys swimming or a picnic in the park.
I hope this helps, please leave a comment to let me know as well as for any questions you may have.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
A Spring Cleaning
As you have already noticed, I have changed the look and dispersed of the clutter on my blog...My Spring cleaning...I appologize for leaving my followers high and dry without a entry since January. But its a new day and there is more to come!
Happy Spring Almost Summer!
Happy Spring Almost Summer!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Word Walls Made Easy...
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.
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.
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!
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