-
Autumn observations to use in the classroom
Autumn is the perfect time of year to help children practice making observations. There are so many things happening right outside our windows, encourage the children to sit and watch, or go for a walk and do some exploring. Here are some things the the children might notice: Leaves changing Leaves falling off trees Summer flowers starting to disappear The air getting cooler Squirrels and birds preparing for winter Different kinds of plants growing (pumpkins, squashes, mums) Fall or Halloween decorations appearing Having to wear jackets outside Each of these observations can lead to wonderful conversations about the seasons, and how we prepare for seasons to change. These kinds of…
-
Starting a child-led apple investigation
It’s almost that time of year – time to explore all things apples and pumpkins. I don’t know what it is about apples, but we can’t seem to make it through a school year without some kind of apple activity or snack. I’m all for exploring these fall favorites, but lets let the children determine what they want to learn. The best way to start a child-led investigation is incredibly easy; just put some apples on a table and see what happens. I do suggest a number of different kinds and colors of apples, because these will lead to a number of different conversations. Young children are curious about EVERYTHING,…
-
Friday Freebie – Portfolio tags for student selected work
Happy Friday! Even happier Friday to those of you who are celebrating Labor Day weekend! I am ready for a three day weekend, I have a to do list of fun projects that I haven’t had time to do all summer, and I’m looking forward to getting it all done. This week I’ve spent a lot of time talking about assessments and portfolios to help you get some systems in place. Up to this point I’ve talked about the work that you can do to begin preparing portfolio systems, this freebie is something you can use to encourage children to take an active role in compiling their portfolios. Make multiple…
-
Start your portfolios now!
It’s not conference time yet, but it will be soon enough. Start putting together your student portfolios now, if you do it little by little you won’t have nearly as much prepping to do when it is time for conferences. Here are some of my previous posts on putting together student portfolios; Preparing for Preschool Conferences What’s in my Student Portfolios Space Saving Portfolios Check these out as you start compiling your student portfolios!
-
Currently!
It’s September, and I for one and happy about that. August is always a crazy month, and this year was no exception, so welcome September, it’s time to slow down! Listening: General Hospital is the soap opera I’ve watched since I was in high school, I’ve missed a lot here and there, but now I can stream it on my iPad whenever I want so I catch up in the evenings or on the weekends. Loving: I am so ready for this weekend. I am looking forward to some time to relax and finish some projects that I didn’t manage to get done over the summer. I don’t have much…
-
Taking photos to use in portfolios
A great preschool portfolio includes tons of evidence of growth and development. Some of this evidence should be work samples and artwork, but evidence can also be photos of children participating in learning experiences, interacting with each other, and exploring their environment. Capturing these moments with your camera can take some practice, but once you get the hang of it, it will be like second nature (and the children will eventually forget that you’re taking their picture and stop making those cheesy faces). Here are some tips for taking great portfolio photos; try to get multiple different views of the same thing – close ups and wide shots can both…
-
Systems for tracking anecdotal notes
Anecdotal notes are incredibly helpful, they provide evidence that shows which skills children have mastered, and which skills need additional practice. They also give teachers the opportunity to write down direct quotes from children, which can be insightful, hilarious, and adorable. Being able to access all of this information when it comes times for conferences is invaluable, and parents love to hear what their children have been up to. The main issues with anecdotal notes are; storing and organizing all of those random little notes remembering to write them in the first place When it comes to remembering to write them down, I’ve found that it works best if you…
-
When Educators believe in each other
Have you seen the TED talk by the amazing Ms. Rita Pierson. It is powerful. She puts into words every single reason that most of us became teachers in the first place. This quote from her talk hits me to the core every single time that I read it; I fully believe that every child needs a person in their corner. A person who tells them they’re worth it, they can be great, and do amazing things. A self-fulfilling prophecy can be a powerful thing, when you tell someone that they are incredible enough times, they start to believe you. I will give that to any child in a heartbeat.…
-
Ideas for classroom centers
Are you setting up your activity centers and interest areas for a new group of kiddos? Here are some great ideas from previous posts; Reggio Inspired Dramatic Play Centers Reggio Inspired Science Centers Reggio Inspired Writing Centers Reggio Inspired Math Centers For more great ideas, check out my Preschool Pin Boards!
-
Planning the Classroom Environment
There are some many things to consider when you think about setting up a preschool classroom. It can be very overwhelming! I’ve found that it helps to break that job into a number of small(ish) tasks. 1. Think about your activity centers. Some centers need specific furniture – a writing center has to be near a table, and a classroom library needs a place to store books. Other centers work best in specific areas of the classroom – you might want to keep your art center near the tile floor. 2. Arrange the furniture. This is my favorite part, I can look at a piece of furniture and know exactly…
