Intentions

Preschool intentions

Instead of declaring their intentions for the Preschool classroom, Holly and Leslie held a meeting for our families to determine what are our families really looking for in their child’s Preschool year. Then, how can we take what the parents want and incorporate that with our philosophy and day to day routines.
Confidence Building
-literacy
-numeracy
-drawing
-writing
-routine
-flow of the day
-friendships / relationships
In the Preschool, we intend to set up projects that meet the children where they are, and encourage them to think beyond what is in front of them. We will study lines to build on their writing and drawing abilities, including introducing numbers. Books will always be available and many books will be read each day, including discussions about the vocabulary, the illustrations, side discussions about the actions of the characters and tossing the children’s questions back to the group to encourage peer learning. Our routine will remain consistent throughout the year, so that the children will know what is happening next and can prepare themselves for the next part of our day. A time timer will be purchased and used to give the children a visual and audible warning that a transition is about to occur. Friendships and relationships are a fluid part of the Preschool world. It’s possible that one day two children will be inseparable and the next, not want to have anything to do with each other. As teachers, we will positively moderate conflicts, giving each child a chance to say what they are feeling, and helping the children to find a resolution, and input problem solving suggestions, only when needed. Giving the children to work conflicts out for themselves promotes autonomy and builds problem solving skills that will be useful for the rest of their lives.
Domestic Skills
-clean up
-hand washing
-coughing into elbow
-please and thank you
Our time timer will be used (along with a teacher’s verbal cue) to give the children 5 more minutes and let them know that it is almost time to stop and clean up. Children will be recognized for their efforts by their peers and teachers, and encouraged to work together to clean up big messes. Phrases such as, “What’s gonna work? Teamwork!” and singing the clean-up song while we clean up will keep clean-up time lighthearted. Before meals, all children must wash their hands before coming to the tables. A teacher will stand in the bathroom to remind the children to use soap and “scrub!” Practicing coughing into our elbows can be done, especially when we are not sick. When children are coughing at school and need a reminder, this will be a time to have all of the children practice, regardless of their health. Serving meals “family style” (bowls of food placed out on the table for the children to serve themselves) with a teacher present at each table will help facilitate table manners. “Please pass the ______” is a common phrase heard at mealtimes.
Additionally
-emotionally safe space
-attentiveness
-encourage trying new things
-ok to fail
-dealing with frustration
-addressing complex social interactions
All of these needs will be met on a daily basis, whether through group meeting discussions, individual discussions, and by reading about these topics and having conversations with the children about them. As teachers, we will stay positive, build strong relationships that let the children know that they can trust us, and come to us when they need us, and that we will take their concerns seriously. Helping the children understand that “taking space” is not a bad thing, but something that we should all do from time to time.
Holly and Leslie are dedicated to understanding the children and meeting them where they are, by collaborating with each other, collaborating with other teachers and by researching the latest developmentally appropriate practices. Holly and Leslie hope that parents will feel connected to the classroom and will be welcome to bring questions, concerns and ideas to them directly. Parents are always welcome to e-mail or call.
Lets make this year the best it can be! Nothing without joy!

Calendar

More Stuff From The Pre-School

Messages

Studying color through flowers

February 24th, 2012, by hollyvictoria

As rainbows and gardens have been an interest thanks to our books, “A rainbow of my own” and “Planting a rainbow,” we have visited those books this week and created our own rainbow garden. We walked to Rhythm and Blooms to buy white flowers, then we talked about the 6 colors of the rainbow and added the colors to the water. We did not tell the kids what would happen, we wanted to hear their ideas and theories about what was happening. The next day, I brought down the daisies in the blue water and asked the friends what they noticed. Nathan jumped right in and said, “Oh no! The color got on the flowers.”

 

Pillows

February 22nd, 2012, by hollyvictoria

Everyday since the beginning of the year, most of the preschoolers have wanted to have a pillow for rest time. In the classroom, we only have 1. Freida, Althea’s mom, had told me that she had lots of extra material and was interested in Co-oping for project time. Freida made us pillows that the children were able to stuff with poly-fil and their choice of lavender, chamomile and/or rose petals. She then made pillow cases that the children were able to decorate with fabric markers, and/or sharpies and drops of rubbing alcohol, to create a “firework” effect. Within a couple days, every child in the class now has their very own pillow that they keep at school and use at rest time.

Pennies for the Playground: week 3

February 17th, 2012, by hollyvictoria

This week we have collected $7.24, bringing our 3 week grand total to $19.41! Nice work Pre-School! Leslie and I have decided to add a little more excitement to our collecting, by offering a PAJAMA PARTY (with a movie at rest, TBD, parent permitting) when we reach the goal of $50.00. Thank you to all of our families that have helped us get as far as we have!

 

This morning I was counting pennies when Connor showed up to help. Connor helped put the money into a smaller jar, and carried it to the big jar on the front desk.

Cycling

February 8th, 2012, by hollyvictoria

Many of our Preschoolers are very interested in cycling. The Strider bikes (a bike with two wheels and no pedals) seems to always be in use when we are outside. A couple of our friends even bring their own Strider type bikes and helmets from home, so that more friends can ride with them! As the weather gets nicer, we will be able to have designated bike days, where we will go out into our neighborhood for bike rides! We are fortunate to share a city block with a piece of the Amazon trail, so we never have to cross a street, and can still enjoy a long bike ride! I look forward to sharing this interest with the Preschoolers as our year together progresses.

Pennies for the Playground – week 1

February 3rd, 2012, by hollyvictoria

Congratulations Preschool! This week alone, we have raised $8.66! To end our first week, we did some penny themed projects. We counted pennies and learned how to count with tally marks. The children seemed to grasp the concept of 2 sets of 5 making 10, especially when we used our fingers for assistance. After our tally meeting, we had 2 penny themed projects set up. One was a penny toss, and the other was shining the pennies using vinegar, salt and rough bristled paintbrushes.

Leslie sat with the children shining the pennies. Right away when Leslie walked over, I heard her say, “WOW!” The solution was really working!

Keenan: Look! Mine is shiny!

Alaya: Are you sure this will work?

Renee: Mine is working.

Leslie: Why do you think the vinegar and salt are making the pennies shiny?

Renee: Cause we are painting them.

Madelyn: Cause they are magic pennies.

We also sang our Magic Penny song again at meeting time. After projects, a group of children sat down in the meeting area and sang the song from their memories, including the hand motions. It was so sweet to listen as they pieced the song together using each other as references. Nathan seemed to be the only friend who could remember most of the middle verse, and he sang, “spend it, pend it and ……………. roll on the floor!” (What he remembered from “Lend it, spend it and you’ll have so many, they roll all over the floor!”)  The other friends sat silently waiting for Nathan to remember, since they depended on his memory for this line. Even when Nathan didn’t get the words quite right, the friends were excited that he had even remembered that part!

The other penny project was a coin toss. A tub of water was put on the floor, and a blue bowl balanced on the water. Tape was put on the floor to show the friends where to place their feet. Then the friends took turns tossing their 10 pennies, one at a time, to either get them in the water, or into the blue bowl. Madelyn incredibly was able to toss 3 of her 10 into the blue bowl!