Philosophy
I believe in a good balance of play based and academic
programs. In the academic classrooms, teachers lead the children in a more
structured way, planning the activities, and then guiding the children in doing
them. This design is aimed at preparing kids for the kindergarten setting. In a
play based program the play-based classroom is broken up into sections, such as
a home or kitchen, science area, water table, reading nook, space with blocks
and other toys, or other areas. Teachers encourage the kids to play,
facilitating social skills along the way. Our kiddos here at Christ the King
get the best of both worlds.
Reward System
Group
This year I am using “Gem Jars.” Each class has its own
decorated jar, each day they will earn gems to fill up the jar. Once they have
reached the line they will get to pick from the treasure tub!! Ways to earn
Gems include: listening and following instructions, playing with the toys in an
appropriate manner, treating each other with kindness and respect, being
helpful to each other and the teacher, and following the classroom rules.
Discipline procedure
We have a list of classroom rules posted on the wall,
and I will take time to review these with the children during the first few
weeks of school and periodically throughout the year. If someone makes a poor choice
then I will verbally remind them of the rule they should be following. If they
continue the behavior, I will redirect them to a different activity. If I have
to talk to them a third time, they will only get to do “quiet activities.”
(Quiet activities include: books, puzzles, and file folder games.) If their
behavior does not change, they will have a “time-out talk” A “time-out talk” is
where they will have to sit in a chair next to me (taking some time-out) and we
can discuss how they are feeling and what we can do to help each other.
* Hitting, biting, spitting, and kicking receive
an automatic “time-out talk”. These are hurtful and disrespectful and will not
be tolerated.
Show and Tell
We have Show and Tell once a month.. Each month will
have specific guidelines for what to bring. For example, one month might have a
specific color, shape, theme, or start with a certain letter.
Field Trips
I LOVE taking the children on field trips, just as much
as they love going. Parent participation is a must. I realize that many parents
are working, if they cannot make it then they can have a grandparent or
relative join us.. Last year my class went on five different field trips, and
each one was a great success. Some of the field trips so far have been
WillowBrook Apple Farm in October
and Albertson’s Healthy Eaters Tour in November! We will be going to the March
Field Air Museum in March and Hidden Valley Nature Center in April
Portfolios
I have parents bring in a 2 inch binder so that I can
create portfolios for the children. These include art samples, writing samples,
work samples, self-portraits of each child, and other various items throughout
the year. It is basically a year in the life of a preschooler. J
Take Home Book Bag
Every day we read a story that correlates with our
themes, and each day someone new gets a chance to take this book home to read
together with their family. I have created book bags for the books to go home
in. There is also a Reading Report folder, color pencils and a pillow in the
bag as well. Their job is to read the story, have the child answer questions
about the story, and them they draw a picture depicting the story. They can use
the pillow to rest against and get comfy while parents read to them. During circle time we will read what the
parents wrote and show the picture the child created.
Take Home Envelopes
I don’t know if you are aware, but, there are many
things that get sent home almost every day. In an effort to help ensure that
parents receive these papers, I have provided envelopes to stick the papers in.
Newsletters, completed worksheets, flyers, announcements, permission slips,
invitations, notes, and reminders are the things that can be found in these
envelopes. They take them home almost every day and they bring them back every
day. This is a part of their morning routine; they take them out and put them
in the designated spot.
Birthdays
Birthdays are important in room 5 and so much fun to
celebrate! I have a birthday cape for the kids to wear on their special day as
well as a small gift for them! I also have a birthday display that hangs on our
door to let everyone know when it’s someone’s special day! Parents can bring in
a special birthday snack, they just sign up on the birthday snack sign-up
sheets.
Parent Volunteers
I love having parent volunteers on special days to help
with our fun activities and special parties! Every month we have something fun
planned and I always announce the dates in the newsletter to let them know if
it requires parent help. Also, if there
are days that a parent may have off and they just want to stay and help (if the
child can handle that) then of course I always welcome the extra hands.
Parent Communication
Every month I send home the classroom newsletter during
the first week of the new month. This also includes the school newsletter as
well as any important papers such as field trip permission slips, party/special
day reminders, fundraising information and any other important information. I
also have a classroom share site through Shutterfly where I post pictures of
special events and field trips, journal entries about what is going on in the
classroom, there is a calendar that will send email reminders, and some other
cool tools that we may or may not get use of.
I also send home two separate “Mark Your Calendar”
papers one for the first half of the school year and one for the second half.
Field trip dates are subject to change but I do my very best to plan ahead for
those working parents who need to adjust schedules and such.
Class Schedule
Morning Routine: Children come in, put their snack in the basket, put
their Take Home Envelope on the shelf, hang their backpack, sign in their name,
and hang their owl on the tree.
Jesus time: We have a small segment of our days dedicated to our
bible lesson and theme. We rotate fun activities such as a simple craft, game,
song, finger play, puppet time, and other hands on fun I come up with. We forgo
this time on chapel days which are Wednesday and Thursdays.
Large Group Time: This is our circle time where we go over the
calendar, days of the week, weather, letters, numbers, sight words, and large
group learning activities. We also have jobs that each child gets to do for the
week, these include:
-President: This person gets to be the line
leader, and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
-Door Attendant: This person gets to hold open
the door as we enter and exit the classroom and opens the door at dismissal
time.
-Nurse: This person gets to take the First Aid
Kit to and from the playground and get band aids and assist in helping a hurt
friend.
-Teacher helper: This person gets to help the
teacher pass things out and acts as a substitute for an absent friend.
-Mail Carrier: This person gets to check our
mailbox everyday during circle time.
-Nutritionist: This is a two person job and
these kiddos help pass out snack.
-Electrician:
This is also a two person job; each child gets to turn off and on a set of
light switches.
-Greeter:
This person greets anyone who enters our classroom during our day. They
normally use the phrase “Welcome to Room 5!”
-Librarian:
This person helps tidy the Reading area and make sure books have been put away
properly.
-Custodian: This person helps wipe the tables after
snack, and helps keep things neat and tidy in our classroom.
Seat Work: They each have a pencil holder that they use when
completing their seat work. (Alphabet books, number books, worksheets, and
alphabet builders)
Art and Craft/Free Play: At this time we work on art and craft in a small
group and the others get to choose what toys they want to play with or what
area they want to play in.
Dismissal Routine: The children clean up, grab their backpacks and sit
in their seats. I will open the door when we are ready for parents to come in.
The children are asked to stay seated until they have been signed out. This
just makes it easier for everyone and less congested when trying to sign out.
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