Friday, September 28, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
First Day Reflection (by Jacky)
Not that I had an doubts before, but after this morning, I truly know that I have no interest in teaching small children in a formal setting. Huge respect for Cherie not only organizing today, but running her own Kindergarten in the past! Eight kids were stressing me out when I wasn't even "in charge," so its pretty mind blowing to me how she (or anyone else) handles 20 or more!
I thought our schedule was pretty great. We had more than necessary planned, which is always a good idea in case something falls through or is a totally flop.
What stressed me out was my own children. I struggled keeping track of both of them, and because of that felt like I didn't do a good job with either of them. While I didn't exactly want to chase after William as he ran around with crayons, for example, I had expected that type of behavior from him and its developmentally appropriate. But, Natalie seemed out of sync with the group a lot of the time. She seemed lost when it was time to search for something red, and she didn't offer answers to any questions that she knew answers to. She has never been in an environment so structured before, so I'm wondering if adapting was the cause.
Here are some initatives I'm going to work on to make the next few weeks run more smoothly.
I thought our schedule was pretty great. We had more than necessary planned, which is always a good idea in case something falls through or is a totally flop.
What stressed me out was my own children. I struggled keeping track of both of them, and because of that felt like I didn't do a good job with either of them. While I didn't exactly want to chase after William as he ran around with crayons, for example, I had expected that type of behavior from him and its developmentally appropriate. But, Natalie seemed out of sync with the group a lot of the time. She seemed lost when it was time to search for something red, and she didn't offer answers to any questions that she knew answers to. She has never been in an environment so structured before, so I'm wondering if adapting was the cause.
Here are some initatives I'm going to work on to make the next few weeks run more smoothly.
- Give them both a fair sized snack soon before we leave so that Natalie isn't complaining about wanting to eat in the middle of activities. While I'm not really sure how truly hungry she was, it did give perspective on the importance of breakfast for school age children.
- Even if she goes before leaving the house, take Natalie to the potty several minutes before circle time starts.
- Keep Natalie and William's things together in one place.
- Prep Natalie the night before about the next morning. Remind her of the structures (like circle time) and tell her the theme.
- Try to incorperate more transitions into our day. Thus far, we are organized by routine at our house. The kids know what to expect next because it is similar every day. But in a new environment like today, Natalie was lost because she didn't understand the structures. She was expecting just free play based on our routines.
- Find a way to help Natalie transition from free play time to the focused activities, including making sure she puts toys back before starting an activity. This is not for neatness, but because today I observed that these toys prevented her from focusing and occasionally distracted another child.
- Make a focused effort with Natalie about reducing her crying. It really got to me that she was reduced to tears several times in just two hours. Continue talking to her about calm down strategies and using her words to explain her needs.
- If the activity is appropriate, make sure William gets a seat so he can participate. Today he was wandering off so I couldn't interact with him or Natalie.
Books about Apples
I have read many, but not all, of these titles. The Lewiston Public Library carries the titles in bold.
Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr Seuss
The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr Seuss
The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
Apples Here! by Will Hubbel
Little Apple Goat by Caroline Jayne Church
I am an Apple by Jean Marzollo
Apples by Gail Gibbons
Curious George Apple Harvest by H A Rey
How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro
Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins
The Apple Doll by Elisa Kleven
Apples, Apples, Apples by Elizabeth Helfman
For 1 and under:
Apple by Nikki McClure
Five Red Apples (Pat the Bunny) by Dorothy Meserve Kunhardt
Max's Apples (Nick Jr board book)
What Color is Your Apple (Begin Smart)
Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
Also, the fairy tale of Snow White also features a very important apple! Lewiston Library carries at least five different versions of the story, including Disney's.
Related topic of apple pie:
Where is the Apple Pie? by Valeri Gorbachev
Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray
Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie by Herman Parish
All for Pie, Pie for All by David Martin
Little Apple Goat by Caroline Jayne Church
I am an Apple by Jean Marzollo
Apples by Gail Gibbons
Curious George Apple Harvest by H A Rey
How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro
Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins
The Apple Doll by Elisa Kleven
Apples, Apples, Apples by Elizabeth Helfman
For 1 and under:
Apple by Nikki McClure
Five Red Apples (Pat the Bunny) by Dorothy Meserve Kunhardt
Max's Apples (Nick Jr board book)
What Color is Your Apple (Begin Smart)
Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
Also, the fairy tale of Snow White also features a very important apple! Lewiston Library carries at least five different versions of the story, including Disney's.
Related topic of apple pie:
Where is the Apple Pie? by Valeri Gorbachev
Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray
Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie by Herman Parish
All for Pie, Pie for All by David Martin
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