Getting to Know You!

     I hope my blog has answered some of your questions and given you insight into your child's preschool year.  Please feel free to contact me at any time.  I'm looking forward to an exciting year of learning and fun. 

     Now that I have introduced myself, please take the time to look over our preschool survey.  If you provide me with your email address, I will email a link to this survey. If you do not have email or access to a computer, I can provide you with a paper copy of the survey.  Feel free to share as much or as little information as you would like on our survey.  My only desire is to learn how to better serve you and your family.

To view the preschool survey, please click here.   

History and Social Science in the Preschool Classroom

     The purpose of history and social studies in the preschool classroom is to help the children adjust and become productive and kind members of a classroom community.  Students learn social skill through the problem solving process, and respect and appreciate others for their differences and recognize their similarities.  We begin teaching young children about themselves and the world around them.

     An example of social studies instruction in a thematic unit from, "Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom,"  is children introduce themselves at the beginning of the year by completing a page about themselves that will be shared and put together in a class book.  The template for this book can be found on the workofheart.bravehost.com website, scroll down and look under the title literacy activities.    

To view a Pinterest board with other preschool social studies ideas, please click here.

To view the Virginia Foundation Blocks for Early Learning, please click here. 

Science in the Preschool Classroom

     In the preschool classroom, children learn about science in the world around them through observation of the physical world and real experiences.  Teachers chart, graph, and record data taken from the students own words.  Also, we assist children and teach them to begin charting, graphing, and recording their own observations through drawing and writing.

     And again, science is embedded in thematic units of study full of rich hands on experiments.  The example that I have been using throughout my blog has been the use of the book, "Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom."  We will once again, revisit this unit and see how it incorporates science.  On the first day, we pass around and discuss what we think is inside and how a real coconut feels.  Second, I open the coconut up with a hammer in front of the children, and we pour out the milk.  I let the children feel and smell what's inside of the coconut.  One the third day, we taste real coconut and shredded coconut and graph which one is our favorite.  Finally, the class makes a coconut fruit salad with the following ingredients: 

1 cup of cherries
1 cup of mandarin oranges
1 cup of pineapple chunks
1 cup of sliced banana
1 cup of shredded coconut 

Mix together all ingredients and serve.   

To view Pinterest board with more preschool science activities, please click here.   

To view the Virginia Foundation Blocks for Early Learning, please click here.  

Mathematics in the Preschool Classroom

     Preschoolers learn mathematical concepts best by counting actual objects, manipulating numbers, sorting objects, building and finding shapes in their world, and constant exploration of the through playful instruction.  We provide these experiences through small group instruction with hands on materials, adult-child-interaction during play and technology using computers and iPads.

     These activities are embedded in a thematic unit of study.   As I discussed in my post on literacy, one example of this is in our unit using the book, "Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom."  We put out the counting coconuts game for children to use during work time.  In this game, the teacher puts out a number spinner (with the numbers 1-5 at the beginning of the year or numbers 1-10 or higher at the end of the year), brown pom poms and coconut cups purchase from the dollar store or Oriental Trading.  Children take turns with the spinner, and count out that number of coconuts (brown pom poms) into their cups.  When all coconuts are gone, the child who has the most coconuts in their cup is the winner.  Adults usually play this game with children to give needed support.  Another idea comes from Hubbards Cupboard, with this template, adults assist the children in making their own coconut counting book.

To visit my mathematics board on Pinterest, please click here.

To see Virginia's Foundation Blocks for Early Learning, please click here.   

Literacy in the Preschool Classroom

          Studies show that children need repeated experiences with listening, speaking, reading, and writing with an interested, supportive, and responsive adult to become good readers.  When children are immersed in a print rich environment with repeated story telling, rereading of favorite books, and one-on-conversations with a caring adult, it helps them succeed in reading and language activities.  This is the environment our preschool program strives to provide.

     We use thematic units of instruction to make learning fun and interactive.  For example, the book, "Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom," is a favorite for many preschool children.  At the beginning of the year, children tour the school after reading this book and meet faculty and staff and visit different areas of the building.  We use a song based on the book to do this.  Also, we may introduce the letters of the alphabet, and reread this book many times throughout the year.  In conjunction with this, we will introduce an alphabet journal, and revisit it throughout the year.  These are just a few of the literacy activities in this unit, we would also integrate mathematics, science and social studies.

     We give the children experiences singing the letters, repeatedly reading with the letters, and drawing and creating in journals with the students.  Children use sites such as Starfall and, in some cases, pair with older children to use iPads and various apps to get hands-on experience with literacy.

To see my literacy board on Pinterest, please click here.   

To see the Virginia Foundation Blocks for Early Learning, please click here.

To see my literacy board on Pinterest, please click here.    

     

Behavior Management Within the Preschool Classroom

Our preschool uses the problem solving approach to behavior management.  This is a method that encourages critical thinking and builds interpersonal relationships and socialization skills.  Listed bellow is an outline of the problem solving process.

1. Adults should be on the child's level.
The teacher should be sitting or on her / his knees on eye level with the children and stop any hurtful words or actions. 

2. Acknowledge the child's feelings.  
"I see you are . . . (upset, mad, sad, frustrated, etc.)"

3. "What's the problem?"
  The teacher gathers information from each child.

4. Restate the problem in the child's own words.
"So the problem is . . . (fill in children's statements here)"  

5. Get solutions from the children.
"How can we solve the problem?" 

6. Stay near the children.  
Monitor the children to see that they follow through on their plan to solve the problem.  Adults may need to redirect if further problems arise. 

Click here to view my slideshow of the problem solving process. 

 

Program Requirements

     If you are reading this blog, your child is now a student in Henry County Public School's VPI Preschool Program.  Our preschool program is free and follows a full day schedule and the same yearly calendar as all students within grades K-12 in our school system.  The only exception is that preschool children come only one of the first three days of school.  On this day, your child will only have class for a half day, and my assistant and I will come to your home for our first home visit that afternoon.  If you have not already received this, I will  send your family a welcome postcard inviting you to a business day conference.  During business day, I will give you a day for your child to attend during the first three days of school and an approximate time for your home visit.  Feel free to ask for changes if necessary, I will try my very best to work with your schedule.
     All children are provided with transportation to and from home within their school zone.  Also, we provide breakfast, lunch, and snack daily; and children have a designated nap time.  Many field trip opportunities are provided to the students at no cost to parents.  Parents are encouraged to accompany their child whenever possible.  To do so, all parents must pay for their own personal tickets (not their child's) and have a completed criminal background check on file at the school.

You are required to complete the following in our program: 

1. Attend a beginning of the year conference on business day with the teacher.

2. Attend two parent workshops during the year.

3. Complete two home visits with the teacher and another accompanying adult.  One home visit will take place in the fall.  The second home visit will be in the spring.

4. Attend one end of the year conference at the school with your child's teacher.

For more information about our preschool program click here.