The Epilogue - Week 8 #2

The epilogue is a conclusion, a summary, an ending point. I suppose this post could be considered my epilogue for this course. In the short eight weeks that I have been enrolled in this course, I have done a lot and I have learned a lot.

Audacity was a new to me tool that I am now comfortable using. If I wasn't going to be at school for any reason, I could quickly record a clip for my students to listen too. Sometimes the daily teacher giving instructions to students, even when they are not there, can be more effective than a substitute fumbling through it.

Blogging was a surprising outlet for me. It isn't the same as a discussion board, it is more personal. Blogging will be something that I continue! In fact, I have created a password protected website/blog for my classroom rather than the traditional newsletter.

Digital Story-Telling isn't a new idea for me, but I am becoming more efficient in my planning and execution. Don't get me wrong, it is still not professional quality, but it is better than it was!

RSS Feeds were new to me as well. I didn't know a website such as Feedly, existed and could house all of the websites and blogs that I like visiting! One stop reading makes life simple!

There was a lot that was learned this semester. A lot of what I have learned is being used in my classroom in some form or another. Some of it is being used for personal reasons - blogging is a lot of fun for me. Having a two-year-old, a dog and a husband with a crazy work schedule makes life crazy and it is nice to be able to let it out and choose whether or not to share with the world. Thank you EDU 653 - it has been crazy, busy, hectic and creative all at the same time!

Dear New Kindergarten Teachers - I have a message for you! - Week 8 #1

Oh how the time flies! This course is almost over and there are still so many interesting articles to post about,. . . . . . . and a classroom to put the final touches in . . . . . . and planning for the first week . . . . . and the million projects that I just didn't get to this summer. . . . Anyways, enough about the to-do list and onto this article.

Fran Kramer is the author of the blog, "Kindergarten Crayons". The feature article this week was titled, "Dear New Kindergarten Teachers - I have a message for you." While I am not a first year Kindergarten teacher, I take every opportunity I can to learn from someone who has been teaching at this level for 25 years!

In the article, Kramer gives links to Teachers Pay Teachers documents, ideas for bulletin boards and easy ways to create portfolios to show parents. She also gives two main pieces of advice -

1. Create an environment that you love.

2.  Do not fill your bulletin boards with "stuff".

Well, I have to admit that I am pretty good at tip number one, but I tend to have my bulletin boards done before the students even enter the room. Kramer suggest filling your boards with stuff that students have done or created. I have one board that the students get to make or do something for monthly or sometimes bi-weekly- does that count??

A little less than two weeks until open house and only 16 days until school starts!!! Here we go!!!

Kramer, Fran. "Dear New Kindergarten Teachers - I have a message for you!" Published 03 Aug 2013. Accessed 10 Aug 2013. http://kindergartencrayons.blogspot.com/2014/08/dear-new-kindergarten-teachers-i-have.html

7 Things You Should Know About Collaborative Editing - Week 7 #2

I know, I know - another "7 things" article! I can't help it! This is such a simple, easy to read, informative series!I LOVE these articles!

This week it is all about collaborative editing. Collaboration isn't a new concept or a new idea- working online from several different locations, in real-time - that is new! Well, not brand-new, but it is still something that not a lot of people have experience with. The first time a colleague send me a link to a GoogleDoc, I was more than confused. I opened the file, typed in my piece and printed a copy so that we had it. I thought it was a one edit and done and I didn't want to lose all of the work that we had done. Silly me!!! Now I can edit online with the best of them! I share GoogleDocs, Wikispaces, RSS Feeds, etc., etc.!

Collaborative editing is a new way to have groups of students interact with others while working towards a common goal. Being that I teach Kindergarten, I have to think of creative ways to incorporate collaborative editing, but it can and WILL be done in my classroom!!!

Off to plan some lessons!!!

Educase Learning Initiative. "7 Things You Should Know About Collaborative Editing." Published Dec. 2005. Accessed 04 Aug 2014. http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7009.pdf

Language - Week 7 #1

My son very recently turned two years old and boy-oh-boy is ever TWO. The attitude, independence and even the defience have come through. Having all three of these traits trying to come out through one little being can be frustrating for both the little one and bigger ones trying to care for the little ones. However, I feel that, even though two isn't always fun, I don't have it as bad as others. My son talks - A LOT! He will express his needs or wants - even if it comes out in a scream. Even though he is very verbal, I always wonder if I should be doing more to help his development. Reading, talking, singing - all things I do, but is there more?

The article "Language" published by the National Center for Infants, Toddlers & Families provides tips and hints at helping to develop language in children from zero to three. Below you will find a few of these tips.

• Talk together.
•  Done - We talk all of the time! In the car, on bike rides, playing trucks, shopping,sitting at the dinner table - you name! However, this is also the tip that I see most people ignoring. I can't even tell you how angry it makes me when I see people that just don't talk to their children because "they aren't old enough to understand what we say anyway."
• Notice the number, size, shape and color of the things around you.
• My son was recently at my school and he decided to be best buddies with the preschool teacher. She was amazed that when we went to walk up the stairs, my son immediately said one, followed by a step, two, followed by a step, and so one - at least to three =) We talk about colors and shapes all the time! He can tell you that green is what color Papa's (Grandpa's) tractor is, Daddy and Mommy have black cars, and Grandma drives a red Rab (Rav). Again, simple things that can be taught by just talking.
• Offer toddlers choices.
• I don't agree with offering choices that are not safe or healthy for your child, but every day I pick out two outfits and let my son choose. It takes no time at all and again it is an opportunity to talk. Do you want the red Mickey shirt or the green tractor shirt. He answers and then waits to be changed. Do you want crackers or pretzels? He answers and then gets his own bowl. Simple, simple choices!
• Ask them to help out with "big kid" tasks.
• This is the one that my son loves the most!!! Sweeping, dusting, mopping, loading the dishwasher, putting laundry into the washer or into the dryer. He always wanted to know what Mommy and Daddy were working on and we would answer and he would respond with the word "help". Now he will say, "Me help sweep." Off he goes to the broom closet and pulls out his own mini broom.

After reading the article and the many more tips, I feel that I am doing my job. His vocabulary and comprehension grows on a daily basis. I just encourage other parents to TALK to their children from day one! Tell them what you are doing, what they are doing, just talk. Don't baby talk, just talk. Develop the skills at an early age!!

National Center for Infants, Toddlers, & Families. "Language".  Accessed 04 Aug 2014. http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer;jsessionid=07F74DEA7C6A6A7F425C2ADEF726BA7B.app267d?pagename=ter_par_2436_language_what

Simple Art for Toddlers - Week 6 #3

So I teach Kindergarten. Art projects, crafts, hands-on, messy projects - I've got it covered! Art projects for my super, super, super, busy, can't-ever-stop-moving two year old - I am lost! Thank goodness for Pinterest and articles like these!!!

Sheryl Cooper writes for the blog titled "Teaching 2 and 3 year Olds". This week she posted super simple activities that don't require a lot of extra planning or extra materials. Yes, some, well okay a lot of them, involve paint, but what fun is a project if it doesn't get a little messy! I must say, it certainly helps that my husband is super understanding and just laughs when he comes home to another paint project with the evidence all over the picnic table, or my son, and even me!

These projects don't have to be saved for a rainy day! Take them outside and get creative(read messy)! Make memories to last a lifetime!

Cooper, Sheryl. "Simple Art for Toddlers". Published 23 Jul 2014. Accessed 01 Aug 2014. http://teaching2and3yearolds.com/simple-art-toddlers/

Beginnings Matter: Morning Routines - Week 5 #3

Okay, so I am going back and posting a third blog for week 5. There is a little bit of conflicting information on the Blackboard page. The Assignments link says two blogs a week and I over-looked the part in the Week 5 course materials that said three a week!

I am so deeply sorry for the delay!!! Here is goes -

Morning routines are a HUGE part of starting a successful day in a room full of Kindergarten students! The student come into the classroom and know exactly what to expect, exactly what to do,and exactly where to be.

In the article, "Beginnings Matter: Morning Routines", the author, Kathleen, goes through and details how her morning run! She uses charts and Interactive Whiteboard screens and paper and pencils to keep the students on track, yet productive. The students are busy putting away their own belongings (being responsible), making choices about their lunch for the day, working on penmanship, patience, etc., etc. I could just keep on going and going!

The BIG Back to school BBQ is less then three weeks away for me! Time to get that morning routine down to a science!

Happy Planning!

Kathleen, "Beginnings Matter: Morning Routines". Published on 31 Jul 2014. Accessed on 01 Aug 2014. http://growingkinders.blogspot.com/2014/07/beginnings-matter-morning-routines.html