Before and After

In August I wrote an article after my first week of working at my preschool. I saw a lot of changes that needed to happen and some of the changes I wanted to effect. I wanted to look into how many of those I made happen to date:

Things I would like to continue to improve:
More books (Ironically enough we needed less books not more books, we had a lot of books but they weren't effect in their display. The children were using them to make a mess rather than pick them up and read. I moved the books to buckets and then proceded to make a library where it became exciting to read books.
A more up to date (preferably technology involved) calendar (The calendar I ended up with wasn't technology based but I was able to make it mimic the pattern and colors of that month so that became very effective. 
Newsletters (Once a month I sent a newsletter home and letters home (good, bad and informational) when needed)
Hands on learning (We try to do lots of hands on learning or tactile learning. We make crafts, practice our manners, practice our school rules, work on our letters in sign language and our numbers on our fingers, we even sing songs with different movement and beginner sign language.)
Parent involvement activities (We did a few of these. Mainly for holidays, I wanted parents to feel welcome in the classroom. We will be having a graduation ceremony June 3rd as well.) 
School assemblies (I think I meant field trip like things here. We went on a couple field trips (aka went to the first floor and watched some shows), our school is not open Saturdays, but some Saturdays we have different programs we put on like magicians, egg hunts, etc
Classroom rules, playground rules etc. (with visuals) (It took me a while to get this one accurate, I had a few rules I bought in the states, and I just got a lot more. I wanted not only rules but behavior and manners etc. This has yet to make a big impact, but it is better than it was before.)
Positive reinforcement (This is my big thing. I am very positive at school except in those instances I can't be. I can bounce right back to being positive however. Some of my teachers need ot work on this a lot. THey seem to always nag the students, this will be changing in the next month)
Art projects (This was one of the first things I changed. I wanted parents to see their kids create things and accomplish things they could be proud of .Worksheets are a bit too boring to do every day.) 
Teaching writing (We teach how to write names and letters, I am starting my Kindergarten Readiness class on beginning reading and CVC words)
More musical involvement (This we are doing well at and starting to get even better. We have some decent cds with some great movement songs, also we are incorporating KinderJam into the program as well.)
Less paperwork at one time (I got rid of worksheets for a LONG time, and did mostly just art projects. Slowly I brought worksheets back, we may do one or two a week. Nothing like the 6 they were doing a day)
Movement activities (With KinderJam, plus the different gross and fine motor skills and games, this has increased wonderfully. We no longer climb on equipment and we follow the rules on how to act, how to run etc)
Themes-monthly and weekly (I decided on bi-weekly and for the summer we are going to have 2 pretty intense themes. I am trying to push my students a little farther than we have been so we don't get too comfortable. I think that may be some of the reasons some of my students are acting out.)
Guided lessons (I am working on making this even better, we do this a bit now. But my teachers are more repetitive then exciting.)
Creative lessons (I love this! We are doing so much more for the students and pushing them to be better students and stronger thinkers)
Bathroom breaks (After snacks and lunch we go to the bathroom. With only 2 kids bathrooms in our facility (one boys, one girls) it is hard to have bathroom breaks without losing kids attention. If kids gotta go, they gotta go)

Things I would like to look into: 
Teacher's backgrounds (My teachers and I have made goals and are working on strengthening our teaching skills. I am pretty impressed at this and it helps me know where they feel strong and where they feel weaker)
Prices (I have had a few impacts on this some to better students, some to better the company)
New curriculum. (Thank GOD I did this)
Book selection we do have (I would like to arrange these eventually by theme so we can rotate them. BUT with how these books barely survive these kids, it may just be easier to let survive of the fittest handle that)
Money allotments we could use (I got some petty cash, not much, and have made things work to my benefit in some ways.)
Teacher meetings (weekly?) monthly, and by the teachers job title, not all together.
Spelling? CVC and Sight words, this part is seriously brand new. like maybe a month max we have started this.
New teacher problems? Getting the new teachers to the same level of my old teachers is a struggle. But one I can take on. For now, i need to get my teachers to focus on all students, handle their own problems and be MORE positive.)

Things I like:
Lots of children interactions
Lots of play-time
Good time-out structure edited this still and might change it some more.
Lots of learning activities
Flexible schedules
Amount of rules for teachers Kept this, didnt realize most of my teachers have never taught a day in their lives. In Japan they don't do babysitters, so they haven't even done that.
Teachers and staff willing to learn new ways
Wanting the children to succeed
Works with children in English

The Schedule they have:
7-8 movie
8-9 play time
9-915 welcome time
915-11 school time (calendar, weather, letter, shape and color)
11-1145 lunch
1145-1230 playtime
1230-1 story time
1-230 nap time

A Schedule I'm playing with:
7-8 table time/centers
8-815 bathroom break
815-830 welcome time (calendar, sharing, colors)
830-915 playtime
915-945 school time (number and letter)
945-10 bathroom break
10-1030 story time (theme based)
1030-11 art time
11-1145 lunch (following lunch silent reading time)
1145-12 bathroom break
12-1230 playtime/centers (every other day)
1230-1 story time (naptime based)
1-230 nap-time
Totally edited this as well. But it looks pretty good. We have 1/2 hour increments and a good selection of activities. 

The Changes A Year Makes

From this:

In August, my school was a bit atrocious. The only learning that was implemented, was worksheets that were handed to the kids WITHOUT explanation  The kids MIGHT try to write their name. The rest of it was scribbling.

Since I walked into the mad-house I have done a lot to change the course of the school.

The first thing I did was take over the classroom, I wanted themes to be taught and lessons to be learned. I wanted the kids to walk away learning about the world they live in and going home excited about what they were learning about. My preschool didn't do that before.

I started different kits to teach with different lessons. We did a lot of trial and error. What I have learned about projects is that you need something that is easy to prepare and easy to enjoy. Something that adds onto the conversation you are having with the kids.

BUT thats the main part, that conversation. It doesn't matter what you are talking about or how you are talking about it. You have to show your passion and excitement for learning. You have to get into it and get crazy.

By all means I am a reading and writing learner. I am not visual, I am not hearing and I am definitely not kinestetic. So I learned a lot this year about how to adapt who I am into a person that can teach the others. With the little ones the focus has to be visual and kinesthetic and it HAS TO BE FUN.

My preschool focuses on 3 colors, 3 letters, a shape, number and pattern every month plus 2 themes. we practice cutting, coloring, writing our name and we were content. I am working on adding even more to that currently. Now I am starting learning centers like skip counting, shape recognition, name practice, fine motor movements, gross motor movements, backwards counting, letter sound recognition, CVC words, sight words and more. I want kids to walk away from my school with their head exploding with knowledge.

It may be hard for my teachers to make this happen but it will be happening.

Furthermore, I finally have a school I am excited to show people. I have changed the look and continue to do so often. We have a playground with some toys and centers with more toys, a library full of books (WITH a wonderful reading mat). We have a writing/craft station and a playdoh section. It is nice to see the kids excited to interact and work together. It is nice to watch them grow and challenge each other. I now have motivational posters, cute stories on the walls, cute pictures. We talk about how to behave, how to listen, the different kinds of smarts, how to be nice, and so much more. My school looks like a school and a place that is a positive environment for every child. It makes me proud.

The change I am currently on a high over is my classroom management. I have taken kids that bite, hit and scream on a regular basis and found a way to SHOW them their levels. My behavior chart is color coded and includes plenty of chances that kids at this age need. We have good news letters that go home, and bad news letters that can too. With the visual, my kids are seeing a big change. My "troubled" kids have turned around in only a week. They despise getting a note home for the wrong reasons and now that they know which level that is at and how to get there, they work on staying out of it. It is wonderful watching them monitor themselves and seeing how great of a day they are having. :) Plus it is wonderful for the parents to SEE how their kids are doing. It keeps the kids attention on the chart as well.

Fridays when I entered were movie day, which was a wonderful break on the teachers. But it was still difficult to get the kids to sit and watch a movie. We have revamped that entirely. Now, we have Japanese class, and KinderJam every other Friday. KinderJam (something I am now licensed to provide) is a kinestethic learning class. It is a great way to get involved and get kids up and moving while learning. I see it as a wonderful way to enrich the education and review it. I see this going particularly well with my little ones especially (who can't sit still for a second). Then Japanese class is a great way to help my Japanese students feel like the leader of the class that they normally struggle in PLUS helps my American students take the time and focus on where they are and the customs, holidays, songs and stories of this culture that we are on top of.

I am constantly looking for more and more changes with the students and with the school. My next challenge is my teachers. I want to make them the best at what they do. When I go on vacation I want to not worry and keep them at the top of their game. Some days when I am gone, I am amazed the place hasn't literally burned down in the measly 6 hours I am not there. My goal is to be more confident in my teachers. I want them more positive, more understanding, and more passionate. I will create this in my teachers and it will show before I am done with it.

I also need to work on challenging my teachers. I need to make sure they are doing their job. My focus is on the kids and on the education. And I need to start becoming a better manager of my workers. I need to push them for their best in a positive but effective way.

To This:

Updated Bucket List--So far in Japan

Here is my list (for now! I got most of the ideas from (http://thejapanbucketlist.wordpress.com/) Doesn't mean I don't want to partake!

1. See Shinjuku Gyoen. Get lost in nature.
2. Go to an Art Museum.
3. Try clothes on in Japan (Just how small can they be?) Trust me they are small. Though I still want a kimono.
4. Make Sushi, ramen and/or fried rice
5. Go to a waterpark. I don't know if any of you would qualify it as a waterpark. But hey a pool is better than no pool.
6. Go to Tokyo Disneyland
7. Climb to the top of Mt. Fuji.
8. Sing in a karaoke bar! (Wow! So different than America!!! I will write about that!)
9. Do ‘hanami’ (cherry blossom viewing) while in Japan. (Just this past weekend. Pictures to come!)
10. Stay in a ryokan. (Komaki onsen was beautiful and where I got proposed to!)
11. Visit the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
12. Go up the Tokyo Tower.
13. Go to a local izakaya. (love north 40/40! I think this counts?)
14. Participate in Aomori’s Neputa festival.
15. Visit the Sannai Maruyama site in Aomori.
16. Visit Gappo Park in Aomori.
17. Go up APSAM in Aomori and take an awesome photo of the skyline!
18. Get photos of the cosplayers on Harajuku Bridge.
19. Visit Kabukicho (Tokyo’s red light district).
20. Buy a yukata or kimono.
21. Ride the Yamanote line.
22. Explore Tokyo Narita Airport.
23. Find a really, really interesting toilet.
24. Get a photo in the cherry blossoms. (I swear I will update with this)
25. Drink Sake.
26. Drink Chu-Hi.
27. Buy/rent a bicycle
28. Visit Aomori.
29. Visit Hachinohe.
30. Visit Towada  (But I still wanna go to the lake)
31. Visit Sapporo, land of the beers.
32. Make a lasting friend. (Miss Kazue!!! :) ).
33. Befriend the wildlife. (No, no thank you crowzillas, you win this round)
34. Teach a lesson. OR A MILLION! :)
35. Ring a shrine bell and pray. (There is a right and wrong way to do this, so I haven't done this yet) 
36. Try a weird flavour of Kit-Kat. (I hear there’s lemonade, watermelon, green tea)
37. Participate in a tea ceremony.
38. Visit Meiji Shrine.
39. Visit a cat cafe
40. Go to a Pokemon Center!
41. Go to Universal Studios.
42. Ride a shinkansen (bullet train).
43. Play Pachinko.
44. Learn how to drive out here.
45. Get a job so I can stay longer and accomplish all of these things.
46. Try all sorts of weird foods
47. Try Japanese Ramen (my favorite!!!)
48. Get in better shape.
49. Go to Sapporo Festival
50. Go to the Nebuta Festival
51. Go to Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
52. Watch a Japanese Baseball game.
53. Go to the Misawa Festivals
54. Go to the Summer Sonic
55. Go to Star Tours and Disney Sea

Looking at my list I feel REALLY accomplished for the 11 months I have been here I have done 32 of the 55 things I want to do :) And I have at least a year left :) Sounds possible :)
   56. Try to get to Australia at some point :)