In August 2012 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:
A year later-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 proceeded to make a library where it became exciting to read books.
Now we have books in each of our classrooms, still I think they could be organized a bit but we are steadily making changes. We still do have our library and it seems effective but I think we are going to be changing that around as well. And using the shelves for better storage space. I did end up buying more books but put them in a place the kiddos couldn't destroy.
A more up to date (preferably technology involved) calendar A year later-(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.
Now: We work on the calendar as a needed basis. I think this is something that could be more reinforced with some of my teachers. Into the next year :)
Newsletters A year later-(Once a month I sent a newsletter home and letters home (good, bad and informational) when needed)
Now newsletters are a part of our norm: Every month parents expect it.
Hands on learning A year later-(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.)
We work a lot more with our hands and have incorporated more science and social studies into the mix which has been great fun!
Parent involvement activities A year later-(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.)
Now: Every month we work on a parent involvement day we have done everything from Ice Cream Socials to Bring your Mom to School day to Donuts with Dads day!
School assemblies A year later-(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
Now: We don't really do this but we do Saturday events to get the kids involved and we did do egg hunts.
Classroom rules, playground rules etc. (with visuals)
A year later- (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.)Now: I am still looking for that perfect classroom management strategy but I have learned that leaving it in the hands of the teachers make them stronger. I still think there is a way to incorporate more!
Positive reinforcement A year later-(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)
Now: Teachers are wonderfully supportive and they get better and better! I am so glad and proud of the teachers I have! :)
Art projects A year later-(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.)
Now: I love the projects my teachers are making. They make the cutest, most age appropriate, theme oriented crafts in the world! I love it!
Teaching writing A year later-(We teach how to write names and letters, I am starting my Kindergarten Readiness class on beginning reading and CVC words)Now: We have started beginner reading and beginner writing. We focus mostly on writing this year. Next year I think it should be an every other day thing.
More musical involvement A year later-(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.)Now: Our music program has increased even further, we have made our own instruments, still use KinderJam and really work hard on singing, dancing and enjoying our music!
Less paperwork at one time A year later-(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)Now: I left it up to the teachers some teachers do a lot of worksheets so that the fast learners are busy and she gives them a half hour to get done what they can. Personally, I think there are better ways to teach writing at this age but this works for this teacher.
Movement activities A year later-(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)Now: Now we have movement programs the teachers can follow and ways to incorporate extra movement into their classrooms! It is wonderful!
Themes-monthly and weeklyA year later- (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.)
Now: We still follow two themes each month and are focusing on that in different ways in different classes! And we have added it over to the afternoons!
Guided lessons A year later-(I am working on making this even better, we do this a bit now. But my teachers are more repetitive then exciting.)Now: I have strayed from this entirely. I wanted to do this because some of my teachers weren't up to the job at hand. Now, all of my teachers are wonderful and able to come up with the education on their own.
Creative lessons A year later-(I love this! We are doing so much more for the students and pushing them to be better students and stronger thinkers)Now: This is how we run our classrooms. The teachers have guidelines to follow but they create so that they love their jobs more!
Bathroom breaks A year later-(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)Now every class goes to the bathroom once a hour or so. It helps defer from accidents and helps with potty training!
Things I looked into:
Teacher's backgroundsA year later- (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)Now: I have helped teachers grow and find their inner teacher as much as I can. Now its up to them to find what they love best. I also ask teachers and parents for their feedback
Prices A year later-(I have had a few impacts on this some to better students, some to better the company)Now: The price remains the same, in fact there was a raise. But overall it was necessary and I talked him down on his grand ideas.
I would still like to lower the Japanese rate but thats something that will just have to wait.
New curriculum. A year later-(Thank GOD I did this)Now: We have tried a few different lessons. But I have learned to let go and leave things up to the teachers.
Book selection we do have:A year later- (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)Now: I have ashley only books that the kids can't touch but the teachers can use. This made a big difference.
Money allotments we could use A year later-(I got some petty cash, not much, and have made things work to my benefit in some ways.)Now: This hasn't gotten much better.
Teacher meetings (weekly?) A year later-monthly, and by the teachers job title, not all together.Now: I have learned meetings are hard. but email blasts are easy! :D
Spelling? A year later-CVC and Sight words, this part is seriously brand new. like maybe a month max we have started this.Now: I made a big push for phonics so we really work on that throughout the year! :D They know a lot of letter sounds and which letter that goes with.
New teacher problems? A year later-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.)
Now: I have teachers that last! FINALLY! And I have resources to hand to new teachers like a powerpoint and a contract with job description. Also, I have other teachers train them!
NOW things to look forward to this coming year:
More Teacher Only Books, Less books on the floor.
More calendar time
More Phonics
More Sight word
More beginner reading/writing (alternating days)
Overall school behavior management system
Less Worksheets
Afternoon Themes
Movement Program
Potty Training Help (sticker chart and HAVE TO TRY, BE FIRM)
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