Hello to all,

I have been away from the Blog for a bit.  I thought I'd write this morning to see how things are going and if you need me to find you any specific ideas.  Here in AZ, the Covid numbers are rising and I imagine that the possibility is that kiddos may go back to online learning at some point.  So we can share with one another what worked for you and what didn't work for you.  Let me know your needs or wants around information that would be helpful to you.

My granddaughter Maya is a kindergartener.  It has been fun picking her up from school a few times.  I love watching kiddos and their families come and go from school.  I also like to see the interactions of the school staff in guiding the whole process.  I think you can tell a lot about a school watching the end-of-the-day process.  BTW, my grandson, Zo is a big 5th grader.  Where did the time go?

Think about your end-of-the-day routine.  What does it show others about you and your kiddos?  How does it send off the kiddos, to meet their families or get on the bus?  Do you have a daily routine goodbye song, process, ritual??  How do you personally say, "Have a great rest of the day!" to your children?  I believe you start the success of the next day with the way you send them off at the end of your time together.  Think about that this week and I'll share more next week.

Maya has introduced me to a new author, Ben Clanton.  He has a series --Narwhal and Jelly  I just ordered a set of three.  Take a look and see what you think.  You might want to make a waffle to eat while you read Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea!   Ben Clanton has a webpage http://www.benclanton.com/p/books.html

I am ready to roll again with my blog if there are those out there who find it helpful. Comment, if you would, to let me know who's out there.  Happy Friday to all.

Teacher Debbie

Who is out there? Any tired of the pandemic folks?

 I haven't blogged in over a month.  Do any of you need ideas, a boost, information on a subject?  I blog to support those in early childhood and families of young children.  

For those who know me, you know I'm an extrovert, people-loving, hugger.  This almost a year of pandemic gets to me somedays and this is one of them.  How are you all doing?  I know one of our members moved up from preschool this year.  I wonder how that is going.  

Well, my share for the day is simple.  A 40th-anniversary version of Baby Beluga.  When your down, facing a bumpy time, or having a good day it is always better with a catchy little song.  

Here is one of my favorites.  Would you be willing to share one of yours in the comments?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBb2dsN85UU

Sing it out.  You are never too old to sing with Raffi!!

More ABC and 123 ideas/Find joy

 Happy Monday to you!

The first thing I want to do today is to ask you--- how can I help you out?  I may be retired, but my heart is always with young children, their teachers, and their families. If there is something I can help you with just send a reply and I'll do what I can to find you a book, a song, problem-solve with you---whatever your need is at this time.

So now some ABC ideas-  I was thinking about what were some fun things I did in my room to increase interest in the alphabet with young children.  We visited name cards and cubby labels in the past.  Today let's talk hands-on fun.

Idea one- A discovery-bottle of letters.  There are many ways to do this, I'll mention a few and I hope some of you will share ideas you've had/created.  I Googled ABC pasta and came up with all sorts of sizes and colors, and prices.  I used medium-sized bottles and the small alphabet soup pasta in the past and then added ABC beads of the child's name in the bottle.  You could use small pasta and some large pasta...maybe color the large pasta and place the letters of the child's name in the bottle. As they rotate the discover bottles they see their letters and they see the small letters too.  Leading to --I see a little "a" and I see my "A".

Idea two- Use pictures to make or find ABC mats. Use manipulatives to make the letters on the mats.  I found in Printshop an ABC mat in order and then one that was scrambled I printed it on letter-sized cardstock and then ran it through the laminator.  We had a container of magnet letters and the kiddos went to town matching them to the letters on the mats.  They used the mats to name letters and play games too.

Here are some photos of the items mentioned above:

Some of the photos I clipped won't download, but if you Google beads and pasta, you'll find several different types of each.  I know some schools of thought say never use food for play, like the pasta, so you will have to find different beads and use non-food media for the hider material in your discovery-bottles.

I'm gonna run with another discovery-bottle idea for idea three.  I love to walk through Michael's and look at some of the "little things" you can find.  Mini dogs, cats, pumpkins, etc.  (I am hoping you can find them online or hit the store when not crowded.)  I would use a smaller sized plastic bottle. Decide if the items you find to use in the bottle are waterproof or not.  If waterproof you could tint the water, or add a drop of dish soap and some glitter.  Hide one pumpkin.  Hide two balls... OR you could hide items in bird seeds, sand, rice...the ideas go on and on.

Circle idea for idea four---- "Everyone with buttons on today stand up." Observe/count how many buttons on each person.  "Thank you, now you all can sit back down." 

"Everyone with short hair stand up."  Count how many with short hair.  Use a chart to write notes about what you are counting or take pictures while you do this activity.  Turn it into a "We Can Count" book.

I want you all to be in search of joy and to walk in that joy.  Children find joy in watching dust particles float in a ray of light.  It was always my practice to join in that joy.  It was and is my practice to find joy wherever I can.  In the pandemic, we need to find joy and to spread it around.  I hope this blog entry will help you find some joy in learning along with your students/children.

Wishing you well,

Teacher Debbie

Here We Go Again!

 As I drove my granddaughter to preschool today, the Dobson High School parking lot was empty.  I was reminded that my grandson is back at distance learning and maybe many of you are too.  You are teaching and parenting in times that we've not seen in most of our lifetimes.  I don't think there are easy answers.  The one thing I can say is to do your best.  Think out of the box.  Stay connected with your students and their families.

In crazy times, children need to know we see them, we care for them, and that we are here for them.  So if you have classroom rituals, (I sure hope you do) keep them going online too.  Now you may have to adapt, but you can do that ---YOU are a teacher and we improvise well, we roll with the flow.  Be you!

So my ideas today are things you can do in class and that you can do at home or send ideas to families to do at home.  You're probably not able to offer playdough play in the classroom so suggest playdough play at home.  A link to Kool-Aid playdough.  I use 2 pkgs. of unsweetened Kool-Aid mix.  https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/no-cook-kool-aid-playdough  

The following link offers different types of playdough to try ---https://kidactivities.net/play-dough-recipes

Family/Home created books-Why not suggest that families create a family book?

• This is our family: student/family drawn family pictures or photos.  EX:  My family has 5 people.  My family has 3 pets.  Photos or drawings to illustrate
• A counting book: In our home, we have ____ doors.  I have ____types of cereal I like to eat.
• Margaret, Margaret what do you see out your window?... in the kitchen...???
• The ABC's of My house book---A is for Aunt Kristi

You get the idea.  So many great books to keep students and families engaged and learning together from home.

Create matching games to send home via email or packet mailings.  Picture matches, color matches, Upper/Lower case letters, Nursery Rhyme characters. 

Introduce your families to Spotify and help them create music lists for sing-alongs, movement, and soothing sounds.  

Wishing you well,

Teacher Debbie   

ABC as easy as 123

Hello all,

I got a message from a teacher pal who moved away,  asking to join the blog.  I've been terrible getting my act together to write.  Cherie inspired me --so here I go.

I know many of you are back with kiddos and the demand on you is crazy hard/difficult.  I really want to make your burden lighter.  So my first word of advice for you is take care of yourselves.  Second, do what is best for your group of kiddos.  I hope that you all have reduced student numbers to help control the spread of Covid.  When you take care of yourself and then get to know, love, and care for the children in your class you've got most things covered.

Now I know that my thinking isn't always what administrators want to hear, but I believe that it is what will make your classroom a place that is fun and safe to be a child.  Children who feel safe and cared for learn and explore with great joy.  That leads to children who become lifelong learners.  It gives you, the teacher, more joy and more energy to be you.  This is what in the long run helps children become successful.

Teachers who love teaching are better teachers and children who enjoy school and feel safe at school are better learners.  So let's take a look at Preschool ABC's and 123's of early learning..

Remember that in all this teaching online or in whatever style your teaching in, that the letters most important to a child are the letters in their name and the letters in their family and friend's names.  Make name cards to use all over the room, or make them to send your students in the mail.  Pictures of different name cards for you to see are below.

I use different types of paper, different colors of ink.  The printed with an icon are great for younger learns who might focus on the icon first and then can find the right cubby and then see their names on the card.  There are so many things to do with name cards in the classroom or at home.  You might share how you use them in the comments on this post.

I have to jump to other ways our kiddos get to know the alphabet.  I love and collect ABC books.  ABC books are wonderful.  Today I will share four that I enjoy and there will be more in blogs ahead.  The Old Black Fly by Jim Aylesworth is a favorite.  You can sing it to "Joshua Fought the Battle at Jericho", which I do and even did on a mic for a Reading Under the Stars night.   Bugs and Beasties ABC in another ABC book that kids really engage with...ant, butterfly, chameleon--what's not to like. Alan Baker and his bunny books--Black and White Rabbit's ABC.  Rabbit and his ABC adventurer are just cute and fun. A local favorite is C is for Coyote A Southwest Alphabet book.  

Old Black Fly, not only can you sing this book, but you can go on a nature walk and pick up things to make a fly with to go with a fly swatter painting.  Yep, look at the cover...painting with fly swatters is a blast and a bit messy. (It might still be available in a big book!)

Now let's talk Bugs and Beasties ABC's. An ABC book that introduces different bugs and beasts with a torn paper kind of illustrations.  This lends itself to making a class book A is for...  and torn paper art or a collage project.  So much fun and discovery!

The next adventure is with Black and White Rabbit.  Alan Baker has a whole series of Rabbit books so you might go on a wonderful author study.  And you could also go around the room and find items that go with each letter of the alphabet.  If you go looking for this book, it may have a new cover.

 I

C is for Coyote is a bit more detailed and an older 4 year old/5 year old audience is best. It might also go well reading a letter or two at a time.  This ABC book is illustrated with photographs.  It might lead to a class book with photos of students. Or a study of the southwest.  Or a graphing project--My favorite animal is... 

Take out some of your favorite ABC books and decide how you might extend your abc adventures with art, a class book, an abc hunt.  The possibilities are endless.

Learning is as simple as ABC as Easy as 123.  

Memory Lane or a new to you song...depends on your age.  ABC  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho7796-au8U&list=RDho7796-au8U&start_radio=1&t=7

Next time we'll discuss some more ABC books and a few 123 books too.  I don't believe in worksheets, I believe in books, paper, crayons, counting items, etc.  I believe in real items and experiences that tie learning to memory.

Wish you well,

Teacher Debbie

School Online for Early Childhood?

 This week I wondered how on this Earth all of you are touching live with online preschool/early years.  So as I pondered this I've had some ideas.  Here we go--

• Becky Bailey teaches a brain smart start.  I say give it a go online.  It will have to be brief and keep kiddos moving.  I say start with a quick welcoming song that is easy to learn and is quick.  For example, The Superman Welcome.  To the tune of the Superman Theme.   I'm so glad to be here today. (Stand with hands in the air SM style to the right) I'm so glad that I just have to say---(move hands to the left)  That I'm joyful (right hand on right hip) that I'm Loving (left hand on left him) and I'm ready to win (stomping feet) let the day begin!!!!  Quick and easy and connecting to at least you and child.
• Remember that young children need to move.  Let them move.  Do not keep them sitting for long periods of time.  That won't benefit anyone.
• Provide families with ideas for learning/play center they can create at home.  EX:  Play dough recipes, blocks from food boxes, stacking yogurt containers, share discovery bottle ideas, give them book lists, introduce them to Spotify and suggest good music for children, simple math ideas---you get the picture
• Provide a way for families to ask you questions and reply in a timely manner.  Remember to set a time of day that you don't reply so that you can care for you.
• READ/Sing books that are songs.  Raffi and many others have books to sing!
• Share a booklist of age appropriate books to read and places to find books online.
• Keep your books near your broadcasting area for requests. There is nothing more fun than getting the read it again request!
• Give your families items to start collecting for a creation station,  art, math, science, and writing stations.  Things to collect---food boxes, buttons, paper towel rolls, scrap paper, empty yogurt containers, lids (lg enough not to chole on) fabric scrapes, egg cartons,  plastic spoons, foil, cardboard.....you get the idea.  Share great places to find things for counting--.99 cents store, The Dollar Tree, Goodwill.....
• Breathe :)
• Start with simple books, if you are doing a read aloud online. It will be more difficult to draw a child in online--KEEP IT SIMPLE.  Build up to more text on a page later on.  WATCH your students for cues.  I started many school years with Who Hops by Katie Davis.

I hope these ideas will help you connect with families and your students.  

Wishing you well,

Teacher Debbie

New Normal is coming your way!

Hello all,

Well, the changes are here and many of you are back at school.  Well virtual school anyway.  I can't imagine how teachers and parents are going to pull this off.  Well, yes I can, as a team.  We've talked about the parent/guardian - teacher teams for years, but now it is very important for the adults in a child's life team up to do what is best for the child.

Now this may not be advice that districts are going to back, but it is the advice I'm going to give none the less.  We need to do what is best for children and do the best we can with what we've been given to work with this year.  Families and teachers all you can do is the best you can do.  You can encourage online students to stay put at a desk, but you have little control over that, for example.  Families please do your best to encourage your child to stay in their learning spot during learning time.  My hope and prayer for all is that districts and states won't try to have children at monitors hours and hours each day as that isn't what is best for them.  Check your brain research and be ready to discuss, with those in charge, that sitting for hours, at a computer, is not in a child's best interest.  Now for those with kiddos 3rd grade and below, children are meant to more and will do so when they need to do so.  They need movement---that is what kids to so give them time to wiggle.   Here's a handy song for getting those wiggles out and keeping things fun.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyNClOyKwN0    IF the link doesn't work cut and past into your browser.  Check out HelloJoe.com for more great music.  https://hellojoe.com/

Teachers and families I have a couple things I believe will be important for you to do so that you can provide data to schools, districts, and the Dept. of Ed.  I strongly suggest that you all keep journals.  Grab a notebook or start a document on Google Docs to track both positive and negative things happening with the current system you are using to educate children.  Teachers, document things about attendance, for ex:---students who are there and then disappear, what goes well, what needs fine tuning...etc.  Write down what is fact and don't be judgemental as families may have multiple children to monitor and may also be working from home.  Families, document what you see working, what isn't working, maybe take photos too, try not to be critical of the teacher, they didn't select the format they've been given, or the equipment they have to work with each day.  Write down data for the folks "in charge" and write your thoughts and feelings in another section.  Teachers that is advice for you too.  This is finding a new normal time and this process is never easy.  We are better working together.

Make some play dough.  It is good for loads of things and relieving stress is one thing it is good for, for all ages.

Kool Aid Play Dough

2 cups of flour

1 cup of table salt

2 packages of Unsweetened Kook Aid

Mix dry ingredients together.  Add-

4 Tablespoons of vegetable oil

1-2 cups boiling water ( I heat it in the microwave.  The amount of  water needed varies between batches.) 

Slowly add in the liquid ingredients and blend together. Knead until dough like texture.  Store in an airtight container or baggie.

One last idea for today.  Teachers, take time for yourself in this time of setting a new normal.  Decide when you will be available for calls, texts, and answering emails.  Families, try to give your teacher some time to be with their families or just some down time, we all need that.

Wishing you well and praying you all stay safe,

Teacher Debbie

Trying a new background for the new school year.  Do you like it?