help! teaching kindergarten for the first time!

[susy]

After 5 years at home I am finally returing to work!

I have always taught pre-K, but have been offered the kindergarten teacher position at a private school.

I have a lot of ideas, but would like to keep things simple.

Basically, my daily schedule includes:

-journals
-circle time- (with a language-based group activity) and a Spanish word of the day.
-reading ( a curriculum that the school has been using with great results)
-learning centers (a free play period)
-math(curriculum used by the school) and math manipulatives
-lunch/recess and outdoor planned activities.
-storytime- is it too early for me to introduce some simple "chapter" books (with pictures)? I would read a little each day and stop at a cliff-hanger.
-rest time (about half hour of quiet activity or rest on a mat for those who need it)
-writing -some use of curriculum book and more journals, if there is interest.
-special activity each day: computers, a hands-on science experience, cooking, art project (the art center itself will be open every day),music/games.

In addition, I have some ideas for field trips , character development, community service, and in room visitors.

I plan to run the room in a very relaxed manner with no assigned seats. I would like the day to flow smoothly from one activity to another, with a minimal amount of abrupt transitions.

I will have ten kids in a fairly large room.

I need all of your comments!!!

 

[Spinning]

Good for you! I am sure you will do a great job!
My DD kindergarten teacher was great!
She did some neat things. Such as mystery reader. She sent out a form and dates and times and parents would come in to read a story to the class. The kids had to guess who it was!

They also made shirts decorated with animal stamps to wear on field trips.

and best of all....a wonderful scrap book! Each child got a book with pictures she took through out the year plus samples of their handwriting, journaling special event! It was priceless!

Good luck!

 

[Kermit]

I think your plan sounds ambitous but wonderful!

I love the idea to start reading chapter books to your kids. I think it's a great way to promote an early love of reading, before most of them can even read real books at all. I used to have a class of first graders in an after-school program, and I read chapter books to them. They loved it. They always remembered just where we left off, and they always wanted to borrow the book when I was done reading it. Talk to the librarian for some great suggestions. (My mom used to be an elementary school librarian, so that's where I got my books. )

 

[debster812]

It sounds wonderful to me. My DS will be attending K at a full day private program (couldn't make the 2.5 hour sessions our town offered work ).

Sound like all the things I would like him working on.

Good Luck and have fun with your kids!!!!

 

[disykat]

Sounds great. I will suggest, however, waiting a while before starting a chapter book. You'll want to get a good idea of their interests and which children have difficulty staying focused. You'll also get a better idea what time of day would be good for a chapter book ( When I taught first I usually read a storybook after lunch and from a chapter book at the end of the day). Something like "The Boxcar Children" is a pretty good way to start since young kids seem to relate to those books pretty well.

I'm a SAHM right now but plan to go back to work in another year (I sub now) and would love to do 1/2 day kindergarten. Sometimes I spend time just looking around the internet at all the neat kindergarten links out there. Have fun!

 

[Lars624]

Last year my DS K teacher was terrific! In addition to the things you mentioned she did something that the kids all loved. She had a bag w/ a stuffed toy in it that the kids got to name in the beginning of the year. Also in the bag was a notebook. Each child got a turn to bring the bag home and he/she got to do things with the animal such as eat, play, shop, sleep etc. They had their parents help them write down on a page in the notebook about their special time with the toy and they could draw a picture of it too if they wanted. Then at school they were able to talk about what they did and what they wrote.

 

[Boots]

I think you will do wonderful! Ten children will be a great group! Here where I live, most kindergartens have about 20 children.

 

[padams]

DS was in kindergarten last year, and he also had his turn to bring home "Penelope the [stuffed] Pig". We took the pig everywhere for a week, and then had to send in a story about Penelope's adventures with us. DS loved having Penelope stay with us.

DS' teacher also had each child tkae turns being Friend of the Week. When it was DS' turn, we had to make a poster with photos of DS and our family doing our favorite activities. DS had to tell his class about the pictures. On another day that week, DS had to bring his favorite snack for the class to share. At the end of the week, DH, younger DS, and I visited the classroom, and the class got to ask questions about DS (what was he like as a baby?, do we have any pets? etc.). The kids seemed to really enjoy FOTW.

Your plan sounds a lot like DS' kindergarten class. Sounds like it will be a great year for your students. Good luck.