WILD, WILD ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD!curriculum.austinisd.org/schoolnetDocs/early... · and my favorite, their Book Nooks. Book Nooks are easy-to-use guides created especially for teachers

February 2015 ● Volume 4, Issue #7●

Happy February!

Recently one of the administrative assistants in our building, Jennifer Tijerina, began placing a book on the edge of her desk with a sign about it that read, “Keep Calm and Read the Book of the Week.” Each week, Jennifer changes out the book of the week. This is a great opportunity for those of us who love children’s books, to see a different book each week. Some are new books, and others are old favorites, some are funny, others serious, but each week it is an opportunity to stop, take a moment to read and de-stress. February is a month packed with activity. February contains, the 100th day of school, conferences, report cards, the testing window, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and, of course, everyday

teaching and learning. It’s easy to get stressed with all that is coming up in February, but hopefully the newsletter will give you an opportunity to stop, take a moment to read and de-stress. If you are looking for a funny book to read to your students this month, here is one of my favorites from Jennifer’s desk!

Austin ISD Prekindergarten Newsletter February 2015 Jacquie Porter, Director of Early Childhood Vol. 4, Issue #7

WILD, WILD ABOUT EARLY

CHILDHOOD!


Great Changes to Pre-K Registration from New TEA Rule Jacquie Porter, Director of Early Childhood

Here’s what we’ve shared at grade level leader meetings. Registration begins in April and advertising for prekindergarten registration will take place the week of April 6th–10th. This means for families:

• Students may qualify in April, if they don’t qualify in April due to income, they can reapply in August if status has changed.

• Parents can begin to register anytime after April 6th for next year.

• Parents do not need to go to their home school to register but may register at the school they wish their child to attend. MARK THESE APPLICATIONS “PENDING TRANSFER APPROVAL”. Parents will still need to fill out a transfer form and bring it downtown, but will not have to go to the home school, your campus and downtown. It will also end the time that many of you spent trying to get paperwork from other campuses. Hopefully this will make things easier for all.

For teachers:

• Must complete the training modules.

• Pay is $25 an hour for four hours of registration work after school and we are only paying pre-K teachers to help with registration.

• Extra hours – if a pre-K colleague is unable to work during this week, you may work their hours

and receive same compensation. How do you want your registration to look? Here are a few suggestions:

• Parents may fill out the paperwork in the morning and pre-K teachers check it as well as process the paperwork afterschool.

• Parents sign up for an appointment for testing.

• Set after school hours 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. for working parents to come in to register.

• Offer pre-K registration at Kindergarten Round Up or other campus events. Getting Trained

• Online training modules will be available February ___

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Great Things in Pre-K, continued

• Complete your test after the webinar.

• Keep and print your certificate.

• February 26th--Face-to-face training at the PAC, 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

SEL Website Jacquie Porter, Director of Early Childhood

Are you familiar with the Center on the Social Emotional Foundations of Early Learning? This amazing website has incredible resources in English and Spanish for teachers of young children. On their website you will find, free printables for supporting SEL lessons, a great book list for SEL titles and my favorite, their Book Nooks. Book Nooks are easy-to-use guides created especially for teachers to provide hands-on activities to embed social emotional skills into everyday activities. The activities are designed around popular children’s books. There are lots of great SEL theme activities in these Book Nooks. My favorite comes from Big Al, a story about a big scary looking fish that wanted to make friends. The book is in most AISD libraries and the Book Nook will provide content area ideas to go with your everyday SEL lessons. You can check it out at http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/ .

Igloo Building As shared by Maritza Maldonado, Pre-K Teacher, Pickle Elementary School

A special “thank you” this month goes to Maritza Maldonado for sending us a picture of her igloo! It looks like it was lots of great learning fun!

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Save the Date!—Early Childhood Summer Institute Sylina Valdez, Early Childhood Administrative Supervisor

2015 Early Childhood Summer Institute

“Diggin’ Deep into Early Childhood”

SAVE the DATE!

July 15 and 16, 2015 Uphaus Early Childhood Center

Registration will open April 2015 All institute information will be updated here:

https://sites.google.com/a/austinisd.org/2015-aisd-early-childhood-summer-institute/

2015 Early Childhood Summer Institute

CALL FOR PRESENTERS! Proposals for sessions are now being taken. If you are interested in presenting at this year’s institute please go to the link below to fill out a session proposal. Proposals are due by February 20, 2015 so that we can review and schedule sessions by March. This will allow us to open pre-registration in April.

https://sites.google.com/a/austinisd.org/2015-aisd-early-childhood-summer-institute/

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Gail’s Garden Gazette Gail Laubenthal, Early Childhood Consultant

As we enter February, there are many activities that can (and should) go on in your children’s garden. Hopefully you are continuing to visit the garden on a regular basis at least once each week. Help the children notice changes. If you have taken pictures throughout the fall, you can have the children compare pictures of the garden in September and in February. Many

questions might come up, so be ready to help the children think about the reasons why their garden looks different. February is a great time to begin cleaning out annual flowers and veggies. Those unwanted winter weeds can also be pulled out and composted. It is also time to add compost to the garden (see link below). There are many plants and seeds that can be planted in February. On The Natural’s Gardener’s website, there are many planting options listed (see below). Visit the site for many other activities that should be going on this month. Sowing Seeds:

• Vegetables: beets, carrots, endive, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, parsnip, peas, radish, rutabaga, spinach, turnips, start tomatoes and peppers indoors.

• Herbs: chives, cilantro, dill, Echinacea, parsley.

• Flowers: coreopsis, cosmos, nasturtium, sweet peas.

Planting seedlings (young plants which are already rooted):

• Vegetables: artichokes, asparagus, Asian greens, broccoli, cabbage, chard, collards, lettuce, mustard greens, onion sets, seed potatoes, shallot bulbs, spinach.

• Fruit: blackberries, dewberries, grapes, figs, pears, persimmon, pomegranate, strawberries.

• Herbs: calendula, chives, cilantro, dill, Echinacea, fennel, feverfew, lavender, pansies, parsley,

oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, sorrel, thyme.

• Annuals: African daisy, alyssum, balloon flower, delphinium, dianthus, dusty miller, English daisy, larkspur, lobelia, Nemesia, petunias, poppies, snapdragons, stock

• Perennials: black foot daisy, four nerve daisy, Hymenoxys, ruellia, Salvia gregii, skeleton leaf golden eye, Turk’s cap, yarrow, Zexmenia.

Please don’t forget to visit my Pinterest page on gardening and many other early childhood appropriate activities. http://www.pinterest.com/flaubent/gardening-with-children/. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Gail Laubenthal at [email protected] or call me at (512) 585-7802.

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All About STEAM in Prekindergarten! Robbie Polan, Early Childhood Childcare Liaison

Science, technology, engineering, art, and math! This is prekindergarten integration at its finest. Of course, as prekindergarten teachers, we know that integration of content is important because it helps children make sense of what we are trying to teach. The following is what the experts say about STEM and STEAM. “What STEM does is give a label to what you are already doing helping children to explore, observe, ask questions, predict, and integrate their learning it’s what we’ve always done in early childhood education.” ~ Dr. Sherri Killins

“There are no greater natural scientists and engineers then young children. They are inquisitive learners who learn STEM concepts through play. High quality early learning environments provide children with the structure in which to build upon their natural inclination to explore, build, and question.” ~ JD Chesloff

The following are tips for allowing STEAM to be a part of your classrooms:

• Let your students ask questions.

• Allow students to solve their own problems.

• Provide the materials that are necessary for solving problems. These include: writing materials, measuring tools, non-fiction books, and time.

• Remember to plan for STEAM activities that support your teaching units.

• Work with what’s available in your classroom or on your campus, things that are part of your

world.

• Remember, teachers don’t have to have the answers to all questions.

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All About STEAM in Prekindergarten!, continued

Our children are natural scientists! Allow them to ask a question, predict what the answer might be, and determine what data is needed to solve the problem or find the right answer. By doing this, you will be moving “full STEAM ahead!” The following is an open-ended activity that can be used with a light table or on a tabletop. All you need are multi-colored clear straws and play dough. Supply pictures of bridges, building, animals, etc. to give children ideas.

This picture was taken from “The Artful Parent” at

http://artfulparent.com/2014/08/light-table-activities-for-kids-free-low-cost.html

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Mighty Fine Motor Skills As shared by Crystal Young, Pre-K Teacher, Sunset Valley Elementary

While other parts of the world are experiencing that white stuff that falls from the skies, we alas, must make our own winter wonderlands! Use the following activities to build strong hands in a fun and not so chilly way. Snowman with Hole Reinforcements

Kids love to peel and apply stickers. Luckily, hole reinforcement stickers are inexpensive and plentiful. Just draw a simple snowman on paper, and have the children outline the circles with the stickers. Then have them hole punch some paper (another good tool for building hand strength) and use the holes to decorate their snowman.

http://www.classroomfreebies.com/2012/12/reinforcement-hole-snowman.html

Sorting Snowballs

Moving "snowballs" with tongs to work larger hand muscles, or by using fingers and working the smaller muscles, your students can also practice a great math skill of sorting by size.

http://learningandteachingwithpreschoolers.blogspot.com/2011/01/sorting-snowballs.html

Feather Writing in Salt (snow)

Writing in salt or sand has been a favorite activity for many a classroom. Try introducing different tools, such as feathers, paint brushes, and sticks for kids to write with to strengthen their pincer grasp.

http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/11/feather-tip-salt-tray-writing/

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Mighty Fine Motor Skills, continued

Build a Snowman

After reading the book Snowballs by Lois Ehlert, put out a tray with objects found in the book or even your own classroom for kids to decorate felt circles to create their own snowpeople.

http://happyhooligans.ca/build-snowman-activity-tray/

Coffee Filter Snowflakes

Coffee filters are just the right weight and thickness for little hands and scissors to cut through to make beautiful snowflakes. Just fold and cut away. The hardest part is getting the children to not cut through the whole triangular shape. But, once they have the hang of it, your class room forecast will be full of snow flurries!

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Block Center Activities Crystal Castañeda, Early Childhood TLI Literacy Specialist

Body outlines in the block center--This is a great science and math connection. Students can count the number of blocks needed to outline their friends. They can use Legos to measure parts of their body compare with their friends and chart the numbers.

Blowing Pom-Poms--This wonderful activity makes the connection to force and motion. Students can experiment with blowing different air force, make perdictions and discuss what will happen. They will have to determine how not to knock down the blocks. They can blow air on the pom-pom directly or blow air through a straw.

An alternative to the blocks is putting tape on the floor and having students blow on pom-pom making sure they stay on the line. A twist on these actiivites is turning them into competions and have the students race to see who gets the pom-pom to the end first.

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The Power of Pretend: Expanding young children’s imaginations and inquiry beyond the

walls of the Pretend-and-Learn/ Social Studies Center Brian Mowry, Early Childhood Specialist

Rationale: As Valentine’s Day closely approaches, the children are likely beginning to anticipate all the cards and gifts they will be sending and receiving from family members and friends. Rather than avoiding all of this enthusiasm and excitement for the upcoming holiday celebration, embrace and tap into it by converting the pretend and learn center into a make-believe post office—an appropriate place for children to connect what they are learning in social studies about community workers to their expanding awareness and understanding of the functional role that print and writing have in the real world.

Set up: Remember, there is no need to spend all of your personal planning and preparation time setting up the center. Involve the children in the planning process. Set up stations or assign projects in which the children plan and design center props, including signs, tools, and name plates for individual student mail boxes. The planning process itself offers opportunities to devote some whole group instruction to interactive writing sessions with the children, whether you are modeling the appropriate format for addressing envelopes to the sender or generating a list of catchy phrases and messages for Valentine’s Day cards. What is more, consider the possibilities for expanding the post office beyond the walls of the pretend and learn center into other areas of the classroom traditionally limited to a singular content focus, such as the math, art, and writing centers. Here are a few suggestions for linking these centers to the thematic and social emphasis of pretend and learn area: Math: • Introducing and discussing how to use a scale for measuring the weight of letters and envelopes.

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The Power of Pretend, continued

• Counting coins for buying postage stamps of various prices. Allow the children to use dot stickers to create a pretend postage stamp of an assigned numerical value—e.g. 5 cents.

Art:

Convert the art area into a card design/ manufacturing station. Discuss concepts related to folding and graphic design (a technology focus as well).

Construction Center: Set up a shipping center. Collect discarded boxes (no larger than a shoe box) for the children to practice filling with table blocks or cubes. The children will need to think about how to stack the cubes in such a way that maximizes space (this is closely related to the concept of capacity). The children can then build a weighing/check-in station where the boxes are processed and marked for delivery. Provide access to post-it notes for address and shipping labels.

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Fine Motor Fun! Alexa Obregón, Early Childhood TLI Literacy Specialist

As shared by Cecilia LaCour and Nancy Maquera of Read Pre-K Center

We know that developing fine motor skills is vital for student success. Dr. Bill Jenkins states that “early fine motor skills in kindergarten were a predicator for reading and math achievement in elementary school.” As early childhood educators, it is important that we give students natural occurring opportunities (i.e. zipping backpacks and jackets, opening juice and food wrappers, buttoning clothes) as well as create center activities that will continue to develop those small muscles and visual spatial reasoning. Below are a variety of centers activities provided by Ms. LaCour and Ms. Maquera from Lucy Read Pre-K Center that allow for fine motor development, choice and fun!

Have students transfer pom-poms from one container to another using large tongs. To increase difficulty teacher can make items smaller or use jars with smaller openings.

Four and five year olds should be able to perform a variety of tasks such as cutting, stapling, tearing paper, zipping jackets, pouring liquid and using a simple hole puncher. Provide materials for students to practice this skill.

Have students build stairs in the building center. Provide pictures of various stairs for students to look at for guidance if necessary. Then let the slinky fun begin! How many stairs can their slinky go down?

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Fine Motor Fun, continued

Have students practice manipulating their hands and increase spatial awareness with this fun activity. Using a sleep mask, students will practice putting on gloves. Notice how teacher provides space limitations with a small rug. Now center activities can be done anywhere!

Provide a variety of tweezers for students to transfer materials. Notice how teacher provided limited workspace with felt mat and allows students to use real glass containers! Students are able to care for bowls with clear expectations.

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National Children’s Dental Health Month Melinda Servantez, Early Childhood Specialist

February is National Children’s Dental Health month. Here are some fun ideas to support your student’s knowledge and awareness of the importance of dental hygiene.

This is a fun little board book about brushing your teeth. The vibrant pictures and simple rhyming text are sure to make it a favorite in your classroom.

This idea comes from Serendipityfromjewels.com

Purchase tooth shape die cuts or make your own and laminate. Use a dry erase marker to draw cavities/stains on teeth. Supply toothbrushes for students to wipe away the “sugar bugs”.

Work with your little learners to:

• practice number recognition • counting one to one using teeth

shape erasers or cotton balls • order the numbers • https://creativepreschoolresources.

wordpress.com/2012/02/28/dental-health/

From teachpreschool.org

Create a tooth brushing station. Collect and clean egg cartons, bring in tooth paste, tooth brushes, and tubs for water. Add a little purple paint to the bottom of egg cartons for added brushing fun.

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Letter Racing! Sylina Valdez, Early Childhood Administrative Supervisor

Here are some fun ways to increase letter and/or sound recognition with your pre-K students. The first game is racing to a letter. All you need is a large sheet of paper, marker, ramp, two toy cars. A large sheet of paper that has several letters written all over it is placed at the bottom of the ramp. Two toy cars are placed at the top of a ramp and are released to see which letter they land on.

Idea from www.trueaimeducation.com

The next activity called “Racecar Alphabet” requires 26 toy cars and a ramp. The toy cars are labeled with each letter of the alphabet. The child chooses two cars to race down the ramp to see which letter wins.

Idea from www.lifewithmoorebabies.blogspot.com

Literacy Connection! Here is a great ABC book that goes well with these two activities. The Racecar Alphabet by Brian Floca.

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Free or Really Cheap Irene Campos, Early Childhood TLI Literacy Specialist

Here is an activity for February that will have your students seeing hearts. Use tape to mold a paper towel roll into a heart. Add a plate with paint and your students are ready to stamp away. They can create a collage of hearts or add hearts to their drawings. They can also decorate a letter they have written at the writing center.

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Prekindergarten Professional Development Spring Calendar Sylina Valdez, Early Childhood Administrative Supervisor

Early Childhood Language Arts Section Description Date(s) Location Presenter(s)

Early Childhood

Language Arts: Pre-K PRIDE

Spring Session #76337

APPLICATION ONLY This class is a continuation of our fall sessions. Teachers must have applied in the fall semester to be a part of this new teacher cohort. Contact Sylina Valdez (414-9682) with any questions. Pre-K PRIDE (Purposeful, Ready, Intentional, Direct, and Essential) is a year-long book study of Literacy Beginnings by Pinnell and Fountas. Teachers who commit to the year-long book study will receive the book and other materials for classroom use. No extra duty pay for this class.

Tuesday, February 24th

3:30-5:30

Tuesday, March 24th 3:30-5:30 (online)

Tuesday, April 28th 3:30-5:30

Sanchez, Portable 4

EC Staff (Sylina Valdez)

Early Childhood Mathematics Section Description Date(s) Location Presenter(s)

Early Childhood Mathematics: Where’s the

Math? (Pre-K and K)

#76407

This session is for pre-K and kindergarten teachers. It consists of four meeting dates and each one builds upon the other. The actual course, designed by Juanita V. Copley, PhD., focuses on equipping teachers with the content knowledge and instructional strategies to ensure that young children encounter good mathematics instruction in their early years of schooling. Where's the Math? provides a meaningful and actionable hands-on study of relevant information on a range of topics that deal with the eight Mathematical Practices that promote effective learning and the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics; child development and how our general knowledge about young children and how they learn can help teach mathematics; specific, appropriate experiences for the young child that link the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Standards for Mathematical Practice and math content; tips and strategies.

Tuesday, February 24th

3:30-5:30

Tuesday, March 31st 3:30-5:30

Tuesday, April 28th 3:30-5:30

Uphaus Brian Mowry

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Professional Development Spring Calendar, continued

Early Childhood Science Early

Childhood Science: Not So New Kids in the Blocks! (PK and K)

#76383

Blocks are a great way to integrate all subject areas! Participants will gather ideas to incorporate literacy, science, and mathematics to enhance their student’s block experiences. This session will share ideas about setup, organization, and block extension materials. Participants will leave with ideas, rebus charts, and a few materials for their classroom.

Wednesday, March 25th 3:30-5:30

Mathews, Room #109

(No designated

parking. Park along

street behind

school or on side streets)

Diana McMillan and

Cheryl Wootton

Team Leader Curriculum Updates Section Description Date(s) Location Presenter(s)

Pre-K Team Leader

Curriculum Update: 2015 3rd

Nine Weeks (North) #76402

District Curriculum Specialist will share information and curriculum updates concerning the new CRMs and Assessment Rubrics. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and provide campus feedback with regard to these instructional planning documents.

Wednesday, February 25th

3:30-5:30

Lucy Read EC Staff

Pre-K Team Leader

Curriculum Update: 2015 3rd

Nine Weeks (South) #76403

District Curriculum Specialist will share information and curriculum updates concerning the new CRMs and Assessment Rubrics. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and provide campus feedback with regard to these instructional planning documents.

Wednesday, March 4th 3:30-5:30

Uphaus EC Staff

Pre-K Team Leader

Curriculum Update: 2015 4th

Nine Weeks (North) #76404

District Curriculum Specialist will share information and curriculum updates concerning the 2nd Nine Weeks CRMs and Assessment Rubrics. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and provide campus feedback with regard to these instructional planning documents.

Wednesday, April 15th 3:30-5:30

Lucy Read EC Staff

Pre-K Team Leader

Curriculum Update: 2015 4th

Nine Weeks (South) #76405

District Curriculum Specialist will share information and curriculum updates concerning the 2nd Nine Weeks CRMs and Assessment Rubrics. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and provide campus feedback with regard to these instructional planning documents.

Wednesday, April 22nd 3:30-5:30

Uphaus EC Staff

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AISD EARLY CHILDHOOD

Jacquie Porter 414-4740

Debra Caldwell 414-4790

Sylina Valdez 414-9682

Brian Mowry 414-9683

Robbie Polan 414-7487

Melinda Servantez 414-7485

Diane Smith 414-9684

Irene Campos 841-6561

Crystal Castañeda 841-6561

Alexa Obregón 841-6561

Office Fax 414-9879

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Documents

WILD, WILD ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD!curriculum.austinisd.org/schoolnetDocs/early... · and my favorite, their Book Nooks. Book Nooks are easy-to-use guides created especially for teachers