The first days of school are all about getting to know the children and helping the children get to know each other. Learning names is a big part of building classroom relationships. This experience is perfect for the first days of school.
The teacher helps the children count the letters in the names, decide in which column to place individual name strips and clap once for each syllable in the names as they are spoken.
Some questions are listed in the lesson description, but many other questions and discussion could be a part of this activity and would enrich the experience greatly. Possible questions include: "How did you get your name?" or "Who else do you know that has the same name as you do?" This activity is so short, perhaps it would be well placed within a class project or rich "all about me" unit of study.
the outdoors is a great place to spend time in the late summer and early fall, especially with a group of new kindergarteners who need to wiggle. As you start the school year, use this lesson to help your children explore their senses as they observe the weather changes that occur in the Fall. Then return to this lesson at different times during the year not only so your children can observe the changes in the weather, but so that you can observe the changes in your children. (author/nmb)
This resource is an article from NAEYC''s Beyond the Journal. It addresses one of the greatest challenges for both families and teachers of young children - separation from parents and other transitional issues. The young child''s transition to a school experience can be very stressful for everyone involved. Teacher are sensitive to the needs of children, but some children still have difficulty separating from parents. Social stories - teacher made books written for children on topics relevant to an individual - can provide assistance for those toddlers and preschoolers who need help. Perhaps this interesting strategy will help a child you know. (author/nmb)
This article provides a wealth of information for parents who want to provide the best support for their children who are entering the school environment. When parents and teachers work well together, everyone benefits. Parents and teachers can provide each other with unique insight and different perspectives about the same child, culminating in a more complete understanding of that child, her abilities, strengths, and challenges. In addition to this information from Polly Greenberg, the resource offers other links and articles on home-school connections and parents' involvement in their children's school life. (author/nmb)
This simple home literacy environment checklist encourages families to look around the home and think about what is done in the home to make learning a priority and to build literacy skills. The parent can use the results as a guideline to see what can be done to better help the child grow and learn. (author/nmb)
This simple classroom literacy environment checklist encourages educators to look around the classroom and think about what is done to make learning a priority and to build literacy skills. The teacher can use the results as a guideline to see what can be done to better help the child grow and learn. A home literacy environment checklist is also available in the REC database of resources. (author/nmb)