I am very excited to host my first linky party! I am a huge fan of linky's especially Farley's Currently and Tara's Monday Made It! So I originally had just posted this as a regular post, but after some suggestions for a linky I decided why not! Plus at first I had thought it would be a cool linky, but wasn't sure. Anyways here goes.
Please share your advise on what you wish you had been told prior to teaching KINDERGARTEN?
My personal advise is WHATEVER you think they know...... they DON'T!
They can't hold a pencil, they can't color in the lines, they can't use scissors, they can't walk in a straight line, etc. Granted yes some can, but you have to TEACH them everything!
Most have never been in a school setting and we are sometimes the first person they have to listen to that is not a family member. Some have never been around other kids. Some come to you reading and writing already (this happens to be 1 or 2 out of my 20 a year). Some do not know their name, yet alone how to write it. Some can not clean themselves up after a trip to the bathroom because mom has done everything for them. They can't open any of the lunch they bring because it is opened for them at home. Most of our students are dependent on adults and struggle to even TRY to do something independently.
And yet we as KINDERGARTEN teachers are suppose to have them all reading and writing by the end of the year!
I believe the first nine weeks of school are pure torture for kindergarten teachers. We have to do everything in super slow motion. We have to teach the the routines and rules and everything.
But I also believe we have the most rewarding job because come the end of the school year we can look back and see the growth of each child in our room. The one who could not write his/her name is now reading and writing three page stories.
So I hope you see where this idea came from and I hope this benefits at least one person who is moving to Kindergarten from another grade or a brand new teacher!
My personal advise is WHATEVER you think they know...... they DON'T!
They can't hold a pencil, they can't color in the lines, they can't use scissors, they can't walk in a straight line, etc. Granted yes some can, but you have to TEACH them everything!
Most have never been in a school setting and we are sometimes the first person they have to listen to that is not a family member. Some have never been around other kids. Some come to you reading and writing already (this happens to be 1 or 2 out of my 20 a year). Some do not know their name, yet alone how to write it. Some can not clean themselves up after a trip to the bathroom because mom has done everything for them. They can't open any of the lunch they bring because it is opened for them at home. Most of our students are dependent on adults and struggle to even TRY to do something independently.
And yet we as KINDERGARTEN teachers are suppose to have them all reading and writing by the end of the year!
I believe the first nine weeks of school are pure torture for kindergarten teachers. We have to do everything in super slow motion. We have to teach the the routines and rules and everything.
But I also believe we have the most rewarding job because come the end of the school year we can look back and see the growth of each child in our room. The one who could not write his/her name is now reading and writing three page stories.
So I hope you see where this idea came from and I hope this benefits at least one person who is moving to Kindergarten from another grade or a brand new teacher!
Please grab the picture above to go with your post! I found this free frame from www.traceeorman.com.
I can't wait to read everyone's advise.
I can't wait to read everyone's advise.
4 comments:
Great advice!
Erica
Sprinkles to Kindergarten
great linky!
http://musingsofaprimaryteacher.blogspot.com
Hi, thanks so much for commenting on my posts!!! I wasn't sure if you got my responses, so I e-mailed you.
This is such a great idea! I will be joining your linky soon but first... I am passing along the One Lovely Blog Award to YOU! You have started a very lovely blog and I just had to pass it on! Come on over to my blog to pick it up!
Vanessa
Kindergarten Schmindergarten
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