Web Sites to Visit
www.starfall.com We use this web site in our classroom.
www.internet4classrooms.com Click on links for Prek-12, go to kindergarten zone, It has a lot of great web sites for students needs. Dolch sight words matching game is very fun. Great links.
www.studyisland.com Great web site. Glenpool Schools uses it for the upper grades but cannot afford it for the kindergarten. If you would like to get it at your house the cost is $59.00. It is a great web site that covers the Oklahoma Pass Objectives, You can check out some of the games for free.
www.kidshealth.org This web site has children's health and development
www.kinderstart.com This site has helpful information about the whole child.
www.readwritethink.org This web site offers parent resources
www.pbskids.orgThis web site has kids games, parent information, coloring activities, songs, and more
www.kerpoof.com This is a website designed for children it is learning through creativity
www.arbookfind.com This web site is designed to determine a reading level of a book. Just type in the book title and it will tell you the reading level of the book.
www.internet4classrooms.com Click on links for Prek-12, go to kindergarten zone, It has a lot of great web sites for students needs. Dolch sight words matching game is very fun. Great links.
www.studyisland.com Great web site. Glenpool Schools uses it for the upper grades but cannot afford it for the kindergarten. If you would like to get it at your house the cost is $59.00. It is a great web site that covers the Oklahoma Pass Objectives, You can check out some of the games for free.
www.kidshealth.org This web site has children's health and development
www.kinderstart.com This site has helpful information about the whole child.
www.readwritethink.org This web site offers parent resources
www.pbskids.orgThis web site has kids games, parent information, coloring activities, songs, and more
www.kerpoof.com This is a website designed for children it is learning through creativity
www.arbookfind.com This web site is designed to determine a reading level of a book. Just type in the book title and it will tell you the reading level of the book.
Reading List
- Allard, Harry. Miss Nelson Is Missing!
- Ames, Lee J. Draw Draw Draw.
- Anonymous. Fairy tales, folk tales, and nursery rhymes including: "Cinderella," "The Gingerbread Man," "Little Red Riding Hood," "The Three Little Pigs," "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," and Mother Goose rhymes.
- Bemelmans, Ludwig. Madeleine.
- Berenstain, Stan and Jan. The Berenstain Bears.
- Bridwell, Norman. Clifford, the Big Red Dog.
- Brown, Margaret W. Goodnight, Moon.
- Carle, Eric. The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
- Mayer, Mercer. There's a Nightmare in My Closet.
- McCloskey, Robert. Make Way for Ducklings.
- Piper, Watty. The Little Engine That Could.
- Potter, Beatrix. The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
- Rey, H.A. Curious George.
- Sendak, Maurice. Where the Wild Things Are.
- Seuss, Dr. The Cat in the Hat.
- Solbodkina, Esphyr. Caps for Sale.
- Waber, Bernard. Ira Sleeps Over.
- Zion, Gene. Harry the Dirty Dog.
What Should Kindergartners be Learning
From www.pbs.org
Most kindergartners want to learn all about the world and how it works. Kindergarten teachers often build on this enthusiasm by offering projects that encourage children to delve deeper into the areas that interest them. Children may make life-size tracings of themselves as they learn about the human body, or study animal habitats by researching information about the class pet.
Many kindergarten classrooms offer more formal learning and traditional school experiences than preschool. But kindergarten is still intended to stimulate children’s curiosity to learn more about the world around them. It’s the job of the kindergarten teacher to help children become comfortable working in a classroom setting and to introduce some basic literacy and math-related skills in the midst of their important discoveries.
Language & Literacy
Kindergarten children notice that words are all around — in books, at the supermarket, at the bus stop and in their homes. They play with language by creating silly rhymes and nonsense words. While this is usually great fun, it is also a very important step in learning to read.
Teachers read a variety of poems, stories, and non-fiction books aloud to children. Kindergarten children learn that letters and sounds go together to form words, and how to identify alphabet letters and their sounds. Many kindergarten children are expected to read words by the end of the year.
Parents may receive their child’s first poem, as kindergartners will be asked to do more writing than preschoolers. Your kindergartner's journal may look like a combination of letter strings and scribbles to most people, but it carries a most important message — that he can write to create his own stories, to tell about his experiences, and to share information.
Math
Counting cubes, number rods, and other math materials help kindergartners work with a larger set of numbers. Children also begin to use physical materials to solve simple addition and subtraction problems, like how many cookies they’ll have left after they’ve shared some with a friend. They’ll learn about time, using tools like clocks and calendars regularly in the classroom. While they’re not fully able to tell time or even realize exactly what a month or a second is, they’ll begin to understand that one measures a longer amount of time, and the other a short amount.
Science
In kindergarten, children learn about plants and animals and explore the weather and seasons. Teachers use simple science experiments to introduce children to the process of scientific inquiry. Kindergarteners are now capable of remembering more information and using it to make connections between things. They can separate toy animals into groups, such as those that are found on the land, sea, or sky; or animals that hatch from eggs and animals that do not.
Social Studies
Kindergartners are ready to expand their world beyond their homes and classrooms to the larger neighborhood or community. They learn more about the rules that help people get along with each other. They may begin to form opinions on issues and understand that others may have different points of view — noticing that a classmate didn’t get a turn during a game and letting the teacher know by saying, "That’s not fair!"
Most kindergartners want to learn all about the world and how it works. Kindergarten teachers often build on this enthusiasm by offering projects that encourage children to delve deeper into the areas that interest them. Children may make life-size tracings of themselves as they learn about the human body, or study animal habitats by researching information about the class pet.
Many kindergarten classrooms offer more formal learning and traditional school experiences than preschool. But kindergarten is still intended to stimulate children’s curiosity to learn more about the world around them. It’s the job of the kindergarten teacher to help children become comfortable working in a classroom setting and to introduce some basic literacy and math-related skills in the midst of their important discoveries.
Language & Literacy
Kindergarten children notice that words are all around — in books, at the supermarket, at the bus stop and in their homes. They play with language by creating silly rhymes and nonsense words. While this is usually great fun, it is also a very important step in learning to read.
Teachers read a variety of poems, stories, and non-fiction books aloud to children. Kindergarten children learn that letters and sounds go together to form words, and how to identify alphabet letters and their sounds. Many kindergarten children are expected to read words by the end of the year.
Parents may receive their child’s first poem, as kindergartners will be asked to do more writing than preschoolers. Your kindergartner's journal may look like a combination of letter strings and scribbles to most people, but it carries a most important message — that he can write to create his own stories, to tell about his experiences, and to share information.
Math
Counting cubes, number rods, and other math materials help kindergartners work with a larger set of numbers. Children also begin to use physical materials to solve simple addition and subtraction problems, like how many cookies they’ll have left after they’ve shared some with a friend. They’ll learn about time, using tools like clocks and calendars regularly in the classroom. While they’re not fully able to tell time or even realize exactly what a month or a second is, they’ll begin to understand that one measures a longer amount of time, and the other a short amount.
Science
In kindergarten, children learn about plants and animals and explore the weather and seasons. Teachers use simple science experiments to introduce children to the process of scientific inquiry. Kindergarteners are now capable of remembering more information and using it to make connections between things. They can separate toy animals into groups, such as those that are found on the land, sea, or sky; or animals that hatch from eggs and animals that do not.
Social Studies
Kindergartners are ready to expand their world beyond their homes and classrooms to the larger neighborhood or community. They learn more about the rules that help people get along with each other. They may begin to form opinions on issues and understand that others may have different points of view — noticing that a classmate didn’t get a turn during a game and letting the teacher know by saying, "That’s not fair!"
My Philosophy of Education
My beliefs on education are unique in many ways. I believe the purpose of education should be children centered. The needs of the children should be considered above all others. I also believe the learning environment should always be just that, a learning environment, with the knowledge that the children are the ones learning. It is important for the students to be involved in the arts to enhance their creative thinking. The physical setting should be children appropriate with a curriculum that is also appropriate for the development of the children. The teachers should be caring and loving and the children should feel safe with their teachers. The families and the community should be involved with the school and the education that their children are receiving.
I believe the purpose of education is to teach children how to think and how to learn more easily. Education is a process of living and the development of children should always be considered when teaching a child. Education should allow the students to develop a positive self-image, self-discipline and control, respect for themselves and others, and self motivation. Students should be challenged and motivated by their lessons and should enjoy success. They should also be creatively stimulated and encouraged to strive to be the best they can be. It is my goal as an educator to insure that all students become lifelong learners.
I believe the needs of the children are above all the main focus. Children must be treated as individuals. All are unique and all children should be treated with respect and understanding. Children learn differently, they have different learning styles and learn at different stages. Children are not little adults. They are children and have only been on this earth a short period of time. It is our responsibility as adults to teach our children what we as adults have learned. We as educators must also make the subject matter as interesting as possible. The thirst for learning and knowledge is most critical and without the desire to learn a child may never succeed. Children learn more easily when they are intrigued, so intrigue!
I believe the learning environments should be children centered. Toys, blocks, books, crayons, and other children items should be placed at the children level. The classroom should have centers for the children and they should be able to choose which activity they would like to do. A child may decide to play dress up and become a doctor while another child may decide to play store. Yet other children may choose to play with the blocks. All the children are involved in different activities and all of them are learning while playing. Education should be based on spontaneous interest and activities of the children’s choice. It may seem as merely child’s play but in reality it is educational play.
I believe that all children are creative. Children have unique ideas but may not yet have the ability to execute them, or communicate them clearly to others. An effective teacher has the key to unlock the creative potential in the students. Though interactive experience with the arts, children engage in the learning processes of exploring ideas, creating meaning, constructing knowledge, and communicating concepts, thoughts, and feelings.
I believe the curriculum we teach our children should bare in mind the development of the child that is being taught. As educators we should observe the children and follow their lead rather than have them follow ours. Education should not only take place in the classroom but outside as well. There is so much to see and learn. A walk around the school can become a great exploration. A teacher may decide to have the children pick up trash for Earth Day and have them make a collage together. In the fall the children can collect leaves and discover the different colors and textures of all the fallen treasures. The possibilities are endless. Children learn though discovery. As John Dewey stated in Schools of Tomorrow “Learning from experience! Learning though active engagement. This meant doing real activities with real meaning. In contrast, rote learning was like learning to swim without going near the water.” A child learns from experience and that is why the curriculum in the classroom should be hands on and interesting to the child.
I believe that teachers should have qualities like know other. They are with our children six to seven hours a day, five days a week. They must be loving, caring, patient, understanding, creative, and optimistic. Teachers should also be learners. They need to be willing to observe and study children. They should be willing to take educational classes to improve their knowledge of children. Teachers need to provide lots of new experiences for children to learn from. Though projects, investigative play experiences, and divergent materials, children develop positive social skills such as cooperation, negotiation, problem solving, and perseverance. They should not only teach children to count by numbers but to be taught number relationship. A teacher must satisfy the interest of the child. They must be willing to change when change is needed.
I believe that the community and the families all need to be involved in the success of the school. More will be accomplished if schools, families, and the community work together to promote successful students. Parental involvement is a key component in the success. Parents should be involved with their children’s education. I believe it is the responsibility of the school and the teachers to ask for help and input from the parents. Parents can put on a bake sale to make money for a field trip. They can help with homemade things, such as play dough. They can donate books, magazines, and clothing for dress up. It is my belief that parents do want to be involved but they do not know how. The community should also be involved. Firemen should bring their fire truck to school for the children to explore. Policemen should bring their police cars as well. Libraries’ should open early for the children to come visit and explore all the different books. Our schools must improve education for all children, but schools cannot do this alone.
In conclusion it is my belief that education should be for the children. They are the most important ingredient in education. The learning environment should be age appropriate. Children should be inspired to learn from their environment as well as their teachers. Teachers should make learning interesting for all children. Finally, the family and community need to be involved in the educational process to ensure a successful experience for all of our children.
I believe the purpose of education is to teach children how to think and how to learn more easily. Education is a process of living and the development of children should always be considered when teaching a child. Education should allow the students to develop a positive self-image, self-discipline and control, respect for themselves and others, and self motivation. Students should be challenged and motivated by their lessons and should enjoy success. They should also be creatively stimulated and encouraged to strive to be the best they can be. It is my goal as an educator to insure that all students become lifelong learners.
I believe the needs of the children are above all the main focus. Children must be treated as individuals. All are unique and all children should be treated with respect and understanding. Children learn differently, they have different learning styles and learn at different stages. Children are not little adults. They are children and have only been on this earth a short period of time. It is our responsibility as adults to teach our children what we as adults have learned. We as educators must also make the subject matter as interesting as possible. The thirst for learning and knowledge is most critical and without the desire to learn a child may never succeed. Children learn more easily when they are intrigued, so intrigue!
I believe the learning environments should be children centered. Toys, blocks, books, crayons, and other children items should be placed at the children level. The classroom should have centers for the children and they should be able to choose which activity they would like to do. A child may decide to play dress up and become a doctor while another child may decide to play store. Yet other children may choose to play with the blocks. All the children are involved in different activities and all of them are learning while playing. Education should be based on spontaneous interest and activities of the children’s choice. It may seem as merely child’s play but in reality it is educational play.
I believe that all children are creative. Children have unique ideas but may not yet have the ability to execute them, or communicate them clearly to others. An effective teacher has the key to unlock the creative potential in the students. Though interactive experience with the arts, children engage in the learning processes of exploring ideas, creating meaning, constructing knowledge, and communicating concepts, thoughts, and feelings.
I believe the curriculum we teach our children should bare in mind the development of the child that is being taught. As educators we should observe the children and follow their lead rather than have them follow ours. Education should not only take place in the classroom but outside as well. There is so much to see and learn. A walk around the school can become a great exploration. A teacher may decide to have the children pick up trash for Earth Day and have them make a collage together. In the fall the children can collect leaves and discover the different colors and textures of all the fallen treasures. The possibilities are endless. Children learn though discovery. As John Dewey stated in Schools of Tomorrow “Learning from experience! Learning though active engagement. This meant doing real activities with real meaning. In contrast, rote learning was like learning to swim without going near the water.” A child learns from experience and that is why the curriculum in the classroom should be hands on and interesting to the child.
I believe that teachers should have qualities like know other. They are with our children six to seven hours a day, five days a week. They must be loving, caring, patient, understanding, creative, and optimistic. Teachers should also be learners. They need to be willing to observe and study children. They should be willing to take educational classes to improve their knowledge of children. Teachers need to provide lots of new experiences for children to learn from. Though projects, investigative play experiences, and divergent materials, children develop positive social skills such as cooperation, negotiation, problem solving, and perseverance. They should not only teach children to count by numbers but to be taught number relationship. A teacher must satisfy the interest of the child. They must be willing to change when change is needed.
I believe that the community and the families all need to be involved in the success of the school. More will be accomplished if schools, families, and the community work together to promote successful students. Parental involvement is a key component in the success. Parents should be involved with their children’s education. I believe it is the responsibility of the school and the teachers to ask for help and input from the parents. Parents can put on a bake sale to make money for a field trip. They can help with homemade things, such as play dough. They can donate books, magazines, and clothing for dress up. It is my belief that parents do want to be involved but they do not know how. The community should also be involved. Firemen should bring their fire truck to school for the children to explore. Policemen should bring their police cars as well. Libraries’ should open early for the children to come visit and explore all the different books. Our schools must improve education for all children, but schools cannot do this alone.
In conclusion it is my belief that education should be for the children. They are the most important ingredient in education. The learning environment should be age appropriate. Children should be inspired to learn from their environment as well as their teachers. Teachers should make learning interesting for all children. Finally, the family and community need to be involved in the educational process to ensure a successful experience for all of our children.