Search results matching tag 'the preschool teachers journal'

7 Reasons Why Teachers are Such Great Bloggers

Anonymous — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 04:45:00 GMT

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Pix from The Anti-Social Media

I was a blogger-in-bloom in 2009. I had been a preschool teacher for twenty-years at that time and I was really just looking to share my experiences.

I got spammed by someone my first month-ahem. (By a non-teacher blogger, mind you.)

Not that I did anything wrong. Well, other than the fact that I didn’t know how to connect with others on the blogosphere. Maybe I did comment-faux-pas, who knows?

The simple fact was that I was wholeheartedly looking for how to do this blogging stuff right.

It reminded me of my first few years of being a preschool teacher. I could tell you all about it but I believe we would all have similar stories of feelings of inadequacy.

I know in so many ways, just like blogging, teachers look to get things right because we sincerely care. Which is what really prompted me to write about why teachers are such great bloggers.

So, if you don’t have a blog, or are considering to blog, I really hope this motivates you to start!

Reason #1 Teachers are Persistent

All good teachers are persistent. Persistence leads to consistency which is needed in blogging. Most blogs wither away on the vine for lack of attention and grooming. We as teachers understand that where there is a will there’s a way. We make time for blogging just like we make time for the quiet or crying child. It’s part of our DNA.

Reason #2 Teachers are Sincere

We know that the children would never give us the time of day if we talked like a stale piece of toast. Teachers know how to jazz up dusty routines, always make the old feel new again, and have that amazing ability to teach and reach the heart at the same time. It comes with practice and sincerity. It transitions well over into our blogs, too.

Reason #3 Teachers Know How to Share

Teachers understand that sharing doesn’t come naturally. We know because we spend so much time encouraging it. Blogging requires social networking which really means that we aren’t afraid to get excited about one another's ideas. Teacher’s blog about one another’s blogs: yes, we actually do activities we say we are going to do. Sharing and blogging is a form of virtual encouragement and affirmation at times.

Reason #3 Teachers are Patient

Blogging takes patience. Not only the learning process but the overall netiquette involved. We have all worked with children in the classroom that have had a bit of a time making friends, socializing, or learning something new.

As teachers we are helpers one to another. We understand it takes time to learn new things and get set up on new blogging platforms. Because blogging teachers took time with me I learned about the ways I could take time with others.

Reason #4 Teachers are Creative

Is this the only profession where you can see the same project posted one hundred different ways and we still blog about it? Did you ever wonder why? Teachers are creative in blogging or we would have gone the way of the dinosaur years ago.

Reason #5 Teachers are Inspirational

Teachers are nothing like firecrackers. We don’t put on a grand show and fizzle out in a random puff of smoke. We have an amazing ability to inspire and that has a lot to do with Reason #4. Much of our inspiration comes from the classroom and overflows into the willingness to share with other like-minded individuals. Blogging is a great outlet for us. We motivate and inspire one another!

Reason #6 Teachers Think Outside the Box

Perhaps our own children rub off on us a bit. Thinking outside the box requires looking at solutions and problems in new ways, even if it means getting out of our comfort zone. A good blog stands out from the others through presentation and the angle in which it’s presented.

The same requirement stands good in lesson planning.

Reason #7 Teachers Are Willing to Be Transparent

Blogs are liked for their personality, authenticity and ability make others want to engage. Interestingly enough, these are the attributes of a child’s favorite teacher. How many of us have gone the extra mile at story time, been the butt of a joke for the sake making an upset child laugh or reminding the children at how much you care about them being happy and safe.

Find out more reasons why teachers should blog

Our children are the first ones to call a phony a phony. As adults we learn to think it, but not say it. I have always felt that teacher’s fall somewhere in between.

It’s a blessing to yourself be self aware. It’s a gift to others to be transparent enough to share yourself as well as your thoughts openly without hurting feelings.

When a teacher finds the right balance in a blog; and we usually do, it’s a beautiful thing.

How to Have a Sugar-Free Halloween for Preschool Kids

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:38:00 GMT

Screams, howls, and groaning; It’s Halloween, but really it our preschool kids on too much sugar. That eerie feeling in the pit of our stomach is not the excitement but the knowledge that every year we got through the same thing regarding sugar and the kids in the classroom.

It’s time to channel Susan Powter and ‘Stop the Insanity!’ So, is there really such thing as a sugar-free Halloween in our own classroom without the kids knowing? I say there is. We made it so fun and got the parents involved that the kids didn’t notice they weren’t screaming from the sugar rush.

Here are a few things we did to make the Halloween pleasant and fun and practically sugar-free everyone. And it you don’t have tons of volunteers, just make a few modifications.

How We Make a Practically Sugar-Free Halloween for Our Preschool Kids

Get a fun Halloween Music CD.

Sugar-Free Goodies: Put together small bags of “Yummy Earth” (Sugar Free Candy) Candies in Halloween Goodie Bags (Distribute them after the Party).

The way Halloween haunts me: Kids on sugar!

Apple Float Activity: Fishing for Apples, Float real apples in a large tub of water with mini fishing rods (with magnets on the end). (Stick a paper clip through a golf tee and shove it in an apple, do this a couple times per apple) Float the apples in the water and allow the children to “fish them”. They loved it! Be sure to use small size red apples.

Kids Crazy Glow Water: We make this one ahead of time and turn out the lights on one side of the class room and have it sectioned off a bit with a black sheet and black light. The water is in a larger water table for all the kids to use. We keep this well supervised.

The Slime Pit: We use a cornstarch and water mix to make ooze called the slime pit. We put Halloween trinkets in there like spiders and such and later on add an extension such as food colors to allow the kids to mix colors.

Less Treats More Fun: Much later in the day we have a few Halloween stories and some carrot cake. The kids also vote on some of the same activities we had inside to bring outside (except for the Crazy Glow Water, of course).

By the end of the day we are really worn out.
But at least our eardrums aren’t ringing....

We hope you'll give it a try, we are pretty sure you'll feel brilliant that you did!

Ha! Out-smarted Halloween this year, baby!

A Tribute to The Early Childhood Educator

Anonymous — Tue, 24 May 2011 03:30:00 GMT

Here is a tribute to the Early Childhood Educator.

The hopelessly optimistic.

The peace maker.

The negotiator.

The round peg in the square hole.
The one who will always see things differently.
And welcomes spontaneity.

Parents love them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can't do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They push the human race forward.

And while some may see them as those square pegs,
many see genius.

Because the people who are unique enough to think
they can change the world,
Are the ones who often do.

~Adapted by Barbra The Bloggess from Apple 1997 (Ad)

Teachers Touch the Future

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:11:00 GMT

Touching The Future

I don't wear power suits,
make speeches,
or drive a fancy sports car.

I've never talked on a car phone,

made a big sale,

or been elected to the Senate.

I don't "do lunch",
have a big impressive office,
or carry a beeper.

I spend my days wiping away tears,
giving hugs,
and serving chicken nuggets.

A good day is when I go through a whole day
without a temper tantrum,
bite mark,
or a toilet training accident.

My "office" is a room full of brightly colored toys
and laughing children.

You may not think that what I do is very important
and you may even whisper behind my back
"What a waste of a good mind"
But I know better.

I make a difference
because I'm changing the world
one child at a time.

Everyday I'm getting the once in a lifetime chance
to touch the future.

I'm proud to say "I'm a teacher".

~ by Marti Doyle

Curiosity in Early Childhood Education

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 21:52:00 GMT

The world is an oyster for the curious by nature!

Curiosity.........leads to Exploration
Exploration.....leads to Discovery
Discovery.......leads to Wonder
Wonder.........leads to Repetition
Repetition.......leads to Mastery
Mastery..........leads to New Skills
New Skills.......lead to Confidence
Confidence.....leads to Self Esteem
Self Esteem....leads to Sense of Security

What ways and activities do you promote curiosity in your early childhood settings?

The Teacher's Child Like Heart

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:30:00 GMT

I have often wondered what it is that keeps teachers going through the tough times. The sacrifices we make for the greater good are so light compared to the hope of a child's enthusiasm and excitement toward learning.
I have never really asked anyone but I assumed its the child like qualities we have kept within ourselves.
The ability to see through the eyes of children still comes from the heart.
Here are just a few attributes I have found teachers have toward the ability to keep giving with a smile.

Attributes of a Teachers Child Like Heart:

Child Like Gullibility: The ability to read a book for the twenty seventh time and still be able to express surprise at the ending.

Child Like Imagination: The ability to lose yourself in imagination with others while delighting in what could be possible.

Child Like Wonder: The ability to withhold all the answers you know and understand while encouraging wonder and conversation toward what seems magical.

Child Like Demeanor: Maintaining a child like heart without being childish. Always being inclined to see 'fun' in every opportunity.

Child Like in Friendship: Quick to forgive and slow to remember faults.

Child Like Thinking: Everything is possible and impossible is nothing! Especially after gram crackers, milk, and a nice long nap.

Share with us the attributes you know about....

What a Toddler Believes

Anonymous — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 13:03:00 GMT

A toddler believes that if you love a person, you stay with that person 100 percent of the time."

~Lawrence Balter

Toddlers happen to be one of my favorite age groups to work with. I although I don't have the opportunity to work with them as much I just thought I would say what a wonderful little band they are.

Their love is a lot like my kitchen blender I have never managed to get rid of.

It has no top.....

Elmer the Elephant Easy Kids Craft

Anonymous — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 05:30:00 GMT

There is something about Elmer the Elephant all kids seem to relate to and love! I find drawing of Elmer strewn all over the art table after we read this story to the kids. The drawings make a lovely patchwork of their own on the table. Here is a really easy Elmer craft we discovered made from plastic milk the parents we saving for us. They came just in time and the preparation was well worth it!

We recommend doing this with the leftovers!

Material for Elmer the Elephant Easy Kids Craft:

Colored tissue paper the children cut into squares
Large plastic milk cartons (with a handle)
White Glue
Water and Small Cups (enough for everyone)
Paint Brushes
Wiggle Eyes
Scissors

The Process

Pre-cut the milk carton's, just so, and make 1 part water, 2 parts glue solution in cups for each of the kids.

They love helping with this!

After the children have cut out all the tissue squares give them the cartons and cups with paintbrushes.

Ta-Da! Here He is!

After the kids begin gently painting the cartons they can apply the tissue paper and gently paint it down with the glue solution.

Try not to soak Elmer or the tissue will slide off.

The children are guaranteed to be delighted! Be sure to put on his eyes after he is dry!

Kids Nature Walk Terrariums

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:44:00 GMT

Look what we found!

I love going on nature walks. Especially, when the weather is nice. I will usually take out my group of kids; paper bags in tow, and we march along singing every song we know while picking up bits of nature. By the time we get back: share our finds, and are ready for a nap, nature has made a lovely fragrant carpet all over the classroom!
Now, we have found a lovely Nature Terrarium project that the parents won't mind the children taking home.

What You'll Need Before Your Nature Walk:

Assorted clean small jars with lids
Moss (At local pet shops or craft supply stores)
Small bowl of water or squirt bottle of water
Magnifiers (optional)

What the Children Should Look for During the Nature Walk:

Pine Needles
Leaves
Twigs
Flowers
Bark

Pix from ourbigearth.com

The Process: Spread out all your findings on a table and inspect them with magnifiers. Gently dampen pieces of moss and securely cover the bottom of the lid with it. from there the kids can make nature arrangements with their findings in the moss.
Once they are finished, help them fasten the lid over their work. The jar helps hold the moss and everything in place!
How to care for you Nature Walk Terrarium: Place it in a lovely place in the classroom to showcase them in indirect sunlight.

Thank you Robbin Rivers from ourbigearth.com for this great idea!

The Writing is On The Wall

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:02:00 GMT

Nothing like twelve shocked chubby faces all wondering 'who did it?' I have my suspicions, of course.
From an artists prospective, what does this piece say to you?