Mrs. Engstrom's Kindergarten

Winter Break Ideas

2011-12-29T06:53:00.000-08:00

Here are some things you can do with your child during winter break!

Clean out backpack
Read all the books in the backpack
Do all the worksheets in the backpack
Play a board or card game every day
Go to the public library and get a bag full of books
Go to a zoo or museum
Listen to some music
Take a walk, shovel snow, build a snowman, go sledding or skating
Bake or cook something delicious
Write thank you notes
Write and illustrate a story about Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa
Do something kind for someone else
Clean the house
Put away holiday decorations
Go through closets and drawers and take out clothing that no longer fits
Tell your child some stories from your childhood
Practice putting on snowpants, boots, coat, hat, and mittens

Gingerbread

2011-12-16T13:21:00.000-08:00

If I could rewrite "The Night Before Christmas", I would change it from visions of sugarplums to visions of gingerbread! At the beginning of December I made large gingerbread people so each child could have one to cut out and "decorate" with tempera paint. I would have several other gingerbread projects throughout the month, culminating with decorating gingerbread people cookies for the holiday party on the last day before winter break.
There are many gingerbread books that I enjoy sharing with children! It is fun to read several versions of the story and find things that are the same and different in the various books.
THE GINGERBREAD BOY by Paul Galdone is a classic. To me this is the most authentic gingerbread story.
THE GINGERBREAD MAN by Jim Aylesworth and Barbara McClintock is similar. There are different people and animals involved.
THE GINGERBREAD BABY by Jan Brett has beautiful pictures, along with hints about where the gingerbread baby is!
THE GINGERBREAD GIRL by Lisa Campbell Ernst has a girl as the main character. She has many adventures!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-14T13:22:00.000-08:00

Since Thanksgiving is coming next week, this is a good time to think about Thanksgiving in kindergarten. It is good to help young children think about things they are thankful for. This is a great time to make a class book where everyone makes their own picture of something they are thankful for. The child can then write words, or can dictate words that the teacher writes or types on the computer. Then all the pages from the entire class are put together to make a book. Another project is for the teacher to make a large turkey and then each child writes what he/she is thankful for on a tail feather. I also enjoyed doing a fun turkey project where children glued pieces together to make their turkey. Sometimes we also had a modified "feast".
Here are some books that I loved reading to the children to prepare them for the holiday.
OH, WHAT A THANKSGIVING! by Steven Kroll
David imagines what it would be like to be a Pilgrim boy at the first Thanksgiving as he participates in his own present-day holiday.
THANKS FOR THANKSGIVING by Julie Marks
This book depicts many things that children are thankful for.
OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOOD by L. Maria Child
I think every child should learn this song! Seeing the pictures help the children understand the words.
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY: A COUNTING BOOK by Laura Krauss Melmed
I always liked to share books that involved a skill I was trying to teach, such as counting!

Courage

2011-11-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

There is a Mary Engelbreit illustration that has great meaning for me. It is a picture of a teacher in her classroom. The room is obviously ready for the first day of school. Above the clock is a single word-- "Courage".

It takes a great amount of courage for a person to become a teacher. I still remember challenges I faced both as an elementary education major in college and as a student teacher. Having subsequently worked with many student teachers, I know that becoming a teacher is increasingly more difficult.

Then once a person obtains a teaching position, there are countless situations that call for great courage. Being in charge of a class is only part of the scenario. There are always dialogues with administrators, school board members, and fellow teachers. But some of the most difficult involve interactions with parents. It is challenging to tell parents things about their child that may not wish to hear.

At the end of one's teaching career, it takes great courage to make the decision to leave teaching. Cleaning out a classroom is not a simple spring housekeeping task. It is seeing your entire life as a teacher pass before you. The notes, photos, mementos, lesson plans, books, and all the teaching materials are full of memories. It is important to know what to keep for happy reminiscing in the next stage of life!

Halloween Fun

2011-10-25T10:18:00.000-07:00

For most little children, Halloween is one of their favorite holidays! What could be more fun than dressing up as your favorite character and getting lots of candy? For teachers and parents, there are legitimate concerns about how to make this a fun and happy day.

As a kindergarten teacher, I always started out with some rules to make the day go well. I always loved to have the children come to school in their costumes (dressing an entire class before the all school parade was not my idea of a good time!). However, I always had the rule of no masks, no play weapons, and no sharp or pointed objects. This helped keep the children safe. My other rule was no sweets for the party snacks. I knew the children would be getting lots of candy when they went trick or treating, so I asked the room parents to provide healthy snacks. They had very creative ideas such as vegetable skeletons and steaming apple cider. We also enjoyed cheese and crackers or muffins.

There are so many fun Halloween books! One of my all time favorites is HUMBUG WITCH by Lorna Balin. This is a great story for children who may be afraid of seeing their classmates show up with wings, fangs, tails, and scary faces!

A DARK, DARK, TALE by Ruth Brown is a great book with repetition. It has a surprise ending! There are other versions of this book that are fun to read and then discuss the similarities and differences.

CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?: ON A SCARY, SCARY NIGHT by Walter Wick has lots of details in the pictures for children (and adults!) to look for.

THE HALLO-WEINER by Dav Pilkey is a wonderful story about Oscar, a weiner dog. In spite of his silly costume, he is able to help his friends.

Great Things About Kindergarten

2011-10-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

Now that I am no longer teaching kindergarten, I have more time to reflect on the amazing life that I had as a kindergarten teacher. Here are some of the great things that I loved so much!

1. Activity time--Some teachers call it play time or choice time. Children learn to play, share, and negotiate. It is interesting to observe what happens! Each child has his/her favorite activity or center, but they also need to try out some new things. Also each child has special friends, but needs encouragement to work and play with other classmates.

2. Reading--All kinds! Story time where I read books to the class, shared reading with big books, and quiet reading time where children chose the books they wanted to look at or read.

3. Math--Math stations were always amazing! I loved letting children choose math activities. Every year I would see children use the materials in ways I had never seen before. I also loved days when we did math graphs, the estimating jar, or played math games.

4. Science--When I began teaching kindergarten in the 1980's we did not have a science curriculum. I had a wonderful time making up my own science projects and activities! When I was cleaning out my classroom I felt very nostalgic as I went through the tubs of items from those days. But when we had a more structured curriculum, I still totally enjoyed our units. It was also exciting to bring in some of my other ideas from time to time!

5. Writing--Few children enter kindergarten as writers, but everyone who left my kindergarten was a writer! It is so exciting to see children begin to put their ideas on paper!

Fall

2011-09-21T06:47:00.000-07:00

This Friday will be the first day of fall. I loved to teach children about seasons! As a very young child, I found seasons very fascinating. So I always tried to recapture my delight in the changing seasons and impart it to my students. The idea behind the fall equinox is very exciting! Most little children understand "equal". Anyone who has ever shared a piece of cake with a sibling knows that concept very well! The first day of fall we have equal amounts of day and night. And then after that the days will keep getting shorter until we get to the shortest day of the year. Fall is a beautiful season! We would always enjoy watching the leaves change from green to red, gold, or brown. Then they would fall off the trees! Sometimes we were fortunate to be outside when birds were migrating. Hearing and seeing wild geese fly overhead is a special treat!

9/11 and Young Children

2011-09-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

As a teacher and a mother, it was always a balancing act to discuss difficult topics with young children in a way that would not cause them more worry and fear, but to still address the situation. My first priority was always to be truthful with children, but to keep my comments as brief as possible.

Since this is the ten year anniversary of 9/11, here are some books that may help teachers and parents. The first two books mention 9/11, the last two do not. Whenever I think of 9/11, I always remember the heroic actions of police and firefighters. I think it is comforting for children to know that there are brave men and women in every community who are here to protect us.

THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS by Mordicai Gerstein

This book was awarded the gold Caldecott medal because of the beautiful pictures. The book is about a man who actually walked on a tightrope between the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center while they were being built.

FIREBOAT by Maira Kalman

An old fireboat that had been restored by a group of people in New York was able to help by pumping water for fire trucks in the aftermath of 9/11.

OFFICER BUCKLE AND GLORIA by Peggy Rathman

This is another gold Caldecott medal book. This is a great book about a police officer and his partner, a creative dog!

FIREFIGHTERS A-Z by Chris L. Demarest

I always liked to read as many alphabet books as possible. This book tells about firefighting in a very engaging way.

Having a Great Year

2011-09-02T17:08:00.000-07:00

Here are a few things parents can do to help their child have a great year in kindergarten!

1. Go to all the beginning of school events--open house, curriculum night, etc. If you absolutely cannot go, let the teacher know, and ask for any handouts.

2. Check your child's backpack every day. Be proactive and reply to everything that is sent home immediately!

3. Find out how your child's teacher communicates with parents. Then use that medium to be in contact.

4. If there is something you need to discuss with the teacher, make an appointment.

5. When it is time to schedule a conference, do it quickly! Try to be flexible! Many people always want the same time, and the teacher has to sign parents up on a first come basis.

6. See if there are any ways you can volunteer.

7. Enjoy the year! I am very biased, but I think kindergarten is the best year of all!

Survival Ideas

2011-08-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

The first days of school are always challenging for everyone! Teachers, parents, and children alike are adjusting to new routines and new people.

For kindergarten children this can be a very difficult time. No matter how excited they are about coming to school, all the changes can be quite daunting. I often told parents that it was somewhat comparable to them taking a new job, but without the years of coping skills they have acquired.

To make life easier, I tried to let parents know that typically their child would require more food and rest than usual.

Also I would caution them that although some children could easily spend an hour discussing the day in great detail, other children would share very abbreviated versions of their day. For some reason, parents were quite happy with the extended report of the day. But it totally concerned parents who asked "How was your day?" and the answer was a terse "Fine." But what really got parents upset was the next question "What did you do today?" and the answer was "Nothing."

I would try to counsel parents to ask specific rather than general questions. "What story did your teacher read today?" or "Who did you eat lunch with?", rather than "How did your day go?"

As a teacher, I always loved the beginning of the year! It is so exciting to have a new group of children, and to think about all the wonderful things that will happen throughout the year!

The First Day of Kindergarten

2011-08-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

As you step inside my door today time reaches out and touches you with gentle fingers.

You look at your baby, but instead you see a five-year-old, eager and excited to join the big kids at school.

Don't blink, because in less time than you can believe your precious child will be leaving us, ready to join with friends at middle school.

So enjoy the moments, both good and bad.

Treasure the days that go by so swiftly.

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

2011-08-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

Going to kindergarten is a very big event! Probably the only other event that will eclipse the first day of kindergarten in your child's school career will be going to college!

Here are some ways to help your child have an easier transition to kindergarten:

1. Visit the school ahead of time if at all possible. It is great if your child can meet his/her new teacher and see the classroom. It is fine if the classroom is still being set up! Little children need to know that there is a process of getting things ready.

2. Go to the playground and let your child play there. This is your child's new park! Let him/her enjoy it and try out the equipment.

3. If your child will walk to school, walk there as often as possible.

4. If your child is riding a bus, walk to the bus stop frequently.

5. Read books with your child about the first day of kindergarten. There are many books available! Here are some of my favorites:

THE NIGHT BEFORE KINDERGARTEN by Natasha Wing

I really enjoy reading books about the night before anything! I think it helps children get prepared for what will happen on a special day.

MISS BINDERGARTEN GETS READY FOR KINDERGARTEN by Joseph Slate

As a teacher, I was always in awe of a dog who could get a classroom set up in one hour! It always took me many days. There are so many interesting things in all the Miss Bindergarten books.

LOOK OUT KINDERGARTEN, HERE I COME by Nancy Carlson

This is a nice story of a mom telling her son about how great kindergarten will be!

THE KISSING HAND by Audrey Penn

If you think your child will have any separation issues, this is the book for you! Chester Raccoon and his mom have a special way of reminding him "Mother loves me".

Summer Ideas

2011-08-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

1. Go to the library often! Let your child choose several books. Parents should choose some books, too!

2. Carry books in your car, backpack, purse, etc. Read whenever there is a free moment.

3. In addition to bedtime reading, read with your child at other times during the day.

4. Practice counting and saying ABC's together. Everyone can take turns saying a letter or number.

5. Count by 2s, 5s, and 10s.

6. Say a letter or number, then have your child tell you the letter or number before or after it.

7. Sing in the car! "Down by the Bay" is a fun song that helps your child with rhyming.

8. Be sure your child is writing and making pictures in his/her journal.

9. Give your child a page of the newspaper and a yellow marker. Write a word you want your child to find at the top of the page. Instruct your child to highlight the word with the marker whenever they see it.

10. Read the book before you see the movie. Then discuss the differences after viewing the movie.