March 2015 Newsletter

March......it is almost here! It may not look or feel like it here in New England with all the snow, but March is March and March means SPRING! Woo Hoo!

March also means QUARTERLY NEWSY NEWSLETTER time! These "newsier" newsletters are sent out in March, June, September and December!

This month's newsletter is the more "newsier", longer e-zine chock full of articles and tips.

So, get yourself a cup of your favorite beverage, relax and enjoy!

What’s New? Search It, Find It, Plan It!

What exactly IS literacy? According to Merriam's Dictionary it is the ability to read and write.

EDC states

"The power of literacy lies not only in the ability to read and write, but rather in an individual’s capacity to put those skills to work in shaping the course of his or her own life.

With the insight that genuine literacy involves “reading the word and the world,” renowned educator Paulo Freire helped open the door to a broader understanding of the term, one that moves from a strict decoding and reproducing of language into issues of economics, health, and sustainable development. Freire’s view of literacy is at once practical and all-encompassing.

Whether it is the words of a language, the symbols in a mathematical system, or images posted to the Internet—literacy can transform lives."

So how do we, as early childhood educaters, teach literacy? Technically, we don't! What we DO teach is PRE literacy--the skills needed before one gains the ability to read and write!

There are many things we can and should do in our classrooms to provide these skills such as:

• Provide a print rich environment
• Label the classroom
• Provide materials for children to develop their fine motor skills (this is a pre-writing skill!).
• Provide books with both pictures and print
• Using "sign up" lists in the classroom
• Provide writing materials

There are many more things we can do in the preschool classroom to promote early literacy.

You can read about specific things YOU can do in the classroom by reading my article: Teaching Literacy

As discussed earlier, providing writing materials help promote the daily use of print in the classroom--by AND by your preschoolers!

Providing a dedicated area as a Writing Center helps your children develop in many areas and helps them to:

• Communicate their ideas through drawing and through print.
• Associate print with reading.
• Develop their small (fine) muscle skills by using the many materials available.
• Practice left to right progression in reading.
• Develop their eye-hand coordination

Laminated Name Cards

Make name tags for each student using construction paper, actual name tags purchased at a store or any paper!

Print the child's name on the name tag.

Tape the child's picture next to their name (use either a glue stick or tape. We found that using school glue "bleeds" the ink in the picture if it is printed on regular print paper rather than photo paper)

Laminate the paper.

Have these name tags at your writing center every day.

The children use these to look at while printing their names (as best the can) on their papers. They can also use dry erase markers to trace over their names, erase and try again!

Word Box

Use index cards and markers to draw pictures of everyday items and print the word on the card. Laminate each card.

Place them in a nicely decorated shoe box or bin.

As children ask you how to spell a word, make a card for it and add it to your box!

Leave the box in your writing center. The children will love being able to "read" the words by knowing the symbol (picture) AND they will practice printing the words!

There are many other activities you can have available.

For more information on how to set up a Writing Center in your classroom, see my article: Writing Center Activities to Encourage Preschool Writing Activities

Do you realize that YOU are a vital and important factor in keeping the classroom's full each year? Well, you are! Here are some things to remember:

• Your professional and caring relationship with families makes a difference-to the families and to the program!
• What you do as you work with families reflects on your program...good or bad!
• Your daily interactions with the children, families and your co-workers set up the mood of the envirnment in your classroom. This reflects on the program you work for as well!

• Know and address each family member by first name (including Grandparents).
• Share one positive thing about each child with their parent/guardian at pick up time (this make future meetings for issues so much easier because you and the families have developed a partnership).
• Ask your director for business cards to have! When you are out and about in your life, how many times do you tell someone you are a preschool teacher? A lot, right? Well, hand them a card and an invitation: "If you or someone you know is looking for a preschool program, you should check us out! I LOVE our program!".

CELEBRATION DAYS AND HOLIDAYS COMING UP:

Nutrition Theme March is National Nutrition Month!

Dr. Seuss Theme Dr. Seuss' birthday and Read Across America Day is Monday, March 2nd. Celebrate the first week of March!

Quilts Theme National Quilting Day is Saturday, March 21!

St. Patrick's Day Theme St. Patrick's Day is Tuesday, March 17!

Spring Theme First Day of Spring is Friday, March 20th!

Doctor Theme National Doctors' Day is Monday, March 30th

SUGGESTED THEMES FOR MARCH:

Noah's Ark Theme

Grocer Theme

Kite and Wind Theme

Mud Theme

Planting Seeds Theme

Worms Theme

Zoo Theme

New Page(s) on the Website since the last newsletter:

Black History Month Theme

Advertise YOUR Preschool Program to Parents on Preschool Plan It for $9.95 a year!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW!

Looking to get some in-service hours in this month? These workshops might qualify in your state/province (check with your Director or Licensing Regulations to be sure):

Online Workshops for Preschool Teachers

TENNESSEE TEACHERS! My workshops were approved by the state of Tennessee for online trainings!

With over 150 themes on my theme page, there are many activities to make your own activities using clip art, magazine pictures and other pictures. I have received many emails asking if the games are available some where to print and use.

Based on these requests, I have begun to put many of these resources together in resource packs.

The packs will have between 30-70 pages of activities that you can print, cut, laminate and use!

Some of the resources will include matching games, board games, math activities, circle time and small group charts, science printables and more!

They will be available in my store, The Preschool Cubby, found on the website at Preschool Cubby Resource Center

There are a couple of freebies there! A Circle Time Conversation Poster and a Bread Theme

Preschool Plan-It Amazon Store (Recommended Preschool Items)

My Store (Personal Books and Items for sale)

Product Review Page A page to find honest reviews on books and products I have personally read or used in the classroom.

Preschool Director is specifically for the administrative duties of running a preschool program.

The Preschool Professor IS FOR "how-to" articles and training information. Some exciting changes have happened to this website!

It is now easier to navigate with the clickable links across the top rather than scrolling down "for days" on the left hand side! Check it out!

The FULL newsletter is quarterly and goes out in March, June, September and December. To see back issues of the newsletters, go to Newsletter Back Issue Page

Stay current on all new pages added to the website! by "liking" Preschool Plan-It on Facebook at Preschool Plan It

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Comments? Ideas for future newsletters? Feedback? This newsletter is written FOR you, so I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to this zine and tell me what you think!

Until Next Time,