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Author Topic: Kindergarten help needed!  (Read 1689 times)

Offline Nelly89

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Kindergarten help needed!
« on: August 29, 2014, 04:37:38 PM »
I hope this is in the right place.....

Okay, so I'm not new ton kindergarten class, just new to ones of this size. I had a massive brain freeze and panic and know I need to re-evaluate everything I've done, not to mention some of my prize videos have been removed from youtube!  :cry:

Any advice out there. I'm starting from the middle and don't know whether to take them through the alphabet again! I reckon I've got the beginning and end/ish sorted out, but need to tweak all the rest!

Also any advice on where to locate coloured printers and laminators would be much appreciated!

Cheers guys!

Offline drgenderpotato

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Re: Kindergarten help needed!
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2014, 11:11:38 AM »
How many kids? Are you in a public school, hagwon, private kindergarten? Any idea of their level/ability?

You're gonna be okay. breathe! :)
NOTORIOUS D.G.P.

Offline Nelly89

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Re: Kindergarten help needed!
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2014, 11:30:46 AM »
12-15 students, low ability, and public! It's only 1 half hour class a week! I've spotted the "ring leader" already and the quiet ones! It's a case of finding things to do to hold their attention without the computer...

Things are looking better after the weekend!

Offline drgenderpotato

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Re: Kindergarten help needed!
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2014, 02:32:53 PM »
Okay, got it. 12-15 is actually a pretty good number. I had a kindy once with 40 kids per class! O_o

TPR is your new best friend. In fact, I'd try to use TPR as much as possible. I don't know what materials you have at your disposal, but I find that kindy students respond better to realia and colorful pictures than anything on the computer.

You said you've taught kindergarten before, so I'm positive you''ll be rocking this with no help at all, but I teach first grade/kindergarten 4 times a week and I've been teaching it for a few years now, so if you do have any questions, hopefully I could be of some help.
NOTORIOUS D.G.P.

Offline illybo

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Re: Kindergarten help needed!
« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2014, 03:12:33 PM »
Check out the mes-english.com and its' "speaking first" curriculum. For kindy kids, you can start off with your "circle time" (review the alphabet, numbers, days of the week, etc - lots of songs and TPR!) and then move on to your vocabulary set for the day.  Circle time can take up about 15 minutes, actual "lecture" time is 10, and the rest is a group/solo activity(activities). 

At this age, speaking and picture recognition is the way to go (exposure to printed words is good, but don't expect too much to come from it).  You can use flashcards for a great deal of games and use the same graphics for coloring, etc. Good luck! ;D   

Also, tactile activities are excellent! Check out pinterest.  Little fingers aren't strong enough for long bouts of writing or coloring(which is why some kids can't stay focused), so getting creative is always good - write in shaving cream(bonus: it cleans the desks), write out words with cheap dollar-store play dough, recycle bottles for color sorting activities, etc.

Offline Nelly89

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Re: Kindergarten help needed!
« Reply #5 on: September 01, 2014, 05:23:20 PM »
Thanks so much guys!

I was thinking of these lines, I just had a little bit of a moment there! (one of those where you forget everything you've ever known) and as the only English teacher in the hood I've no one to bounce ideas off so easily, so cheers :)

Now getting quite excited for the next class!

Back on the bicycle!

Offline SammiMcG

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Re: Kindergarten help needed!
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2014, 02:12:41 PM »
What is TPR? I'm brand new to teaching English to kindergartners and can use all the guidance I can get  :huh:

Offline Nelly89

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Re: Kindergarten help needed!
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2014, 03:29:41 PM »
TPR = total physical response!

Basically lots of movement e.g. songs like Head, Shoulders, Knees and toes; Simon says... Getting Ss to follow instruction, do actions and learn vocab all at once!

Simples!! :)

Offline Nelly89

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Re: Kindergarten help needed!
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2014, 04:48:51 PM »
A wee bit of further advice needed. As my English room is nice and far away from the kindergarten classroom (they come to me!) I need to find me some resources, and I'm going to have to do it off my own back! I'm not too fussed as I'm seeing it as an investment rather than anything elsem but help as to what to get would be great.

I've already got felt fruit and intend on getting the veg, insects, animals, jobs, sea life etc. They're really good.

I'm going to have to get mats for the floor - I'm going to go for an alphabet one if I can (there's nowhere to scrabble about on the floor in my classroom, a massive downer) and I'm going to have to get some story books of my own (though the pop-up hungry catterpillar is great!

Any other tips on what to pick up appreciated!

Cheers guys!

 

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