Teacher Newsletter
November 2016
Teacher of the Year Regional Nominees
A big shout out to the Regional winners:
Region 1- Karen McCraw FE1
Region 2- Tawny Ross LA2
Region 3- Tambra Randall MS2
Region 4- Chrystal Thompson IN1
Region 5- Dawn Harvey GW1
Region 6- MarJo Kinsey LO1
Region 7- Dana D'Elia HS1
Region 8- Amber Trent EL1
Region 9- Denise Flemmings BT1
Region 10- Rosa Perez LG1
Regiona 11- Amy Jewett-Parks GE1
Region 12- Jenny Marsh SH1
Region 13- Julie King AT1
Region 14- Mandie Drake GB1
Region 15- Courtney Kidd CN2
NECPA
Rainbow Child Care Center demonstrates a commitment to quality care and education through NECPA accreditation and we are pleased to announce our newly accredited school in Fenton (Owen Road), Michigan. NECPA Accreditation requires us to meet rigorous early childhood education standards and guidelines for high-quality care. Pursuing accreditation is voluntary and demonstrates our ongoing commitment of meeting quality standards through excellence in education. The accreditation process is comprised of a rich self-assessment process involving parents, staff and program management to reach for a higher level of quality in early education.
Kristin and her team is committed to implementing and upholding the highest quality standards and best practices when serving each and every family. At Rainbow Child Care Center, we are confident that children are receiving the best care and education possible. Our passionate teachers and research-based curriculum meet early childhood content standards and best practices.
Congratulations Kristin and the rest of the Fenton 2 team!!
Education Department News
Rainbow Child Care Center believes that children learn best through hands-on lessons and discourages the use of worksheets in your classroom. The use of abstract numerals and letters, rather than concrete materials, puts too many young children at risk of school failure and does not encourage best practice standards.
The use of worksheets should be limited in your classroom instruction and may not be displayed in the classroom, placed on gallery boards, or added to children's portfolios.
"Our challenge is to convince parents and others that in a play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum children are learning important knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will help them be successful in school and later life" (Dr. Sue Grossman).
- “While children may have the ability to perform a task, that does not mean that the task is appropriate and should be performed,” Dr. Sue Grossman.
- Worksheets can be used only one way. Worksheets and coloring books are generally considered convergent materials. They lead children to think that there is only a single correct way to use them, and they require little, if any, higher-order thinking.
- Our goal as professional educators should be lessons that encourage divergent thinking, not convergent thinking.
- Worksheet-based curricula dampen enthusiasm for learning.
- The mere accomplishment of the worksheet task does not signify the child’s ability to read or comprehend.
- For example, children experimenting with objects to discover if they sink or float can record their observations on paper divided into a float column and a sink column. This shows that they are doing actual scientific experimentation and recording the data.
- Zoo-Phonics: Teachers are welcome to use the Zoo-phonics worksheets; however they should not be incorporated more than 1-2 times per week and should not be used as the primary method for teaching the children in their classroom.
- Parent Newsletters: Teachers can send home parent newsletters which explain the activities children are doing at school and the teacher’s goals and objectives. When parents understand the value of developmentally appropriate activities they will feel confident that their children are learning and growing, not “just playing.”
- Center Labels: Signs in the classroom describing what children learn in the various learning centers help adults understand the value of children’s work in that area.
- Photographs: Photographs of daily activities in the classroom can be displayed on the gallery boards. They provide graphic evidence to parents, administrators, and other teachers of children working and learning in a rich, exciting atmosphere.
Source:
The Worksheet Dilemma: Benefits of Play-Based Curricula
By Sue Grossman, Ph.D.
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleId=134
For more information on using Dittos in the classroom, visit the Education Training Portal > The Learning Environment > Dittos
November Parent-Teacher Conferences
Conferences allow our families to be a part of their child’s learning process and eliminates communication barriers between the home / school connection. Conferences allow teachers to showcase the children’s achievements as well as discuss educational goals for the children.
During conferences, our goal is to meet with 100% of our families! To help your team achieve this goal, please review the best practices listed below when planning your conferences.
Please place a copy of the Parent / Teacher Conversation Form in each child’s portfolio and child file. You must also supply a copy for the family even if the family does not have a face-to-face conference.
Types of Conferences :
- Face-to-face Conferences
- Conference Call
- Email Correspondence
- Written Correspondence
November Curriculum
Toddler, Young Preschool, Preschool, Pre-K Academy, Private Kindergarten and GSRP:
Oct 24- Nov 4: My Community
Nov 7-18: Construction
Montessori: Where We Live
Varsity Club: Influencing My Community
Varsity Club Community Service: Canned Food Drive
Kids of Character: Generosity
Pre-K Academy Project: 3D City
Baby Sign: Big
Ready, Set, GROW!: Look at Me Move
Language Immersion Spanish: Community Helpers
Zoo-phonics: I, J, K and L Review: E, F, G and H
November Calendar or Events: November Dates to Remember!
*Classroom Thankful Parties
24th- CLOSED for Thanksgiving
25th- CLOSED for Thanksgiving Friday
*Check with you Center Director for more information about these dates!
Teacher Spotlight
Thank you for all that you do Heather!