The Bear Necessities
August 23, 2018
The Importance of Play
#LETTHEMBELITTLE
Parent Volunteer Opportunities
Another teacher is going to try a "Playtime Parent" type of opportunity this year. She will allow parents to come in and assist at playtime. This will give her the opportunity to educate parents about how very important ENGAGED PLAY is and allow them some time to practice in the classroom.
Keep Connecting!!
More to come about our volunteer clearance procedure, watch for a Google Doc from Jeanie!
Conscious Discipline
Expectations:
Jeanie and I will be touring the first few weeks to ensure that you have all the resources you need in order to meet the following expectations.
Tier 1 Checklist:
Teacher/para consistently greets kids upon arrival
Visual classroom schedule is present, has been taught and is used consistently
Visual school job assignments are present, have been taught and are used consistently
“I Love You Rituals”/individual connection activities have been taught and are used consistently
Safe Place is present and kids have been taught how to use it
Safe Place should include:
A location specifically designated for the Safe Place
A soft/comfortable place to sit (pillows, beanbags etc.)
“My Five Steps” sequence visual
Visuals of breathing techniques (pretzel, STAR etc.)
Feeling Buddies
Self-calming items available (paper, crayons, manipulatives, books etc.)
Breathing techniques have been taught and are consistently used/modeled
Language of safety has been taught and is used consistently (i.e. “My job is to keep you safe, your job is to help keep our classroom safe.”)
Play centers present / opportunities for kids to have free play using centers daily
Quiet / modified workspace and/or extended time to complete work tasks, if needed
Sensory support (cube chair at circle, weighted blanket, manipulatives etc.)
Children are provided at least 20 minutes of gross motor activity, indoor or out, daily
Children are given an opportunity to greet each other through a connection activity/ritual daily
Children have opportunities to listen to books read aloud to them and look at books independently daily
Children have the opportunity to create using art materials without requiring a specific “product” or outcome
Short-term Social Worker support provided to families/children in situations of immediate need (ie death in the family, divorce etc.), as needed
Naturally embedded tangible and/or social reinforcement used as needed
Communication with parent/caregiver has occurred
Opportunities for positive practice are available consistently
What To Do When You Have A Concern:
NEE Teacher evaluation
Lunch Plans:
Calendar
We also placed big events on the parent calendar that is on our webpage, please see that if you are wondering about what parents can see (I did not put Halloween Parade, as doors swing open and I don't want it published to public).
APPOINTMENT CALENDAR: when you have someone walking in the door to meet you, it should be on the appointment calendar. Put the child's name so that we can help our parents navigate through their appointments. They often call front office to confirm time and we need to be able to quickly view that information. THANKS this is important for a professional feel as families come to us.
Home Visits
Screening Question
Jeanie and Kerry:
Monday - Kerry speak at checks for children 11:00-12:00
Tuesday - here
Wednesday - here
Thursday - here, lots of different visitors meeting here
Friday - here