Friday, August 24, 2007

Lovely Literature Links...

Another kindergarten teacher suggested we add a post here for sharing some of our favorite literature books. Please take a minute to share with us a title of a book(s) you think we would enjoy reading to our students. It can be a new title, or one that’s been around for a while.
I’ll get the ball rolling here with a book I found earlier this year. The title is
Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Illustrated by Jane Dyer. It’s a wonderful book that defines mysteries such as “fair” and “unfair” and what it really means to “cooperate”. It’s beautifully done and is a book that would be a great springboard for classroom discussions on delicate topics.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Pleased To Meet You....

I was asked to create a post that invites our readers to introduce themselves to one another. I am not sure of the protocol for such a thing....but here goes...

Tell us your first name, the grade you teach, (or the description of your role in the lives of Early Learners) where you work, and an interesting fact about yourself, or an interesting anecdote that you are comfortable sharing with us.
I know a few of you may be a tad hesitant to participate...don't be shy....speak up! We're a friendly bunch!
Keep in mind...we're all pleased to meet you!




photo by fazen



Friday, August 10, 2007

Across the Globe...

Hello Everyone. I want to share with you a blog link that was sent to me from Dean Shareski, it's from Jody Hayes, a classroom teacher for 5 & 6 year olds in New Zealand. I LOVE this site. Jody has set up a fantastic way for her students to share connect and collaborate. I love how the site includes not only postings by the teacher, but the students post as well! It matches the image I have in my mind of what we (Early Childhood Educators) can do with Web 2.0 tools and the integration of these tools into our curriculum. Jody breaks the myth that these tools are only for the "older students". Thanks Jody!
Dean also recommended Kathy Cassidy's classroom blog. WOW, another fabulous site! I will have to read deeper into, I want to know what part of the globe they are posting from.
Please take the time to visit these classroom blogs and see for yourself the possibilities that the tools hold. I am anxious to find more sites to share with you here.

A BIG THANKS to you Dean for your comments and pointing my mouse in their direction! WOW, I can't wait to explore more of their postings as well and investigate links and blogs they find of interest. But first I'll get a little breakfast or it'll be time for lunch and I will wonder where the time went and how I managed to forget to eat (again) ;-) Thanks again Dean!

Cindy

Monday, August 6, 2007

NAEYC is coming....NAEYC is coming....

I was surfing for Early Childhood sites to post here and saw that NAEYC is coming to Chicago in November of 2007. Many years ago I attended this conference in Chicago with my teaching partners from Leal School in Urbana, IL. We had a great time driving up to "The BIG City"; we went to as many sessions as we could. It was FANTASTIC to be surrounded by people who had a shared vision of Early Childhood Education. Anyone from U-46 planning to attend or present a session? If so, please share.....

Cindy

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Videos of Interest...

In searching the Internet, I came across TEACHERS TV. They have thousands of videos & TV programs for teachers. They also have a section for Early Childhood. I believe it is based in England, but as we all know... the stages of child development are not confined to borders or time zones. The site has several videos geared toward Early Learners. I hope you will visit the site and watch the videos. Feel free to share your thoughts and reactions to the video(s) you view there. Be sure to note the title of the video so we know where to point our attention.
Enjoy!

Cindy

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Getting Started....

Hello fellow educators. This blog has been set up as a means for sharing thoughts and ideas related to our work with young children. Although this site has my name, it belongs to all of us. If you have never blogged before, now is a GREAT time to start. If you're not sure what a blog really is, or it's purpose...take a look at what Dean Shareski has shared about blogs. Over the course of the next few months, we will engage teachers in discussions about curriculum, professional books, readings, in-service and more. Please remember this is a public space for all to read. While we do not all have to agree, respect for one another is must.
The the "WHAT'S A BLOG TOUR" by Blogger.com. You may find you want to set up a blog for your classroom. If you're wondering what can be gained from blogging, read what Dana Huff shared in her blog. She has some good advice on where to find blogs, engaging in the conversations, and how to keep up with your favorite blogs. Kristin Hokanson has a site that explains what is an educational blog and why you should consider doing it.

If you have a blog you think would be of interest to Early Childhood Educators, by all means...share it with us.

Check back soon for more posts.