Finger Printing

"Every CHILD is an artist."
-Pablo Picasso

It is one of a teacher's task to let out the creativity side of the kids.
Make use of art to express their feelings and widen imagination.

One thing I love in teaching these little kids.
I want to help them explore the world.
Explore the talents they have.
For we don't know that one day, they will be the country's new artists.
...and I as there teacher was the first to tap that talent given to them.

Teachers and parents need not to be too over-protective not to let the kids enjoy.
According to a line from a commercial,
"I got stinky, I got dirty...but see??? I LEARNED!"
That is what I always have in my mind and always tell the parents of my pupils.
Just let them discover their passion...
Don't stop them coz you are afraid that they might stumble and fall...
Coz it is not what you want them to be.

Kindergarten is all about socialization, fun at the same time learning.
It is not fully a year where kids will just be writing and learning ABCs.
It is a time where kids will be prepared for the formal education.
We don't force them to learn.
Instead, we help them to love learning,
to love schooling, to love discovering new things.
We help them to be independent learners, to be confident with themselves.

P.S. "Please excuse our mess, the kids are making memories."

Clouds in the Sky!

 "As soon as children find something that interests them,
they lose their instability, and learn to concentrate."
-Maria Montessori

In this activity, the kids were made to look at the sky for a minute of two.
Then the teacher gave them the cotton, glue, and a paper.
Teacher told them that if given a chance to make the sky with clouds,
How will they do it?

Some of the kids stayed on their table to do it.
Some went out to see cloud formations.

Truly kids can do it in their own.
They are creative, we only have to give them a chance to be.

(Lesson for the week is all about the different weather.)

I Can Take Care of Plants

"Never help a child with a task at which he thinks he can succeed."
-Maria Montessori

Early childhood focuses often on "Learning through PLAY".
Kids learn through it is one of the best strategies in moulding them.
They have fun at the same time they are unaware that it is already what you call "Class Lesson".

In this activity, the teacher's lesson is on the Plant's Needs and on How to Take Care of it.
The teacher asked the parents to bring one plant with a name of their child on it.
They will have to take care of their plants.
They will water it, and weed it out.
From that the kids will learn to be responsible enough to take care of their plants.
They are unaware that the teacher had helped them developed their sense of responsibility.

At the same time, they can tell already what their plants need.
Not through teacher's lecture but as their realization in their everyday task.

Earthquake Drill

Ignorance excuses no one.

And that Kindergarten Pupils must be aware of the natural calamities.
We have to prepare them to be ready to face any calamities that come the way.
Train them as early as possible because that is their right to be secured in any natural disaster.

As part of helping them to be safe in unexpected calamities,
the school had organized an EARTHQUAKE DRILL for all the pupils.
Kids must be informed first  before having the drill.
Help them understand what they should do.
Do it step by step.
Teacher must demonstrate it well,
It would be better if an expert such as a firefighter will come in your class to teach them.
With that they will be more motivated to join.

Learning to Count:Leaves Counting

Play is the highest form of research.
-Albert Einstein

Kindergarten is the first ladder in the basic education.
The kids are still in the adjustment stage towards the formal education.
So teachers must not forget that playing is part of their learning.
We may see them playing but they do learn from it.
Never underestimate a child because all he has in his mind is PLAY.

With counting numbers, a child can learn more by using real objects.
You don't need to buy things/toys to use, make use of the ones you can find in the surroundings.
With that you can integrate how to take care of the mother nature.

For example this counting leaves activity.
Let the kids pick up dried leaves and use it on the activity.
Ask the kids to put on the top of their paper the number of leaves you asked for.

This will surely be fun!

Number Mosaic (Paper Tearing)

Tell me and I forget...
Teach me and I remember...
Involve me and I learn.

For the kids to enjoy learning numbers since there are lots of kids who don't like Math ,
teachers should think of different activities that will make it more enjoyable
and will make them love it!

Since the kids are still practicing to develop their fine-motor skills,
others don't have control on using scissors.
The teacher can start with paper-tearing activities.
They will enjoy it a lot.
Use construction paper or colored paper to make it look more beautiful.
Assist the kids in pasting the papers on the number,
and remind them to paste it inside the lines.

Flower-Letter Garden

Creativity is intelligence having fun.
-Albert Einstein

Kids would love to go to school if teachers have prepared various activities for them.
Learning by doing,  learning at the same time having fun is my aim in my class.
For kids not to get bored attending my class,
and I do want to make each day of their Kindergarten life a memorable one.
A stage where they always want to go back to.

This activity is all about pairing the upper case and lower case letters.
The flowers in its pots have letters written on the lowest part of the stem(popsicle sticks)
The kids will find the pair of the letter they have and will plant it together on the pot.

See the smiles painted on their faces?
They did enjoy this activity a lot!

You can also use this in spelling CVC words.
Post the word on the pot and the kids will find the letters and will plant it.
It will surely be full of fun!

Classroom Preparation

Teachers are like soldiers.
We prepare for the battle as the School Year begins.
We have lots of things to do.
We have to prepare not just the physical look of the classroom but also ourselves,
personally and professionally.
...and that closes the holiday.
No more room for being a "Happy-Go-Lucky" gal because a big responsibility is waiting for us again.
Kids will be sent to school and we have to be well-prepared for that very day.

Classroom is the main place where kids live for almost a year.
It is like a second home,
And that takes a lot of the time for the teacher to prepare it.

For me, a kindergarten classroom doesn't need to have lots of murals.
Why?
Yes it may look very attractive but it will take away the kid's attention towards the teacher.
It will be a distraction in the class.
It will be your first enemy.

Teachers must always remember  that classrooms should be safe.
Free from hazard.
Since it is a teacher's responsibility to keep the kids safe while they are in her hands.

It should be a conducive place to learn.
Not a horror house that kids will be afraid of.
Make the room a child-friendly classroom.
A place the kids would always love to go to every single day of the school-year.
;)

Work Area

Play Area

Mini Library

Body Tracing

Part of exploring their body is to see how it looks like.

The Body Tracing Activity helps the kids to  see their whole body,

at the same time work well with their buddies.

Self-Portrait

Since the first theme when the school year starts is "Myself",

this is our activity, "Self-Portrait".

Kids will draw their faces on a paper and well,

they will present their drawing in the class.

It is one way of observing the child's fine motor skills,

if it is fully developed already or still has to be developed.

Welcome to Miss B's Kindergarten Class!

As I teach Kindergarten Class, I know the big responsibilities endowed to me. Molding young minds is a very crucial job. It's either I will inspire them or else blow their desire to go to school. "It's either we make it or we break it." We are the foundation. We should build a strong one for them to pursue schooling, for them to love learning. With that, I always bear in mind that learning does not take place in four walls of the classroom only. We have to go out and explore the world. Learning is not a one-way channel only. It is not only by sitting down and listening to the teacher. Instead, learning should be fun. It should be interactive. It should be like a river that flows down continuously.

It isn't easy to teach young kids, but it is my passion. It is where I found the meaning of my profession. It is very challenging. It is a calling...

Miss B during a demonstration class.