Inside Pre-K Comments https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/ These are our stories about teaching pre-kindergarten -- the lessons we teach our students and the lessons they and their families teach us. en-us 2010-08-16T17:09:01+00:00 Jennifer Everett comments on "Language vs. Literacy" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/07/language-vs-literacy.html#c6a00d83453044569e2013485facc63970c Thank you! As early childhood educators we are always finding a way to balance our daily classroom lives. After reading this post, for me, it reinforces that we can take our cues from the students and turn it into meaningful learning for them. Thank you! As early childhood educators we are always finding a way to balance our daily classroom lives. After reading this post, for me, it reinforces that we can take our cues from the students and turn it into meaningful learning for them.

]]> Jennifer Everett 2010-08-04T08:53:18+00:00 Tara McClintick comments on "Language vs. Literacy" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/07/language-vs-literacy.html#c6a00d83453044569e2013485bd3b65970c Thank-you, great info! This is especially important to acknowledge in light of the increase in autism spectrum diagnosis our children are experiencing these days. Helping all children experience genuine positive interactions is particularly crucial for supporting development. A great deal of creativity, flexibility, and sensitivity is often required from the adults who work with children who are experiencing significant challenges processing typical social exchanges and settings. Thank-you, great info! This is especially important to acknowledge in light of the increase in autism spectrum diagnosis our children are experiencing these days. Helping all children experience genuine positive interactions is particularly crucial for supporting development. A great deal of creativity, flexibility, and sensitivity is often required from the adults who work with children who are experiencing significant challenges processing "typical" social exchanges and settings.

]]> Tara McClintick 2010-07-27T13:24:57+00:00 Fran Simon comments on "Thank You, Dear Reader" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/07/thank-you-dear-reader.html#c6a00d83453044569e20133f2647871970b As someone who reads Inside Pre-K religiously, an advocate for early learning, and a passionate technophile who is eager for our field use technology to advance our work and inform the public, Im disheartened to learn that Inside Pre-K is ending. I am eager to learn more about why the blog will end and if the discontinuation of the blog is a signal of a change of direction for Pews Center for the States. I think it is safe to say that these are unprecedented times in our field. The spotlight is shining our way as never before. Social media, and blogs specifically, are playing a huge part in the effort to inform policymakers, voters, and practitioners. Inside Pre-K is unique among the other blogs because the perspective-- that of professional, articulate, dynamic, and creative teachers offering a glimpse into their world and connecting the dots between policy and practice. Losing that voice will leave a huge void. There are far too few reliable and professional blogs in our field. At a time when we should see a proliferation of social media engagement in early care and education, I cant help but wonder why Pre-K Now would decide to pull the plug on such a high-profile and valuable resource. Is this a funding challenge or a change of direction? Will we continue to see Pew Center for The States play a part in early learning reform? I have read far too many enlightening and engaging posts on Inside Pre-K to offer my thoughts about which was best, but the whole of the blog has had significant impact on the perceptions of practitioners and policymakers alike. I would like to thank you, Sophia, Karissa, Vanessa, and Jennifer for letting me into your worlds and sharing your insights. I hope there will be a change of heart about the decision to discontinue the blog, and I will be able to stay connected with the mission of Inside Pre-K every week. Fran Simon Engagement Strategies, LLC As someone who reads Inside Pre-K religiously, an advocate for early learning, and a passionate technophile who is eager for our field use technology to advance our work and inform the public, I'm disheartened to learn that Inside Pre-K is ending. I am eager to learn more about why the blog will end and if the discontinuation of the blog is a signal of a change of direction for Pew's Center for the States.

I think it is safe to say that these are unprecedented times in our field. The spotlight is shining our way as never before. Social media, and blogs specifically, are playing a huge part in the effort to inform policymakers, voters, and practitioners. Inside Pre-K is unique among the other blogs because the perspective-- that of professional, articulate, dynamic, and creative teachers offering a glimpse into their world and connecting the dots between policy and practice. Losing that voice will leave a huge void. There are far too few reliable and professional blogs in our field. At a time when we should see a proliferation of social media engagement in early care and education, I can't help but wonder why Pre-K Now would decide to pull the plug on such a high-profile and valuable resource. Is this a funding challenge or a change of direction? Will we continue to see Pew Center for The States play a part in early learning reform?

I have read far too many enlightening and engaging posts on Inside Pre-K to offer my thoughts about which was best, but the whole of the blog has had significant impact on the perceptions of practitioners and policymakers alike.

I would like to thank you, Sophia, Karissa, Vanessa, and Jennifer for letting me into your worlds and sharing your insights. I hope there will be a change of heart about the decision to discontinue the blog, and I will be able to stay connected with the mission of Inside Pre-K every week.

Fran Simon
Engagement Strategies, LLC


]]> Fran Simon 2010-07-19T10:54:12+00:00 Cathy Puett Miller AKA The Literacy Ambassador comments on "5 Qs with Fran Simon" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/07/5-qs-with-fran-simon.html#c6a00d83453044569e20133f244bd0e970b I personally know Fran and shes absolutely a terrific cheerleader and advocate for early childhood. We can certainly learn a lot from her expertise in using social media and technology. I also love her empowerment of families and parents. Were on the same channel! I personally know Fran and she's absolutely a terrific cheerleader and advocate for early childhood. We can certainly learn a lot from her expertise in using social media and technology.

I also love her empowerment of families and parents. We're on the same channel!

]]> Cathy Puett Miller AKA The Literacy Ambassador 2010-07-13T20:49:19+00:00 Liz comments on "Pre-K Tweeps Play Well with Others" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/06/prek-tweeps-play-well-with-others.html#c6a00d83453044569e20133f1de5b57970b I also use the hashtag #ecse for early childhood special ed in addition to #ece. It was more active earlier in the year. I also use the hashtag #ecse for "early childhood special ed" in addition to #ece.

It was more active earlier in the year.

]]> Liz 2010-06-26T13:37:46+00:00 J.M. Holland comments on "Landon Donovan: From Pre-K to World Cup" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/06/landon-donovan-from-prek-to-world-cup.html#c6a00d83453044569e20133f1a69657970b Congratulations US Team. It wasnt Landon Donovans speed, or skill, or intellect that scored the game winning goal today. (although they all contributed) It was follow through! Go Landon Go USA! Congratulations US Team. It wasn't Landon Donovan's speed, or skill, or intellect that scored the game winning goal today. (although they all contributed) It was follow through! Go Landon Go USA!

]]> J.M. Holland 2010-06-23T12:49:59+00:00 J.M. Holland comments on "Mudpies: Gourmet or Homestyle" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/06/mudpies-gourmet-or-homestyle.html#c6a00d83453044569e2013484490425970c Hey Jenny! I had to take down your link to your blog because it was messing up our formatting. But! if people just click on your name they can go to your blog. Thanks for commenting. Hey Jenny!
I had to take down your link to your blog because it was messing up our formatting. But! if people just click on your name they can go to your blog. Thanks for commenting.

]]> J.M. Holland 2010-06-15T15:27:33+00:00 jenny comments on "Mudpies: Gourmet or Homestyle" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/06/mudpies-gourmet-or-homestyle.html#c6a00d83453044569e20133f0e33e8b970b Im a huge believer in the value of outdoor play to the learning and development of young children across all developmental domains. You cant beat it in my book :) We love mud at our preschool - you might enjoy one of my recent posts about mud play. Ive just found your wonderful blog, and Im off to read some more :) I'm a huge believer in the value of outdoor play to the learning and development of young children across all developmental domains. You can't beat it in my book :)

We love mud at our preschool - you might enjoy one of my recent posts about mud play.

I've just found your wonderful blog, and I'm off to read some more :)

]]> jenny 2010-06-12T07:12:34+00:00 Elizabeth Luff comments on "Mudpies: Gourmet or Homestyle" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/06/mudpies-gourmet-or-homestyle.html#c6a00d83453044569e2013484020daf970c I loved reading about Mud Pies, just heard Skenazy on the radio, and Last Child in the Woods has been on my reading list for a while now. So I finally had to write. I teach creative dance to children and often see parallels between opinions in these blogs and my own work. Todays is no exception. I get paid to dance with young children. In the 20 years Ive been doing this there has been an explosion in programs for young children, music and activity books for preschoolers, and props-- you can spend a lot of money on props. But you can also just put on your favorite song--Mozart, Black-Eyed Peas, or both--and dance with your child. Maybe cut up a pair of old curtains to use as scarves. And go to town. Trust me, your kid will love dancing with you, and you will get more out of it than you can imagine. A Hopi Indian saying: To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak. The only downside: Ill be out of work! I loved reading about Mud Pies, just heard Skenazy on the radio, and Last Child in the Woods has been on my reading list for a while now.

So I finally had to write. I teach creative dance to children and often see parallels between opinions in these blogs and my own work.

Today's is no exception.

I get paid to dance with young children. In the 20 years I've been doing this there has been an explosion in programs for young children, music and activity books for preschoolers, and props-- you can spend a lot of money on props.

But you can also just put on your favorite song--Mozart, Black-Eyed Peas, or both--and dance with your child. Maybe cut up a pair of old curtains to use as scarves. And go to town.

Trust me, your kid will love dancing with you, and you will get more out of it than you can imagine.

A Hopi Indian saying:
"To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak."

The only downside: I'll be out of work!

]]> Elizabeth Luff 2010-06-11T18:11:14+00:00 Rachel comments on "The Magic of Leadership" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/05/the-magic-of-leadership.html#c6a00d83453044569e2013483bd8fe0970c Great post. I found a great non-profit that has been helping disadvantaged school districts and has had many success stories improving student achievement in Math, SAT and ACT including Collier County, FL and St. Landry Parish, LA. Their site is www.cyberlearning.org. CyberLearning also offers Technology courses that many schools could find useful. Great post. I found a great non-profit that has been helping
disadvantaged school districts and has had many success stories
improving student achievement in Math, SAT and ACT including Collier County, FL and St. Landry Parish, LA. Their site is www.cyberlearning.org. CyberLearning also offers Technology courses that many schools could find useful.

]]> Rachel 2010-06-10T14:31:21+00:00 Semon Brown comments on "Sound Gardens" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/06/sound-gardens.html#c6a00d83453044569e20133f0790927970b I actually agree and disagree with is post. I love for my students to have periods where they can be loud and have fun doing it, but I do not like the instruments, and I do not incorporate them into my lesson plans often. I do think they need periods in which they are able to be loud. It gives them a break from the normalcy that sometimes can turn to boredom, and they are more inclined to listen attentively when you want them to, knowing that they have the option to choose loud play once the learning time is complete. One of things that I incorporate that my students love, love, love, is Cha-Cha Sliding. It uses music and movement, they can be loud and jump around, and it uses gross motor body skills, to follow the directions in the song. It is a Friday treat that we rotate with others and it is a favorite. I actually agree and disagree with is post. I love for my students to have "periods" where they can be loud and have fun doing it, but I do not like the instruments, and I do not incorporate them into my lesson plans often. I do think they need periods in which they are able to be loud. It gives them a break from the normalcy that sometimes can turn to boredom, and they are more inclined to listen attentively when you want them to, knowing that they have the option to choose "loud play" once the learning time is complete. One of things that I incorporate that my students love, love, love, is Cha-Cha Sliding. It uses music and movement, they can be loud and jump around, and it uses gross motor body skills, to follow the directions in the song. It is a "Friday" treat that we rotate with others and it is a favorite.

]]> Semon Brown 2010-06-09T10:25:47+00:00 dawn comments on "Bloom's Taxonomy in Pre-K" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/06/blooms-taxonomy-in-prek.html#c6a00d83453044569e2013483a229c1970c The great Bobbi Fisher does a wonderful job in the classic, Joyful Learning in Kindergarten. It has lots of great ideas for helping students develop critical thinking. As far as Blooms goes, the list of creating rather than rote or concrete response should be the world of child development in pre-K. When left to their own devices, kids create, observe and analyze. So discussion WITH the children rather than directions AT the children can facilitate and mutual understanding. As a pre-k teacher my class we can do simple things to increase this vocabulary. Start with the open ended ( few examples below) discussion/dictation starters. What do/did you... Notice... See... Think... Hope... Like... Dislike.. And follow with an analysis question to help your young learners get used to justifying/using evidence to support their thinking. Why? How? What made you think/feel that way? The great Bobbi Fisher does a wonderful job in the classic, Joyful Learning in Kindergarten. It has lots of great ideas for helping students develop critical thinking. As far as Bloom's goes, the list of creating rather than rote or concrete response should be the world of child development in pre-K. When left to their own devices, kids create, observe and analyze. So discussion WITH the children rather than directions AT the children can facilitate and mutual understanding. As a pre-k teacher my class we can do simple things to increase this vocabulary. Start with the open ended ( few examples below) discussion/dictation starters.

What do/did you...
Notice...
See...
Think...
Hope...
Like...
Dislike..

And follow with an analysis question to help your young learners get used to justifying/using evidence to support their thinking.
Why? How? What made you think/feel that way?

]]> dawn 2010-06-09T09:07:02+00:00 goawayupk comments on "Fueling the Pre-K Fire" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/04/prek-fire.html#c6a00d83453044569e20133ed688393970b Most of the research cited by advocates was done on small scale programs targeted to the most at risk children and does not support or prove the case for a universal intervention to preschool. The bonfire you speak of is being fueled by a well funded well connected lobby that is throwing hard earned tax payer money into it. We are just burning our limited resources. Most of the research cited by advocates was done on small scale programs targeted to the most at risk children and does not support or prove the case for a universal intervention to preschool.

The bonfire you speak of is being fueled by a well funded well connected lobby that is throwing hard earned tax payer money into it. We are just burning our limited resources.

]]> goawayupk 2010-05-08T16:46:08+00:00 Teacher Math Worksheets comments on "Why does it matter what works in Pre-K curriculum?" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2008/08/first-off-you-k.html#c6a00d83453044569e201348084ea05970c You might want to see our free math worksheets for Pre-K we have a great number now. You might want to see our free math worksheets for Pre-K we have a great number now.

]]> Teacher Math Worksheets 2010-05-06T07:35:38+00:00 Mary Maguire Klute comments on "The Brain Motor Accountability Connection" https://blogs.preknow.org/insideprek/2010/04/the-brain-motor-accountability-connection.html#c6a00d83453044569e20133ed2e4f85970b I was struck by your comment about so much assessment of young children. I would argue that the issue is not the amount of the assessment, but rather, the purposes of the assessment. Authentic assessments like the COR should be used as lenses to sharpen teachers focus as they observe children and provide a basis for individualized planning to meet every childs needs and support every childs strengths. In my mind, assessment in early childhood goes awry when it becomes disconnected from practice and becomes solely about accountability, but that doesnt mean that ongoing assessment is incompatible with active, engaged play. I was struck by your comment about so much assessment of young children. I would argue that the issue is not the amount of the assessment, but rather, the purposes of the assessment. Authentic assessments like the COR should be used as lenses to sharpen teachers' focus as they observe children and provide a basis for individualized planning to meet every child's needs and support every child's strengths. In my mind, assessment in early childhood goes awry when it becomes disconnected from practice and becomes solely about accountability, but that doesn't mean that ongoing assessment is incompatible with active, engaged play.

]]> Mary Maguire Klute 2010-05-04T14:55:24+00:00