One concept that has come up in our math curriculum is the idea of inclusive and exclusive definitions. For example, our curriculum states that a trapezoid is a 2D quadrilateral with AT LEAST one pair of parallel sides. This inclusive definition would make a square to be classified as a trapezoid. What other concepts have you come across that might cause some anxiety for parents who have said, “That is not how I was taught?”
What materials do you have in your classroom for your students to play with? We end our day with Discovery time (free play) and I am always looking for new items to add, the more open-ended, the better!
This week our local United Way is sponsoring a Family Academy night as part of their/our School Readiness plan.
Fall 2025 – "Supporting School Readiness at Home"
There will be about 5 stations for families to learn and take home 'tools' for their at home 'toolboxes'.
Events like these not only foster school readiness skills in young children but also strengthen the school-family partnership that is so important for student success.
How do you support families in your community?
What are some ways you help students to calm their bodies throughout the day?
For example, sometimes we stop and take a few minutes to breathe deeply in quiet pose and reset for the next task.
.jpg)
During my dissertation work, I used a age appropriate mock crime scene to help my kinder students investigate some fairy tale crimes (Who stole the Little Red Hen’s loaf of bread), and am looking for other immersive experiences outside of mock crime scenes and escape rooms. Any other suggestions?
As I was reading an educational article recently, I saw this idea, and I loved it! I will definitely implement it at the start of next year:
Have students write down (or tell you if they are little ones) what they want to hear on hard days. Collect those notes and hand them back out to students when you feel like they need to be reminded.
What are some ways you help students persevere on hard days?
I'm having a lot of anxiety about starting the school year! What are some tactical things I should do over the summer to feel more prepared, and what can I deprioritize?
What end of the year activities does your school do?
My school likes to do ABC countdowns and field day.
Does your school or district plan an open house prior to the first day of school, on the night of the first day of school, or sometime afterwards?
What are some of your favorite sites or stores to purchase classroom ready supplies and materials?
AI may be scary at first. Actually, it is a very useful tool in the classroom. I have used AI to write poems about topics so students will have information to read across genres. A HUGE win this year has been communication. I have a student who does not speak English. I have used AI to translate worksheets, compose emails, and create activities for the student. It has been a tremendous resource in helping this student in the classroom. It cuts down on time with using a pocket translator. I can explain the directions with the translator as the student is reading in their language. It also has helped with a "side by side" analysis of words and word structures.
I LOVE school supplies! I get excited at the beginning of each school year as much as my kindergarten students do about using new supplies.
What is your favorite teacher supply or item? Something that you use all the time that others may like to know about?
A few years ago, I got a roll of paper from Target and started writing quotes on it to post outside my door for students to read. It turns out that it wasn't just students who were reading it -- adults did too and would stop by to tell me the ways they related to do the quote. What are some ways you commit to the culture of your school?
Celebrating Reading Month with Families! Check out all of the FREE literacy activities at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-10-1-1
How do you support phonemic awareness in your classroom? What simple activities do you include with your early learners?
Answer: Sound Cubes! Sound cubes are wooden or foam colored cubes that can be used to help students manipulate the sounds in words.
How would you rate your self-efficacy skills as a teacher?
Teachers who believe in their abilities ( handling tasks, obligations and challenges) increase their level of self-efficacy.
Do you value the importance of continuous professional development?
Do you use reflection to improve your teaching practice?
Do you set attainable goals?
Do you maintain a strong academic focus throughout your lessons and provide
constructive feedback to students?
Do you demonstrate resilience and view knockbacks as temporary stumbling
blocks?
Answering yes to these questions, shows powerful predictors of a teacher’s effectiveness. Self-efficacy means believing in your ability to succeed in any situation.
One of my favorite ways to engage students in critical thinking and error analysis is by doing an activity called "Agree or Disagree with Mrs. T." In these activity, I will give students a word problem and then I will solve it (usually wrong with the most common mistakes students make when solving that type of problem). Students have to read the problem, think about how they would solve it, and then look at how I solved it to decide whether they agree or disagree and why. Usually I'm wrong, BUT I have to be right sometimes or they'll just assume I'm wrong and disregard what I did. I have attached a sample so you can see their reflection piece. What are ways you help students catch mistakes?
