The Crazy Pre-K Classroom

I have found that teaching time in Pre-k can be a challenge but with the right appraoch children can learn to tell time. Standing in the way are the enourmous number of digital clocks that children see. So here is where I start: 1. The Clocks: I print each child a full sheet sized clock on cardstock and laminated. I code the hands by color with the hour hand being red and the minute hand being blue. I attach these with brads, hour hand on top. I make sure my clock hands are easily distinguished from each other in size so that children can manipulate them easily. 2. Initial Introduction: I start with time to the hour, i use a play clock to show them and also tell them the real time on our classroom clock. When I catch the clock close to a certain hour I try to get the children to look at the classroom clock and tell me what time it is. Generally they pick up time to the hour easily, it becomes more challenging as you break the hour up into minutes. 3. Experimenting C...

So, have you ever had one of those days at school that seems to go on forever because oyu can't take the children outside? I know most people would say just pop in a movie and grin and bear it. i'm just not that teacher, don't get me wrong I have shown short veggie tales and such before but I have decided that if I don't want my child watching extra TV at school than why is it o.k. for me to impose that on others children. Here are a few ideas I have come up with to pass the indoor time that have prooved more enjoyable for child and teacher than watching tv! - Art Centers : I love art and there is just not enough time in the day to have enough art, so last week when we had a rain day I set up four different tables and allowed the children 15 minutes at each table, they loved it: watercolors, stencils, stamps and punches and dry erase. The art was fantastic and the kids didn't even miss thier outside time. -Movement Activities: I bought a set of movement mats at ...