There's a new 3 year old "Dylan" in my class who is such a sweet boy. He's also a leader among the quiet younger boys/girls. They crack me up when they are playing fireman or monster. He's constantly riding the pole from the jungle gym being a fireman heading to a fire. Yep he's a pistol. Well his new thing lately is to say everything is "Tookey" *two key*. Tooky can mean anything from poop to good food. Yeah it's a laugh riot not. lol
Another fun thing he does is let the other two boys watch him poop they all think it's hilarious. Toilet humor at such a young age isn't it? lol
This past weekend and into the week I've been avoiding my computer because my eyes were drying out. Turns out that my contacts and my constant touching them were giving me an eye infection. I go to work Wednesday and my eyes are bloodshot! So I made and appoint and 450 bucks later I'm on my way to recovery!
This week was my co-teachers turn to do the scheduling. She is a bit lax in planning things to do for our age group, but the new system of one or two kids at a time seems to be working. I overplan because you never know if it's going to rain or you won't be able to cook that day hampering your time line. But we get along very well and I'm glad I got her as a co-teacher and not some of the other ones. Our both though anal, makes very good personality matches.
This coming week I will be teaching the kids about the 5 senses. Granted they already do all this stuff everyday, but it's still cool to find new things for them to explore. I wonder if I will be bored teaching them this stuff next year? I feel like I've already been through every prek book in existence so what else could I possibly do? I'm sure I will figure it out. I still have a whole box of papers I haven't explored yet!
We were low on children today so I took the extra child with me to make playdoh for next month. "Madison" is an angel. She told me today, "Ms. C I love you... in my heart". Omg how precious is that!??! She calls one of her grandma's by her last name and the other one is named "little grandma" lol.
I was also able to spend time in the "baby" room for the children 6 weeks to 18 mos. Some of the oldest ones are starting to walk and talk. They are so freakin adorable. I asked for hugs and got a bunch. One boy was hamming it up and kept giving me hugs since I kept saying AWWWW! So adorable.
Today was a fun day being a teacher.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Phew! What a day!
On Sunday the power went out in about 90% of the area I reside. Luckily we kept our power, but a majority of the students I have didn't have any. EVERYONE was at school Monday and today. Monday was pretty good, but we didn't have too many kids. Today was get on Ms C's nerves day!
"Br" is our resident whiner, followed closely by "Co" who tattles over EVERY. LITTLE. THING. ALL. DAY. LONG. They both are socially inept despite being in care for over a year which usually would acclimate children to that sort of thing. They try so hard to play with the other kids, but they aren't well recieved for some reason. So when they fall down, or the kids tell them to go away they whine and cry to me about it.
We also have my little buddies "D" and "B" who are sweet boys, but TOTALLY rambunctious. And last but not least "G" who is currently on ADHD medication. He is so smart, but has a horrible attitude with following instructions/rules. THen when I finally get a breather in the afternoon I get all the schoolage kids who are bursting at the seams to be wild. Ugh. I am so ready for school to be open and the power back on already!
So I doubt anyone will see this, but I have a dilema one might help me with. The aforemented "G" just started at our center last month. He has ADHD medication he takes once in the morning and again at 12 noon. The kid randomly gets attitude, refuses to eat, and hits kids. ALot of hitting kids actually. He's a "stealth hitter". He hits while he thinks we aren't looking at him then runs off to the other side of the room so when said hitee cries he can proclaim innocence. He will bold face lie about something I watched him do with my own eyes and he's a bit of a kleptomaniac. The last two days he's recieved a frowny face for the day which means he doesn't get to play with his fun stuff at home so he's been ticked. Mom today acted like she was irritated with me, but it could have been him. I really want to give him smiley faces, but I know if I overlook one smack he will drag it for a mile and it will regress us back. Just frustrated with him I guess.
Some funnies:
"T" upon hearing he has the most beautiful blue eyes, "I got them from my dad" he says in all seriousness pointing them out to us. Awww *heart*
My daughter this morning in the car when I was telling her about a trip my aunt will be going on, "I KNOW MOM you already told me 15 times!!!" Um no I didn't lol
My daughter this evening when i asked her to take her plate to the kitchen, "Yes SIR! Mr. Crabs!" lol
Well I must go off and put my kid to bed then work on lesson plans coming up. Later people!
"Br" is our resident whiner, followed closely by "Co" who tattles over EVERY. LITTLE. THING. ALL. DAY. LONG. They both are socially inept despite being in care for over a year which usually would acclimate children to that sort of thing. They try so hard to play with the other kids, but they aren't well recieved for some reason. So when they fall down, or the kids tell them to go away they whine and cry to me about it.
We also have my little buddies "D" and "B" who are sweet boys, but TOTALLY rambunctious. And last but not least "G" who is currently on ADHD medication. He is so smart, but has a horrible attitude with following instructions/rules. THen when I finally get a breather in the afternoon I get all the schoolage kids who are bursting at the seams to be wild. Ugh. I am so ready for school to be open and the power back on already!
So I doubt anyone will see this, but I have a dilema one might help me with. The aforemented "G" just started at our center last month. He has ADHD medication he takes once in the morning and again at 12 noon. The kid randomly gets attitude, refuses to eat, and hits kids. ALot of hitting kids actually. He's a "stealth hitter". He hits while he thinks we aren't looking at him then runs off to the other side of the room so when said hitee cries he can proclaim innocence. He will bold face lie about something I watched him do with my own eyes and he's a bit of a kleptomaniac. The last two days he's recieved a frowny face for the day which means he doesn't get to play with his fun stuff at home so he's been ticked. Mom today acted like she was irritated with me, but it could have been him. I really want to give him smiley faces, but I know if I overlook one smack he will drag it for a mile and it will regress us back. Just frustrated with him I guess.
Some funnies:
"T" upon hearing he has the most beautiful blue eyes, "I got them from my dad" he says in all seriousness pointing them out to us. Awww *heart*
My daughter this morning in the car when I was telling her about a trip my aunt will be going on, "I KNOW MOM you already told me 15 times!!!" Um no I didn't lol
My daughter this evening when i asked her to take her plate to the kitchen, "Yes SIR! Mr. Crabs!" lol
Well I must go off and put my kid to bed then work on lesson plans coming up. Later people!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
This teachers Wishlist
1. Take your kids work home! They work hard on it and are proud of it. To leave it in their box or worse not acknowledge it at all means they won't try at all next time I don't make up this work to make a mess at your house. They are learning skills by cutting, pasting, gluing, and being creative. Even if you have a trunkful of it make a fuss out of it and then go hide it somewhere. They will forget pretty soon about the artwork anyway then you can throw out the random bits.
2. Books! At both centers I've worked at I would have LOVED to seen current books! Most of them were older than me and way to advanced for my class. Instead of cupcakes and goody bags at holidays how about some new toys or books. Same price, but they will have a longer life and bring more joy to your child. Not tommention less of a sugar high.
3. Your old food containers, water bottles, toilet paper rolls, dial up telephones, and other random useless crap you have around your house. We love to make art projects out that stuff. And the old rotary phone you where going to chuck in the trash will bring hours of amusement to your kid at school.
4. Quit saying "GOOD JOB!". Good job on what? Tell them what you think is good about the project they did, ask them questions about it, and most importantly tell someone ELSE about it in front of your child. When your kid knows your proud of them they will make it a point to keep making you proud. 5. We love supplies! I think these websites are my favorite places to look it's like my crack. Seeing a bag of googly eyes just fills my brain with ENDLESS possibilties. Science equiptment, BALLS, bug catchers, stamps, hop a long bouncer balls, and a bag full of feathers just make me giddy. I know the kids love playing with that stuff. If I could buy it all I totally would, but alas childcare providers aren't paid very well despite the soaring costs of childcare.
5. Know that we love your kids too. You can tell by how your kid acts around the teacher and how the teacher smiles at your child. I'm not sayingEvery preschool teacher is in it for the love, but a majority are. We research on the internet, in the library, advocate for supplies, toys, and your child on a daily basis. I wouldn't do that if I wasn't interested in making sure your child had a good time in my class. I wouldn't dance around doing the chicken dance, the macarena, and the hokey pokey if I didn't want your baby to laugh. Granted I'm not mom and I don't try to act like it, but I do love your kid in a teacherly way and I'm on your side.
Edited to add: The fronts of Old Christmas/ Birthday/ Anniversary cards. THey are fun to cut out the pictures and glue.
2. Books! At both centers I've worked at I would have LOVED to seen current books! Most of them were older than me and way to advanced for my class. Instead of cupcakes and goody bags at holidays how about some new toys or books. Same price, but they will have a longer life and bring more joy to your child. Not tommention less of a sugar high.
3. Your old food containers, water bottles, toilet paper rolls, dial up telephones, and other random useless crap you have around your house. We love to make art projects out that stuff. And the old rotary phone you where going to chuck in the trash will bring hours of amusement to your kid at school.
4. Quit saying "GOOD JOB!". Good job on what? Tell them what you think is good about the project they did, ask them questions about it, and most importantly tell someone ELSE about it in front of your child. When your kid knows your proud of them they will make it a point to keep making you proud. 5. We love supplies! I think these websites are my favorite places to look it's like my crack. Seeing a bag of googly eyes just fills my brain with ENDLESS possibilties. Science equiptment, BALLS, bug catchers, stamps, hop a long bouncer balls, and a bag full of feathers just make me giddy. I know the kids love playing with that stuff. If I could buy it all I totally would, but alas childcare providers aren't paid very well despite the soaring costs of childcare.
5. Know that we love your kids too. You can tell by how your kid acts around the teacher and how the teacher smiles at your child. I'm not sayingEvery preschool teacher is in it for the love, but a majority are. We research on the internet, in the library, advocate for supplies, toys, and your child on a daily basis. I wouldn't do that if I wasn't interested in making sure your child had a good time in my class. I wouldn't dance around doing the chicken dance, the macarena, and the hokey pokey if I didn't want your baby to laugh. Granted I'm not mom and I don't try to act like it, but I do love your kid in a teacherly way and I'm on your side.
Edited to add: The fronts of Old Christmas/ Birthday/ Anniversary cards. THey are fun to cut out the pictures and glue.
Friday, September 12, 2008
More spouting...
When I wrote my rant earlier I was still smarting from the hurt feelings I had. In the dark, at naptime, tapping away on my blackberry.... I have so much to talk about that I can't talk about on my journal. Most of the people I know are local and there is something so freeing about talking where no one you know can "hear".
Now I'm over it though, well mostly. It is challenging being a preschool teacher. One would think the kids would be the hardest part, but it's the parents usually! I would say my biggest challenge is motivation. What motivates a 3 year old compared to a 5 1/2 year old is a vast difference. Add in a few school age kids in the afternoon and you have LOADS of fun. NOT.
I watch that show on TLC Discovery called Jon and Kate Plus Eight. http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/jon-and-kate/jon-and-kate.html
Kate said something along the lines of "Everyday is completely different, but exactly the same" Unless you had a gaggle of kids you cared for day in and day out you probably wouldn't understand that. But it rang very true for me and made me laugh.
Things you should be prepared for if you want to teach preschool:
1. Having Infinite Patience - Many of the kids in my class are angels. Unfortunately they go home early and I'm stuck with the hellions. Some kids spend more time at our center than I do! That will take a toll on their behavior for sure. I hadn't anticipated how hard it would be to be patient with all these kids all day and still have enough patience and energy for my child at night. That would have to be the hardest part for me I think.
2. Dealing with Parents - There are always one or two in every class that sway from the norm. Either they don't seem to care at all or they care TOO much. Some kids spend 60 hours a week at our center with parents either not working at all or just part time. Sad. But the too much crowd wants you to do it their way and in a large group setting that is just not going to happen.
3. The Staff - Having only worked in two centers I have to say the one I am currently at is as different from the old one as night and day. Watch what you say and who you say it to if you don't want it repeated. Better yet keep your opinion to yourself.
4. Discipline - These are NOT your kids! You may not whip them, shame them, or demean them in any way. Some "teachers" don't quite understand those rules. A lot of parents don't seem to understand that either. My best advice is short and sweet. Be consistent, pay attention and be fair, mean what you say and say what you mean. If you tell Johhny one more strike and he's in time out then don't yell at him next time. March his little behind over to the time out chair and sit him down. It has taken me 6 months to retrain my class because they had an abusive teacher before. Lots of yelling, little follow through, and eventually she hit a student which is why she was fired. Again NOT YOUR KIDS. Even if you do spend more time with them than their parents are able.
5. A Happy Medium - As a teacher you must follow your director, the parents, and your own knowlege during classtime. First, almost all directors come from one of two schools. 1. learn through play 2. learn through work *i.e paperwork*. I have worked for both of those directors. Let me tell ya it's hard to make the switch. 99% of the time if you work in one center there are parents there who want you to do it the other way. Currently I teach them through play and try to sneak in a few worksheets under my directors nose now and then. I think both of them are pretty important. Kids that age in my opinion should NOT be made to sit and do seatwork, but if they are playing all day everyday without learning some of what they are expected in Kindergarten how will they cope when they get there? I feel it's my responsibility to make them feel smart and proud when they enter Kindy, not feeling bad about themselves because they can't write they're name or don't know their shapes.
Well it's getting late and i tend to ramble when I'm tired. Kinda like now. Tommorrow I'll write the teachers wish list.
Now I'm over it though, well mostly. It is challenging being a preschool teacher. One would think the kids would be the hardest part, but it's the parents usually! I would say my biggest challenge is motivation. What motivates a 3 year old compared to a 5 1/2 year old is a vast difference. Add in a few school age kids in the afternoon and you have LOADS of fun. NOT.
I watch that show on TLC Discovery called Jon and Kate Plus Eight. http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/jon-and-kate/jon-and-kate.html
Kate said something along the lines of "Everyday is completely different, but exactly the same" Unless you had a gaggle of kids you cared for day in and day out you probably wouldn't understand that. But it rang very true for me and made me laugh.
Things you should be prepared for if you want to teach preschool:
1. Having Infinite Patience - Many of the kids in my class are angels. Unfortunately they go home early and I'm stuck with the hellions. Some kids spend more time at our center than I do! That will take a toll on their behavior for sure. I hadn't anticipated how hard it would be to be patient with all these kids all day and still have enough patience and energy for my child at night. That would have to be the hardest part for me I think.
2. Dealing with Parents - There are always one or two in every class that sway from the norm. Either they don't seem to care at all or they care TOO much. Some kids spend 60 hours a week at our center with parents either not working at all or just part time. Sad. But the too much crowd wants you to do it their way and in a large group setting that is just not going to happen.
3. The Staff - Having only worked in two centers I have to say the one I am currently at is as different from the old one as night and day. Watch what you say and who you say it to if you don't want it repeated. Better yet keep your opinion to yourself.
4. Discipline - These are NOT your kids! You may not whip them, shame them, or demean them in any way. Some "teachers" don't quite understand those rules. A lot of parents don't seem to understand that either. My best advice is short and sweet. Be consistent, pay attention and be fair, mean what you say and say what you mean. If you tell Johhny one more strike and he's in time out then don't yell at him next time. March his little behind over to the time out chair and sit him down. It has taken me 6 months to retrain my class because they had an abusive teacher before. Lots of yelling, little follow through, and eventually she hit a student which is why she was fired. Again NOT YOUR KIDS. Even if you do spend more time with them than their parents are able.
5. A Happy Medium - As a teacher you must follow your director, the parents, and your own knowlege during classtime. First, almost all directors come from one of two schools. 1. learn through play 2. learn through work *i.e paperwork*. I have worked for both of those directors. Let me tell ya it's hard to make the switch. 99% of the time if you work in one center there are parents there who want you to do it the other way. Currently I teach them through play and try to sneak in a few worksheets under my directors nose now and then. I think both of them are pretty important. Kids that age in my opinion should NOT be made to sit and do seatwork, but if they are playing all day everyday without learning some of what they are expected in Kindergarten how will they cope when they get there? I feel it's my responsibility to make them feel smart and proud when they enter Kindy, not feeling bad about themselves because they can't write they're name or don't know their shapes.
Well it's getting late and i tend to ramble when I'm tired. Kinda like now. Tommorrow I'll write the teachers wish list.
Today's funny's
We are eating a salad at lunch with ranch dressing. "O" says to me, "Ms. can i have some more icing for my salad?"
Me: "huh?"
"O": "Some Salad icing!"
Me: "okay sure. " lol
Salad icing. Maybe if they sold it that way then it might go faster.
Just so you know kids love to do the chicken dance and shake their groove thangs to Madagascar's "MOVE IT!" I love to watch those kids dance. It's like I'm at a rave lol.
Me: "huh?"
"O": "Some Salad icing!"
Me: "okay sure. " lol
Salad icing. Maybe if they sold it that way then it might go faster.
Just so you know kids love to do the chicken dance and shake their groove thangs to Madagascar's "MOVE IT!" I love to watch those kids dance. It's like I'm at a rave lol.
special teachers
Most moms really like their childs first teacher in preschool. I know I did. The second ones or those as they get older maybe not so much. There ar more kids and less time to chat eachother up. You have higher expectations and a lower tolerance.
A boy in my clas named "t" is newly 3. In his old class the teacher cleaned up all six kids mess since she is a neat freak. Now obviously with 24 kids in my class my co teacher and I don't have the luxury of additional cleanup time. If you make the mess you clean it up. "t" does not like that rule apparently and told his mom he doesn't like our class. Yeah kid it sucks to get bigger and have to follow rules huh? :)
Mom told his old teacher this morning that he missed his old class and didn't like his new techers and I overheard. I'm a little irritated since I've done nothing but make the new little kids as comfortable as I can. Althought, I can see it from the moms point of view. She wants her son to be happy, but she should also be happy we are setting limits for him so he doesn't grow up to be a deliquent. When you walk into your children's daycare class you will see kids in all corners of the room- toys everywhere- and exhausted teachers. Probably think wow what if anything did they do today? Take your worst day and multiply it by 5. Time out is my only weapon. Now imagine.trying to get kids from all different age groups sitting still then teach them shapes colors sounds alphabet numbers weathe days of the week and then months. That is just at circle. What about crafts? Add in all the hitting whining crying that may break out at any given moment and by 6 PM you would look like me too.
Don't understand me wrong!
In between all the learning I get to hear jokes - get hugs - hear stories about your family lol-i am told I love you- teach kids to love their friends - see creativity at work- watch them learn emphathy- and best of all get to help shape the fine people I hope they turn out to become one day. That takes a lot of energy. So please pardon me if I cannot cater to your sons whims. He will have to learn one day the earth does not revolve around him alone mom. By the way ask "t" who he gave a hug and a kiss at naptime then I rubbed his back at nap today while he was missing you. He likes me fine, just not picking up toys.
A boy in my clas named "t" is newly 3. In his old class the teacher cleaned up all six kids mess since she is a neat freak. Now obviously with 24 kids in my class my co teacher and I don't have the luxury of additional cleanup time. If you make the mess you clean it up. "t" does not like that rule apparently and told his mom he doesn't like our class. Yeah kid it sucks to get bigger and have to follow rules huh? :)
Mom told his old teacher this morning that he missed his old class and didn't like his new techers and I overheard. I'm a little irritated since I've done nothing but make the new little kids as comfortable as I can. Althought, I can see it from the moms point of view. She wants her son to be happy, but she should also be happy we are setting limits for him so he doesn't grow up to be a deliquent. When you walk into your children's daycare class you will see kids in all corners of the room- toys everywhere- and exhausted teachers. Probably think wow what if anything did they do today? Take your worst day and multiply it by 5. Time out is my only weapon. Now imagine.trying to get kids from all different age groups sitting still then teach them shapes colors sounds alphabet numbers weathe days of the week and then months. That is just at circle. What about crafts? Add in all the hitting whining crying that may break out at any given moment and by 6 PM you would look like me too.
Don't understand me wrong!
In between all the learning I get to hear jokes - get hugs - hear stories about your family lol-i am told I love you- teach kids to love their friends - see creativity at work- watch them learn emphathy- and best of all get to help shape the fine people I hope they turn out to become one day. That takes a lot of energy. So please pardon me if I cannot cater to your sons whims. He will have to learn one day the earth does not revolve around him alone mom. By the way ask "t" who he gave a hug and a kiss at naptime then I rubbed his back at nap today while he was missing you. He likes me fine, just not picking up toys.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A little about me
Hi. I'm an average mom/wife. We have a daughter named "A" who is 4 years old. I live in a Northeastern state. I've had a lot of jobs, but I've always loved kids and last year I had the opportunity to become a preschool teacher/daycare provider. The kids in my class are ages 3-5 years old so there are alot of stories floating around in my head about them.
I'm purposefully vague because I don't want to be recognized because this is a place for me to vent, let people know about childcare from the providers experience, and just let whomever stumbles upon this blog to have a chuckle with me as I write these stories for myself. Being annonymous protects those I tell the stories about and myself as well. Well I hope.
Funny story of the day:
My daughter told me today that I was "scaring her jeebies". I tell my husband that when he scares me. "You scared the jeebies out of me!" Funny to hear it come from her mouth.
I'm purposefully vague because I don't want to be recognized because this is a place for me to vent, let people know about childcare from the providers experience, and just let whomever stumbles upon this blog to have a chuckle with me as I write these stories for myself. Being annonymous protects those I tell the stories about and myself as well. Well I hope.
Funny story of the day:
My daughter told me today that I was "scaring her jeebies". I tell my husband that when he scares me. "You scared the jeebies out of me!" Funny to hear it come from her mouth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
