help! my classroom is like a barn (lea convocation 2013)
TRANSCRIPT
Help!!My Classroom
Is Like A Barn!!
Drew D. GerdesLEA Convocation - 2013Milwaukee, Wisconsin
It’s Soooooo True….Teaching isn’t all that easy…
Teaching is an art and a science…
Teaching takes patience…
Teaching takes talent…
Teaching takes a toll….
What else could we say?Teaching………
A ComparisonTeacher Farmer
Up early – works lateDeals with many noisesDeals with many smells
Lots of planningThings can change
instantlyKids rely on teachers
Cultivates the future…
Up early – works lateDeals with many noisesDeals with many smells
Lots of planningThings can change
instantlyAnimals rely on farmersCultivates the future…
We Are Important!!!
What do you remember?
Teachers play such an important role…
1. In a child’s life2. In society
3. In a families life
What we do daily effects the lives of sooo many
people!
Perhaps A Better Picture…
Teachers Can…
See everythingHear everythingKnow everythingSense everything
And…Smell everything!!!
We are Super Teachers!!!
But…We Are Only Super With Jesus!
Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me.
Luke 1:37For nothing is impossible with God
God uses us to minister to His Kingdom!We are Jesus’ disciples!
What an honor and responsibility!!!
Why Did God Choose Me?
Thankfully…God’s Ways are much better than
our ways…
Drew’s Story…
What’s your story?
God chose YOU!YOU are here for a
reason!
Okay…Back To The Barn
Ryker and Braden
Ultimate Investigators
Add To The Madness…
Dear, Dear Cheryl..
Then This Happens…Oh, the joys of teaching…
Even teachers should keep an extra set of clothes at school!!!
PlanningPlan on throwing our your Lesson Plans.
Plan on having unplanned disruptions.
Plan on rearranging your routine.In early childhood, there is no such thing as a
schedule!
Plan on making lemonade out of the lemons you are given!
Speaking of Lemons..When the chickens squawk, when the cows moo,
and when the horses neigh…
Start to sing!!!
It’s amazing how children will stop everything, look, listen, and then follow along!!!
Back To The BarnTeachers need to know
the purpose and function of every area and item in
their classroom.
The teacher is in ultimate control – the student “thinks” he/she is in
control because there is freedom to go places/do
things – that have purpose and function.
Everything has it’s own place – every animal has
it’s own place.
Purpose & Function
Physical Classroom Environment
The set-up of the physical classroom environment plays such a HUGE ROLE in determining the over
classroom learning environment.
Does everything have a purpose?Is everything tidy?
Is everything accessible that needs to be accessible?Is furniture placement arranged so that children can
succeed?Can adults monitor and see from any angle?
Christian!!!The child who is always
looking for an opportunity…
Tests the limits…
Strong-willed…
Free-minded…
Sometimes we clash…
Make ‘Em Dig Holes!For those kids who are
just like Christian…
Don’t just balk at them…
Don’t constantly nag at them…
Play a game – a game where YOU are always
the winner!
It’s Their JobIt’s a child’s job to test the limits.
It’s the teachers job to set them. Clearly. Appropriately. Attainable.
A comment I dislike the most…“It’s just this class!”
“These kids couldn’t do it to save their life!”“I can’t wait until this year is over!”
Fall In Love!Play the game!!
Make sure every child falls in love with you.
He/She will then likely do anything for you.
They don’t want to disappoint you!
Ask Yourself…
What can I do in my classroom to make sure this child is
successful?
All About Relationships
Parents will never read everything you send
home or do exactly what you want them to do.
Neither will the kids!
So…Get over it!
That’s what it’s all about!!
Jesus was all about relationships, too!
Brief DiscussionDiscuss with a neighbor how YOU build strong
relationships in your classroom.
With students…With parents…
With co-workers…
We each have our own unique ways.We learn from one another, too!
Are You Surprised?What do you think is the most sought-after topic in
early childhood education?
BEHAVIOR GUIDANCE!!!
Be careful!!! Do not mistake developmental or educational issued for behavioral problems.
Understand child development and be patient!
A Case StudyPicture the following activity happening in
your classroom.
Listen carefully to the details and comments.
Think about Hayley.
What Are The Problems Here?
The teacher did not keep the children completely
safe.
The teacher did not follow through with
comments.
The teacher made empty threats.
The teacher did not give specific directions for
use of the umbrellas in advance.
The teacher was not developmentally clear in
her expectations.
The teacher shared an opinion – not a directive.
Teacher TalkWe could talk forever about Teacher Talk.
Briefly discuss with your neighbor the importance
of using appropriate words and instructions.
How do you direct children’s behavior with
Teacher Talk?
One of the biggest challenges teachers face
is how we talk to children.
Be clear – use few words.
Quick Resources
www.explorationsearlylearning.com
A guide for REAL play!!!
www.teachpreschool.com
A must-view website!!!
TechnologyIt’s not going away, so embrace it!
How do you personally use technology for the benefit of your teaching, classroom environment,
and student activities and learning?
Sad But True
Do You…???“Tweet”
“Pin”
“Like”
“Friend”
Beg, Borrow, & Steal!We all love getting new ideas for our classrooms.
The best teachers are constantly evaluating what works, what doesn’t, what new ideas could be tried,
and what is best for the children.
Professional DevelopmentContinuing EducationExpanded Learning
“Making Myself An Even Better Teacher”
Things To Ponder
Please, please never forget. The job of a child
is to PLAY!
More To Ponder…
Last one…
Ok…Just One More!!!
Your Assignment
What does play mean to you?
What does “learning by playing” mean to you?
New IdeasFor the remainder of the session, we’ll learn new ideas that you can implement in your
classroom right away.
If you are familiar with the idea, please share how you utilize it, or variations you have
done.
Think outside the box – or even in a different box altogether – how can you expand these
ideas?
What Is It For?
What are some of the things you could do with these items?
Briefly share at your table.
Be prepared for Large Group Sharing!
Know These TermsInvitation
A way to entice and encourage a child to participate in something or engage in an activity.
Loose partsThose things you save/hoard because you know
that some day you’ll need them and have a use for them.
Playful Explorations
ScienceSink/Float
Color AwarenessTexture
New Visuals
Playful Explorations
Try placing it on a coffee filter!
Will an egg float?Predictions!
Playful ExplorationsWhat benefit does this
have?
Motor skillsMathematicsColor & ArtCapacityScience
Playful Explorations
Use Your Noodle!Practice Geometry
Use shorter and longer pieces.
Can you make a circle?
Use Noodles as Building Blocks
Use Your Noodle!Physical Activity
Use smaller pieces for a race – color
identification exercises – clean up!
Build a road
Straight, turn, stop, left, right – awesome
vocabulary learning!
Use Your Noodle!PaintingNoodle Chains
Noodle Blocks
Use Your Noodle!
The coolest thing about real, true,
meaningful play is that it costs very
little – if any – money!
Use things you have around the house – or
can purchase very inexpensively!
Let the children become engineers and
architects!!
Artistic Expressions
Practice Visual Arts!Be creative and frugal.
Everyday items can make the best medium for artistic expression.
Provide guidance – provide thought-
proviking questions – watch and listen!
Crafts are not art.Crafts are teacher-
directed projects that are done following a set of specific instructions, steps, and directions.
Art is when one can choose the what and
how of creative exploration.
Play-Based Visual Arts
ResourcesDesigns for Living &
LearningBig Body Play
Frances M. Carlson
More ResourcesYoung InvestigatorsJudy Harris Helm &
Lillian Katz
Beautiful Stuff
Closing ThoughtsTeaching really is both an art and a science.
Artists create and learn by exploration and known sciences.
Scientists create and learn by exploration and by being creative.
Closing ThoughtsBe creative and unique. What is most worthy of
your time and effort?
Put kids first!!!
I hope you learned something new andwere reaffirmed in your teaching
Stretched your mind into new modes of thinking
Become a NEW Teacher!
Don’t spend time cutting, copying, and
tracing.
Do spend time getting materials and equipment
ready.
Do spend time guiding, asking questions, and
listening.
Teachers who have the most fun…
Do things differently all the time!
Are constantly exploring new ideas and thoughts!
Focus on the children!
Contact Me!Drew D. Gerdes
Early Childhood DirectorMessiah Lutheran School
Weldon Spring (St. Charles), [email protected]
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