- Kristen Poindexter
- Indianapolis, IN #Kindergarten #General Elementary #Math #Social Studies #ELA #Science
- www.kristenskindergarten.com
I really want to include Science in my school day, but our schedule is so jam packed already, how can I fit it in?
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I am setting up an Amazon wishlist for families to purchase items (optionally!) for our classroom. What are items I should include on that wishlist?
We are going on our first field trip of the school year this week. What are some “must have” things that you take along on every trip as the teacher?
I have a parent who contacted me today and wants to help in the classroom, but I’m not sure how to have them help. Any suggestions?
How do you effectively co-plan lessons with a co-teacher to ensure equal participation?
I want to include some Science of Reading strategies in my science teaching. What are some ways to go about this?
What are committees in your school or district and how do they give input on the school climate or activities?
How do you develop a culture of reading in your school? How do you get students (and staff!) excited to read?
How do you structure parent/teacher conferences?
Do students attend or lead the conference or do you just meet with caregivers?
What information do you share during the conference?
What science topics do you cover in September and October? We include some seasonal topics such as seasons and some learning about lifecycles (monarch butterflies, pumpkins and apples), but we are looking for some different, non-seasonal topics.
How do you deal with the “Sunday Scaries”? Are there any routines or things that you do to help you relax before beginning a new week?
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How do you include science in an already crowded day? Here’s one way I do it!
How can I design hands-on, inquiry-based science activities that engage young learners in exploring the world around them?
What are some common misconceptions that first year or newer teachers have?
What have been your most positive experiences with mentorship? Both as a mentor and mentee?
How can I incorporate play-based learning into my classroom, even if it’s not the primary instructional method?
What are some efficient ways to track an analyze student data without becoming overwhelmed?
What are some strategies for adjusting my pacing when students need more time to grasp key concepts?
How do you help students who have not been in a school setting before, learn when interacting with certain areas of your classroom?
How do you decide what dramatic play areas to set up in your classroom and how do you choose what goes in them?
What are the first science topics or units you teach in the new school year?
What are some things you do at the start of the school year to build relationships with students?
What are some of your most effective methods for building a positive classroom community?
When setting up and cleaning out spaces in your classroom, how do you decide what stays and what goes?
How do your students get to play? Here’s a peek at how my Kinders get to play!
How do you set up your classroom? How do these decisions influence and prioritize learning?
What are some classroom management rituals or practices that you start at the beginning of the year?
What happens when science experiments don’t go exactly as planned? How do you improvise?
How do you build community in a new school setting as a new teacher? It seems like other teachers have already formed their own groups.
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 should I deprioritize?
How do you engage ALL your learners in a lesson?
Who are some lesser known scientists that you share with your students? What are their names and contributions to science?
Do you have outdoor classroom or garden space at your school? How do you use the space and who cares for the space?
How do you get organized for when you return to your classroom after summer break?
For example, I have a notebook where I make a list all summer so I know what needs to be tackled. What do you do to organize yourself?
Have you found ways that AI is helpful in your elementary classroom or with elementary students?
How do you include Science throughout your day when there might not be a dedicated block of time?
How do you motivate your colleagues? Is there anything special you do to help be their cheerleader?
How do you mentor and inspire new to the profession teachers?
Does your state have any specific requirements for you or your license/credentials if you want to teach in one or all of the STEM disciplines? Is that process any different if you work with younger students rather than older elementary students?
As you end one school year, is there anything you do to help prepare for the next year before you leave?
Will you be doing anything with your students to share or celebrate the Summer Olympics?
What curricular materials, if any, does your school use and why were they chosen?
What are your favorite seeds to have your students plant? I usually stick with Lima beans or alfalfa seeds, but I’m looking to branch out.
How do you plan with your team? Is there one teacher who takes the lead or do you share the planning? How often do you meet?
How do your teams plan together? Is there one teacher that takes the lead more than others or do you all collaborate together?
In so many schools, play is dismissed as frivolous or not important to include in the day. How do you advocate for the inclusion of play?
What are your favorite ongoing science experiments that you do with your students?
How do you organize your teaching materials?
How do you prepare for your small groups so you can make the most of your time? I use these prepared baskets of materials so that students can get right to work when they visit with me!
Do your teaching practices ever get stuck in a rut? What do you do to reinvigorate your teaching?
What is your “go-to” educational quote that you find yourself going back to?
How do you make the last day of school fun for your students? Are there any special activities or events that you hold?
Do you have your students create memory books of any kind at the end of the year? What do you include in them?
How do you celebrate and talk about Earth Day with your students? What are some books and resources you use?
Are your states requiring any additional coursework related to the Science of Reading? In Indiana, we have to take an 80 hour course on our own time to renew our Elementary licenses. Just curious what other states are requiring.
No power or Internet!
Today, and hour into our day, the power went out in parts of the building due to weather. How do you quickly switch your teaching when you have no power or Internet?
What are your favorite end of year or ABC countdown ideas? We want to change up what we do this year and would love to hear what you enjoy to celebrate the end of the year!
What are your favorite apps or other forms of technology you like to use with your students? How do you use them?
How do you teach sight words/heart words/etc., and how do you help them stick in a student’s mind?
What are your favorite strategies for helping younger students develop a good sense of comprehension?
April is poetry month, what are your favorite poets to share with elementary aged children and how do you encourage students to write their own poems?
How do you prepare for Open House? What do you have students share or leave out for their families? What is the overall structure of your Open House? Do families stay for length of time or do they come and go?
How are your schools transitioning to Science of Reading practices if they have not already? What resources are you using to support and guide you?
How are your schools preparing for the solar eclipse? We are 100% in the path of totality, so we are having an elearning day.
I am looking for information on standards based report cards—do you use letter grades or a numerical score? How would a numerical score be determined?
Does anyone else use ESGI to help assess their students? What assessments do you find most useful in Kindergarten?
How much time do you get each day for science and how do you assess your students understanding of science content?
What is the best professional development you’ve attended recently?
What are somethings that your school does to build staff morale?
What are your favorite read alouds for K-5 aged students? I am always looking for new books to add to my collection!
What are your most favorite field trips that you’ve taken with your students and how did they tie into your content?
What are some great new reads for teachers?
I just finished Lifelong Kindergarten and it was FANTASTIC!! What are other suggestions?
What are some ways that you help yourself grow as a professional?
I often use charts to help students compare/contrast texts, organize events in a story, or to capture character feelings over the course of a text. What are your favorite charts to use for building comprehension and other literacy skills?
How do you build relationships with tough parents? What are some things you do to build trust so that you can have tough conversations with them when needed?
How do you organize your small literacy group materials, both those materials you will use to teach and those materials your students will use?
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.
How do you modify your teaching when you have a significant number of students out with illness? For example, today half my Kindergarten students are out sick today, and I am reviewing some ideas with the students who are here while introducing a few new things that I can review as students slowly return. How do you handle situations like this when one or more students are absent?
What are your favorite items to include in a science notebook (paper or digital)?
How can I keep track of how my students are progressing in literacy small groups?
How can you reflect on your day?
