About Our Classroom
In my Pre-K classroom, I maintain a high emphasis on social and emotional development aligned with a standards-based curriculum. Responsive and restorative practices foster a caring community of learners. To start and end our day, we all circle up for a morning and afternoon meeting. This provides an opportunity for sharing thoughts and feelings, practicing speaking and listening skills, and preparing for/ reflecting on the day. Our meetings include but are not limited to: messages, songs, movement, sharing, calendar, weather, and interactive modeling of routines, expectations, and behaviors. I also have different cozy corners within the classroom depending on student need. These are safe and calming places for children to practice regaining/regulating their emotions. Life can be overwhelming sometimes, and knowing when and how to take a break is a vital, but difficult skill to master. It is important that you know that these areas are not a punishment or punitive "time-out," but a coping strategy with different techniques built in that all children can and should use. The bulk of our day is spent in learning centers that include, but are not limited to: Math, ELA, S.T.E.A.M., Creative Arts, Dramatic Play, and Sensory Exploration. These centers change and evolve as we progress with our thematic units which include topics in: All About Us, Animals, Earth and Environment, Space, Transportation, Change and Growth, Health and Safety, Food and Nutrition, etc. The curriculum I have created for my classroom is largely adapted from NYC Pre-K for All, full of amazing instructional resources the NYC Department of Education has shared to support quality care and instruction for all preschool age children. We also started a new ELA curriculum last year school-wide through Wonders. This is an exciting addition to our program with many wonderful literary components.
It is well known that children learn best through experience and play by exploring the world around them and making their own discoveries. As a teacher, I facilitate the student’s learning by providing opportunities to help scaffold and guide children to reach academic goals. Having meaningful play in the center of curriculum allows children to integrate all the experiences they are having in the classroom.
It is my goal and mission to ensure that all my students succeed to the best of their abilities. Allowing children to grow as beneficial members of society and giving them the skills they need for life is essential. Facilitating safe and meaningful learning through intentional teaching, play, and an accessible curriculum grounded in standards will ensure all students are progressing in a developmentally appropriate way. Creating a classroom environment that is bias-free, multicultural, and inclusive will ensure a dynamic curriculum tailored to the needs of all children.
If you are a current parent/guardian, please sign up for the Class Dojo app at: https://www.classdojo.com/ to communicate with me, receive important announcements, and view pictures of our Pre-K days!
