My Half Day Pre-K (Preschool) Schedule

 I don't know about you but, I could not find a half day preschool schedule template that worked for me. I did get one provided by my district but, it was missing a key piece of the puzzle... potty breaks. That could be crucial... I think. 😅 It took some tweaking and trial/error but, we finally landed on a schedule for the AM and PM kiddos that works for everyone. My students transition easily and know what to expect next each day. We have had lots of compliments about how smoothly my classroom runs. Maybe it will make your day easier, too! Here is our routine!

AM

9:10 - Students arrive and enter the classroom to hang up their things (I have playdough, books and puzzles already at the tables for their morning choices)

9:25 - We go to the restroom and I do Heggerty (phonics) with the class while they are waiting their turn

9:35 - We head back to the room to finish up our table choices. I don't have them clean up the table choices when we go to the restroom. It's just a quick trip there and back.

9:45 - We have gross motor time either outside or in the gym.

10:15 - Circle Time

10:30 - Centers (we have snack as a center)

11:20 - Clean up and head to the tables. 

11:25 - I have them do a "home connection" sheet that is an activity or coloring sheet that goes with our daily learning.

11:35 - Pack up to leave

11:40 - Leave and go to the restroom if needed

PM

1:20 - Kiddos arrive and use the restroom while waiting for others to arrive

1:30 - Head to the classroom and hang up their gear. They have the same table choices set up as the AM.

1:45 - Circle Time

2:00 - Centers (we have snack as a center)

2:45 - Clean up and head to the tables. 

2:45 - I have them do a "home connection" sheet that is an activity or coloring sheet that goes with our daily learning.

3:00 - Pack up and line up for gross motor (we hang their things up outside the gym/playground so they are ready to leave) We also head to the restroom and do Heggerty while they wait their turn to potty.

3:10 - Gross Motor

3:40 - Home

Free February Newsletter - All Grades!

 Here is the latest newsletter template. Click to download. 

January Newsletter, Winter Sensory Table, Hot Cocoa Stand and Bulletin Board Decor!

 Happy winter break everyone! I needed this break so badly. I love that I went back to teaching the littles but, a break from hearing "teacher, teacher teacher" is much needed. I will definitely miss them when it's time to go back, though! We had such a fun couple of weeks leading up to break. It's also a super exciting time in our classroom because we are getting a remodel by Sandra Duncan! She's an awesome author who specializes in reimagining the EC classroom. If you haven't heard of her, it's worth a Google. Here are some things I have to share with you all...

First, the January newsletter template! Click here to download. It's an editable PDF that you can type right on.

My winter sensory table was a HUGE hit! It definitely took some teaching a reminders to not eat it 😅I did some coffee cups from Dunkin, cocoa pebbles, and marshmallows. I also added some scoops and measuring cups. We had a hot cocoa sensory table as well as transformed our Community Center into a hot cocoa shop! They LOVED this! Pretty soon it will change again into a vet's office to go with our Pet Study. The printables for the cocoa shop were found here.

Lastly, shout out to my amazing para for always having our door and bulletin board looking fantastic! 

My Circle Time Routine - Creative Curriculum

I teach in a high needs environment. In my classroom, I have a huge mix of ability levels and ages from 3 to 5 years old. Some of my kiddos have SPED services, speech, OT, etc. Circle time routines was a huge consideration for me this year and I put a lot of thought into it. If anyone else is struggling with how to keep them engaged when you have a diverse level of needs, you are not alone! 

I knew we would need lots of movement and excitement but, we also have the curriculum and read alouds to consider. Keeping that in mind, I also knew that they would need consistency and routine. These kiddos need to know what to expect and what is coming next. It makes them feel like they are safe and in control. That is a lot to consider... a lot. For just 15 minutes of my day... 

Here's what I came up with.

1. Hello Song (Welcome activity). We did the same one for several weeks so that it was routine. Then, I integrated a couple more and now we sometimes mix it up. I started with Clap A Name from the Mighty Minutes in Creative Curriculum. Hickety Pickety Bumblebee or any good morning song would work. I display their names and point to them as we go. Super important for name recognition skills.

2. Focus Wall. I have my focus wall tailored to the needs of my kiddos. I have some that are three and still working on number recognition, alphabet and colors. However, I also have five year olds that will be headed to Kindergarten. They are working on sight words and more complex skills such as building sentences and writing. My wall has to be pretty diverse to meet those needs. This is the part where I also do songs and the calendar.

3. Movement. After the sitting for about five minutes, they NEED movement. Every day I pick a different activity or song. Right now they are really into "Turkey Hunt" since we are coming up on Thanksgiving. They also love Simon Says, Freeze Dance and The Floor is Lava.

4. Book. After the movement, we do a few deep breaths together and get ready to read our book for the day. Sometimes it is from the curriculum, other times it is a choice of mine.

5. Second Step. We use this as a school but, I don't usually get to it every day. Since I have half day, I only get one short circle time with each group. Second Step usually happens a few times a week. If you don't know what this is, it is an SEL curriculum. This would be a good time to do an SEL or team building activity if you don't use something like Second Step.

6. Curriculum Activity and Question of the Day. This is the time that I quickly do my curriculum activity and question of the day. We usually try to make this as interesting and involved as possible because by this time they are ready to play!

7. Centers. I introduce the centers, goals for the day, and send them on their way!

Free December Newsletter Template - ALL grades!

 This is a freebie printable template for all grades. You can also type straight into the boxes as I have made it and editable PDF. Enjoy! Click here to download.

November, Fall Sensory Bin for Preschool and Pre-K!

 Happy November! I love changing out my sensory table for different holidays and seasons. This month we used corn kernels as the main item. I also added measuring scoops, pine cones, leaves and fun laminated numbers. This gives the kiddos lots of choices with how to use the table. Some of them find all the numbers, most of them love scooping, and others bury the items. These tables are a huge hit so far!

These also align well with TSGold standards. They allow for the students to explore together, identify numerals, use measuring skills, and make connections. 

Apple Orchard Dramatic Play

 My students are THRILLED with my change to our dramatic play area. We changed it up and created an apple orchard and bakery. We also added raking leaves to our block area. Some kiddo sized rakes and fake leaves did the trick!

Their favorite thing in dramatic play is definitely the pie baking! They use the pom-poms as apples and put them in the pie tin. Then they add the felt strips to make their crust. 

I got all the printables here and here and it was super easy!