Kicking Up the Sand in Early Childhoodcurriculum.austinisd.org/schoolnetDocs/early_childhood...September 2015 Volume 5, Issue #2 In August we welcomed our new Prekindergarten and PPCD

September 2015 ● Volume 5, Issue #2●

Happy September Super Heroes! If you watched convocation, you saw some of our District’s super heroes in action! I am really excited about this school year and am looking forward to great things as we redefine the urban educational experience. I loved the super hero theme. Each and every one of you are my heroes. Thanks for the work that you do every day. Thanks for being so super!

I hope your first week of school went smoothly! August is such a detail-filled month, with many tasks that must be completed before school starts. I am always thrilled for September, which is a great time of getting to know the students and working together to become a classroom community.

This month’s newsletter is full of items to help your September be SUPER! Here are a few due dates to remember:

• Class lists are due to Diane Smith by September 4, 2015 • Class visitation logs are due to Sylina Valdez by September 4, 2015 • Payment logs for prekindergarten registration are due by September 11, 2015

Kicking Up the Sand in Early Childhood!

Austin ISD Prekindergarten Newsletter September 2015 Jacquie Porter, Director of Early Childhood Vol. 5, Issue #2

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In August we welcomed our new Prekindergarten and PPCD teachers for the 2015-16 school year during the Teacher Induction Program (TIP). We are happy to have them join our Early Childhood Family!

Pre-K

Miki Hopkins, Casis Melissa Guzman, Barrington

Lisa Molina, Mills Marta Maupin, Baldwin

Jessica Thompson, Patton Roxana Castillo Casarez, Reilly

Sara Griffin, Campbell Connie Colmenero, Dawson

Mary Davis, Gullett Belen Gonzalez Calvo, Uphaus

Katherine Smith, Read Carolina Carnicero Rodriguez, Sanchez

Lesley Borrero, Brown Laura Torrico Lopez, Overton

Maria Barbadillo De Blas, Read Karin Diaz Reyes, Odom

Lisbeth Santisteban, Langford Victor Guerra, Pickle

Patricia Lyons, Walnut Creek Jisette Pena, Read

PPCD

Joy Leyendecker, Becker Karina Garcia, Brown

Karina Garcia, Brown Jenna Kopke, Langford

Emily Thoma, Campbell Anna McGroty, Patton

Barbara Sollohub, Williams

Many thanks to our facilitators who welcomed the new teachers into their classrooms for 2 days of training!

• Cecilia La Cour, Lucy Read • Kyla Morgan, Lucy Read • Cheryl Wootton, Mills • Griselda Neri, Uphaus

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Just a Reminder In September, it is important that we have updated enrollment information for each class as we look at leveling classrooms. Please send a copy of your student lists (any format is fine) for your class to Diane Smith at CAC Early Childhood, Box 1555, or you can fax the lists to the Early Childhood office at 512-414-9879 by September 4th.

Read for the Record Melinda Servantez, Early Childhood Specialist

Read for the Record will be held on Thursday, October 22 this year. Not Norman- A Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett is Jumpstart’s Read for the Record book. One copy will be delivered to all participating PPCD, pre-K and kindergarten teachers. • Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is a national campaign that allows millions of children and adults to celebrate literacy by participating in the largest shared reading experience. As part of this event we are inviting central office staff members to read Not Norman in classrooms across the district.

• You will receive an email with a link to request your book on September 17th. The deadline for requesting your one copy is October 2nd by 3:30. • All participating teachers must visit the site below.

Pledge to Read: http://www.jstart.org/campaigns/read-record

You can see the book on You Tube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=t54NeUv-8qk.

Additional links with activities for Not Norman: http://www.jstart.org/campaigns/activity-guides http://growingbookbybook.com/2015/08/24/not-‐norman-‐activities/ http://enjoythelearningjourney.com/g-‐is-‐for-‐goldfish-‐letter-‐of-‐the-‐week-‐for-‐preschoolers/ If you would like labels please email your request to Melinda Servantez by October 2nd. [email protected]

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Gail’s Garden Gazette Gail Laubenthal, Early Childhood Consultant

"Children are born naturalists. They explore the world with all of their senses, experiment in the environment, and communicate their discoveries to those around them." The Audubon Nature Preschool

Give children the opportunity to nurture a small piece of earth, and in return, the earth will nurture them with a harvest and gifts beyond belief!

Gardening in September: According to the Travis County Extension Office, you can plant the following this month:

Gardening Throughout the Year Web:

September 1-15 September 15-30 ◦ Beets ◦ Carrots ◦ Chard ◦ Chinese Cabbage ◦ Collards ◦ Endive ◦ Garlic ◦ Kale ◦ Kohlrabi ◦ Head Lettuce ◦ Leaf Lettuce ◦ Mustard ◦ Parsley ◦ Garden Peas ◦ Radishes ◦ Shallots ◦ Summer Squash ◦ Turnips

◦ Beets ◦ Carrots ◦ Chard ◦ Chinese

Cabbage ◦ Collards ◦ Garlic ◦ Head Lettuce ◦ Leaf Lettuce ◦ Mustard ◦ Parsley ◦ Garden Peas ◦ Radishes ◦ Shallots ◦ Spinach ◦ Turnips

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Gail at [email protected] or call 512-‐585-‐7802.

Crystal Young, PK teacher at Sunset Valley, shared a great garden blog link:

Farm to School Blog

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Take With a Grain of Sand In last month’s article we found out how kinetic sand can be used to develop fine motor skills. This month, we will learn how kinetic sand is the perfect material to use with kids who exhibit tactile dysfunctions. Whether a child has hypersensitivity to touch (tactile defensiveness) and doesn’t want to touch certain materials or get messy; or has the other extreme, hyposensitivity to touch (under-responsive) and constantly craves touching things, both will enjoy interacting with kinetic sand. The children that seek out touch will enjoy just using their own hands to manipulate the sand. By squeezing the sand, they will feel deep pressure, which is very calming to them. You can also hide things like jewels, buttons and rocks in the sand and have the children dig for buried treasure using their fingers. For the children that may not enjoy other messy play activities, they might enjoy handling the sand because of its soft, dry and flowing texture. If they are not quite ready to engage in touching the sand, you could provide a spoon or a stiff paintbrush for the children to stroke the sand much like what is done in a Zen garden. Whether or not you have children that have sensory play needs, kinetic sand is a great therapeutic material that can provide a calming sensory experience for all to enjoy.

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Tips for Setting Up the Science/Nature Center Brian Mowry, Early Childhood Specialist

Centers belong to the children, therefore they should include hands-on activities that peak their interests. In order to keep activities inviting and engaging, they should be changed on a regular basis. If possible, position the science center near a window to capitalize on the natural lighting for growing plants. The science center should be well-organized with a table for exploration and experimentation. There should also be areas for displays such as pets and collections. Many types of tools can be left out all the time to allow the children to take them to other areas of the classroom. Remember, science occurs everywhere, so activities should not be limited just to the science center. Outdoor exploration and experimentation should always be encouraged!

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On the following page, you will find a list of tools and specimens/collections to add to the science center so that it will be an inviting and inquiry-based area in your classroom throughout the year.

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Tools to include in a science center: Specimens and Collections:

measurement tools – graphing materials, thermometers, beakers, measuring tapes, adding machine tape, cups, spoons, balance scales, ruler

forceps

pipettes/ eye droppers

stop watch/ timer

magnets

clipboards/paper/writing tools

microscopes

bug catchers

jars

nature crayons/ colored pencils

funnels

hand lens/ magnifiers

binoculars

camera

trays color paddles

flashlights

test tubes

prisms

mirrors

pulleys tubing/ hoses

pendulums

lab coats

gears

small machines to take apart

terrarium

kaleidoscope

sifting screens

telescopes

hammer

pinecones

feathers

rocks

sticks

shells

leaves

bones/teeth

skins

exoskeletons

nuts

flowers

beehives

moss

gourds

plants/ flowers

seeds

fossils

arrowheads

tree bark

bird’s nests

pets

crystals

sand/soil samples

insect specimens

nuts and bolts

books

discovery bottles

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Good-‐byes We lost two teammates this summer. We want to say goodbye to Crystal Castañeda, who will be joining the staff at Andrews as an Assistant Principal, congratulations Crystal! We also want to say goodbye to Alexa Obregon, who is taking a job at the University of Texas. Congratulations Alexa! We will miss you both and we wish you well.

CIRCLE Progress Monitoring DATES Our new software platform for our CPALLS+ assessment is the Children’s Learning Institute’s CIRCLE Progress Monitoring System. It will be up and ready to go by the time we need it in September. As soon as I receive more information about your log-ins and the system, I will pass it along to you. If you have given the CPALLS+ assessment before using TANGO, this will be very much the same.

Quiet Time/Rest Schedule Rest time in September is 45 minutes. The Read Aloud part of this time should be 15-20 minutes. If you missed the rest schedule for the year, it is in the August newsletter.

Heggerty Books Heggerty books should be checked out from your campus library. Each Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher should receive a Heggerty book. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about obtaining a book.

That is Awesome! Nationally known early childhood educator, Dr. Jean, has recently included an idea on her blog shared by one of our very own pre-k teachers. Congratulations, Beth Cordier from Kiker Elementary! Thanks for sharing your ideas! Check out the blog here: http://drjeanandfriends.blogspot.com/2015/08/awesome-austin.html

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This is the new name and testing system we will be using to assess our Pre-K students. Engage is very similar to CPALL’s/Teachscape in its content as well as its delivery.

Here’s what to expect:

• Students will be entered for each class by the EC department • An invitation to complete your teacher registration will be sent after September 10th • Instructions for completing your individual teacher registration will be included in the invitation • Updated rosters will be sent • Assessment components will be the same as last year

Testing Windows

BOY Sept. 28th – Oct. 30th MOY Jan. 19th – Feb. 12th EOY Apr. 11th – May 13th

Note: The CIRCLE PM System was designed to be used as a progress monitoring system within early childhood education settings (e.g., Head Start, public school pre-Kindergarten programs, and childcare). In AISD the Engage system is used for Pre-K 3’s and Pre-K 4’s.

It is a good idea to not give the entire assessment at one time. We recommend breaking the assessment into parts:

Week 1: Phonological Awareness Week 2: Rapid Letter Naming/Rapid Vocabulary Week 3: Math Week 4: Observables

Please feel free to browse the site for an Engage Overview, FAQ and more.

https://cliengage.org/

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SEL Corner Sylina Valdez, Early Childhood Administrative Supervisor

The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning website has wonderful resources such as scripted stories for social situations, book lists, book nooks, posters, charts, and tools for developing behavior support plans.

One of the charts available is a “Feelings Sign In Chart”. This chart could be used as an alternative to your general sign in or it could be placed near your safe place and children can “sign” their name to show how they are feeling throughout the day.

Creating an Inclusive Classroom Peggy Garen, Director of Special Education

AISD Early Childhood teachers welcome students with diverse needs into their classrooms with excitement! Many children walk into your classroom for the very first time. Each child brings a special set of skills that you as the teacher have an opportunity to nurture and grow. Here are a few tips that may start your school year off with a bang.

Request a top 10 list of most important things to know about your students and their disabilities.

Set up a meeting with the family and the PPCD teacher to get an idea of the family’s perspective of their child and what they would like to see their child accomplish during the school year.

Take a moment to assess the physical set up of your classroom.

Are the areas of the classroom accessible for all children? Are there clear pathways between play areas? Does the learning environment address all sensory modalities – visual, auditory and kinesthetic? Finally, consider using teaching strategies that incorporate best practice for an inclusive setting: notice and comment on positive behavior; provide social skills lessons that emphasize kindness, empathy and play skills; remind children what to do before transitions; present information in multiple formats; and use classroom materials that show positive and diverse images of children and adults with disabilities engaged in typical life situations and community roles.

Including students with disabilities is an art form. It takes practice, diligence, attention to detail and patience. Most importantly, know that you are a key figure in the education of this child and all of your efforts are greatly appreciated by many!

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Smart Talk: Improving Children’s Oral Language with 4-year-old’s

By now your classroom is set up, routines and procedures are being practiced, and story time has become a regular practice. Here are a few strategies to encourage language

development. Oral Language precedes reading Children begin to acquire language the day they are born. During these early years, children need supportive adults who will engage them in conversation, read to them, and provide experiences in which they can learn new words. Oral language precedes a child’s acquisition of reading skills such as phonemic awareness and comprehension.

Talking leads to learning

Children must have a receptive (listening) and expressive (talking) use of oral language so they can become successful readers. Talking to children helps build their vocabulary.

Offer Oral Language Activities

Provide props: Place props in the dramatic play center or use at circle time. A dentist kit, for example, may encourage children to talk about their experiences in going to the dentist. Discuss artwork: Encourage children to discuss their creations: “Tell me about your painting.” “How did you feel while

making this collage?” Talk while playing: Encourage children to talk while playing in the block center and dramatic play centers; these

activities are interactive and collaborative. While children are playing and talking, their vocabulary will improve because they hear themselves and remember some of the words they have heard adults use. Play “Objects in a Bag”: Place a few items such as a cap, plastic cup, and spoon into a bag. Have the child pull an object

from the bag and talk about it. The child can describe the object and talk about how it’s used. Record sounds in nature: Tape record sounds from outdoors. While playing sounds such as birds, moving vehicles, and

dogs barking, encourage children to talk about what they hear. Encourage children to write about or draw pictures representing the sounds they hear. Solve a puzzle: While working with a child to solve a puzzle, talk about the pieces, colors, and shapes. Encourage

conversation. Read or tell a story every day. Vary the reading format, using books as well as flannel board and puppets, for example.

Have a well-stocked book center that children can use on their own. Encourage pantomime: Encourage a child to retell their favorite story or pretend to be a character from the book in front

of a mirror. Play a rhyme game: Say “Ball rhymes with call.” Spell out the words—“Ball, b-a-l-l and call, c-a-l-l.” Encourage the

child to say the words to feel and hear how they rhyme. Sing songs and chants: Be ready to sing the same songs over and over. Read labels: Help children to read the labels on items. Make labels for objects in the classroom, such as “wastebasket,”

“door,” “blocks,” and “paint.” Provide writing materials: Encourage children to write by making available materials such as a variety of paper, pencils,

non-toxic crayons, paints and brushes, and washable markers. Set up a special place for reading and writing. Dictate a story: Have the child dictate a story to you while you write what the child says.

Take advantage of book/story time!!

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Fall 2015 Prekindergarten Professional Development

DATE(S) TIME SECTION

# TITLE DESCRIPTION AUDIENCE

LOCATION

9/15/15 10/20/15

12/8/15

3:30-5:30

Applicatio

n only

*Contact [email protected]

Early Childhood Language Arts: PK PRIDE

This class is for teachers new to PK for the 2015-2016 school year. Teachers must apply to be a part of this year-long book study. Contact Sylina Valdez (414-9682) in the EC dept. Pre-k PRIDE (Purposeful, Ready, Intentional, Direct, and Essential) is a year-long book study of Literacy Beginnings by Fountas & Pinnell. Teachers who commit to the year-long book study will receive the book and other materials for classroom use. Some topics include organizing the environment for learning, the role of language in learning, phonemic awareness and phonics, supporting ELLs, supporting emergent readers and writers, and assessment of literacy learning. Literacy Beginnings is full of resources like songs, rhymes, and fingerplays. This class will meet at Sanchez Elementary Portable 5. The meeting on 10/20/15 will be a full day with subs paid for by EC Dept.

PK Sanchez

9/16/15 10/21/15 11/18/15

3:30-5:30

Applicatio

n only


Early Childhood Language Arts: Writing in Pre-K (Fall)

This class focuses on best practices related to literacy instruction in the preschool classroom. Participants will be exposed to and review the Language Arts Teachings of writing in Early Childhood of Matt Glover, Lucy Calkins and Maria Montessori. Topics will vary according to the focus of a specific section. More specifically, we will concentrate on preparing a writing environment, literacy centers, Nudging rather than pushing development, Composition vs Conventions development, choice-topic and genre, read alouds, guided and shared writing, picture books, alphabetic knowledge, phonemic awareness and much more. Sections will provide a balance between presenter lecture and modeling and participant interaction, discussion and classroom practice. All purposely designed to facilitate and enhance children's attainment of those related knowledge and skills.

PK Read

9/16/15 3:30-5:30

78093

Early Childhood Science: Full STEAM Ahead

Participants will gather ideas to incorporate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) to enhance their student’s experiences. This session will share ideas to incorporate STEAM extension ideas. Participants will create STEAM materials for their classroom. This session is for Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers. Students are engaged in learning as they explore materials and learn to represent their understandings of content. This class will take place at Mathews Elementary in Room 109. There is no designated parking. Park on the streets: behind the school, or on the side streets. No extra duty pay available. Please bring your own snacks. Water will be provided!

PK, K, PPCD Mathews

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9/17/15 3:30-5:30

78271

Early Childhood Language Arts: Heggerty Training

This program, developed by Dr. Michael Heggerty, is a 35 week curriculum of daily phonological awareness plans and activities. The use of Dr. Heggerty's phonological awareness plan is an incredibly important foundational component to early reading literacy skills. The session will provide you with an overview of Dr. Heggerty's scope and sequence and its relationship to the phonological awareness continuum. Review of the lesson plans, connections to C-PALLS and understanding of the systematic scope and sequence of skills will be covered in the class. Teachers will have the opportunity to view examples of teachers delivering a lesson in both Spanish and English. Class will take place at Sanchez Elementary in Portable 5.

PK, K, PPCD

Sanchez

9/23/15 3:30-5:30

78190

PK Team Leader Curriculum Update: 1st 9 Weeks North

District Curriculum Specialist will share information and curriculum updates concerning the new CRMs and Assessment Rubrics. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and provide campus feedback with regard to these instructional planning documents.

PK Read

9/30/15 3:30-5:30 78191

PK Team Leader Curriculum Update: 1st 9 Weeks South

District Curriculum Specialist will share information and curriculum updates concerning the new CRMs and Assessment Rubrics. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and provide campus feedback with regard to these instructional planning documents.

PK Uphaus

10/6/15 3:30-5:30

77940

Early Childhood Science: Nature Calls!

Exploring the outdoors and/or bringing nature into your classroom gives children meaningful learning opportunities as well as an appreciation for the wonder of nature. Participants will leave with ideas for nature activities and strategies for developing investigations based on the seasons/weather/and unit of study.

PK, K, PPCD

Allan Rm. 108

10/7/15 3:30-5:30

78108

Early Childhood Science: Scientist of the Week Webinar

Do you want to ignite a spark of love for science and an understanding for inquiry in your classroom? Are you looking for ways to build science rich vocabulary and oral language skills in your kindergarten students? Do you want to provide your students with opportunities to construct questions, expand on ideas, make observations, explain their understanding, and describe what they have learned? If the answers to these questions are, "Yes!", then you will want to join us for the Scientist of the Week webinar. (1 hour)

PK, K, PPCD online

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10/27/15 3:30-5:30

*not in HCP yet

Early Childhood Social Emotional Development: Using Rituals and Routines to Develop Self-Regulation

Description coming soon! PK, K, PPCD

Ridgetop

11/18/15 1/13/16 2/24/16 3/23/16

3:30-5:30

Applicatio

n only


Early Childhood Special Topics: Engage Learners with Project Based Learning

Participants will deepen their understanding of project based learning (PBL) by studying the inspirational works of Lilian Katz and Judy Harris Helm. This class will extend over four sessions. Participants will conduct one project and complete a documentation panel to share with the group. Collaboration is the key as we plan, organize, and enrich the learning of our students with deep project work. For Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten teachers. This class will take place at Mathews Elementary in Room 109. There is no designated parking. Park on the streets: behind the school, or on the side streets. Bring your own snacks. Bottled water will be furnished. No extra duty pay available.

PK, K, PPCD Mathews

12/2/15 3:30-5:30

78192

PK Team Leader Curriculum Update: 2nd 9 Weeks North

District Curriculum Specialist will share information and curriculum updates concerning the 2nd Nine Weeks CRMs and Assessment Rubrics. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and provide campus feedback with regard to these instructional planning documents.

PK Read

12/9/15 3:30-5:30

78193

PK Team Leader Curriculum Update: 2nd 9 Weeks South

District Curriculum Specialist will share information and curriculum updates concerning the 2nd Nine Weeks CRMs and Assessment Rubrics. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and provide campus feedback with regard to these instructional planning documents.

PK Uphaus

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Fill out application on next page and return to Sylina Valdez by September 8th, 2015.

WRITING IN PK Join us to review the Language Arts Teachings in Early Childhood of Matt

Glover, Lucy Calkins and Maria Montessori. Topics will vary according to the

focus of a specific section. More specifically, we will concentrate on preparing a

writing environment, nudging rather than pushing development, Composition vs

Conventions development, choice-topic and genre, booklet making, read alouds,

guided and shared writing, and much more. Sections will provide a balance

between presenter lecture and modeling and participant interaction, discussion

and classroom practice. All purposely designed to facilitate and enhance

children's attainment of those related knowledge and skills.

Class open to all PK teachers

Teachers must commit to five out

of six classes

Teachers will receive a copy of

the two books

ECD will register you in the class

since online registration is not

allowed

Presented by: Cecilia La Cour

LUCY READ PREK

DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL 2608 Richcreek Austin TX 78757

Classroom: Green 3

Fall Dates (3:30-5:00): Sep.16, Oct. 21, Nov.18 Spring Dates (3:30-5:00): Jan. 27, Feb.24, April 27

Documents

Kicking Up the Sand in Early Childhoodcurriculum.austinisd.org/schoolnetDocs/early_childhood...September 2015 Volume 5, Issue #2 In August we welcomed our new Prekindergarten and PPCD