初为人师的中国妞在美国04
Before school starts, it’s important for teachers to set up the classroom rules that students can follow during the school year because it sets up the tone and basis for the coming year. For example: Put your hands and your feet to yourself. Be kind and friendly to one another. Use inside voice, walking feet, and listening ears in the classroom. Wash your hands with soap after you go potty. Students should be told what they can/should do and what is not appropriated, i.e. being mean to others, tease others or not sharing toys. In my current situation, since each classroom has two teachers, it is especially important that both teachers be in the same alignment. In other words, this requires both teachers to communicate and cooperate with each other no matter in classroom teaching and management.
Likewise, it is also teacher’s responsibility to help parents get to know how they can prepare for their kid(s)’ first day/week of school. For example, combining with the sample FAQ, after discussing with my colleague, we came to the idea that each child can bring his/her own pillow, blanket and soft toy from home as long as they can be fit in their school backpack. Right after we get this FAQ done, we had the Back to School event, where parents were invited to bring their child(ren) to the classroom and get to know the teacher(s), familiarize the classroom environment and make new friends.
“没有规矩，不成方圆” is a famous Chinese saying. That also applies in the early childhood education area in the United States. Without certain rules or standards, young children might not know how to behave properly. On the other hand, if teachers fail to repetitively review/stress the classroom (and/or school) rules, as time goes by, teachers may find it hard to discipline the children. In the school that I am working at, we teachers review the rules (i.e. Use your listening ears and walking feet inside the classroom) with the kids at the beginning of the class in a daily basis, so that students are familiar with these rules and can memorize them.
Talking about making rules, it is essential that classroom rules should be in alignment with school rules. Besides, teaching with another teacher requires both teachers to have enough and frequent communication and info exchange so as to ensure that both teachers have the same requirements and expectations to the students. Or else, when it comes to classroom management, things could become very tricky.
Until I become a real teacher, I realize that how integral the communication is. It is not just about interacting with students, but also with other co-teacher(s), supporting staffs, parents, and administration team members. As a novice teacher, I am still on my exciting journey in exploring and learning different communication strategies. Thus, if you have certain experience in communicating with different stakeholders in the school setting, please don’t hesitate to share with me some effective communication techniques. Thank you! Please also feel free to leave any comments and suggestions for my teaching career. I really appreciate your time to read this long journal. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Welcome to Pre-Kindergarten 1 !
Here is a list of some general reminders as you enter our classroom.
1. School Uniforms need to be worn from Monday to Thursday. Friday is a “free-choice” day.
2. Walking feet, inside voice, listening ears should be used inside the classroom.
3. Students are allowed to bring their own books and toys from home. But home toys and books can only be used during the specific period of time.
4. Please check your child’s folder at least once a week for their school works. Children would love to share their works with their families and friends and enjoy positive feedback!
5. Please make sure your child has extra clean clothes and/or shoes in case accidents happen sometimes. Also, please check your child’s backpack daily to see if there is some important information or dirty clothes.
6. Outside food is not allowed in this classroom because of potential food allergies. Thank you for your understanding! If you really would like to bring in some, please check with teacher about the safe food choices beforehand.
7. Each child can bring one pillow, one blanket, and one soft toy from home for nap time. Please make sure that these items can fit into your child’s backpack.
Hope you have a wonderful day!
Your Pre-Kindergarten 1 teachers,
Teaching is heart work.
教育，是走心的工作。
Diaries need donations.
随笔，需要赞赏来鼓励。
特聘丫头作为专栏写手，
父亲承诺：定期给予稿酬。
来了，《初为人师的中国妞在美国》;
来吧，您的赞赏是对我和丫头最大的鼓励。
