On this pristine early September day memories of the start of school are not far from me. I loved putting the finishing touches on my classroom before the kids arrived after Labor Day.
I wonder what it would it be like to create a virtual kindergarten to support the social, emotional and intellect growth of five year olds today? I believe I could manage the literacy piece, and probably the math one, but creating a community of caring learners would be a challenge. We learn to share, help, and be kind when we interact face-to-face with others. We learn not to bully when we observe the body language of another and hear how he or she feels. This is the way we all learn, whether we are children, grownups, or yes, even retired teachers like myself.
But wait, like all the hardworking teachers out there right now (and I’m talking Saturday), I would grab the challenge. Teachers have the qualities it takes to make learning happen. They are caring, creative, smart, flexible, hard-working, determined, and dedicated to make learning happen for all children.
So, I say to teachers, I have your back. To parents, I ask that you support and affirm what you child’s teacher is doing to make learning happen.
Years ago I wrote Joyful Learning in Kindergarten. From the bottom of my heart I believe that in these pandemic times learning can still be joyful. It will happen because children, teachers, and parents join together with that common goal.
I wonder what it would it be like to create a virtual kindergarten to support the social, emotional and intellect growth of five year olds today? I believe I could manage the literacy piece, and probably the math one, but creating a community of caring learners would be a challenge. We learn to share, help, and be kind when we interact face-to-face with others. We learn not to bully when we observe the body language of another and hear how he or she feels. This is the way we all learn, whether we are children, grownups, or yes, even retired teachers like myself.
But wait, like all the hardworking teachers out there right now (and I’m talking Saturday), I would grab the challenge. Teachers have the qualities it takes to make learning happen. They are caring, creative, smart, flexible, hard-working, determined, and dedicated to make learning happen for all children.
So, I say to teachers, I have your back. To parents, I ask that you support and affirm what you child’s teacher is doing to make learning happen.
Years ago I wrote Joyful Learning in Kindergarten. From the bottom of my heart I believe that in these pandemic times learning can still be joyful. It will happen because children, teachers, and parents join together with that common goal.