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Last Login: 2/25/2008 9:42:16 AM
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| As a full time preschool teacher and 20 year teacher trainer veteran, you would think that a once a month, four year olds Sunday School class would be a breeze, but whoosh . . . I have been shocked by their willful disobedience and disregard for simple directions!!!
I have activity centers set out for the kids when they arrive and after a fifteen minutes, rally the troops and have them come together for circle/prayer and worship. Clean up is crazy and then I rarely have three quarters of the group at circle time. I'm fine if kids need to move around or play quietly behind the group but the only time I see them attentive is when they are at snack or watching a video with their regular teacher. ( I choose not to have videos when I teach - and for that I get resistance from the kids!!!)
Also, if I'm there, I'm not alone! I have two helpers and 20 kids. I also use transition signal or songs and well it does not seem to be controlled.
I've thought of splitting the class, having less choices for toys so clean up would be smoother and having class outside when weather permits. We even did a creative movement and game last week but golly, they are tough! Any suggestions? |
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Last Login: 4/14/2008 11:28:16 AM
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| | I hear the frustration in your post and I would be equally frustrated! I have a question....you mentioned that you see these kids once a month. Are they taught by other teachers the rest of the month? If so, this may be a key point of why the kids are so willfully disobedient. When kids have different teachers each week, I have found that it is the kids who rule, not the teacher regardless of the preparation done by the teacher. The only time this can be successful is when all teachers use the same format and similar teaching strategies for reaching the children. As I'm sure you've discovered in your 20 plus years, children thrive on consistency and routine. If the routine varies from week to week, it is easy for the kids to set their own boundaries as far as what they will or won't do. My other thought is if you are the only teacher, yet see them only once a month, it will take a LONG time for the kids to grasp the routine of using stations, transition signals, and music in their education time. I hope this gives you some insight! God bless as you continue to reach young lives for Him!! Lori |
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| | Wow - 20 preschoolers! That is a LARGE class for that age. I totally agree with Lori's input and just wanted to add: You stated you thought of splitting the class. Have you tried this? With two helpers, you can split the class with you doing the lesson with 1/2 of the class while the helpers play a circle game or do craft with the other 1/2 then switch. I have a Sunday School class that the young teachers were dealing with personality conflicts amongst the students. It was one of our larger cl with young teachers working together. I did suggest that they split the class into two and this helped a lot. I also agree with your video feelings. I use videos only as an emergency or combining cl - Teacher didn't show and has the materials, what to do? Bad weather so not many kids and maybe a teacher can't get in. I also use videos on those days that we don't know what the attendence will be but have to have something for the kids - Thanksgiving Sunday, Sunday between Christmas and New Years, ect. when I want to give the teachers a break but still have a lesson for the kids. Easter and only when Christmas is on a Sunday do we not have Sunday School between Sept and May.
- Adrianne
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Last Login: 2/25/2008 9:42:16 AM
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| Let me clarify, I am a coordinator and sub when necessary. The four year old classroom is staffed with the same teacher each week, it's just when the teacher is on vacation or sick.
Thank you for your advice! I just pray that God will open up another room so we can split the cl! |
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Last Login: 6/30/2008 7:49:50 PM
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| | We do not use videos. We feel the kids get plenty of this at home and school. Souns like not everyone is on the same page. Set down some policy and stick with it. |
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