A Morning in Kindergarten

I have a great job! As a District Literacy Teacher, I am able to spend time in classrooms working alongside other teachers.  This is when I realize we have some fantastic teachers in Langley.  Visiting Kindergarten classrooms around my school district, I am always amazed at the work our kindergarten teachers do.  Watching the opening of the day, I see students engaged as soon as they walk through the door.  There is an interesting activity waiting for them on the carpet.  They rush to take off their coats and join the others at the carpet so they, too, can participate.  Today it was a tub full of green and blue glass beads.  They spent time "waking up their brains" while creating something with the materials.  Next, it was time to share.  Every child talks about what they have created.  This is where oral language creeps into the day.  Students are encouraged to talk in complete sentences and it is noted when they use "and" to combine 2 ideas. After the students have cleaned up, they move onto morning message with a focus on learning letters and words.  Throw in a few songs to liven things up and get the children moving while again reinforcing letters and even some counting. Weather is talked about as well as how many days until Easter.  This time of the day comes to an end with five students sharing something they brought from home.  No, they just don't show it to the class...they have to have come up with 3 clues at home one of which is the letter it starts with.  Embedded right into this activity, again, is students practicing letter sounds to help figure out the clues. 
Wow, by the time this ends (it is just 20 minutes into the day and my turn to teach), I am in awe of all the learning that has just occurred.  Kindergarten teachers, I salute you and the way you weave learning into every aspect of your teaching day! 

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