Every morning to welcome my Kindergarteners, I put out a variety of activities that they could choose to do alone or with friends. As children arrived, they had time to unpack and put things away. They had time to use the bathroom and wake-up. Some children need more time in the morning to want to interact and would choose to sit at their desk and color or look at books. Other children were bouncing with full blown energy.
This gave me opportunity to stand at the door and welcome students and interact with them, parents, and teachers as the school doors were unlocked at 8:00am for the school start of 8:15am. In Kindergarten, we did not officially start our day with our beginning till about 8:25am.
Students rotated at will to different activities often taking what I provided and coming up with their own twists, sometimes combining the different parts and pieces. It was a time to be creative and collaborative.
It was also a time for me to listen and learn about individuals and how they worked together. There were times that I had to intervene but not often. Our only big rule was NO RUNNING! On occasion when that happened, they had to sit in their chair with an activity and regroup.
They were all over the classroom exploring and spending time with friends. A bucket of animals from our children brought to use at school. Fairy garden imaginations...
I was always amazed by what they came up with and sometimes let them play longer. Remember...play is where they practice what they have been learning! I heard so many lessons rehearsed and explained to each other. Children catch EVERYTHING you do and say as a teacher!
As you look through the pictures, notice how cheap some of the pieces and parts are! Our classroom had legos, pattern blocks, magnatiles, flashcards, games, puzzles, and lots of books!
I used frisbees to place the activity for the morning in different spots of the room. Our room was not huge for table space, so we utilized the carpeted floor! I also DID NOT want them sitting in chairs to start the day. Children need to be free to move around and wiggle. Morning activities accomplished that too. Little erasers from Target dollar spot.
I did not always use this method and I wish I had! I learned about this through hours of professional development that I did on my own as I researched ideas for building a solid foundation of letters and numbers and love for learning. Use free forms from other teachers shared on Pinterest and TPT...copy and laminate!
Every meaningful activity involves using more than one sense! Popsicle sticks and wooden letters from Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, or Michaels.
When children communicate with their peers, they are building speech and relationships with others. It does not have to be perfect! We had little arguments that had to be worked out. I let them figure things out while keeping watch and listening. Vase filler gems from Dollar Tree.
Teachers, do not be quick to jump in and solve problems! Let the children work it out. Yes, it may be a little rocky and at times you may have to help with questions to direct them, but DO NOT rush to fix it. Children need to learn to problem solve! And sometimes it might mean they say "I'm not playing with you!" and walk away. THAT IS OK! Plastic money is fun...but what about bringing in real money from your change jar?
Teachers need to be always watching with one eye and listening with one ear...I know...it is a skill to be perfected! When you see or hear something escalating, ask questions to redirect frustration and build communication skills. "Use your words kindly." This time is also a time to see what children can do...some are ready for challenging things. Put out the addition flashcards...see what they can do!
Remember, not all personalities work well together. Boys will be very competitive with each other.
Girls can be very bossy. Encourage them to work TOGETHER. They come up with their own games and all of a sudden...they are practicing number recognition and talking about what the number looks like and "Ok, now how many is 8? Let's count that out!" OR. "Look at this fish...what does it say? Ok, let's write the letters. Oops, that is backwards...I better try that again!" You will hear what you say to them come out in their play as they help one another. And then a burst of cheering, "You all got it right!"
Many of these objects were from the Dollar Tree and the dollar spot at Target...a collection of many years.
The hundred board with the tiles and balls was a facebook marketplace find!
Look at things...and think..."How can we use this?" And then watch the children come up with 1,000 other ways to use it! Sequencing and sorting...
Lacing...
Several pieces were things I made...felt squares, chenille stem, glue gun, and beads
Look around your classroom and home for things that can be used to re-enforce learning of various subjects. Let the children play! Let them imagine uninterrupted each morning! Teach them to clean up all the pieces for next time. Rotate activities each day so they do not get tired of them. Allow them to only play with what you have set out! One day a week allow for FREE PLAY...which means they get to choose what they do.
Need: trays or frisbees to keep activities to a designated spot in the room for easy clean up, variety of loose parts, variety of printed, laminated sheets of various lesson material, individual games and puzzles, various learning games, items, puzzles
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