This week communicating with my International contacts was a
slight challenge, possibly end of year and a lot of “holiday” time for some. Upon receiving information regarding these questions, I will update the post accurately. Although the continual information from resources available and how each handles them within their classrooms was great information too!
Questions that began
our discussions:
What types of readiness does your region offer for entering into
primary school?
What do you enjoy most about teaching in this field?
·
Kathryn Wonnacott – Belfast, Ireland, Nursery Asst. in a preschool of
3’s – 4’s with 52 children within the school.
o
More information regarding resources from last week: Resource
wise we are very lucky, we have a store full of toys, construction, small
imaginative, math toys, books, art equipment sand and water toys. Our budget
from our governing body allows us to purchase whatever small pieces of
equipment we need when we need it. In relation to special needs we have
gathered resources from all over, we use the welcome and comet programs with
speech difficulties, these provide tests and games to assess the specific need
of the child and then how to help, any other needs are met by the agencies we
involve such as the CIDS team provide occupational therapy, physio therapy, behavior
therapy.
·
Lina Vasquez – Pre School teacher in Colombia
o
More information regarding resources
from last week: If we try to create new things, that children feel a part of
their learning, preschool here works as well: cognitive dimension,
communicative, aesthetics, spiritual, body. the projects include
research from learning, mine is about explorers, through the concept of
ecosystem children learn. And I have my group project that seeks to
create an adequate environment for learning in the classroom, I chose it while
I was having unequivocal support, I teach them healthy life habits, norms, we
share how they feel, they speak of their family life, is very human and focused
on values
·
Melanie Buckley – Germany Dodds school system (Department of Defense
schools usual locations are on military bases both state side and overseas)
o
Upon returning to Germany from visiting
her father, Melanie will return communication as she catches up on her
obligations. If she answers before this
week is over I will update the blog.
·
Crystal Trigaux – Incheon, South Korea,2nd level teacher (In
American terms equivalent to 2nd grade)
o
Resources from last week as she was
away on “holiday”. They offer science tools/ Art Village curriculum and Art
Science for projects, if you mean actual non-written, but supplemental art
materials... Some of my fave textbooks which I wished they used here are:
Listening and Dctation (self titled), Stephen Vaughns Phonics, and I also
supplement by having my older kids read Goosebuumps books for fun...mostly fot
comprehension, presentation, and new vocabulary words. Its incredibly hard
reading material for them, but they like when I paraphrase re-tell the stories
they dont understand, and it helps them stay engaged/ makes the learning more
fun. We spent 2 months going through "Dead House," and now we are
reading, "Night of the Living Dummy." There is a print shop
downstairs, and these books are also online, so I printed them and had them
bound for the students
o
·
Katie Meyler – Monrovia, Liberia (founder of “More than me foundation”,
an organization that assists girls in West Africa to get off of the streets and
gain an education)
o
Due to lack of communication, I will
remove Katie from an International Contact.
It is nice to a have a variety of sources. I'm curious about the Art Village Curriculum- has Crystal provided more information regarding that subject?
ReplyDeleteCarolina
I'm curious about where in Colombia Lina is from. I am originally from Colombia and this does not sound familiar, but of course I went to school a few decades ago. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shelly!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Lina's program is well-rounded and child focused. I loved her wording and how she described the respectful focus of her work in her last line: "I teach them healthy life habits, norms, we share how they feel, they speak of their family life, is very human and focused on values" As we have been finding out in our studies, sometimes educators get so caught up in the academic content that we exclude the social and emotional aspects of childhood and miss out on a wealth of knowledge that comes from learning to relate to and cooperate with others. We should all strive to be a bit more "human".
I agree with Tammra that Lina's program sounds the most well-rounded. Sometimes it's not about what we have to create a quality program, but what we can offer children and their families. Building a community is so much more important than having the latest technology or toys! I'm really surprised that you have been able to contact them! I know we have one week left in school and it was all I had to put my brain together enough to get this school work done! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat we can offer children and their families is very important. Building a community suitable for our families will help build healthy relationships within our community.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I like that you have so many contacts..
ReplyDelete