I'm So Glad I'm Here

This post was originally published on Substack. This is also just the beginning of something more- not sure what, but something! Thought I might share it here as well:

 I'm so glad I'm here

So glad I'm here

So glad I'm here, here today!

So glad I'm here,

So glad I'm here,

So glad I'm here, here today

This is the song that calls us as we gather on the carpet each day in my kindergarten class. It's a joyous time, one of song, conversation, dance, and (I hope what my students feel), love. The ukulele comes out, the rhythm sticks tap out the timing of a song. We’re learning about patterns, though we don't realize it. We are expanding our phonological skills, though we can barely pronounce that word, let alone know what it means. This is the joy of learning that should infuse all of our lessons, but especially the lessons of play in kindergarten.

Because many parents and new teachers were raised under “No Child Left Behind”, our culture has forgotten the value in play. Play has become a devalued word in our “rush and do” culture. But, at its purest sense, play is the ultimate goal for learning. Consider the fox pups as they wrestle each other, or the kittens as they roll around, the birds as they learn their unique song. The animal world is steeped in play as they learn to survive in a wild creation. We humans are no different. Play is how we have learned not only to survive, but thrive. Play is how we got to outer space, and how we came back from the moon. Play is how we learned to speed across the earth faster and faster. Curiosity followed by play- that's the sum of the evolution of the world.

There are concepts we must directly teach- mathematical procedures, letter sounds, letter and number formation, and the like. Of course there is information that must be directly passed on. But I theorize that in order for us to fully understand these concepts, we need to be immersed in them through play, stories, and song first.  We sing the ABC song before we ever talk about what a letter is. We read rhyming books to our students and children before we ever define what rhyme is. We play counting games before we attempt to teach addition and subtraction. Play immerses us in the world, and it's only when we’ve been immersed in the concepts that we learn and comprehend them.

How are you playing in your classroom? Is your room a place of joy? Are you emphasizing co-learning over direct teaching? Do you feel that there is more you could be doing but you aren't sure what? Reach out! Let me help you! I am convinced that the more we play, the deeper we learn. Let's figure it out together.

Professional Development: By You, For You

 This post was originally posted on Substack. I thought I would share it here:

Imagine this. You are ready for a new school year, you’re excited to meet your students, it is going to be awesome! But then you get to school and your orientation days are filled with professional development that is cookie cutter bland. It doesn’t challenge you, nor does it meet the needs of your students. What is a teacher to do? Whatever you need to!

Everything I’ve ever needed to know about teaching came from a lifetime of curiosity. I love to learn. I am interested in others and in their perspectives. I care about nature and I want to pass on what I love to the next generation. I also know that I don’t know it all, that I can’t possibly know it all, but living in the 21st Century provides me with the opportunity to find out!

There are so many opportunities to look into learning on our own, if we have the time and the inclination. I am a huge proponent of continuing education. We cannot take what we’ve learned through our schooling and use it year after year. If we aren’t growing as educators, we are going to struggle to pass on meaningful learning to our students.

What, then, can we do? Look into organizations that interest you, and see if they provide any free learning or information. Use the internet and social media for professional development. Places like #kinderchat where we share our knowledge with each other, National Geographic has free, online learning. I just finished a wonderful Free to Play Summit with FairyDust Teaching! There are Facebook groups, and Instagram accounts, all dedicated to learning.

The main thing it will cost is time. And, it doesn’t have to take up all of your time, but it may take some effort. But, be forewarned! You may come away inspired, energized, and ready to rearrange your classroom! (I am speaking from personal experience here, btw).

So, as we finish off one calendar year, and look forward to the next, let me encourage you to look into some personal professional learning. And let me encourage you to pass that learning on to your colleagues and other professionals! You will not be disappointed!