Head Start Beginnings Revised 2015.Pdf
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2 Table of Contents Introduction _____________________________________________ Setting the stage for the first week of Head Start _______________ First Five Days of School Supportive Structures and Activities _________________________ Environmental Checklist Daily Schedules 7 Day Calendar Daily Attendance Chart Daily Picture Schedule Friends and Family Board Greeting Aprons Good bye Rituals Job Chart Learning Centers _________________________________________ ABC Center Construction Center Creativity Library/ Listening Math Pretend and Learn Sand and Water Science Writer’s Corner Center Resources _______________________________________________ 30 and 45 Deadlines Book list Developmental Milestones Sample Lesson Plan Performance Standards Documentation (PSD) Suggested PSD Activities Songs and Finger plays Education Forms __________________________________________ Site Visit Documentation Substitute Teacher Information Pedestrian Safety Verification Form Pedestrian Safety Activity Home Visit Reminder (English Spanish) Parent Teacher Conference Request (English/ Spanish) Parent Teacher Conference Reminder (English/Spanish) Parent Contact Form Teacher Professional Development Request Field Trip Request Field Trip Reimbursement References ______________________________________________ Copyright 2013 by Region 7 Education Service Center. This document may be reproduced for educational use only. 3 Introduction The First Week of Head Start Welcome to the first week of Head Start. This handbook is designed to help you transition into the first few weeks of Head Start. Whether you are a teacher, teaching assistant or administrator, this book will guide you and your teaching team regarding Head Start Performance Standards, 30 and 45 day deadlines, schedules, classroom environment, tips, and resources. Copyright 2013 by Region 7 Education Service Center. This document may be reproduced for educational use only. 4 Setting the Stage for the first week of Head Start o Know how all your children will get home (bus, car, walk, etc). a. Collect information during Meet-the-Teacher Night or during orientation. o Post lesson plans in the classroom. o Provide name tags for each student for the first week of school. a. When guests or substitute teachers are present. Include lunch numbers if necessary. o Take pictures of students and their families during orientation or Meet-the-Teacher Night. Use these pictures to create a “Friends and Family Board.” o Place children’s pictures throughout the classroom (cubbies, tables, etc.) o Have classroom rules/agreements posted in classroom on child’s eye level. o Keep rules positive and simple. (ex. instead of “Don’t Run” use “We Walk.”) Limit them to three words if possible. Illustrate the rules. o Use a “Home/Attendance” Chart. Model to children how to use the chart. o Post classroom schedule for adults and for children. o Provide teacher letter for parents. o Set up take home folders. a. Include monthly calendar with upcoming events. b. Include student birthdays. c. Blank paper for notes to parents. o Have extra towels or small blankets available for nap time in case a child forgets to bring his/hers. Copyright 2013 by Region 7 Education Service Center. This document may be reproduced for educational use only. 5 o Make sure you have some lighting and soft music to play during rest time. Some children may need to have their back patted. o Introduce centers to children to model and explain expectations for playing with materials. (Example: using glue, scissors, play dough, paint, blocks and other materials) o Maintain your sense of humor, no matter what. o Do not overreact to anything. o Be familiar with children’s developmental milestones. (See resources section) and have appropriate expectations. o Children love to have different things to take home. Try to have something for them to take home (Ex. Parent letter, notes, and awards). o Have each child bring an extra set of clothes including underwear in case of an accident. Place in zip-lock bag with child’s name on the bag. o Keep a good supply of old shirts to protect the children’s clothing during messy art or cooking projects. Cut off the collars on the shirts, and cut the arms to a manageable length for four-year-olds. o Celebrate birthdays in special ways. Examples of ways to celebrate: a. Mark each child’s birthday on the calendar. b. Have a birthday bulletin board with the children’s birthday marked by the month. c. Make a paper crown for the birthday child to wear. d. Let the birthday child wear a special badge that identifies him or her as the birthday child. e. Provide a birthday pillow or birthday rug for the child to sit on that day. f. Give the child a birthday ribbon. g. Have everyone sing “Happy Birthday” to the child. Copyright 2013 by Region 7 Education Service Center. This document may be reproduced for educational use only. 6 o Adding a drop of liquid detergent to finger paint makes the paint easier to clean up. o Last, but not least “HAVE FUN.” It’s ok to play with the children. Copyright 2013 by Region 7 Education Service Center. This document may be reproduced for educational use only. 7 First Five Days of School Copyright 2013 by Region 7 Education Service Center. This document may be reproduced for educational use only. 8 First Day Goals for the first day: . Send home Parent Letter (See example on pg. 9) . Read the story: The Kissing Hand . Introduce 2 to 3 learning centers o Ex. Blocks, Dramatic Play, Library . Model and explain rules/ agreements. Provide children with a tour of the school . Model procedures o Lining up o Restroom procedure o Clean up time o Cafeteria procedures o Walking down the hall o Washing Hands . Read the Head Start book: Washing Hands Small Group Idea: (Do not assume ALL children know these procedures.) Adult 1 & 2: Discuss how germs are everywhere even though we cannot see them. Have the children watch you as you put a few dots from a washable marker in your palm. Tell them to pretend the dots are germs that you need to get off your hands. Have the children watch you while you wash your hands. Rub your hands under the running water briefly. Show the children that rinsing just with water doesn’t get the germs off. Put the soap on your hands from the soap dispenser. Rub your hands together for 15 to 20 seconds, making sure to wash down to the wrist and between your fingers. Sing a short tune at least 15 seconds long while you wash your hands so the children will sing it and wash their hands long enough. Sing to the tune of “Row, Row, Row your Boat” o Wash, wash, wash my hands o Make them nice and clean o Rub the bottoms and the tops, o And fingers in between. Copyright 2013 by Region 7 Education Service Center. This document may be reproduced for educational use only. 9 Dear Parents, Welcome to our school family®. I am happy to take this chance to introduce myself to you and welcome you to our school family®. A good learning experience is built on a team effort between parents, child, and teacher. I look forward to the work and growth we will all share this year. My expectations for conduct and achievement are high. With your help both in and out of the classroom, we can look forward to a productive, creative, and enjoyable year together. In the past, I have had many parents volunteer their time in the classroom, and I encourage this because it provides ways for more children to receive personal attention. If you are interested in helping, please let me know. This can be done on a weekly, bi-weekly, or occasional basis. Any time you can give will be great. You can also help by providing me with any information that will aid me in better understanding your child. Some things I am interested in include the following: Experiences that may affect your child (death in the family, loss of a pet, etc.) Medical needs Child’s interests Please know that anything you share about your child will be kept private. This information is simply to help us serve you and your child in the best way possible. Again, welcome! Please feel free to contact me about any questions or concerns you may have. If you need to meet with me at any time, you may call the office and leave me a message or you can send a note. My conference time is ___________. Sincerely, _____________________________________ Copyright 2013 by Region 7 Education Service Center. This document may be reproduced for educational use only. 10 Rules/Agreements Model and explain classroom rules/agreements. o Rule/agreement reminders . Rules need to be positively stated. (ex. We Walk, We Share, Eyes are Watching, Ears are Listening, Lips are Closed, Hands to Self, Feet in Own Space) . Select five or less rules/ agreements. Display rules/agreements on the children's eye level. School Family Agreements We walk Eyes are Watching Ears are Listening Hands to Self Feet in Own Space Copyright 2013 by Region 7 Education Service Center. This document may be reproduced for educational use only. 11 Second Day Goals for the first week: . Introduce and explain Job Chart (make sure each child has a job and allow children to keep the job for at least 1 week). (See example on pg. 34) . Read the Head Start story: It’s Time for Head Start . Review Rule/Agreements Learning Center Time Adult 1: Transition: “If you are wearing sandals walk to Mr. /Mrs. ______’s table.” (If you are wearing tennis shoes, shorts, buttons, etc). Provide paper and crayons. Encourage children to draw a picture about their favorite thing about school. Ask each child about his/her favorite thing about school, print the exact words at the bottom of the picture, and read it back to the child.