Define Your Structure

Okay momma, so now that you’ve found your tribe, it’s time to start planning! 

Now, this is the fun part. You’re going to need some time to chat with the other mommas – sans kiddos. So figure out a time that works for everyone, order a pizza (so you don’t come home to a pile of dinner clean-up), have your hubby watch the kids (or hire a babysitter), and go out! Enjoy this time – you need it!

Grab coffee, frozen yogurt, or even have dinner together. We always go to our local favorite – a tea bar with the best salads, wraps, and beverages ever! In fact, I am sipping on one of their amazing Pomegranate Lemonades now – (oh yeah, I even Instagramed it – that’s how good it is!)    

But I’m getting off track…..the point is – you’ll need some time to talk without the constant interruption of your littles. So, GO OUT!

Once you’re all rounded up, introduce yourselves! What’s your name? How many kiddos and how old? Something fun? There may be people who don’t know each other – so remember to smile! This can be totally intimidating for some people, and the last thing you want to do is make them feel out of place.

Then, you actually have to get down to business. I know, you’re a mom, you never get out alone – with your friends – but we do have to make progress.

First on the agenda is formally defining the structure of your group. How many days a week do you want to meet? For how long? Which day(s)? Where will you meet?

I know this isn’t exactly the fun stuff, but you have to cover it first because the actual logistics will determine who can and wants to commit to the group. For some, meeting every week would just be too much. For others, Wednesdays just won’t work because of dance class. It’s important to get these details figured out before you jump into the meat of the preschool.

Once you’ve got the structure in place, you get to dive into the fun stuff – what you’re going to teach! We’ll talk about that more in Lesson 3.

As a side note, you’ll definitely need to have another mom’s night to plan the teaching. So, if getting out again in the near future seems overwhelming, you can plan on covering this lesson and lesson 3 in one meeting - but avoid trying to cover all 6 lessons at once - #informationoverload!

If you’re hitting lesson 2 and 3 in one mom’s night – head to Lesson 3 now. If not, give yourself a pat on the back for getting out of the house and getting this preschool ball rolling. Savor the ice-cold lemonade and enjoy the rest of the time with your future best buddies!

If you have any questions or you feel a little nervous about getting started, please let me know. What are you wondering about? What are you struggling the most with? I'd love to help! Tell me what you're thinking in the comments below or email me at 1stepcloserteaching@gmail.com

Find Your Tribe

So now that you've decided, "Yes, I really can start my own preschool co-op," it's time to get started with lesson 1: Find Your Tribe. 

If you're anything like me (major introvert), step one may just be the hardest part of getting your own preschool co-op up and running. Why? Because you really have to put yourself out there!

But, you can't really have a co-op without anyone to cooperate with, right? So, this step is crucial! And as hard as it may be - it is sooooo worth it! I have a little story I'll share with you at the end, but for now, let's stay focused.

So, first step, keep your eyes open for people that just may be prime candidates for your group. The neighbor that has a toddler running around yard. The mom you see at church with a baby in one arm, and using the other arm to corral her other kids to their classes. The family that you always seem to run into at the park. Look around - you might just be pleasantly surprised by how many other moms are craving the connection that a preschool co-op would provide.

If you're already doing an activity with similarly aged kids - dance classes, sports teams, Sunday school classes - this is your "jackpot zone!" Then, all you have to do is ask.

Easier said than done, right?

Don't worry - you don't have to have it all together (I certainly didn't) - but just be honest. You can say something like, "Hey, I'd really like (insert your kiddo's name here) to have some more structured social time - and I just need to get out of the house every once in a while - so I was thinking of putting together a little preschool co-op. Nothing super formal, but I was wondering if you'd be interested. It seems like (insert your kiddo's name) already really enjoys playing with (insert their kiddo's name)."

There - done. And really, what's the worst that could happen? She says she's not interested. Oh well. But if you think about the best that could happen from those few sentences - ah, the possibilities are endless!

So, start asking, but my one caution is this - be mindful of just how large your group is getting. Remember, most likely, you will be hosting this in a home or other single-room location - so bigger isn't always better. 

We have found that a group of about 8 students (not including parents or siblings) is ideal. If you have less than 4, the kiddos don't seem to take the "preschool" aspect of it as seriously. If you get much bigger than 9, well, let's just say things can get a little crazy. 

So, now it's your turn. Think of 2 or 3 other moms that you'd love to have as a part of your co-op. Don't worry about starting small, because they may have 2 or 3 other moms in mind as well. Then, to borrow Nike's famous slogan, "Just Do It!" Meet them at the park, give them a call, you can even share this blog post and say, "Hey, I'm interested in doing this - you in?"

So, go for it ladies, Find Your Tribe! I know it will be so worth it! Then, check back next Friday, July 1st, for Lesson 2: Define Your Structure.

So..... I did promise you a story.

Almost exactly 4 years ago I went to a park playdate with a mom that I kinda knew from church. We had a few mutual friends, but had never really hung out. To be honest, I was a little intimidated by her - she seemed to have it all together. But we both had boys that were the exactly the same age and were both pregnant with our second boy. So, I sent what felt like a super random text, and we set up a playdate at the park.

The boys loved playing together and she and I pieced together a conversation, mostly revolving around our boys. Was it a perfect playdate? No. But she was really sweet, and I wanted to get to know her more. We got together a couple more times, Then, I invited her to the preschool co-op that was getting started. The rest, as they say, is history.

Fast forward to today. My boys are absolutely best friends with hers. They adore playing together and treat each other more like brothers than friends. She is truly one of my best friends, and now we get up early one day a week to run together. So we can just have time to chat, without the constant interruption of kiddos. Honestly, she has blessed my life tremendously, and looking back, I am so thankful for that initially awkward park date. It has blossomed into a "better than I could ever ask" for friendship.   

That's a little bit of my story. What will yours be? So, go for it! You never know what friendships may grow from a simple question. 

See you next week!

Starting Your Own Preschool Co-Op

You might be thinking: Can I really start my own preschool co-op? Or, my little one is only 2 (or 3 or 4 or 5), do he really need this? Or, I can barely make it out of my house as it is, do I really have the time and energy to coordinate a preschool? The answer to all of these questions is YES, YES, and YES!

After teaching for 8 years, I transitioned to being a stay at home mommy. I was incredibly thankful to be home with my little ones - a newborn and almost 2 - but I was completely overwhelmed. To be honest, I just survived for about a year. While I loved being home to pour into these little lives, I was exhausted. I knew something needed to change. I knew I wanted to start incorporating some "instruction" into our day, especially for my then almost 3 year old. I knew we needed more structure. And I definitely knew we all needed to get out and connect with other families more regularly. How that was going to happen, I didn't know, but I started to ask.

The more moms I talked to, the more I found that so many moms were in the same boat. Being a stay at home mommy is HARD. Even when you have a wonderfully supportive hubby (like I have been blessed with), I truly believe it is one of the hardest but most important jobs in the world! So, we started talking...and meeting....and meeting at parks to talk some more. Slowly but surely our preschool co-op was born, and I could not be more thankful for this amazing opportunity.

Now, 3 years later, we are a part of two preschool co-ops, one for each of my boys, and the friendships that have grown out of these weekly meetings are some of our most treasured - for the kiddos and myself. They have both learned so much - not only academically, but socially, spiritually, and yes even physically. They've learned about listening to authorities (other than mom and dad). They've learned about conflict resolution - when that one special toys just seems to bring out the worst in them. We have all learned so much! 

It has truly been a blessing for our family, and I would love to pass it on to you! So, for the next six weeks, I am going to walk you through the steps we went through to get it all up and running. Don't worry, we will only take it one step at a time, so you have plenty of time to process and prepare. And hopefully, by the time fall hits, you will be ready to kick off your own preschool year! I am so excited for you to start this journey! Don't hesitate to ask questions- I am more than happy to help!

Ready to get started? Then, head to Lesson 1:Find Your Tribe HERE. 

Leave a comment below to ask your burning questions about starting your own preschool co-op. I'd love to answer them and would be thrilled to tailor this series specifically for you if you tell me what you really want to know.

Looking forward to seeing you next week!

Back to School: Classroom Management Tips

          The day had finally arrived. I had just graduated from college with my teaching credential a few months earlier. My classroom was organized, decorated, and prepared for the year. I anxiously awaited the arrival of my new 34 students! I was only 22 years old, and while my carefully laid out lesson plans, strategies for differentiation, and sheer excitement for teaching gave me confidence, one area that I realized I was not prepared was classroom management - specifically, how do I get 34 completely different students to cooperate, listen, and "buy-in" for the year. Thankfully, I had a wonderful grade-level team and an incredible principal and mentor who helped me establish classroom routines, procedures, rules, and expectations that made that first year a success. I could not have done it without them!
          So, for all of you first year teachers, and even those who may have been in the classroom for a long time, here are my top seven tips for successful classroom management:

1. Articulate Your Expectations
          If you fail to clearly communicate what you expect from your students, they will inevitably fail to live up to your standards. Now, this requires that you actually decide what your expectations are. Begin by selecting what behaviors you want to teach. What expectations do you have for transitions? Turning in work? Needing to use the restroom? Getting books from the classroom library? Noise level? Sharpening pencils? Asking for help? Dismissal? The list goes on and on. However, choose which procedures you have specific expectations for and go from there. Remember, you can't teach the behavior unless you have determined your expectations for it. So, spend some time mapping it out - it is time well spent!

2. Practice, Practice, Practice

         I always spend the first few weeks of school practicing the different procedures in the classroom over and over again - making sure the students know exactly what it looks like and sounds like to carry out the procedure correctly. Yes, we literally spend time walking from the playground to the classroom, passing in blank papers, pretending it is the end of the day - multiple times! Although it can be incredibly tempting to fly through the teaching of classroom procedures and expectations to get to all of the academic stuff, don't do it! If you want to have an effective learning environment, you are going to have to spend time teaching and practicing procedures. If you do it the beginning of the year, you can establish clear expectations with a receptive audience in a positive light. Otherwise, you will inevitably spend time during the year battling for control of your classroom or trying to get your students to "un-learn" what they have been doing for their procedures all year. Trust me, taking time in the beginning is SOOOO worth it!

3. Look for Every Opportunity to Catch Kids Doing the Right Thing
          Everyone appreciates praise for doing something well. So, especially in those first few weeks of school, help your students learn and apply the classroom rules, procedures, and expectations, by highlighting the students who are doing these things well. Be specific in your compliments so that others can learn from their example. Rather than say, "Great job, Leah!" you might say, "I really appreciate how Leah quietly came in from recess, took her seat, and now has her eyes on me." Or "Thank you, James, for raising your hand before you speak." The kids usually catch on pretty quickly. When students are receiving specific feedback and attention from you (and even the rest of the class), it gives them less reason to act out in hopes of receiving negative attention.

4. Establish Classroom Rules

          This might be a "no-brainer," but having classroom rules in place is an essential component of a successful classroom management plan. Now, the debate goes on as to whether to create rules as a class or to have your own rules established when you begin the first day. I have used both and both have been effective - the choice is yours (or perhaps your schools). However, when establishing rules make sure that they are fairly global in scope - otherwise you will end up with way too many. So, rather than "Don't lean back in your chairs" or "Only walking feet in the classroom," use a rule such as "Be safe." Both of the previous rules are encompassed in that general rule without having to create a list of 25 different rules addressing safety. On that note, however, spend some time discussing what that general rule might look like in the classroom. In my classroom, we always brainstorm at least 10-12 examples of what following that rule looks like and what following that rule does not look like. for the younger kiddos, having picture cards also really helps! Again, just like procedures, spend some time on this one. If your students truly understand the rules, you will have far fewer struggles enforcing them.

5. Be Consistent with Consequences
          This perhaps is the hardest one for me - especially in those first few days and weeks of school. I so desperately want the students to know how much I care about them, that it can be incredibly difficult to "reprimand" those cuties for what might seem like small offenses. The reality, however, is that those adorable little kiddos are smart. And if they know they can smile, sniffle, or plea their way out of a consequence, they will! So, be consistent! If your students come in the classroom unacceptably, make them do it again, and again, until it is right. If you use a behavior clip chart, colored cards, or some other method to hold students accountable, start using it right away. I don't usually send home a weekly report for behavior that first week of school, so this is a perfect opportunity to teach your students that you have expectations and that you will be consistent in holding them accountable. Believe it or not, students actually find comfort in knowing boundaries, and being consistent assists in making those boundaries clear.  

6. Establish Positive Teacher-Parent Relationships Early

          While building relationships with parents may seem out of place in a discussion about classroom management, I have found that building positive relationships with parents makes a huge impact on what happens in the classroom. When parents understand that you want the best for their child and that you want to partner with them in helping their student grow, they are much more receptive to a phone call or meeting in which you have to address a challenge that has arisen. Begin by making a positive phone call in the first 2 weeks of school. Most parents dread the "phone call from the teacher," so make the first call purely positive and be specific. As a parent myself, nothing warms my heart quite like hearing a specific compliment about my child. Communicate with parents early and regularly. Ask them questions. Let them know that you are on their team and you are invested in each student. Building these relationships is a tremendous asset in understanding student behavior in the classroom. Parents are able to share insights from home and you are able to share insights from school. Together, you can partner to make the school year successful for each student, which aids greatly in classroom management.

7. Make Sure Your Students Understand that You Are On Their Team 
          While I have alluded to this in other tips, building relationships with your students and reminding them that you support them, believe in them, and want the best for them is the essential component that binds all of these strategies together. Look for the best in each of your students, and as your relationships grow, I have found that issues with classroom management dwindle. All of the rules and procedures will not be nearly as effective unless the students first believe the teacher is in their corner. 

“No man can be a good teacher unless he has feelings of warm affection toward his pupils and a genuine desire to impart to them what he believes to be of value.”- Bertrand Russell

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my tips. I hope they give you some strategies to implement as you begin this school year. I'd love to hear any of your thoughts on successful classroom management strategies!         

Saturday Spotlight - Editable Name Activities

Happy Saturday! For those of you who are already back in the classroom, I hope you are truly able to relax after what I am sure was a busy week! For those of you who are still on vacation, enjoy one of the last few weekends in which you don't have homework to prepare, papers to grade, or lesson plans to attend to. I am so excited to team up with Erin from Kindergarten Dragons for this Spotlight Saturday!




This week I am highlighting my Editable Name Activities.

When heading back to school, one of the most important skills that those PreK and Kinder students need to learn is how to write, spell, and recognize their name. So, I designed this activity packet with exactly that in mind. And since it is editable, each of your students gets a page that is uniquely their own! 

Students get practice writing their name with these fun dotted letters!

Students also have multiple opportunities to practice spelling their name and recognize their name. The gumball name page is always a favorite!

 I have also included 4 different class activities for students to see how their name compares to other students in their class.

I also just updated the file so that it can be edited in either Microsoft Word or Microsoft Power Point. My kids have loved these activities and I hope yours do too! Have a lovely start to your school year and be sure to head back to the this week's Kindergarten Dragons Link-up for other great ideas and resources!

First Day Tried and True Linky Party

Ah, the first day of school. Can you believe it is approaching so quickly?? I am honored to link up with Chrissie Rissmiller of Undercover Classroom and Sarah Tighe of Education Electrification for their First Day Tried and True Back to School Linky Party! Be sure to check out all of the other wonderful first day ideas in this link-up!

One of the activities that has been a staple on the first day of school since the first time I had my own classroom was a "Get to Know Your Teacher" Power Point presentation and quiz. Sometime in the morning, I tell the students that school has started and it is time for their first test.

This is always met with groans, gasps, and a few heads inevitably hit their tables or desks. However, once I pass out the papers, they smile, laugh, and breath huge sighs of relief when the "test" is really just a "quiz" on how well they think they know their teacher. I have a series of about 12-15 questions, usually multiple choice, for students to answer about me. Once the students have answered the questions, we fire up the projector and start the power point. On the power point, I have the same questions that are on the test. So, I show the question and give some students an opportunity to share their projected answer. On some questions, I call out the possible answer choices and have students "vote" for what they predict to be the answer. For the younger kids, I don't pass out paper "tests," I just show them the power point question and allow several to make guesses.

Then, this is where the fun begins. I show them the answer to the question and usually include a picture related to the answer. So, I will include pictures of my family, my dog, and even some pictures of me as a kid. I cannot tell you how much they love this! They get especially excited when the sport you played or the instrument you learned is something that they do as well! They really get a kick out of seeing pictures of me as a kid -so I encourage you to include this if at all possible! We go through the entire "quiz" and, by the end, the students feel a little more at home in my classroom.

I have found that this short activity goes a long way in building student relationships. When the students can make any type of connection with you, it goes a long way. Also, seeing me as a "real person" not just "the teacher" helps to lighten any worries, fears, or anxieties they have about the school year. It's always a fun way to begin the year, and I must say, every year I have students referencing things from the "quiz" throughout the year - even May and June!

I have created an Editable Get to Know Your Teacher Power Point to assist you, if you would like to use this in your classroom this year.

I didn't include a paper quiz because I always liked making the "wrong answers" something to talk about as well. For example, maybe I didn't take dance class as a kid, but I loved watching my sister dance and even ended up taking a couple of classes in high school! That way, even though the answer isn't totally correct, it still gives them a little more insight into my life.

 Following this activity, I give them their first piece of "homework" for the year. I know, a test AND homework on the first day?!?!? Since they got to learn about me, it's my opportunity to learn more about them, I give each of them a box paper bag (the lunch bag size), and if I'm really on top of things, I have it decorated with their name and other accents (maybe the school mascot, decorative ribbon, etc). Their homework is to gather 5 things that tell me about themselves. It can be actual items or pictures of their items. We brainstorm different ideas of what could be included - a picture of their family, something that represents a sport they like to play, an item that shows what they would like to be when they grow up, etc. Some years I specifically assign items: 1) Someone that you love very much 2) Something you like to do in your spare time 3) Something you did this summer 4) What you want to be when you grow up 5) A place that you love to visit. Whether it is assigned or more open is up to you!

The next day and in the days that follow, I have 5-7 students share their bags. While they share, I take notes about each student's interests. I cannot tell you how valuable this information has been in building relationships and making learning meaningful to the students. I have also found that this not only helps me build relationships, but it encourages relationships among the students as well!

This is a great way to start the school year and I hope you have the opportunity to try it! Make sure you check out the other wonderful ideas on this link-up!

An InLinkz Link-up

Five for Friday 7/31/15

Wow! I can't believe that tomorrow will be August! Where did the summer go?? Although I missed it last week, I am excited to again to link up with Kacey at Doodle Bugs Teaching for the

 Here's a little peek into my past week:

With the sound of Back to School commercials filling the air, I am happy to announce that my Back to School FREEBIE is uploaded and ready to roll. This "I Found, Who Found" game is a spin on the common "I Have, Who Has" game, except this game helps to familiarize your students with their new classroom. It's a fun way to begin the year, so click on the icon to get this freebie if you're interested!

I must say, I have one amazing husband! On Monday, he took both my boys camping - on his own! He packed up everything and took the boys for an entire 27 hours! Yes, that means I had a quiet house and was able to get so much done! I don't know what I possibly did with all my spare time before kids ;) All of the boys had a blast, and I was so thankful to get errands, cleaning, laundry, and yes, plenty of Teachers Pay Teachers stuff, checked off my checklist. They came home covered in dirt, and with sticks, rocks, and even a frog in tow. While I was grateful for the time to be "productive," those grimey faces never looked better!

My oldest son has been working so hard to ride his bike without training wheels, and this last week, it just clicked! He is still working on getting started on his own and making turns without ending up on the ground, but he is so proud - and, I must say, I am too!! 

I was able to update my Watch My Progress Journal this week! I use this to track the growth of my students over the year in certain skills. It's also a great place to organize monthly work for a portfolio at the end of the year! I am always amazed at how much these students grow in a year! 

Finally, don't forget that next Monday and Tuesday (August 3rd and 4th) is the TpT Back to School Sale! My entire store will be 20% off (bundles too), and if you use the promo code BTS15, you'll get another 10% off -making it 28% off your total purchase! Load up your wish list now!!

I would love to hear about your week! And be sure to check out the other posts at the Doodle Bugs Teaching Link-up. Have an amazing weekend!!