Philosophy of Education

The purpose of education is to enable the students to become knowledgeable for the
future and to allow them to be successful for life. The future is always changing, therefore
students need to embrace change and be continuous learners. As an educator, my role is to
prepare the students for the future. A teacher is to motivate the students to want to learn
and to be continuous learners by enthusiastic and engaging lessons. At the elementary
level, learning is critical because this is where students develop their learning and study
habits. An educators responsibility is to understand a students individual needs. We must
incorporate 21st century technology tools, create positive learning environments, have
superior classroom management skills, and successfully engage parents in the learning
process.
As a teacher, I believe in active learning and dynamic experiences. Active learning
and dynamic experiences are very beneficial for all students and all learning styles.
Students who are also involved in these learning experiences are not only active with their
bodies; they are active with their minds. When students are engaged they are more likely to
access their own prior knowledge, and are able to remember learning experiences.
Students are able to work with peers and develop communication skills and teamwork
skills by collaborating. Active learning enables all students of all different learning styles to
learn new information by getting constant feedback from their peers. It allows the
kinesthetic learners to get the hands on experience they need while still tending to the
other learning styles. An active learning experience I have used in the past was when I had
taught a lesson on businesses. I did not simply read from the book and test the students on
the material. I had the students create their own business while determining the start-up
cost and profit they would make from that business. From this hands-on experience they
were able to meet all of the learning objectives and targets while being completely engaged.
The students made the learning their own, something they will always remember. Teachers
also need to understand that students have different needs. Sometimes these needs can be
found in a students Individualized Education Plan, (IEP). Some examples of different types
of accommodations are extended time for a test, and reading a test to a student.
Along with differentiated instruction, I will incorporate 21st century skills into my
classroom. These skills include learning and innovative skills such as critical thinking,
collaboration, communication, and creativity. The room arrangement can help teachers
assess the students learning and their innovative skills. For example, in my student
teaching placement we arranged the students desks into groups of four. The teacher and I
were able to assess the students ability to collaborate with the other students in their
group. We were able to see if the students could work creatively with the other students
and we could see if the students were open to the groups creative feedback. Although the
groupings of the desks were great for small group collaboration and other innovative skills,
whole group instruction is a key attribute as well. For example, we used a large carpet in
the front of our classroom for whole group instruction. This allows students to collaborate
with the whole group and interact effectively with others. In my future classroom, I plan on
including an art center. An art center allows the students to express their creativity and
create new projects. The creative artwork will then decorate the surrounding walls.
Another center in my classroom I plan on having is a technology center. Technology skills

are another important 21st century skill that is vital for a students success both in the
classroom and in life. It is essential for teachers to incorporate and provide students with
the opportunity to use technology in the classroom. There are many ways for teachers to
use technology to evaluate students understanding. I will expose the students to
LiveBinder, Google Forms, IMovie, IBook, Microsoft tools and various Apple Apps. By using
these items the I can both determine the students understanding of the content and the
students technology skills. These different types of technology can be used to evaluate the
students in a formative and summative way.
According to the Reggio Emilia approach, the environment is the third teacher.
When a positive learning environment is established, students will feel comfortable, safe
and engaged. In the classroom, my walls will be decorated with the students artwork and
accomplishments to inspire the students. In my classroom artwork will be hung at the
childs eye level so it can be seen. A positive environment is not just about the decorations
on the wall. It is also about the relationship between the teacher and the students. A
positive relationship with the students will foster a positive environment. One way I will
promote a positive learning environment in my classroom is by having an open
relationship with my students. My students will always be able to come to me for advice.
My classroom will contain a small conference table in the back. If students have a problem
and cannot seem to settle it, I will assign a peer mediator to help work the problem out. A
positive learning environment is always focusing on goals and achieving those small goals.
To me, a flowchart is very beneficial in a classroom when working with goals. With a
flowchart or a portfolio, students are able to see the progress they made and they are able
to focus on how far they have come.
Classroom management plays a great role in a students environment. From the
beginning of the year the students must know what is expected of them. Students must
understand that actions have equal consequences. At the beginning of the year teaching the
students clear and concise rules is vital. Students must respect others, and respect oneself.
A great way to get students to understand the classroom rules is to have them write them.
The students will be more likely to behave and remember the rules when they are the ones
who created them. Consequences go along with a bad behavior and a reward goes with a
positive behavior. In my classrooms, token economies have worked the best. The students
respond to positive reinforcement and getting a prize coupon at the end of the day.
Another aspect that goes along with a classroom management is the seating chart. Teachers
must think very carefully about where each child should be seated. A child with attention
issues should be placed away from windows and high traffic areas so he or she will not get
distracted. I would place this student at the front of the classroom so I could keep close
proximity to him or her. While making the chart I will think about how each seat will
optimize the students learning.
Along with classroom management, parent involvement is crucial when trying to
optimize a students learning. Parents are a very important part of my classroom. My room
is an open classroom where the parents are always welcome to come and talk with me.
Caregivers will be invited in my classroom regularly for class activities, discussions, and
fieldtrips. It is essential that teachers foster a strong relationship with the parents.
Guardians are important for a childs social and academic success. The parents and I are
responsible for working together to educate the students to the maximum extent. For this
great relationship to form, I will be in constant contact with the parents. For example,

weekly letters will be sent home with an update on upcoming tests and some helpful tips
on how to study. Also, every Tuesday something called Tuesday Papers, will be sent
home. These Tuesday papers will include all of the students past graded tests and quizzes
and a possible note from me. Each student will be responsible for getting the Tuesday
Papers signed and brought back to school. It is important for the parent to sign these
papers so the teacher will know that the parent has seen them. Parents must see their
childs tests and quizzes so they know exactly what the child is struggling with. Another
way that I will keep in contact with my parents is though yellow and blue slips. Yellow slips
are used when a student forgets homework. The student must fill out the yellow slip and
explain why they forgot their homework; the student must take the slip home and have it
signed. A blue slip and a phone call happen when a student misbehaves. The blue slip will
act as a correctional slip that the student will fill out and explain their behavior. I will make
a phone call home so the parents are made aware of the behavior and we can derive a
solution. Along with these types of parent communication, I will send home a weekly
positive letter. Each week I will pick one child to focus on and I will write down positive
things that that child has done all week. At the end of the week, I will send home a letter or
email to his or her parent. To me, it is just as crucial to inform a parent of a positive
behavior as a negative one.
My job is to motivate the students to become active, lifelong learners. By
understanding that all students learn differently, by having a positive learning
environment, by creating a 21st century classroom, by having great classroom management
and by communicating with parents, this is all possible. Students and teachers need to
realize that change and growth take time; with patience and the support of one another
learning will take flight.

Curriculum for Pre-K Program

There are eight different areas of instruction for this Pre-K program. The Areas of
instruction include the following: science, mathematics, language arts, art, music,
movement, social studies and health.

Science
Students will learn about living and nonliving things. The students will be able to identify
and categorize the difference between living and nonliving things. Students in the
classroom will be able to observe a life worm farm and a bird feeder outside of the
classroom. This will allow students to observe the needs of living organisms. We will also
have a unit on butterflies. Here students will learn about the stages of life cycles and will be
able to identify parts of living things. Students will frequently go outside for observations of
the earths nature.
Objectives:
3.1a.1 Common Characteristics of Life
3.1a.3 Life Cycles
3.1a.5 Form and Function

Mathematics
This year students will be able to name numerals to ten. Students will count objects as part
of play and as a means of determining quantity. Some ways students will learn to count is

by using blocks, snacks and papers. Students will also learn how to make estimates of a set
of objects up to 6. Students will estimate concrete objects within the room.

Objectives:
2.2.4 Numeral Estimations
2.1.1 Count and Compare Numbers

Language Arts
In this classroom students will be learning to read independently. Students will be
provided with learning centers and a classroom library where learners can independently
interact with quality books. There will be different centers where the children can work on
rhyme recognition, identify letters and a vocabulary center where students will learn
letters with pictures.
Objectives:
1.1.1 Purposes For Reading
1.1.2 Word Recognition Skills
1.1.3 Vocabulary Development

Social Studies
This year students will be learning of the rights and responsibilities of a citizen. Students
will be given jobs around the classroom to learn responsibilities. Students will do the
following: feed the class fish, pass out papers, help with snacks and help with center
cleanup. Students will also learn about community helpers. The students will take fieldtrips
to the local fire station and police station.

Objectives:
5.1.1 Sources, Purposes and Functions of Law
5.2.1 Civic Rights, Responsibilities and Duties

Art, Music and Movement

Art, music and movement are very important in my classroom. Students will be doing art,
music and movement in every subject area. The students will learn songs about math,
traditional dances for other cultures during social studies and will create artwork after
reading a story. Art, music and movement are great ways for students to express
themselves and to explore other ways to learn the material.

Objectives:
9.1a.1 Aesthetic Response
9.1a.2 Exploration
9.1a.3 Creation

Health
This year students will learn proper daily hygiene. In the classroom there will
be a daily schedule to practice hygiene routines. Students will practice
brushing their teeth and washing their hands daily. Students will also learn
about healthy eating habits. Each day at snack time, students will be offered a
healthy choice such as apples or grapes.

Objectives:
10.1-3.1 Fundamentals of Good Health
10.1-3.4 Nutrition
Parent Involvement
Parents are a very important part of a classroom. This room is an open classroom where
the parents are always allowed to come in and talk with me. Caregivers will be invited in
my classroom regularly for class activities, discussions and fieldtrips. It is important to
foster great relationships with the
parents. Parents are important for a
childs social and academic success.
The parents and I are responsible
for working together to educate the
students to the maximum extent. For
this great relationship to form,
parents will be welcomed into my
classroom at all times and will be
supplied with weekly updates on
our classroom activities.

Ways to get involved:

1. Childs Birthday
2. Holidays or Celebrations
3. Class Fieldtrips

Technology
This classroom is a twenty-first century classroom. Students will engage in activities that
include writing to students of other countries or a video chat with them. Technology is
important in todays education. Technology can be use to teach, assist and help children
develop. Technology is important and in todays society it is ever changing and as teachers
we need to teach our children to embrace change. Students will also use a variety of
applications to help reinforce their education.

Applications for the Classroom

1. Montessori Crossword
This application is a great tool for teaching reading (or the phonetic component of reading,
anyway). This app is great for teaching letter sounds. It also adds a cognitive component of
mini-crossword puzzles as well as consonant blends. This app is completely customizable
and includes a special section for parents.

2. Handwriting Without Tears

It teaches children to form letters from the top
down. Although using this app is quite different from
holding a pencil and writing it at least allows children
to learn how to correctly form a capital letter and
numbers. This application is great for students with disabilities who may have trouble

holding a pencil.

Technology Continued

3. TeachMe Toddler
This all-in-one app works on letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. This application is great
for young preschoolers/older toddlers.

4. Monkey Preschool Lunchbox

This is the most popular preschool app. The puzzle feature is great for incorporating
visual/spatial awareness, It also includes sorting, shape recognition, and color recognition.

5. Park Math
This app provides valuable content and is
engaging to young children. The bear on
the roller skates strolls from task to task,
including sorting from smallest to largest,
patterning, number recognition, counting,
and addition.

Learning Environment
The classroom will be separated into five different centers along with the traditional round
table area.
The different centers include:
1. Reading Corner
2. Science Laboratory
3. Arts Easel
4. Movement Mat
5. Music Masterpiece
All centers are separated away from
each other but there is a clear boundary
of where each center starts and ends.
The room is spaced out so a potential student in a wheelchair could get around confortable.

Materials
The materials in the classroom will be separated and sorted into bins. The bins will be
located on low shelves so all students can access the materials, blocks, art supplies and
instruments. Each bin will be labeled
and will have a corresponding
picture, so students who have
trouble reading can still locate the
materials.

Developmentally Appropriate Practice for Preschoolers

Preschool children learn best by having positive, strong and caring relationships with
adults and other children. The students learn best when they receive carefully planned,
transnational guidance and assistance. Preschoolers require the right mix of challenge,
support, sensitivity, and stimulation.

Important Principles of Child Development

1. We must remember that all domains of development and learning are important. The
physical, social and emotional, and cognitive development are all-important and influence
each other.

2. Development and learning proceed at varying rates from child to child. Some children
may produce uneven rates across different areas of functioning. We must remember that
all students have their own strengths and need and it is important to have variation among
teaching styles.

3. Early experiences have profound effects, both cumulative and delayed, on a childs
development and learning; and greatest periods exist for certain types of development and
learning to occur. It is important for families and teachers to remember that, at this age, we
shape the students education for the rest of their lives. We develop their social and
emotional skills, study habits and attitudes towards education.

Children with Special Needs

Laws
IDEAthe Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEA, the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, is our nations special education law.
The IDEA guides how states, school districts, and public agencies provide early
intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible
infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act continues to play an important role in education,
especially for students with disabilities who may not qualify for special education services
under IDEA. Section 504 guarantees individuals free appropriate education to any person
who: (i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major
life activities, (ii) has a record of such an impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having such an
impairment.

Americans with Disabilities Act The ADA

The ADA is the first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities. The
ADA protects the civil rights of people with disabilities. ADA helps in accessing public

services such as transportation, and guaranteeing access to public accommodations such as

restaurants, stores, hotels and other types of buildings to which the public has access.

Assistive Technology Act

Assistive technology can greatly benefit the function of people with disabilities in school,
work, home, and community. The Assistive Technology Act is made to ensure that people
with disabilities have access to assistive technology devices and services.

For more information regarding laws and intervention for students with special needs
please visit http://nichcy.org/laws.
Inclusionary Literature
Betschart, Jean. A Magic Ride in Foozbah-Land. Chronimed Publishing, Inc., 1995 - health
impairments/diabetes
Cairo, Shelley. Our Brother Has Down's Syndrome. Annick Press Ltd., 1985 - Down's
syndrome
Carlson, Nancy. Arnie and the New Kid. Penguin Books, 1992 - physical disabilities
Dunn, Kathryn and Allison. Trouble with School. Woodbine House, 1993 - learning
disabilities

Students with special needs will be evaluated and given an IEP that teachers will have to
follow. Each classroom will be set up so students with disabilities can easily maneuver
around. Students with visual disabilities will be able to use the Visio Board to read and
write. Students will be included into the classroom and welcomed with open arms!

Food Allergy Action Plan Students Name:

________________________________________________
D.O.B:____________ Teacher: ____________________

Place Childs Picture Here

Allergy to: ________________________________________________
Asthmatic: Yes* No *Higher risk for severe reaction STEP 1:

TREATMENT
Symptoms:
Give Checked Medication**:
If a food allergen has been ingested, but no symptoms:
Epinephrine Epinephrine Epinephrine Epinephrine
Epinephrine Epinephrine Epinephrine Epinephrine
Epinephrine
Antihistamine Antihistamine Antihistamine Antihistamine
Antihistamine Antihistamine Antihistamine Antihistamine
Antihistamine

Mouth Skin Gut Throat Lung Heart Other

If reaction
Itching, tingling, or swelling of lips, tongue, mouth Hives, itchy rash, swelling of
the face or extremities Nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea
Tightening of throat, hoarseness, hacking cough Shortness of breath, repetitive
coughing, wheezing
Weak or thready pulse, low blood pressure, fainting, pale, blueness is
progressing (several of the above areas affected), give:

a. Name/Relationship
_______________________________________ Phone Number: b.
Name/Relationship _______________________________________
Phone Number:

STEP 2: EMERGENCY CALLS

1. Call 911 (or Rescue Squad: ____________). State that an allergic
reaction has been treated, and additional epinephrine may be needed.
2. Dr. ___________________________________ Phone Number: 3.
Parent ________________________________ Phone Number(s): 4.
Emergency contacts:
Parent/Guardians Signature
________________________________________________ Date
________________________
Doctors Signature
________________________________________________________ Date
________________________ (Required)
Staff Members Trained in Epinephrine Administration:
**(To be determined by physician authorizing treatment)

Potentially life-threatening. The severity of symptoms can quickly change.

Sweet Angels Parental Handbook

Miss Henderson
Pre-school