I haven't taught kindergarten in a few years, so I was expecting to have a group similar to the groups I had when I taught kinder in the past, but we made a major change in California since then--we changed the start age. Last time I taught, the kids had to be five years old by December 2nd of the school year to begin school (so there would be a huge percentage of the class that was still four when school started in July or August). That age has been changing gradually (a month per year) until this year, when kids had to be 5 years old by September 1st. So now, my kids are all five years old (I had a few August babies, but they've all turned five). And WOW!! What a difference it makes!! I don't know yet how many attended preschool or transitional kindergarten (a program for kids who would have previously been able to start kindergarten, with birthdays between September 2nd and December 2nd), but I'm guessing quite a few. Cuz these kids are geniuses!! I am reminded of when I went from teaching kindergarten to teaching first grade-I was amazed by my students! (as I was used to five by dec 2nd). I feel the same now-what a difference it makes to teach kids who are READY!!
Here are my kiddies cutting, sorting, and gluing shapes:
They are soooo cute!! I miss them when I go home!! I used to tell people that I was super lucky because I chose a career that I love so much that I would do without pay if I could. But I haven't really felt like that for a while. I'm happy to say that I'm back there now--I am sooo grateful that I have the best job in the world!!
Here they are reading books at the carpet:
Here is a copy of the photo release for that the parents had to sign (in English and Spanish) so I could use pictures of the students on this blog: Permission To Photograph Download
I am new at this, so hopefully the link works!!
<3 Ms. Chase
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