Back to the drawing board B.P.#3

I got so used to teaching seventh and eight graders, that I forgot what to expect when I went back to early childhood education. Being a man teaching preschool is quite the task. 80% of the children in my class don't live with their biological fathers and I am their only contact with a male outside of siblings and or other family members. This is a positive in a MAJOR way. They get to see a male role model outside of what the norm in my neighborhood is, and let me say that it isn't positive.

I went from easy street, by having students grade their own papers and record grades to having to wipe noses and serve food family style. I also had to change my teaching methods and become more of a nurturer than a disciplinarian. The one thing that I find bot ages of students have in common is that they are all receptive to positive engaged conversation. I'm not a teacher who raises their voice. I've never had to an probably never will. My aura delivers a strange cosmic energy that mysteriously tells students "don't play with him." However, it was back to the drawing board when it came to preschool. I could use a refresher that helped me with my teaching style and what I should be concentrating on teaching the little people.

I found several websites that offered helpful information that I could use in and outside of my classroom.

A to Z Kid's Stuff - http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/

Lots of very basic approaches to instruction for Preschool and Kindergarten, categorized by headings that will surely make sense to any primary teacher. While this site doesn't necessarily offer lots of interactivity, the storehouse of ready to use ideas is a big selling point.

Early Childhood Technology Literacy Project - http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/littlekids/

The forward thinking Montgomery County, Maryland School system has put together this progressive program to promote literacy of technology in the earliest grades. This website offers the background and materials to teachers around the world interested in making use of this fabulous program.

Early Childhood Thematic Units - http://www.sbcss.k12.ca.us/sbcss/specialeducation/ecthematic/index.html

Kathy Van Velzen offers this collection of eleven units complete with Bulletin Board Ideas, Cooking Ideas, Fine Gross Motor tasks, Language Development, Literature, Music, Sample Lesson Plans, Sample Parent Communications, Software Support, and Toys and Materials.

EduPuppy - http://www.edupuppy.com/

Kristen Hammond heads up this well-screened directory of developmentally appropriate ideas and materials perfect for grades K-2. Using keywords and categories teachers can sniff out the best activities, research and resources for the classroom. Very user friendly.

Enchanted Learning - http://www.enchantedlearning.com/categories/preschool.shtml

This portion of Enchanted Learning is dedicated exclusively to younger students. It includes letter and number recognition, colors, animals, transportation, as well as themes, links and a child-friendly search tool. Definitely worth your consideration.

ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education - http://ericeece.org/

This site is one of 16 clearinghouses in the ERIC system, providing resources for educators, parents and families, interested in the development, education, and care of children throughout early childhood. A great resource for research and literature helpful to educators.

Funschool - http://www.funschool.com/

Original activities designed for younger students, Funschool is a great place to have safe fun online. There's lots of familiar game formats here, and great use of JAVA applets for interactive uses of technology. Activities for upper elementary too.

Idea Box - http://www.theideabox.com/

All kinds of timely lessons and activities designed for the primary grades, including message boards where teachers can get together and offer support and ideas for one another. The free monthly newsletter rounds out this exceptionally designed site.

KinderKorner - http://www.kinderkorner.com/

Kinder Korner is a resource web site for teachers and others interested in early childhood education. It has an Internet mailing list and a great place to share ideas, ask questions, and talk about what works in your classroom.

Mrs. Gaines' Kindergarten Links - http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/2221/gainesgang.html

This is what a truly early childhood collection of links should look like. If you visit no other site from this edition, be sure to visit this one if you're looking for interactive educational games for nonreaders. Close the Geocities menu before sharing with your children.

The School Bell - http://www.theschoolbell.com/

Kathy Gursky offers this collection of themes, activities and resources for the primary classroom. Surf by month, alphabetically or by category. School Bell originals offer new content of interest to young children and their teachers.

A World of Kindergartens - http://www.coe.iup.edu/worldofkindergarten/

Excellent listing of early childhood resources gathered from around the globe and covering such popular areas of interest as the 100th day of school, computers in the primary grades and bookmark collections on high interest topics.

• (*websites suggestions, cited from http://surfaquarium.com/newsletter/early.htm on 10/2/09 by Brian H.)

There are tons of additional materials on the web for teachers to use with their students. We just have to go through them and see if they are worth recommending to our coworkers and classmates.