Grace Creech October 19, 2013

TWS 10 Communications and Collaboration

Communication is very important within the classroom. As a teacher, we have to make time to communicate with parents, students, administrators, and our fellow teachers. Every form of communication should be done professionally and when writing it should be grammatically correct. Communication can be accomplished in the following ways: written notes, e-mails, phone calls, in person, or during meetings. A Family Communication Although it is hard to make time for communication, it is necessary. Parents will have much more respect for their childs teacher if they hear from them. Parents trust the teacher with their children for at least half of the day. It is important for teachers to inform parents of anything important that happens at school. A majority of the time, teachers only send home notes when the child misbehaves. It is important to have positive communication as well. 1 Introduction Parent/Guardian Letter I would send this out at the beginning of the school year. In the letter, I would tell a little about myself to the parent and give them my contact information. I feel as if this is important because it would ease the parent/guardians mind. By giving the contact information, it opens up the communication and lets them know that they are welcome to communicate with me about any problem or concern they may have. An example of this will be attached. 2 Parent Orientation Parent Orientation is a great way to get to know the parents a little better. This occurs right before school starts each year. I was lucky enough to be a part of this at Mathews for my 429 clinical. During this orientation, parents were told what would be expected of their child this year. The parent/guardian letter was handed out as they checked in. After the information was given, parents had the opportunity to talk to the teachers and see the classroom if they would like. 3 Positive Notes Home A few times throughout the year, I would make the effort to send home a positive note with each child or make a positive phone call. It is easy to send home a note for misbehavior; however, it can be difficult to say something positive about each student. As I see a child doing something productive or having good behavior, I will jot it down. I would make sure that I got in touch with each parent/guardian about his or her child on a positive note a few time throughout the year. A few examples of these will be attached.

Grace Creech October 19, 2013 B Communication/Collaboration with Colleagues Communication with colleagues can be accomplished in many ways. It is important that we communicate so everyone is on the same page. When working with a child, everyone needs to be aware of the goals that are trying to be met. Communication with administration is also a huge part. Sometimes it can be difficult to catch administrators in the hall to discuss a matter with them. This is when written communication can be helpful. As a teacher, it is necessary to keep your administrator up to date on what is going on. 1 Team Time Team Time takes place once a week after school. This is a meeting that involves the principal, curriculum coordination and fellow teachers. Discussed in this meeting are things that they administrators need the teacher to do or things that the teachers need from the administrators. This is a great time of communication where any problem can be discussed openly. There is always an agenda of things that need to be talked about. 2 Field Trip It is necessary to contact administration to approve taking a field trip. I would provide administration with a rationale for the field trip, post field trip lesson plans, and the letter/permission slip that would be sent home to parents. Once approved, I could begin the communication with parents. The following will be attached: rationale of the field trip, post field trip lesson plans, and the letter/permission slip that would be sent home to parents. 3 Lesson Plans When turning in lesson plans each week for the principle to read, I would first communicate with fellow teachers during planning time. Once we had communicated about what was being taught that week and had all of the appropriate materials, I would then submit the lesson plans for administration to look at. If there were any problems that they communicated back to me. I would fix them and resubmit.

Post- Field Trip Lesson Plans Grace Creech October 19, 2013 Candidate: Grace Creech Date and Time of Lesson: Friday, February 8, 2012 9:30-10:00 Subject: Health 1. Curriculum Standards Addressed: P-K.1.4 Explain why it is important to brush the teeth and go to a dentist. P-K.7.1 Demonstrate practices that promote personal health (for example, brushing teeth) 2. Instructional Objective(s) Criteria: Students will be able to tell me how to promote their own personal health and tell me why it is important to brush teeth and go to dentist 100% of the time. 3. Assessment(s) of the Objectives: Pre-Assessment: Ask the children the question; What is one thing you learned at the dentist yesterday that can help you keep your teeth healthy so you dont get a cavity? During: Ask children their favorite part of going to the dentist yesterday. After: Ask children to complete activity. This activity will be to draw a picture of someone who has taken care of their teeth and to write a sentence say I ______________everyday so that my teeth will stay healthy! 4. Materials/Resources: A worksheet, crayons, and pencils 5. Prerequisites (Prior Knowledge): having gone to the dentist 6. Procedures: 1. Have children sit in big group. 2. Tell them that we are going to be drawing a picture and writing a sentence about having healthy teeth. 3. Ask them their favorite thing about the dentist yesterday. 4. Talk with them about the things we have learned. 5. Explain what the children are to do on the activity sheet. 6. Dismiss children to their seats. 7. Accommodations: I will work one on one with Shaveria and go through the assessment step by step with her while other students are in centers. I will dismiss the children to centers as they finish. 9. References: South Carolina Academic Standards for Healthy and Safety Education, Oral Health Supplemental Curriculum Resource Kindergarten (http://www.scdhec.gov/health/mch/oral/docs/curr_Oral%20Health%20Kindergarten.pdf) L#: 00171692 Grade Level: Kindergarten

Lesson Title: Dental Hygiene

Parent Permission Slip for Field Trip Grace Creech October 19, 2013

Dear Parents, Our class is going on a field trip to the dentist office!! This trip is going to take place on Thursday, February 7, 2013! We have been talking about how to keep our teeth healthy. I chose to take this trip to show students all the things that can go on at the dentist office. There will be a dental assistant talking to the children about eating healthy so we can stay away cavities! There will be at least 5 adults for our 20 students. We will be leaving the school at 9:00am. This is to give children who are late a little extra time. Our class and chaperones will be transported using a school bus. This trip will be completely free of charge and every student will get a toothbrush! If for any reason, a child cannot go on the trip but has to still attend school, I have arranged for that child to go spend the time we are gone from school in the other kindergarten classroom. Our children our very excited about this trip! Any parent is welcome to join us on this trip that would like! Attached is a permission slip as well as where you can volunteer to come along with us! Rationale for Field Trip Please return by Friday, February 1, 2013.

Class Trip to the Dentist

Our class is going to be taking a trip to the dentist office! We will be going on Thursday, February 7, 2013. We have been talking about how to keep our teeth healthy. I chose to take this trip to show students all the things that can go on at the dentist office. There will be a dental assistant talking to the children about eating healthy so we can stay away cavities! There will be at least 5 adults for our 20 students. We will be leaving the school at 9:00am. This is to give children who are late a little extra time. Our class and chaperones will be transported using a school bus. This trip will be

Our class trip to the dentist!

I, ______________________________, give permission for my child, _________________________________, to go on the class trip to the dentist on Thursday, February 7, 2013. I, ______________________________, do not give permission for my child, _________________________, to go on the class trip to the dentist on Thursday, February 7, 2013. I, ______________________________, would like to chaperone on the field trip.

Grace Creech October 19, 2013

completely free of charge and every student will get a toothbrush! If for any reason, a child cannot go on the trip but has to still attend school, I have arranged for that child to go spend the time we are gone from school in the other kindergarten classroom. This field trip relates to what we are studying because we are learning to keep our teeth clean!

Intro Parent Letter Example

September 1, 2013 Hello Parents! My name is Grace Creech. I am a senior at Lander University! I will be teaching along with Mrs. Kirby in your childs classroom this year. I am majoring in Early Childhood Education/Primary Montessori and will graduate this coming spring! I have gotten to know your children over the past couple of weeks and I have already grown to love each of them! I feel that communication between

Grace Creech October 19, 2013

teachers and parents is very important! If you ever have any questions or concerns, please never hesitate to contact me. My email address is grace.creech@lander.edu. I am looking forward to having a great year!

Thanks,
Positive Notes Home A few examples

Grace Creech
Carmyn is a pleasure to teach. She brightens our classroom everyday. She works diligently at work time! Thanks, Ms. Grace I enjoy having Paisley every afternoon. We have been working on letter sounds this week. She seems to really enjoy it! Thanks, Ms. Grace

Grace Creech October 19, 2013

I love having Brenden in my classroom. He has been very helpful in showing our three and four year old friends how we act walking in the hall! Thanks, Ms. Grace As you know, TaZiah didnt enjoy playing outside last year. This year, she plays with all of her friends. I was so happy to see this change! Thanks, Ms. Grace