Week 9 – Transitions to and from School (for YOU and YOUR Students)

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
~ David Bowie

STUDENT TRANSITIONS
1. Go to http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/kindergarten/  and explore resources for parents and
then explore the educator resources. Go through all of the tabs on the left side of the
webpage. These are valuable resources as future PJ teachers to not only help children
transition to school but as potential primary/junior teachers, it is important to
understand how your learners transition to the school environment.

2. What are some resources in the “What will my child learn and do?” section that provide
helpful supports for parents whose children are entering Kindergarten? Paste the name
and URL of the document(s) here so you can access this as needed in the future.

Play-Based Learning
http://www.cmec.ca/Publications/Lists/Publications/Attachments/282/play-based-
learning_statement_EN.pdf

Literacy and Math in FDK

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/kindergarten/parents-guide-literacy-math-en.pdf

Understanding Reports
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/kindergarten_report.html

3. Explore the section “How can I prepare my child?” and consider how you as a potential
Kindergarten teacher might use some of the resources to support parents help
transition their children to Kindergarten. Paste the name and URL of the document(s)
here so you can access this as needed in the future.

Question and Answer Guide about FDK

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/multi/english/FDKFactSheetEN.pdf

Doing Math with your children

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/parentGuideNum.html
 4. Explore the Full Day Kindergarten “Information for Educators” section and consider how
as a potential Kindergarten teacher, you might support your students transitioning to
Kindergarten. What resources would assist you in supporting your students entering
Kindergarten? Paste the name and URL of the document(s) here so you can access this
as needed in the future.

Kindergarten Program 2016

https://www.ontario.ca/document/kindergarten-program-2016?
_ga=2.22391739.1068286239.1636418805-2021647648.1632155848

Kindergarten Addendum 2019

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/addendum-to-kindergarten-
program.pdf

Growing Success
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/growingSuccessAddendum.html

5. After exploring the various resources related to the unique needs of kindergarten, what
is your key take away regarding children (and parents) transitioning TO the school
environment?

Key Takeaway – When you start kindergarten it ends up being a big step for the adults and
children. We need to ensure that we always take the time to get to know the students, have
the student and parents take the time to get to know you, your class, and the school
community is one of the first step to building a strong foundation. Providing families with
school and local community resources, welcoming them into the classroom and providing an
idea of how the class is ran, different activities and tasks that will be explored and ensuring that
families are also part of the learning community.

YOUR TRANSITION TO THE PROFESSION

START here: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/teaching/

6. Where can you find information regarding your eligibility for the New Teacher Induction
Program (NTIP)? Insert the URL here so you can refer to this when you get hired!
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teacher/induction.html

7. Where can you find information regarding how you will be evaluated as a new teacher
and as an experienced teacher? Insert the URL here so you can refer to this when you
 get hired! Take a look at some of the domains and “look-fors” that will guide your
evaluation…(fun fact—we based some of our FE Report on the Teacher Performance
Appraisal when it was newly introduced to the province)
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teacher/appraise.html

8. Take a look at this resource and bookmark for your future use and consideration:
https://spark.adobe.com/page/Kn6BetzprCrf9/

9. Last September, you began your B.Ed. journey at Ontario Tech University. As we enter
Week 9 of classes, please respond to the following questions directly on this document:

a) How have you changed as an educator since beginning the program (consider
professionally and personally)? 
- As an educator I feel that my whole “teacher self” has changed a good
amount. My understanding of teaching has changed, it has become more
open and encompassing, I am able to come up with more ideas where it
will meet one common goal and that it will always help support my future
students.

b) What has been one key challenge (you can list more if you like) you experienced as you
transitioned from your pre-B.Ed. self to your current B.Ed. professional self? 
- I was able to learn many new ideas and strategies that will help support
my individual need of all my students. I love learning new ideas as I can
add it to my toolbox which helps me with UDI, DI, classroom
management and also being able to scaffold my lessons.

c) How did you work towards overcoming the challenge you described? 
- Oh, the challenges and overcoming it! Well, the main thing is to Listen.
Few things I did was collaborating with my peers, coming out of my
comfort zone, making notes, and of course try many new things I have
never tired before. I made sure to keep making sure that I took the time
to think about when I have done during this teaching lesson and
reflecting on it, what worked, what didn’t work, how it went, what I liked.
When I take the time to reflect it improves my experience of learning and
teaching my students, which will allow for my future students to success.

d) As you go into your final practicum, what is one key area of growth you wish to focus
upon? 
- One key area of growth… my first two placements were virtual, so in m y
last placement I want to get the chance to get to know my students.
Really being able to understand them, by knowing their interests,
strengths, what they need more support with and just what their
favourite food is and how their family is. I want to be able to support by
students through what I’m teaching so by ensuring all I listed above is
done “know your students” will help my students. Creating a little list of
things about the students so it can support their needs and learning style
through the whole school year.