gusd transitional kindergarten how we got started!

GUSD Transitional Kindergarten How we got started!

By: Sheryll EbbsGilroy Unified School DistrictEarly Childhood AdministratorSheryll.ebbs@gusd.k12.ca.us

Program Agenda

Overview

Charting our needs

PK/TK, Pure TK or TK/K (pro’s and con’s)

Finalizing location and type of program

Enrollment and recruitment

TK program – themes, strategies & assessments

Principal input

Closure

GUSD Pilot Transitional Kindergarten Program

In 2011, we received a Packard Foundation grant coordinated by the SCCOE to fund our pilot TK program

A meeting was held with Dr. Lisa Kaufman from the SCCOE to begin the planning phase in February of 2011

Fall 2011, we opened our first TK classroom at Antonio Del Buono Elementary School

What To Take Into Consideration:

Enrollment

Facilities

Teachers

Cost

Program curriculum

What do you already have in place

Professional Development

Recruitment – TK is not mandatory

Type of program: PK/TK, Pure TK or TK/K

Facilities

Our first meeting consisted of a brain storm session to determine how we should get started:

We created a chart for facilities to review:Every school site for space Do they have preschools on site

(State/POP/Head Start)Do they have a special day class on site

Pre-K/TK or Pure TK or TK/K?What are the pro’s and con’s for these three models?

We discussed the advantages and disadvantages for each of these models so we could take a closer look at what might work for us.

Pre-K/TK CombinationAdvantages:

If you have a Teacher who has the appropriate preschool teacher permit and a teaching credential you can combine PK-TK

Facilities may already exist

No need to hire a TK Teacher

Very familiar with social emotional, self- regulation and transition skills that are necessary for Kindergarten Readiness

Pre-K/TK CombinationDisadvantages

Most Preschool Teachers do not have the appropriate Kindergarten teaching credential

Could create a problem meeting the preschool enrollment criteria

Curriculum could be focused on a younger group and may not be developmentally appropriate for the TK Students

Pure Transitional KindergartenAdvantages:

The program stands alone

Would have it’s own program curriculum

Very focused on a set age group

The parents and guardians have a clear understanding of the program

The Teacher does not need a Preschool Teachers permit

Pure Transitional KindergartenDisadvantages:

Could have a shortage of students

Teacher availability

The Kindergarten Teacher will need PD on developmentally appropriate practices for the TK age group

Facilities

School Budget

Combination TK And Kindergarten

Advantages

Can be treated like other combination classes

Might not have to hire a new teacher

The teacher is experienced in teaching Kindergarten

Classroom might be available

Kindergarten curriculum can be adjusted

Could consider Early Bird/Late Bird strategy

Combination TK & Kindergarten

Disadvantages

Concerns have been brought up that the class could revert to Kindergarten practices leaving out developmentally appropriate practices for TK students

The Kindergarten Teachers would need to be trained in developmentally appropriate practices for this age group

The Parents might feel that their child is being retained due to not moving on to Kindergarten.

Early Bird/Late Bird can be confused with two years of Kindergarten

Pure TK Was Implemented

Cost effective

Kindergarten classroom available

A Coordinator was provided by the grantor to help with aligning preschool foundations and kindergarten standards, enrollment, communication with parents, etc.

Credentialed Kindergarten Teacher available

Articulation and Alignment with Preschool & Kindergarten Program

Finalizing A Location For The PilotHow did we choose a site?

We analyzed fall enrollment

Presented the TK program to the Principals

We looked at schools that had Pre-K on campus

Where do we have facilities available

We analyzed the 3 models pro’s and con’s

Chosen Site For TKThe site determined to provide TK is Antonio Del Buono Elementary

A classroom was available for Pure TK

Full day program

Principal volunteered to participate in Pilot

Head Start & State Preschool on site

Special day program on site

18 students enrolled in the pilot

Enrollment

Research how many four year olds have birthdays that fall between Nov. 1 & Dec. 2nd and have enrolled for the 2011/2012 school year?

Outreach to parents

Outreach to preschools

TK is not mandatory – how do we promote TK?

Recruitment

Talk to parents one on one regarding the benefits

Parent information night

Open house

Information provided at registration

Communicate with your local preschools

Classroom tours

Transitional Kindergarten

Greater amount of hands on activities

Free choice and center based activities – dramatic play area, listening and reading centers, blocks, science, art and computers

More music and movements activities

Additional time spent on social emotional development, transitions and self regulation skills

Our TK program will align with Kindergarten Standards and will pull some of the Preschool Foundations to support early learners

An example of a daily class schedule

CurriculumThematic based – designed by the teacher

Examples: Getting to know youGrowing & changing

“Teacher quote: TK is like a breath of fresh air, I finally can teach students what they want to learn about and expand on”

Strategies being used in class

POLL –Personalize Oral Language Learning

CSEFEL – Center on the Social & Emotional Foundations for Early Learning

Handwriting Without Tears “Word Time”

Graphic Organizers

SDAIE Strategies – Specifically Designed Academic Instruction in English

Total Physical Response – Second Language Acquisition. By: James R. Asher

(Were at the beginning stage of aligning Preschool Foundations with Kindergarten Standards)

AssessmentsWe are currently using:

DRDP

Student Portfolios

Anecdotal notes

Other pre and post tests

Articulation & Alignment

TK Teacher attends monthly Pre-K Staff meetings

TK Teacher attends the weekly Kindergarten Staff meetings

TK Coordinator - coordinates professional development, classroom tours, parent meetings, student recruitment, etc.

Pre-K Administrator has provided social emotional training (CSEFEL) and help with implementation

The Pre-K Administrator & TK Coordinator helped with classroom set-up (setting up centers)

Antonio Del Buono Principal

“As the principal of this program, I am overwhelmingly enthused about the TK program. Teacher selection is a major component of making the program work. Our teacher is enthusiastic and more than willing to receive all the staff development and training needed for the success of the program and for the students. She has changed her room environment and her curriculum. She has incorporated the social emotional piece and has been able to bridge the pre-k and kinder standards to make TK work. Having her connect with the pre-k staff, kinder staff and the TK coordinator has given her the extra support needed as well. I can definitely see the difference in her TK program compared to the previous years she has taught Kindergarten.” Velia Codiga/ADB Principal

Fall 2012Kindergarten Entry-Age in California5 years of age on or before:

2012 -13 November 12013 –14 October 12014 -15 September 1

Resources

CSEFEL – Center for the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learningcsefel.vanderbilt.edu

POLL – Personal Oral Language Learningdeveloped for LAUSD by: Linda Espinosa,Ph.D., Carola Matera, PH.D. & Elizabeth Magruder, M.ED.

Handwriting Without Tears – info@hwtears.com

Preschool California – www.preschoolcalifornia.org/SB1381

The Transitional Kindergarten Library

www.tkcalifornia.org

CDE www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/em/kinderinfo.asp

First Five California www.ccfc.ca.gov/