Building Solid Foundations

Presenter: Angelia Turquette, M.Ed

When you leave here you will…

• Be more familiar with best practices in prekindergarten classrooms.• Be more familiar with the

prekindergarten guidelines.• Be able to identify practices that

are NOT appropriate for prekindergarten classrooms.

Classroom Blueprint: Things to Consider

• Plugs• Water sources• Tile/carpet• Doors: classroom, bathroom• Windows• Wall space

Classroom Blueprint: Things to Consider

• Wet/Dry • Loud/Quiet• Small/Large Group• Traffic pattern• Clear boundaries• Tables • Appropriate size• Close proximity• Small group

Centers

• Pretend and Learn• Writer’s Corner• Library and Listening • Construction• Math and Science• Creativity/Art• ABC

Centers

• Used daily (minimum of 60 minutes/day)• Literary connection and writing

materials in every center.• Language with adults and peers. • Theme related• Linked to learning goals • Model behavior

Centers

• Materials:• Accessible• Up to date• Clean• Labeled• Variety

Print Rich Environment

• Environmental print displayed• Children’s names visible • Poems and rhymes posted• Library (fiction, nonfiction,

theme, multicultural books)• Classroom labels visible• Children’s work visible

Charts

• Rules chart• Helpers chart• Attendance chart• Daily schedule• Learning area planning chart

Written Expression

• Teacher models writing• Morning Message• Experience Charts• News of the Day• Child’s dictation• Class books

Journals

• Daily opportunities for writing• Journals accessible to children• Journals occur 3 times/week

Circle Time• Used daily

• 2-3 times/day• 15-20 minutes

• Calendar time• 3-5 minutes

• New center activities• Expectations• Materials

• Read aloud• Phonological awareness• Music

• Birthdays• Instruments

Small Group

• Six children• Intentional instruction• 10-15 minutes• Manipulatives• Books• Pictures

Daily Schedule

• Read alouds• 2/day ½ day programs• 3/day full day program

• Phonological awareness activities• Writing• Language• Math• Recess