Notes
Holly, who is teaching in a new preschool pilot program, discussed various challenges including resource limitations and managing classroom tasks without support staff. We explored teaching methods and curriculum options for young children, with Holly sharing her experiences using different educational materials.
Holly began by using the CKLA resource for 4 year olds. This was not working. She discussed this with the administration and agreed she could use a resource she found, Lovely Commotion Preschool Resources. She discussed her experience using this new curriculum for her 3-year-old students, which has significantly improved engagement and includes activities like cutting and gluing. There is a lot of prep work for the resource. We explored the idea of enlisting parents to help with classroom preparation.
Holly expressed anxiety about not yet receiving login information for the course despite multiple attempts to contact IT. I suggested she contact the professor, Carolyn Carlson, Holly has her email contact.
I shared some of the structure and content of a course on structured literacy. Holly is expressing uncertainty about the assignments due before the next meeting. Holly discussed assessments she is developing for her students using standards based tools.
Holly also shared her personal journey, including her experience as a journalist, photographer, and educator, as well as her experiences with loss and motherhood. We agreed to meet again in two weeks and for Holly to contact Carolyn about accessing the course materials.