You are on page 1of 11

Preschool Teacher Training

Jjiibwa Nagenda
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

Page | 1
Purpose

Teachers will learn a more student focused approach to learning that will engage students and teach them critical thinking
skills. The following approach will be applied to teaching 3 to 6 year olds.

Use manipulatives in group activities


Ask open ended questions that are not yes or no answers
Read to students

Unit 1

Students will learn basic preschool curriculum starting with colors, shapes, and opposites. They will start to use this new
knowledge to make connections to the places and things in their lives.

Content Age 3 Age 4 Age 5 & 6


(Students Become Familiar) (Students Learn) (Students Apply)
Colors Each table is assigned a different color with Each table receives several items that are the Students are familiar. Teachers show
corresponding items to play with. Teachers go same color and are allowed time to play with students colored blocks at the front of
around and talk to students about the items in effort them. After 10 minutes, the teacher walks around the class simply as review. Students
to familiarize them. After 10 minutes, the teacher and shows the students different items at each name the color together.
walks around and shows the students the different table and reviews the different colors. Teach asks
items at each table in order for them to learn what color the item is and students all respond
different colors. Teacher names the color and all the together.
students repeat.

Shapes Each table is given blocks in a certain shape. Each table is given blocks in a certain shape. Students are shown cards with
Students have time to play and become familiar with Students have time to play and become familiar different items that resemble a shape.
each shape. Then the teacher reviews each shape by with each shape. Then the teacher reviews each Students guess as a class what the
going to different tables, holding up the shape and shape by going to different tables, holding up the item is called and the shape it
naming it. Students repeat in unison until all shapes shape while students guess the shape together. resembles. Teacher reviews several
have been named. Teacher repeats until all shapes have been named. times, mixing the order to ensure
students understand.

Opposites Students learn new vocabulary by participating in Students all name each opposite, while teacher Students are chosen to become leaders
psychical demonstrations of opposites. Teacher models at the front of the class. who model and direct the class in
models at the front of the class. naming opposites and assist the
teacher in finding opposites in the
classroom.

Page | 2
Teacher Training Exercises

Critical Thinking Brainstorm Making Books Come Alive

Critical Thinking is the desired outcome for student centered Reading books to students is a great opportunity for
work. Teachers should always encourage students to think students learn content within the context of a story.
deeper and apply the things they learn to their everyday While reading a book to students, teacher should try to
lives. engage them as much as possible by showing them the
pictures and asking them open ended questions.
Teacher Training Exercise
Teacher Training Exercise
Teachers will brainstorm open ended questions surrounding
the content students are learning. Open ended questions Teachers will look through several books and find the ones
are questions that are answered with a response other than that help students learn the content they are teaching. They
yes or no. will select the best book and come up with questions to ask
students when they are reading.
Examples:

Colors- What things can you name that are green?


Shapes- What things can you name that are the
shape of a circle?
Opposites- Can you think of a time when were
happy? Can you think of a time when you were sad?

Page | 3
Unit 2

Students continue to learn about places and things in their lives through new vocabulary that each letter introduces. In
addition, they learn the significance of numbers and become familiar with self by learning body parts and their function.

Content Age 3 Age 4 Age 5 & 6


(Students Become Familiar) (Students Learn) (Students Apply)
Letters Students are shown one letter a week. The teacher Students should be able to identify the letters. Students know letters and sounds.
names the letter and teaches them the sound of Teachers will hint at a letter with the sound and Teachers should ask students to name
the letter. During that lesson, the teacher shows the students should be able to guess what it is. items that start with a specific letter
the students items that start with that letter. The When shown pictures of an item that starts with This should not be done in
teacher should also attempt to use words that start the same letter, students should know what the chronological order of the alphabet.
with that letter, to help students relate the name item is and which letter it starts with. Students should be able to name items
and sound. independently, though hints with
Worksheets should have two columns, a letter on pictures and sounding out the
Students should have a worksheet with the letter one side and item on the other for students to beginning of the words are still good
and color it. match independently. support.

Worksheets should have three letter


words for students to spell and
corresponding picture.
Numbers Students should know all the numbers from 1-10. Students should know all the numbers from 1-20. Students play using several of the
Teachers can sing songs and play games that Teachers should show items that have parts same item to learn the concept of
include counting. Students should trace each students can count, i.e. legs on a table, wheels on addition and subtraction.
number and be able to identify the numbers when a car.
they see it. Worksheets should have pictures of
items in different quantities from 1-10.
Students should be able to write the
correct number next to it.
Body Parts The teacher should stand at the front of the class Students should know the name of each body part The focus becomes the five senses.
and lead the children in going over every major and be able to name their function. Students learn the body part that
body part, having them point to each part as they performs each of the senses.
go. Teachers usually use songs to make it more
engaging.

Page | 4
Teacher Training Exercises

Sharing Songs Do It Yourself Materials

Children in the early stages of development learn through play. Creating crafts with simple steps helps add visuals that can
Singing songs and playing games are common way teachers stimulate childrens senses and engage them on a higher level.
make learning fun at this age. They also encourage critical thinking.

Teacher Training Exercise


Teacher Training Exercise
Teachers will share songs that relate to the content in this Unit
and beyond. Teachers will create materials to use when explaining content.

Examples: Examples:
Letters- ABC Song Letters- Write upper case letters on one set of index
Numbers- Five Little Monkeys and The Ants Go cards and lower case on another. Have the children find
Marching the matches.
Body Parts- Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes and Numbers- Create a height chart. Measure students
Simon Says again after 1 month and see if they have grown.
Body Parts- Create a Human Body- draw a body on a
large white piece of paper and include body parts the
children are learning.

Page | 5
Unit 3

Students exercise more critical thinking skills in this unit as they are introduced to conceptual content- five senses, occupation
and transportation. Students are introduced to their community through by learning about occupations and transportation begin
to understand the routines that adults engage in their daily lives.

Content Age 3 Age 4 Age 5 & 6


(Students Become Familiar) (Students Learn) (Students Apply)
Five Senses Teachers introduce the five senses by using 5 flash Teachers should have a chart that is easily visible Teachers will do more complex
cards that have the sense on one side and the in the class. Students review the senses by activities that stimulate critical thinking
corresponding body part on the back. Students probing of the teacher, asking which sense they skills.
should know the purpose of each sense. are using during different activities in the class. Example- Touch & Taste Game
Whats in the Sock- Place items in the
Examples of how you use each sense is shown Present different items to the class and have them sock like a toy or block. Students will
through easy props that you can find in the guess the sense that they use to use each item. guess what the object is by feeling the
classroom, i.e. books, pencils, toys, phone, soap. sock. Repeat with things students can
taste but cant see.
Occupation Teachers introduce students to the common Teaching props should become more life like. For Teachers will focus on critical thinking
occupations in their communities. They should example a teacher can model a doctors job by skills by asking open ended questions
show pictures and explain the job function. using do it yourself props such as blood pressure to students about when they need the
taker, band aid, and stethoscope. services of different professionals.
Transportation Teachers will introduce students to different forms Teachers will ask students about the places where Teachers will give students different
of transportation used in the water, on land, and in this form of transportation is used to give students scenarios and students will have to
the air. a better general over view of transportation decide which form of transportation is
facilities in the community. appropriate.

Page | 6
Teacher Training Exercises

Easy Art and Crafts

Students will enjoy creating art while using their motor


skills. They are able to explore content by using several Educational and Fun Games
different learning forms.
Educational Games are a fun way to get students excited
Teacher Training Exercise about learning. Teachers can teach content while the lesson
remains student centered.
Teachers exchange ideas for different arts and crafts.
Teacher Training Exercise
Examples:
Teachers exchange ideas for educational and fun games.
Five Senses- Make Play Dough Art by
creating tires or shapes while using the touch Examples:
and sight senses.
Occupation- Make a Doctors light by using Five Senses- Touch & Taste Game (Pg.6 )
two strips of paper and a piece of round foil. Occupation- Hide & Seek is when you hide a
Transportation- Create a Train by giving toy and have students search for it using hot
students a picture of a box car that they can or cold clues.
color. Teachers can connect student cars and Transportation-Choo Choo Train Game is
hang them around the room. when students become a train by walking and
holding each others hips. Teachers create
tracks with white paper.

Page | 7
Unit 4

This unit introduces students to the world. They will become aware of countries, climates, plants and animals that live in
different parts of the world. This unit helps students become explorers while learning how the world functions.

Content Age 3 Age 4 Age 5 & 6


(Students Become Familiar) (Students Learn) (Students Apply)
Geography/ Teachers show students pictures of different Teachers review the four seasons. Teachers talk Students are introduced to the different
Weather landscapes, i.e. desert, jungle, ocean, island, about different weather and how we protect continents, learning briefly about the
mountains. Children should learn the names. ourselves in different climates by wearing certain major characteristics.
Teachers also show students the pictures that clothes.
illustrate the climate in that region and explain the They also identify their country and
four seasons. Again teachers should read books about childrens talk about the culture there.
experiences in different weather to help students
Teachers should read stories about different become familiar. Show and Tell- Students bring in one
landscapes and climate to help students item that represents their country and
understand the lifestyle. is important to them and their family.
Nature Teachers introduce common forms of nature, i.e. Students learn what food grows from the ground. Students plant, water, and watch a
trees, grass, flowers. Different parts of a flower They are introduced to new fruits and vegetables. flower grow.
should be covered including seeds and roots. Teachers should also discuss seeds in fruits and
vegetables to review that growth starts with
seeds.
Animals Teachers will introduce students to land and water Teachers will review land and water animals and Students create diorama that have
animals. introduce students to different animal habitats. them incorporate all the different
elements of an animal habitat.

Page | 8
Teacher Training Exercise

Incorporating Math Incorporating Science


As teachers go through each unit, they should go through Teachers should also incorporate science, helping students
the content incorporating math where possible. to think critically about the content.
Teacher Training Exercise Teacher Training Exercise
Teachers discuss different math exercises. Teachers discuss different science exercises.
Examples: Examples:
Geography/Weather- Find pictures of Geography/Weather- Sink or Float-
different stages of a tree's life, in spring, Teacher puts various things in water and
summer, fall and winter. Have the child students guess whether they will sink or float.
arrange the pictures in order.
Nature- Teachers review the different parts
Nature- Counting Petals- students count the of a flower.
petals of real flowers. Animals- What Do Ants Like to Eat?- place
Animals- Which Animal is the Fastest?- different plates of food outside and see which
Show different animals to the students and food attracts the most ants.
have them put them in order from slowest to
fastest.

Page | 9
Conclusion

Preschool curriculum can be multi-dimensional helping


students develop different talents and enjoy the learning
process. It is important that they learn critical thinking by
learning about self, their community, and the world through
all the typical subject mediums- English, Math, Science, and
Social Studies.

Teachers also benefit from collaboration with each other,


sharing resources, ideas, and lesson plans. This process
helps teachers to develop their strengths and weaknesses
and gain support with curriculum, so they are better able to
serve students.

Early Childhood Development is a crucial stage where


children develop rapidly. Therefore it is important that they
start out as active learners involved in their own education
in order that they learn independence and responsibility for
their schooling early in life. The hope is that they continue
to have a passion for learning while working through any
struggles they might have. Eventually the development of
their strengths will lead them to a life of fulfillment and the
joy of being life-long learners.

Page | 10
Resources

Lesson Plans- http://www.123child.com/act/

Worksheets- http://www.education.com/worksheets/preschool/

Books- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Preschool%20Books

Page | 11

You might also like