Thursday, March 14, 2013

Navigating Friendship

Some days, my class is as calm as a lake in mid-summer.
Other days, I ride the waves of a stormy kindergarten sea.
Can you relate?

We are learning about weather.  I'm intrigued by the comparisons I am finding between my students and certain weather conditions.  Most of my kiddos are extroverts and we've reached that time of year where I can see the sparks flying.  Lightning!  I wish I were referring only to those moments of brilliant academic insight, but I'm also speaking of behavior that causes friction.  This year, I have a high ratio of impulsive friends in my roster.  One child will gain control over a certain behavior just as another develops a new trick.  This is making me a bit dizzy, and I want to beg and plead with preschool teachers everywhere-"Please, continue to place a high priority on social and emotional development!".  We all know that kindergarten standards are being raised around the country, but I'm not asking for increased academic progress in preschool....I'm just pointing out that children need opportunities to play together, to solve problems, to talk it out.  

You may be wondering what type of lightning and rain is occurring; imagine tackle hugs, spitting, rolling on the floor, arguing about every.little.thing.under.the.sun, temper tantrums.  Yes, temper tantrums!  This is a first for me, in kindergarten.

As my year has progressed, I've added more time to explore together and play.  This has helped, yet, I have two workbooks to complete and an approaching week of Terra Nova testing.  We have only 40 remaining days of school!  I'm hoping to add sunshine to the raindrops that have fallen amongst my little friends.  Maybe we will get a rainbow, after all!

Suggestions welcome!     

6 comments:

  1. I've seen some friction too. I'm like, "Really guys?!" :)
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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  2. Tammy, thanks for sharing that with me! It's been discouraging!

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  3. I love how you wrote this, so lovely. And yes, I've noticed the same thing... This year has been particularly rough when it comes to friction between kids (why can't we all just get along?!) and I have one kid with tantrums, which I've never had before. We can weather the storm together. :)

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    1. I am so happy to have met you in the universe of Twitter! Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. I have soooo had years like that!!! Praying for sunshine for your remaining days! :) In my classroom, we have free play every day before school starts, with the exception of Mondays when the kiddos go to Rise & Shine. The only limitations I put on the kids is that there can be no more than 2-3 to a group. I learn so much about my students just by seeing them play and interact. Sometimes I listen to their conversations and how they deal with things and can just picture them as adults based on people in my own life. I think play and social/emotional time is desperately needed in early childhood education. The conversations and interactions are highly beneficial for the kids.

    I just created an Easter freebie with you in mind. It isn't something I can use in my public school classroom, but something I made for my daughter and thought you might be able to use it with your students, too!

    http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Easter-Crosses-Hundreds-Chart-Hidden-Picture-Activity-for-Math

    Blessings,
    Marlana
    Lil' Country Kindergarten

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  5. Marlana! Your words meant the world to me today! Thanks for the link to the Easter activity. :-)!!

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Thanks for being part of my story!