What is modeled writing in preschool and how can we use it to support our young learners?

Modeled writing is showing children what writing looks like.

So many amazing reading and writing concepts can be taught during modeled writing.  The teacher/adult works as the model and shows...

December is a comin'! 

I love the Holidays, but man... the first part of December (before break) is stressful.

I start thinking of all the things I have to do....

√ parent gifts

√ themed centers

√ holiday parties

√ thematic units

Then, you also have your family and...

It's clean up time!!! Tell me...did your stress level just go up?!  Preschool clean up time is no fun at all.  Trying to get lots of littles to pick up the mess they made seems to be getting harder and harder, year after year. 

It seems like they will do anything to get out of...

Helping children manage their emotions is not an easy task. Many classrooms have a place for children to work through their feelings in a safe place, like a preschool calm down area.  Calm down areas are cozy places with manipulatives and tools that aid children in managing their big...

One of our favorite items to use during center time in preschool is the light table.  Kids love things that light up - shoes, glow sticks or fun night lights - light brings another element of interest.  When I put a light table in our preschool classroom, it was an easy sell....

I love finding new ways to build relationships with my little students. I am a true believer that strong positive student relationships are the backbone of success for individual students and our classroom as a whole.

And while I have lots of ideas for building relationships with students, I...

Teaching preschool in a play-based way can sometimes leave those outside of it wondering when the academic learning pieces come in.  But, those of us who practice and love play-based learning know that we use other times to bring in academic skill practice - such as small group.

And...

Oh, assessments and data collection.... such a necessary evil for preschool teachers all over the globe.  While assessments and evaluation give us teachers the information we need to construct lessons and small groups, they aren't always very much fun for students.

I mean lets be honest......