bridging the gap

BRIDGING THE GAP

Connecting Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and

Kindergarten Classrooms

Drew D. Gerdes

Lutheran Educator’s Conference

November 2015

Handouts…

You can access and download

this entire presentation (and

many more) at:

www.slideshare.net/dgerdes

The Big Questions…

What can PS/PK/K

teachers do to partner

together in ensuring

student success?

What is the relationship

between these grade-

levels and others?

A Big Answer…

The “connectedness” of

PS/PK/K, or lack

thereof, can positively

or negatively impact the

education of the

children and overall

ministry of the school.

It All Takes…

TIME INTENTION

It’s About YOU!!!

You’re Probably Wondering…

What should we all be

teaching our students at

these grade-levels?

What should happen in

PS…PK…K…?

Be Careful…

It’s not…

“I’ve got to get these

kids ready for _____.”

It’s not…

“I wish they would do a

better job teaching the

kids ____ in ____.”

It’s A Real Partnership…

Teachers at these

grade-levels really need

to get together and

make sure everyone is

on “the same page.”

CURRICULUM GUIDES

are absolutely

necessary!

A Curriculum Guide

provides a goal – a

specific idea of what

students should be able

to demonstrate.

The path teachers take

to achieve that goal

varies.

Curriculum Guide…

We talked about the importance of a

curriculum guide in our last session and how to

build one.

A curriculum guide holds teachers accountable and

doesn’t allow for individual “preferences” in

what a teacher thinks should or should not be

taught.

Developmental Checklists…

A simple Internet search for “Developmental Checklists”

can provide valuable information in determining common

skills children can/should be doing at certain ages.

How can you use this information to your benefit?

Can you take a skill and build on it?

Even though a student may have already done something

in a previous class, there is still additional learning that can

take place if it’s done again.

Things To Consider and Talk About…

What is the handwriting style classrooms will use?

Recess rules? Are you using the same playground area?

Classroom behavior expectations?

Communications to parents?

Do younger grades have access to materials from older

grades?

What Else?

Discussion…

What else should be on

the list of topics for

discussion and

agreement?

What has worked for

you and your school?

A Seamless Transition…

It takes an effort of

partnership in making

sure there is a

seamless transition as

children go from one

classroom to another.

It’s all about the kids!

What Else?

There is so much more

to early childhood

education than just

academics.

Self-Regulation

Emotional Intelligence

Social Intelligence

Executive Functioning

Behavior…

It’s important to have

uniform rules and

behavior expectations.

The classroom

environment is probably

the most important

factor to consider as we

strive to make all

students successful.

Environments…

How are classroom

environments cohesive?

Do they provide

continuity?

The environment you

“set”, as a group,

speaks volumes to

parents.

Relationships…

Teacher

Aides/Assistants

Director/Principal

Pastor

Parents

Intentional Connectedness…

The words used in communication relay information

regarding the relationship between grades.

Early Childhood vs. Elementary School

Us/Them…try to avoid at all costs!

Are your classes present together? What are the

interactions between classes, students, and teachers?

Facility

Look Up And Look Down…

Use a Curriculum Guide to determine what your students

should know, but also look ahead a grade and determine if

any of your activities are connected.

Teachers of older students should also look at what

previous students have done. Can any feedback be given

to other teachers?

Browse through Developmental Checklists

Talk, Ask, Observe, Compliment

Events…

What

do/can

you do

together?

Family Night…

Many schools have this

event…

How can you make it

more meaningful?

How can you be

intentional in connecting

families with “higher”

grades?

Christmas Program…

Could you include

PS/PK/K in a Christmas

program?

Depending on school

size – could you add 1st

or 2nd grade?

Round-Up…

Kindergarten Round-Up

Some love it

Some despise it

If it works for you – keep it.

If it doesn’t – get rid of it!

Which teachers are usually present?

Switch-Up Day…

All students “switch-up”

to the class they would

attend the following

year.

Get kids excited!

Allows kids to know

future teacher.

Take a look at the room.

Discuss For A Moment…

What has traditionally been done at your school?

Does it work? How can you tell?

If not, why not?

What could you do? Differently? Additionally?

Best Practices!

Heading Over The Bridge…

Having PS/PK students continue on into Kindergarten is a struggle for many Lutheran schools.

How can you “tackle” this bridge and

successfully make it to the other side?

Take Time To Meet…

Like I mentioned before, this “whole thing” cannot happen without the intentional efforts of many people.

Research proves that teachers who spend time together collaborating find more satisfaction in their job – and they

find students benefit, too!

Are you able to spend time meeting and discussing goals and objectives?

Can you use a teacher from an “older grade” as a resource for ideas and concerns you may have?

Never-Ending…

This journey is never-

ending.

The path you and your

school takes is really up

to you – the collective

group of teachers.

What will YOU do?

Contact Me…

Drew D. Gerdes

Early Childhood Director

Messiah Lutheran School

Weldon Spring, Missouri

Email: dgerdes@messiahnetwork.org

Twitter: @ddgerdes

Facebook: EducationEase