Ideas from all the teachers out there
I am starting my new job as a preschool teacher tomarrow and while I have this class well covered and am very comfortable with my lesson plans, I found that I will also be covering the after school kids at the end of the day. We have a few games, and I am told some outdoor play things like balls ( though I have not seen any). There are 7 kids ages 5-8 or 9, 5 boys and 2 girls.
I need to bring some kind of order to this program. I spent some time with them last week so we could meet adn so I could kind of get to know the program. They come in running, yelling and have a total disregard for what the other teacher is saying. They mouth back ALOT. The program is in a church and it is not acceptable to have them running and yelling. They did respond well to my stern instructions when I watched over them breifly while one was escorted to the office. But I got alot of "But..." and "Why..." and back talk in general.
My idea is to set a schedule....Come in hang up stuff, use the barthoom have snack then divide into three centers (game, homework and craft), then do an organized game or activity inside or out out followed by an hour or so of free play and then use the last 30-45 minutes for quieter activities.
I know these kids have been couped up in school all day and I haven't seen alot of structure to the program so far. I know they need more stuff to do so they can engage in apporpriate behavior instead of descrustive behavior b/c they are bored. But they also need to be able to blow off some steam and engery so they can wind down for a calm evening at home. Most of them are in kindergarten so homework isn't really a big issue, but I'd like to offer an environment for it anyway for teh couple of older kids.
I don't want to come in like the new sherriff and start ragging on them. But we need some kind of order and respect is a must. Anyideas for activities, games, schedule, rules, behavior managment? Anything would be a huge help! It's been a while since I have been with school kids, I've done preschool kids for the last several years.
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