Part 1, Chapter 2: What We Have Here Is, Failure To Communicate

Quote of the Day~ 

" What we got here is... failure to communicate.You run one time, you got yourself a set of chains. You run twice you got yourself two sets. You ain't gonna need no third set, 'cause you gonna get your mind right."(Cool Hand Luke)

Of course there were some trials and tribulations of any new teacher. Carla and I learned how to communicate with each other clearly so we both knew what was expected of one another. This is an email that I wrote to my mentor so she knew exactly what I had planned for the next 2 months.

[SIC]Oct 19 2008

I have been working and thinking of ways to get the parents more involved in the class.
I have been brainstorming and making a list so I can begin working on them.
 1.   Put on a tiny/small play from a familiar story that they have read in class. Invite parents for a Reader's theater. They are beginning to remember a lot of stories now.
2. Around Parent/Teacher conferences, do a baking lesson and make a treat for their parents when they come in.
3. Possibly send home a brief weekly newsletter to reinforce what the children are learning in school. I would like to make a copy of the apples shared reading poem to send home to start off or possibly some of the counting songs.
4. I am sending home a letter regarding Halloween on Tuesday explaining to the parents what we will be doing. Its going to be more of a craft afternoon with making pumpkins out of paper bags, possibly. Jane  and I still have to discuss some of the Halloween plans before I send any letters home  to the parents.
 

Project-wise , for this week, I am focusing on pumpkins which they also happen to have gotten from the farm. I have lots of projects planned for this, so it will most likely be a 2 week theme. I am going to teach them how to use scissors this week by cutting pumpkins. We are also going to make orange playdough which will probably be for next week. I want to send home a letter to the parents to help contribute with the ingredients.

I have the leaf print idea planned and ready to use. I am going to be getting into Autumn and then Families once the pumpkin/farm theme is over. I am planning on doing many walking trips for the fall unit.

  Scarlet[SIC]

I just took the the first step to effective communication with Carla. As a result, it worked out well for me. 

 [SIC]Oct 20 2008

that alll sounds WONDERFUL; can't wait to be there...please plan on doing some stuff when i am there...soooooooooo i can help you...three people doing these things will be helpfull...thanks for thinking of all these really super great ideas..i knew you'd be great...at it...now it seems like it is happening...GREAT;WONDERFUL   PERFECT PLANNING

Oct 28 2008

please have that paper for me next week..the play dough lesson went well and great that you had parents involved...please follow up with the experience chart....and yes....the experience chart holder was ordered..also...ask someone to hang that white board...so you can use that....lastly, please think about that show and tell idea for oral language..and self esteem to be in front of the class [SIC]

 I decided to make pumpkin spice play dough with my class which was part of my pumpkin unit. The play dough making did turn out very well and the children enjoyed making the play dough. In order to keep the children engaged while we mixed the ingredients, each child had all had a turn to mix the ingredients 10 times. We also counted out loud to be fair. I admit that it took me a while to get show and tell integrated into the classroom. I did not start show and tell until I began my Family unit where each child brought in a picture to talk about all of the members in their family.