By Zeba McGibbon
4.9
2929 ratings
The podcast currently has 55 episodes available.
Teaching letter names and sounds to your students can be tricky, so in this episode, I take you through my teaching methods for letter sounds, which is influenced by the phonics curriculum I use, Fundations. I share insights on the significance of phonological awareness as a foundation for early literacy and how it is important to integrate phonological awareness with letter instruction. I also share my structured approach to letter sounds instruction, how many letters to teach each week, and provide systematic review practices and student-led learning.
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Free October Guide
Grab your Free October Guide at www.kindergartencafe.org/October
Teaching students to be effective learning partners is very important. Looking back on my experiences with a new math curriculum that focused on collaboration, I have some strategies that will help you when it comes to having your students work with partners. Things like "turn and talk" to enhance communication, color-coded partner systems for clarity, and techniques for equitable participation. Flexibility and good sportsmanship are brought out through role-playing exercises and fun decision-making games.
In this episode I share:Mentioned in this episode:
Free October Guide
Grab your Free October Guide at www.kindergartencafe.org/October
Dread being out due to the thought of making sub plans? In this episode, I give you effective sub plans that allow for a seamless transition for students and guest teachers. I share my approach to creating emergency sub plans with accessible templates and engaging activities for kindergarten. Key topics include detailed instructions, respectful language for "guest teachers," and proactive communication with students and parents to reduce anxiety. This episode offers practical strategies for teachers to enhance their substitute planning, ensuring a smooth classroom experience during absences.
In this episode I share:Tik Tok - @kindergartencafe
Mentioned in this episode:
Free October Guide
Grab your Free October Guide at www.kindergartencafe.org/October
Sometimes transition time can be a tricky time in Kindergarten. In this episode, I discuss effective strategies for managing transitions in the kindergarten classroom, aiming to transform chaos into calm. We cover the importance of clear, engaging directions and attention-getting phrases to ensure students are ready for change.
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Kindergarten Cafe Merch for 50th Episode
Grab your Kindergarten Cafe merch available until September 19th!
Here is to episode 50!!!! In this milestone 50th episode of the Kindergarten Cafe Podcast, I reflect on my journey into podcasting and how it has brought me closer to other educators. I revisit the concept of "kindergarten magic" from the very first episode which highlights those transformative moments that define the kindergarten experience. I share the inspiration behind launching this podcast, addressing the initial hesitations I faced and how the positive feedback from listeners motivated me to create a platform dedicated to early childhood education.
I want to express gratitude to my audience for their support, which reinforces my commitment to provide valuable content amidst the challenges that kindergarten teachers face. As we move forward, I encourage you to contribute ideas for future episodes to foster a collaborative community. Thank YOU!! I am on a mission to elevate the magic of kindergarten in classrooms everywhere.
In this episode I share:Mentioned in this episode:
Kindergarten Cafe Merch for 50th Episode
Grab your Kindergarten Cafe merch available until September 19th!
In this episode I discuss my approach to lesson planning as a kindergarten teacher. I highlight the significance of structured curriculum from the district, emphasizing the creation of a social-emotional curriculum to support fellow teachers. I share insights on balancing prescribed curriculum with personalized lesson planning, stressing adaptability to cater to students' needs. Throughout, I offer practical advice for teachers, advocate for collaboration, work-life balance, and resourcefulness in teaching.
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First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit
Grab your First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit today on TPT or on my website!
In this podcast, I discuss the importance of play in kindergarten, schedules, recommending at least 45 minutes of purposeful play daily. I differentiate between playful learning and purposeful play, offering practical tips for incorporating both in the classroom. Despite challenges, I emphasize the benefits of balancing play, literacy, math, and hands-on activities for holistic student development. I encourage you to prioritize purposeful play and playful learning for optimal learning outcomes.
In this episode I share:Mentioned in this episode:
First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit
Grab your First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit today on TPT or on my website!
In this episode I share four engaging back-to-school scavenger hunts aimed at getting students up, moving, and familiar with their classroom and school surroundings. The hunts include a classroom scavenger hunt for basic items, a supply scavenger hunt with math tools, a Pete the Cat themed hunt combining reading and a school tour, and a Brown Bear, Brown Bear inspired hunt incorporating book clues. By strategically timing these activities and incorporating hidden lessons, teachers can create memorable learning experiences while achieving specific objectives for the school year.
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First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit
Grab your First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit today on TPT or on my website!
How do I introduce morning meeting to my students? That’s what this episode is about. I discuss the detailed process of implementing morning meetings in kindergarten, following the Responsive Classroom approach. The morning meeting includes key elements such as greetings, calendar discussions, and sharing activities, all crucial for building a sense of community within the classroom. By gradually introducing these components, students become more comfortable interacting with each other and expressing themselves. The podcast explores various strategies for organizing student participation in sharing activities and highlights the importance of creating a welcoming environment for students. Through activities like singing songs, reading aloud, and playing games, morning meetings can be made dynamic and engaging, fostering a positive classroom environment for meaningful interactions throughout the school year.
In this episode I share:Mentioned in this episode:
First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit
Grab your First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit today on TPT or on my website!
So many of you are gearing up to go back to school. So in today's podcast episode, I want to talk to you about the five things that you should avoid doing during the first month of kindergarten. These are great lessons for teachers who have never taught kindergarten before. Maybe you've taught another grade before, or you're new to teaching in general, but they're also great reminders for us veteran teachers. Teachers, I need to remind myself of this every year because when we stop teaching in May or June, the kids are where we want them to be. They're at the end of the year, kindergarten behavior and academic wise, and they're where they should be. So they're almost first graders. And it's hard for us to get back into the mindset of them being basically preschoolers. So we're going to get into all these tips for everyone.
In this episode I share:Mentioned in this episode:
First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit
Grab your First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit today on TPT or on my website!
The podcast currently has 55 episodes available.