Training

Transitions can be tough, especially if children are asked to sit still and remain quiet while simply waiting. This session will demonstrate techniques to utilize transition times as an opportunity to reinforce current classroom topics. We’ll discuss classroom management strategies for minimizing transitions throughout the daily routine and identify the various types of transitions teachers must plan throughout their day. Songs, rhymes, and activities for each type of transition will be demonstrated.

Morning routines are vital part of early childhood classrooms and often set the tone for the rest of the day. There is no “one-size fits all” prescription, though, because every classroom is different. Recent observations have revealed that many teachers are struggling to provide productive morning routines with children, while also having to navigate meal preparations, restrooms, and handwashing. Let’s think about your specific classroom environment, and experience routines to help you keep children engaged all morning long including circle time.

The best way to deal with challenging behavior is to take measures to help prevent it from happening. Let’s explore the Classroom Organization domain of the CLASS tool, as we share proactive strategies for providing clear behavior expectations in various areas and daily components of your classroom.

A recent study (Allar, Jones and Bulger, 2017) found that it would be advantageous to incorporate components of the CLASS tool into “I am Moving, I am Learning” (IMIL) staff development trainings. This session demonstrates how simple it can be to hit CLASS indicators with teacher lead music and movement.

This session provides details regarding the CLASS tool to help educators understand what to expect during observations and how scores are assigned. Each Domain and Dimension is explained in detail while participants engage in sample classroom activities that demonstrate the indicators and behavior markers.

This session is similar to the CLASS Introduction and Overview session listed above; however, programs may request specific sessions/activities to get at various components of the daily routine (Music and Movement, Book Reading, Meals and Snacks, etc.) or request additional time be spent on an area their education team has found to be a concern during internal observations.

This is a great full-day training for “pre-service.” It includes the following sessions: Hitting CLASS Indicators with Visuals and Charts, Setting the Tone with Circle Time, and Tackling Transitions.

Book reading is a critical part of early literacy and should be a daily occurrence in all pre-k classrooms. However, reading to a group of children can be a challenge resulting in the mindset of, “Let’s just get through the book!” This session will take a before-during-after approach to help keep children engaged throughout story time.

This session demonstrates simple strategies for scoring well when CLASS observations take place during meals, snacks and toothbrushing. Note: This session may not be appropriate when toothbrushing and family style meals are not being implemented during Covid 19.

This session is designed for programs who have purchased EC TLC music. Songs will be facilitated in ways that hit CLASS indicators while also providing suggestions for when and how to best utilize the songs. Extension activities, modifications to movements/lyrics, and suggestions for making the song your own to help keep it novel will also be shared.