Supporting Vocabulary Growth in Kindergarten English Language Arts
A parent once asked me why we spend so much time having five-year-olds sort pictures of fruit and shapes instead of just reading books all day. It is a fair question, especially when you are trying to squeeze every minute of academic progress out of a busy day in a... read more
Teaching Planning Skills in Kindergarten Computer Science
A parent once asked me why we waste time teaching five-year-olds to plan their day when they can barely tie their own shoes. I told them that the skill of planning is the bedrock of logical thinking. We are not just teaching them how to organize a schedule. We are... read more
Learning From The Past for Kindergarten Social Studies
Kindergarteners often assume that when a story character acts a certain way, the result is just random magic rather than a direct outcome of their choices. If you teach kindergarten social studies, you know that the leap from identifying a character to understanding... read more
Teaching Character and Citizenship in Kindergarten Social Studies
Kindergarteners often think being a good person just means sitting still and keeping their hands to themselves. They equate goodness with compliance. While rule-following is a start, it misses the larger point of character development entirely. Being a Good Person... read more