Off and Running

Here we are, August 31, getting ready for the craziness and fun of Open House night!
Welcoming excited and nervous children (and parents) into our classrooms for the first time this year to introduce them to our team and our preschool program is such a fun time. With this new beginning, our team has taken on the new professional development goal of implementing our new technologies into our classroom. Our programs added the Smartboard last year, so there is a beginning level of proficiency with that technology. Building on that, there is a large touchscreen computer in my classroom this year, that we can use more readily with similar programs and games, and incorporate into circle and story time as well. We are also moving to digital music - I-pod Touch with speakers for circle time and exploring other possibilities of using this awesome resource within the classroom. We will also have Flip and digital cameras available this year. After Open House, I will be able to commit some time to researching and creating some activities utilizing the new technologies for our first few weeks of class. I am also looking for upcoming training opportunities on these new technologies.

Making Plans with the best of intentions...

What was it that Kara said about making plans with the best intentions? Let's just say students haven't started yet and I'm already thinking I've been quite lofty in my plans and goals for using ALL of our NEW technology at least once weekly. (Colleen... any of the same feelings?) Don't get me wrong... I'm completely on board and very excited about all of the new "toys" we have. I'm just not sure I know where to start with some of it. I also think I'm a little apprehensive about being considered "an in-house expert" since I've gone to a few trainings... ahhh:) One thing I think this will force me to do is strengthen my time management skills. I'm thinking I will have to make a schedule for my week (including time for making Smart Board activities, finding iTouch apps, parent videos with the Flip, documentation, due process, meetings, and random things that come up) and make myself stick to it. I am lucky enough to have two completely capable paras who enjoy giving me new ideas on what they think would benefit the students and be fun for the classroom. I need to become better at asking for their input and letting them take the lead on some things if they'd like to. Then I have times where I'm not sure what I'm so worried about... the 3, 4, and 5 year olds will catch on faster and be supplying the ideas!