Korean Job Discussion Forums

Smurfette · Joined: 21 Jun 2006

Hey Everyone,

Starting in September I will have my own class of 3 year olds. This will be the first time I have one class all day and will be resposible for not only teaching ABC's but the other fun stuff that comes with preschool age kids.

So my question to those who have experience is: What do you do for your daily routine? Like what transition songs do you sing, how do you start the day, what things do you do to manage your classroom all day and keep things running smoothly?
Thanks so much......

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

Smurfette · Joined: 21 Jun 2006

I do have an assistant this time, thank god. So I'm excited about being able to actully accomplish something in class.
I was wondering about things like a morning and end of day routines and transition songs like clean up and brushing your teeth......
Thanks everyone

Cerriowen · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Location: Pocheon

**EDIT** I forgot to mention this was a pre-school in the USA. The kids already spoke english for the most part. This is just a rough outline. The main idea is to change what youre doing every 15-20 minutes, cuz they get bored *really* fast!!! **

I used to work 9-6 in a preschool. Keeping their attention for more than 15 minutes requires an act of divine intervention. Our day used to go something like this:

9:00 <free play time while the other kids come>

9:15: "roll call" How are you today? What day is it today? What is the weather like today? Sit in a circle on the floor. (Usually the kids want to tell everyone something that happened yesterday or this morning that was *so* exciting. Limit it to about 30 seconds per child).

9:30 Sing songs. Do a lot of body movements to get the wiggles going. Interactive. Break the ice if the kids are still feeling shy. I usually did the same 3 songs all week... teach the kids the movements.

9:45 Play some type of interactive game. Duck Duck Goose. Simon Says. Follow the Leader... etc etc etc.

10:00 Snack time (little buggers get hungry quickly). As soon as they're done I let them play for a while. Just run around and be crazy kids.

10:30 Lesson: (which I try to make as much like a game as possible). Like... teaching numbers, or colors, or days of the week, months of the year... etc etc etc.

10:45 Art/Craft/Science time: (5 minutes to set up, 5 minutes to show them, 15 minutes to let them try, 5 minutes to clean up) *word to the wise... don't give them their materials until AFTER you've shown them how, or they'll never pay attention!!!* You can do things in steps. You can show them what they WILL be making, but then break it down in to different steps each day. Like... Today we're going to put the macaroni on a string. Tomorrow we're going to spray paint the macaroni.

11:15 Free play time again. Just let them be kids. Have lots of toys availible and they'll keep themselves entertained.

11:45 clean up the toys. wash your hands. put on your bib.

12:00 Lunch time.

12:30 Clean up. Wash your hands again. Put away your bib.

12:45 Story time. Have a few books on hand. Let them vote on which book to read first. Read 2 books. Slowly... ask them about the pictures. Ask things like "what do you see?" "What do you think will happen next?" Then ask "what is this word?" Probably will take nearly 1/2 hour by the time you get them all seated, voted, and paying attention.

1:15 Nap time (if they are pre-school aged).

For the ones who wake up, or can't sleep have them quietly watch a movie.

2:30 snack time again.

By then they should be going home.

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

If you search for any of Tomato's posts, I'm sure you'll find lots of great advice about teaching kindy.

You say you are working with one class all day? You should first of all draw up a timetable with a curriculum. The curriculum can include all sorts of things such as music, art, storytime, playtime, snacktime, math, computer class, ESL time, sport, ... Divide the day into 45 minute slots with lots of breaks for the washroom in between. Also, if the kids are continuing into afternoon, I know it's common that many kindergartens include a siesta time after lunch. You can't possibly expect 3 year olds to stay awake for a whole day. In fact, 3 year olds are really at the very first stages of learning in a school setting, so don't have too high expectations for their academic capacity. I would just focus on them primarily being able to respond to your instructions and have them integrate with their surroundings, and get them used to a scheduled routine. Some of them may not even be able to speak at this age. You have to see the whole thing as a training game, otherwise you'll be driven mad with frustration! Give them lots of rewards such as stickers.

Select yourself a few coloring books and some song cassettes. There are also a good set of kindy activity books available in the Korean kids educational section in the large bookstores. I also have some good kindy links on my website below (scroll right down to see the 'k' for 'kindy list). On it there are some good multimedia phonics sites, story reading sites and coloring worksheets.

Good luck.

tomato · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:31 am Post subject:

Hello, Smurfette!

Here is a song which I used to call students to class:

It is a translation of Korean song which will be familiar to most of the kids.

My schedule consisted of a 20-minute class starting on every hour and half-hour, followed by 10 minutes of free play.
If you like Cerriowen's schedule better, that's fine.

About half of my classes were planned and about half were inspired by watching the kids in free play.
My class was hepped on Peter Pan, so I made a Peter Pan card game.

Here is a link to the most recent kindergarten thread:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=59061&highlight=

One of the contributors to that thread gave us links to the kindergarten threads before that.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

Download all the songs you can from "The Wiggles". The kids love them, and so will u.

It is hard toplan for 3 yr olds. They have their own plan, and that is "no plan". Have guidelines, but be prepared to change at a split second. Over plan. Change plans. If some thing does not work, try some thing new. Try it again in a few days.

Just make sure you have a daily routine. Come in. Hang up coats. Sit on carpet. (what ever you do, do it evrey day)

Remember, they are 3. And they are the best copy cats in the world. Be careful that you do not say things like "oh sh*t", because sure enough, they may not remember to say "I am happy today", but they sure will remember "oh sh*t!