Working Together

I met with another Kindergarten teacher this week to pick her brain about math in the classroom. She teaches in a different school district and only has 20 kids so, her classroom make-up is a little different than mine. She has 20 plus years of experience and a master's degree in math so I think that she is an expert in the area of mathematics. One of the challenges of this program is to work together. I have enjoyed working in groups. Although at times coordinating schedules has been a bit challenging.

A key component of her math program is hands-on activities. She believes that this is the best way for small children to learn. It gets their whole body involved. She agrees that doing the state adopted curriculum is important but you need to supplement. She teaches at a PI school so she is mandated to teach the state adopted curriculum. She has to have 30 minutes of math a day. She does more than this because math is integrated into her morning routine. She also believes that repetition is good. Her kids are counting several times during the day. Practice, practice, practice is her big idea!!!

Again, I am challenged to have my project include hands-on activities as well as portions of the adopted curriculum. I appreciated that she took time to meet with me. I like to meet with veteran teachers to see what works. They have been at it a long time and have found success in their classrooms. It is good to work together!!!