posted by Stephanie Forsman I love playing games, doing puzzles, and figuring out a good brain teaser. I do the New York Times Crossword Puzzle everyday and while I struggle in the later half of the week, I love learning new information, keeping my brain sharp, and that sense of accomplishment after I have successfully […]
posted by Stephanie Forsman Measurement is an area of my math curriculum that I often feel gets neglected, rushed through, and sometimes, at crunch time, overlooked all together. As a result, I have worked on infusing small aspects of measurement into the routines of the day. From linear measurement to volume, weight and mass to […]
posted by Stephanie Forsman Each morning, my class has a Morning Meeting that consists of a Morning Message, a Greeting, a Share, and an activity. It is a great way to start the day, reinforces our sense of community, and sets the expectations and goals for the day. These meetings last anywhere from 15 to […]
posted by Stephanie Forsman Setting up a nurturing mathematical environment & community is an essential beginning to any school year. When getting to know my students, I like to dig deeper and find out what kind of learners they are, where their strengths lie, and what areas they intend to work on during the upcoming […]
I am so pleased to introduce the Early Math Counts readers to our guest blogger of the month – Ms. Stephanie Forsman. Stephanie is one of my oldest friends. We met while serving in the US Peace Corps in West Africa in the early 90s and have remained close friends ever since. We have followed […]
posted by Alison Balis Hirsch Cooking with kids offers a wonderful array of learning opportunities for young children. It provides practice in language arts (vocabulary and “reading” a recipe), science (chemistry and exploring the senses), and developing social skills (cooperation and turn-taking). The kitchen also provides a range of math practice such as counting, measuring, […]
posted by Alison Hirsch Balis There are many reasons to provide “jobs” for children in the preschool setting. A job shows the importance of the child’s contribution to the group and his/her affect on the social fabric that is the class community; it provides practice in children’s developing social skills, such as speaking in front […]
by Alison Balis Hirsch or·der ˈôrdər/ noun: the arrangement or disposition of people or things in relation to each other according to a particular sequence, pattern, or method an authoritative command, direction or instruction verb: to put into a methodical, systematic arrangement to bring about order One of the first learning experiences I recall as […]
Following a daily routine at school provides stability for children, allowing them to feel more secure in the classroom setting. The schedule should not be rigid; in fact, the ideal schedule is flexible and adapts to both the needs and interests of the kids, allowing for spontaneity within the structure of the school day. A […]
Hello readers! Today, I am pleased to introduce you to Alison Balis Hirsch: my friend and colleague. Over the years, I have mentioned Alison in several of my own posts as I have always looked to her as a model for exceptional teaching and parenting. This month, Alison is writing about setting up classroom systems that support early […]