The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is proud to be part of Long Island's Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Education. Visit its web page for links to all partner organizations. Many have important COVID-19-related resources to offer: www.nassauboces.org/rtac
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WINTER SERIES SEMINARS
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
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Building a Strong Foundation of Academic Readiness for Pre-K and Kindergarten Students
During this Curriculum Showcase, provided by Heinemann Publishing, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the role of the Fountas and Pinnell Classroom (FPC) system that is designed to contribute in different ways to every child’s development as a reader, writer and language user. Join Liz Rosado-McGrath, early childhood educator and Director of Curriculum and Content at Heinemann, to learn how Fountas and Pinnell shows us how to tap into young children's curiosity and introduce them to the world of literacy in joyful ways.
Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Registration: Free, but registration is required
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Simple STEAM Experiments for Pre-K
Participants will be presented with several STEAM experiments that can be conducted in the Pre-K classroom, along with a PowerPoint presentation and step-by-step instructions. Join Patty Pearsall, early childhood educator at the Mineola School District, as she shares the importance of guiding children to develop a love of learning, and as she aspires to help every child reach his/her own potential.
Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Registration: Free, but registration is required
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Using GOLD to Improve Outcomes for Children
Are you new to GOLD and interested in learning more? In this Curriculum Showcase session, provided by Teaching Strategies, LLC, you will get a guided tour of the MyTeachingStrategies platform; its features, functionality and how to navigate within it. Join Donna Fowler, subject matter specialist, who will demonstrate how curriculum and assessment work together to strengthen classroom practice and promote positive outcomes for all children and support development and learning.
Date: Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Registration: Free, but registration is required
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Connect4Learning a Pre-K Curriculum for Our 21st Century Learners
Provided by Kaplan Early Learning Company, this presentation covers the scope and sequence of the Connect4Learning Pre-K Curriculum.
Connie Gorius, a former teacher, supervisor and early childhood specialist, will present the features and benefits of using an interdisciplinary curriculum with 21st Century Pre-K learners.
Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Registration: Free, but registration is required
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How to create strong connections between classrooms and families |
Students’ success may rely on the connections teachers make between their classrooms and their students’ families. According to an article by Jesse Sanford in Edutopia, connections are especially important due to limitations set due to the pandemic. In some cases, parents and families are not able to visit schools for parent-teacher conferences, open houses, or other opportunities to meet. Whether students are meeting in-person or virtually, teachers need to be flexible when it comes to engaging families with their childrens' classrooms.
Sanford suggests a number of ways to foster student engagement. A few are listed below:
- Ask students to bring something from home, such as a photograph, a stuffed animal or a musical instrument. This personal item may allow them to feel more at home, and allows them to reach out for it if they are feeling homesick.
- Facilitate group circles in which every child gets to speak. “Circle Time can be used to identify which emotions they’re feeling and why,” says Sanford. “Emojis can be an easy way to convey how they’re feeling.” This helps children practice acknowledging different feelings without being afraid of ridicule.
Sanford also suggests fostering ongoing family engagement through the following practices:
- Sending weekly surveys containing only one or two questions home, as they provide ongoing data (“and thus, insight into your students and their families”). Surveys might be about topics as arbitrary as artwork at home or family traditions, allowing for educators to make connections to them later.
- Hold Zoom family or office hours so that families can come into the room and ask questions or just say hello. Of course, you would need to set boundaries ahead of time.
- Choose books that represent students and their home languages and ethnicities. You might even record videos of yourself reading portions of the books and post them with questions for families in their home languages.
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The importance of introducing young readers to classic literature |
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When a mother of two young children was looking for a book to help her kids enjoy the same novels that she loved growing up, she couldn’t find one. Her solution? She wrote one! In an article in BU Today,
John O’Rourke spoke with Sheila Cordner about her children’s book, “Who’s Hiding in This Book? Meet Ten Famous Authors.” After all, “it’s never too young to start introducing the classics and appreciating the classics,” she says.
The picture book, which is illustrated by Daniel Fiore, allows children to meet famous writers like Emily Dickinson, Virginia Woolf, Edith Wharton, Herman Melville and Henry David Thoreau! “There’s a lot of evidence-based research that suggests that building what literacy specialists call ‘background knowledge’ in young readers, where they learn about the world around them, can really help them develop reading comprehension later on,” she says in O'Rourke's story.
Cordner speaks of how she doesn’t expect children to run to pick up the classics after reading “Who’s Hiding?” but it does get them excited to read them. It may even invigorate children if they hear the names of characters or authors mentioned in the real world. While little ones aren’t picking up “Moby Dick” or “Age of Innocence,” “the idea is to get them excited about works of great literature they may encounter later.” In fact, Cordner reveals that her three-year-old son found Langston Hughes in another book in the house and was delighted.
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Great books make exceptional gifts! |
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Books make the perfect gift for every occasion. Brightly’s Rosemary D’Urso compiled a list of their favorite new stories that reassure children that they are loved and encourage them to be their best selves. Check out just a few of the books that made the cut:
I Don’t Want to Read This Book, by Max Greenfield: From the actor who makes CBS’ The Neighborhood hysterical for adults, this story is “perfect for reluctant and enthusiastic readers alike,” says D’Urso. Children will enjoy the unseen narrator, who comically describes the challenges of reading.
Change Sings, by Amanda Gorman: The lyrical text in this story by Presidential Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman “inspires children to be change-makers,” while the illustrations show children helping to make their world and their communities better places.
Gladys the Magic Chicken, by Adam Rubin: Children will travel to ancient Greece, where they will enjoy the adventures of a wish-granting chicken. By the end, eagle-eyed readers will realize the real magic is in making your own fortune.
Bodies are Cool, by Tyler Feder: D’Urso describes this gem as “wonderfully affirming and inclusive, celebrating bodies of all sorts and sizes.” Rhymes describe different skin colors, shapes, heights and more. The story will help children develop confidence in their own appearances.
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Leadership Speaker Series:
"Leadership Journeys in Early Childhood Education" featuring Ann McClain Terrell
The Long Island Regional Leadership Initiative presents their virtual Leadership Speaker Series with National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) President and the author of "Graceful Leadership in Early Childhood Education," Ann McClain Terrell. Ms. Terrell will share some of her lessons learned on her leadership journey to becoming an award-winning, effective, and inspiring leader. Participants will be able to reflect upon their own leadership journeys.
Date: December 9, 2021
Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm
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Virtual Panel Discussion:
Breaking Down the Myth of Self-Care: Diversifying our Wellness Practices for Early Childhood Learners
The Long Island Regional Leadership Initiative presents a panel that will offer diverse perspectives on how to break down common myths of self-care, which can be rooted in sexism, racism, and other oppressive systems. Participants will learn more inclusive strategies to reduce burnout, promote wellness, and support for building resiliency to effectively lead their early childhood program. Attendees will be validated and walk away with important considerations and strategies for leadership, program culture, health and well-being, and resiliency in caring for staff, children and families.
Date: December 14, 2021
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
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Informational Workshop (in Spanish):
Toy Safety Tips for Parents
The Long Island Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network at Eastern Suffolk BOCES, in partnership with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Education and Community Partnerships Unit, presents a virtual workshop for families of English learners in which they will learn steps to take to keep children safe when they play. Additionally, they will learn how to play with toys in a safe way. This workshop will be presented in Spanish and will feature a representative to answer questions.
Date: December 14, 2021
Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
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The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a collaborating partner in the state-funded Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education. |
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71 Clinton Rd. Garden City, NY 11530-9195
Phone: 516-396-2220
www.nassauboces.org/pre-k
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