JOB CHARTS

Job Charts are an excellent way to give children responsibility for their classroom.  

One important concept in Conscious Discipline that is part of Encouragement is that of the School Family.

One of the structures used to create a positive school family is the job chart.

There are a number of benefits of a job chart. First, and foremost, having a meaningful job creates a sense of being a contributing member of the school family. The job chart also provides structure for each child’s day. Children experience mastery as they learn different jobs. The job chart also provides a way for each child to be “special” and gain recognition for “doing”. It develops a sense of responsibility, as well as self-esteem.

You can do a simple job chart in all of the classrooms...even a toddler room!!

SAMPLE JOBS:

- Line leader

- Caboose

- Fish Feeder/Veterinarian

- Clean up Reminder

- Door Holder

-  Snack Helper = Hand out Plates at Snack

- Light Keeper - Turn off the Lights when Leave the Room

- Weather Watcher 

- Calendar Helper

- Pointer Person (use a pointer at circle time for vocabulary etc...)

- Shoe Helper = get the basket of outdoor shoes and hands them out

- Colchonetas Helper 

- Trash Collector

Conscious Discipline suggests additional jobs for older children such as “"Well Wisher." When a student is absent, the "Well Wisher" writes the absent student's name in a Well Wishes heart and sends well wishes to that student. The "Well Wisher" might also draw a picture for the absent child and leave the drawing in their cubby. Another job would be the classroom greeter. This person would greet visitors with a smile and a warm welcome.

If you want to use the Conscious Discpline Jobs...here is a link that you can use to print out the jobs from Boardmaker.

http://www.boardmakershare.com/Activity/3313/preschool-student-jobs-conscious-discilpine%20%29

Conscious Discipline Jobs

Here are a few samples of Job Charts that I have seen in some of the schools!!

Needham - Madelyn and Emily's Preschool Class

The teachers hand write in the names of the children on the job chart each day.  There is a picture of each job and one of the jobs is to pick the names of the children's job.  (SEE VIDEO).  Even the teachers have a job.  :-)

Click on the link to see the Job Chart in ACTION!!!

Madelyn's Job Chart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsaQJ5WRnTA&feature=plcp

SOUTH END - Jenna's Pre-K

Jenna uses clothespins with the children's names on it and just rotates the clothespins down each day.

JP REVERE - Elba and Janette's Pre-K

Elba and Jannette use the Conscious Discpline Jobs with pictures of the children that go in each pocket of the pocket chart!  

Newton - Britni and Katie's Pre-K

Britni and Katie have this "Responsibilidades del salon" in their classroom.  They use popsicle sticks with the children's names on them to rotate the jobs.  

Porter Square - Eliana's Pre-K

Eliana uses this pocket chart to distribute the jobs in her classroom.  There is a popsicle stick with the names of the children on it to rotate the jobs.  

Other samples that I found online!

It's a great time of year to start implementing a job chart in  your classroom!!  It can help with your classroom management and the children will love being the little "helpers!!"  

Jacie

Sensory Table Ideas

It is a new requirement to change the sensory table at least once a week at Pine Village this year, and I am so pleased to see so much creativity in the classrooms!  Here are just a sampling of the pictures of some of the cool sensory table ideas that I have seen just in September and Octuber!!  As you continue to change out your sensory tables, it may be helpful to store the items in shoeboxes, or ziploc bags and keep all of the sensory table materials together in one spot for easy access.  HAVE FUN!

MAGNETIC HUNT

Pompoms, magnetic wands, cut up pipe cleaners (LOVE THAT) and tinsel.  

The children can find the hidden magnetic items!!  

Good ol' Fashioned Sand and Shovels 

Potato Flakes, letters and assorted toys

Flour and rollers and cups

Bathing the Dolls in Soap and Water

JELLO

ICE

Dried Elbow Macaroni and shovels and scoops

DRIED PASTA AND LETTERS

FALL STUFF

Ears of corn and magnifying glasses

Fall Leaves, pumpkins and gourds

Finding things hiding in HAY

SHREDDED PAPER and TOYS

PAPER PIECES FROM RECYCLING CENTER

COLORED CORNSTARCH AND WATER = GOOP

DRIED WAGON WHEEL PASTA AND CARS

SENSORY POOLS

The sensory "table" can also be a sensory "pool" with big blocks or balls!

Brushing Teeth at School

As we all know, it is an EEC Regulation to have the children brush their teeth after lunch at school. 

7.11.11.(d) Educators must assist children in brushing their teeth whenever they are in care for more than four hours or whenever they consume a meal while in care.

But did you know that...

7.11.11.(e) Children must use individual, labled toothbrushes which must be stored in a safe and sanitary manner open to the air without touching each other.  

So that means we can not store toothbrushes in plastic baggies, or on shelves without labels for each child's individual name.  Check out some of these creative ways in which some of the schools and teachers are storing toothbrushes in a very safe and sanitary way!

The Needham school bought toothbrushes for each child at the Dollar Tree and created clear labels on each toothbrush and in the spot.  

It is recommended to change the toothbrushes EVERY THREE MONTHS so by putting the date of when it was purchased it will be easy to know when to change the brushes!

If you choose to use one of the clear plastic toothbrush holders from Lakeshore Learning, then it is important to label the SPOT for the toothbrush with their name as well to make sure it is returned to the same spot each time to keep it very sanitary.

In Porter Square, they use a shoe storage system for each child to place a cup, their toothbrush and toothpaste!  

Kendall Square teachers were very inventive by re-using an egg carton for storing the children's toothbrushes!!  LOVE IT!

Then they have a box for each child's toothpaste.

Here are some pictures of the children in Porter Square brushing their teeth after lunch on the carpet!  They all do it together at the same time!  Great way to do it!

Jacie