August 25th approaches fast. I look back at the decisions I’ve made to prepare for my first year of teaching and realize I am running behind already! I have not yet made the posters I promised myself I would have prepared by July 1st. Panic runs cold in my veins as I try to think of what I have done so far in preparation for my new experience. In addition, I question myself and my thoughts keep running in a loop, not helping at all. Anxiety, excitement, and dread mingle inside, taking turns in control over my conscious mind, confusing things that should be clear and simple. In retaliation, I decided to make a list of the things that worry me.
The biggest concern – can I teach kindergarten? I started thinking about it and knew the answer already. I taught alphabetization in Brazil twenty years ago. At the time it did not faze me; I was young and worry-free. I knew in my heart I could conquer the world if I wanted. It dawned on me that, back then, I had no resources available in the schools. I had to make everything myself and was left to fend for myself completely. The other alphabetization teacher in the school never shared anything with me, and I had no mentor to help during difficult times. I survived that experience, so my answer is simple - yes I can do it! I have taken one year of teaching preparation already in this country and have learned techniques I did not know before. Through sheer curiosity, I have also discovered other methods and techniques I can use in the classroom which will help the children open their minds to learning.
During my student teaching, I did not spend any time in kindergarten. I never thought I would find my first post in that grade level. However, here I am - as fresh to it as most of the children who will come my way in August. Most will arrive jittery - scared of what is to come, scared of leaving their mommies at home and entering this strange new place. I too feel jittery and scared. What will happen if the children don’t like me? What can I do to ease their first few weeks at school? What can I do to ease my way into teaching kindergarten? After much consideration, I have found some answers in a couple of books I’ve found very helpful.
The first book to give me (much needed) support is a slim guide for teachers, 7 Steps to Success in Dual Language Immersion, by Lore Carrera-Carrillo & Annette Rickert Smith, which can be found at Amazon.com. Even though it is a technical book, the language is simple and direct to the point, not confusing. The steps guide you through planning, classroom organization, instruction, best practices, hands-on activity, assessment, and building community. All steps are easy to incorporate in a daily routine, and the organization of the material allows for a quick look later on when you need most. One chapter I especially loved was one that gives specific guidelines for kindergarten, like going through morning greetings to whole group, small group, and afternoon instruction.
The other book I enjoyed is titled Classroom Routines That Really Work for PreK and Kindergarten, by Kathleen Hayes and Reneé Creange. It can also be found at Amazon. This book is even more specific in building routine, which is extremely important for elementary students, and especially, kindergartners. I took many ideas for classroom posters to make from this book. Another very useful tip gained from this book is a detailed explanation of what the first few weeks of school may be like. It made everything solid to me, and helped tranquilize me enough to focus on the important things that I have to prepared for – learning songs in Spanish to sing along and teach the children in those first few weeks and incorporate many cute activities for kindergartners to make their introduction to school a fun process.
Last, but not least, I cannot forget that I have a support system not many beginner teachers receive – a wonderful veteran partner teacher who has offered to share with me everything she knows. She has offered to guide me through my first year, along with my cohort mates who will support me through their comments and shared experiences. I know I will survive this first foray into the Kindergarten classroom with these books and people resources behind me. Nonetheless, I still feel jittery. I hope the nerves will settle down soon.
