Pre-K teaching times, Aug. 2013

Inside
this issue
Welcome Back.......... ... ... 1 WSO News ...................2 GELDS Updates ..............3 Training Snapshot..... .... 4 Setting up for Success... 5 Q&A ..... . ........ . ........ .. ......5 Wednesday Webinars ....6 Pre-K Photos .................7
Iii Georgia's llliii 'Pre-\<. Program
20 YEARS
Pre-K Teaching Times

August 2013

Welcome Back

to School

W elcome back to the 2013-2014 school

assistant Pre-K teachers. Thank you for continuing to

year! Can you believe

work in Pre-K classrooms

another school year is here and for helping to build a

already with new families, strong academic foundation

new children, new faces,

for our four-year-old

new smiles, and new

children. We know that you

challenges?

will be as excited as we are

The first few weeks of about the direction in which

school are never boring. We Georgia's Pre-K is moving.

know you are busy, learning Bright from the Start

about your children,

develops this monthly

creating engaging activities, newsletter as a resource for

and helping families settle Georgia's Pre-K teachers.

into a new school year.

Visit our website regularly

Exciting things are

during the school year to

happening in your class-

access this document (at

room.

www.decal.ga.gov under

Bright from the Start

Pre-K then Newsletters).

welcomes all NEW lead and We hope you had a

assistant Pre-K teachers. We wonderful summer with

hope your first year in

time to rest, regroup, and

Georgia's Pre-K Program is reflect on the upcoming

rewarding. Thank you for year. With each new school

helping provide a quality year, you have new

learning environment and opportunities to inspire and

sound, developmentally

provide learning

appropriate instructional opportunities for your

practices for Georgia's Pre-K children. Bright from the

children.

Start is here to help and

We also welcome back support you in any way we

our RETURNING lead and can!

Page 1

W e are so pleased that all of our Georgia's Pre-K programs will be participating in Work Sampling Online {WSO) this year! In addition to WSO's other advantages, the assessment data for all our children is transferred electronically to their kindergarten teachers.
For those of you who participated in WSO last year, we have more exciting news! When you log on this year, you will notice a new streamlined WSO platform.
Among the highlights are:
1. Fewer "clicks" will be needed when choosing options.
2. The examples for each indicator will be available when linking documentation to an indicator.
3. You will be able to see how many of the indicators have been rated for each domain without having to scroll down each child's checklist to see if you have rated each indicator.

In conjunction with Bright from the Start, Pearson {the developers of WSO) has aligned the indicators with our new GELDS. This will be especially beneficial when using assessment for lesson planning.
Pearson has added tutorials and video clips of indicators in action. This is similar to our GELDS website where we show video clips
of the indicators to give you examples of how it might look in a classroom.
Returning WSO teachers will receive an email that will contain a link for an excellent video tutorial from Pearson that will feature the updates.
If you have already attended WSO training, you can begin entering your class in WSO after July 27.

When entering the data please remember each of these important points: 1. Your class number will be
different from last year. This number should be used as the name of your class. The number for each class appeared on the Pre-K Grant Agreement and is available from your Pre-K Project Director. 2. Please use only this number as your class name. 3. It is critical that the children's names be entered in WSO exactly as the name appears on his/ her birth certificate and the PANDA roster. The child's first name should be entered even if they are called by his/her middle name or a nickname. Also, if a child has a hyphenated last name, please be sure to enter both parts of the name. As always, we are here to answer any questions you may have. Please remember to always contact:
prekassessment@decal.ga.gov

Pre-K Teaching Times

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Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards

The new Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS) are finalized and ready to be used by Pre-K teachers. We hope you are excited as we are about this new set of standards for Pre-
K The next important step
is to familiarize yourself with the new standards. You can go to the Resources tab at www.gelds.decal.ga.gov to view an introductory video produced by DECAL and Georgia Public Broadcasting. This video includes a message from DECAL Commissioner Bobby Cagle, an overview of the GELDS, and interviews with special guests. You can also find the Pre-K Teacher video and a Pre-K Parent Orientation video.
Also on our website, you will find printable documents to help you start planning lessons and making decisions about curriculum and assessment. These documents are also under the resources tab.
Training and professional development will be

provided over the next year as you begin using this new set of standards.
It is an exciting time for early education in Georgia. Our state continues to gain national attention because of our commitment to improve the quality of early learning programs across the state.
These new standards support Georgia's continued determination to help our youngest learners succeed.
For more information about the GELDS, email gelds@decal.ga.gov or ask your consultant.

GELDS Indicator Spotlight:
SED3.4a
Independently follows rules and routines.
SED4.4a
Transitions well into new, unfamiliar settings.
To address these skills, spend some time at the beginning of the year helping your children get used to their new environment. Teaching rules, routines, and procedures will help children succeed as the year progresses.

PDM
physical development and motor skills

SED
social and emotional development

APL
approaches to play and learning

W . today's
lay shapes the future ~ .

~
CLL
communication, language and literacy development

- ~ l-~ ~development and general knowledge

Pre-K Teaching Times

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New Lead Teachers
New Lead Teacher Institute -
Two day face-to-face training, 6 podcasts and an assessment online module. All online courses should be completed prior to attending the first day of face to face training. (30 hours, 3 PLU's)
Work Sampling Online -
Mandatory for all new lead teachers - 1 day face to face training. (10 hours, 1 PLU)
2nd Year Lead Teachers
2nd Year Lead Teacher Training -
Mandatory for all 2nd year lead teachers who attended New Lead Teacher Institute during the 2012-2013 school year. Two day face-to-face training (not consecutive days). This course will focus on lesson planning and assessment and will be offered regionally throughout the state. There is an online module and competency quiz associated with the course that must be completed to receive credit. (15 hours, 1 PLU)
Work Sampling Online -
Mandatory for 2nd year returning lead teacher who WAS NOT using Work Sampling Online in the 2012 -2013 school year. (10 hours, 1 PLU)
Pre-K Teaching Times

Returning Lead Teacher Training:
Returning Lead Teacher Training -
Mandatory for all returning lead teachers. Two day face-to -face training. This course will focus on the GELDS (Georgia Early Leaming and Development Standards) and assessment. This will be offered regionally throughout the state. There is an online module and competency quiz associated with this course that must be
Work Sampling Online -
Mandatory for returning lead teacher who WAS NOT using Work Sampling Online in the 20122013 school year. (10 hours, 1 PLU)
Returning Assistant Teacher Training:
Returning assistant teacher -
Mandatory for all returning assistant teachers. 2 days face to face training. There is an online module and a competency quiz associated with this course that must be completed to receive credit.
New Assistant Teacher Training:
New Assistant Teacher Training -
Mandatory for all new assistant teachers. 2 day face to face training. There is an online module and a competency quiz associated with this course that must be completed to receive credit. (15 hours, 1 PLU)
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Setting Up an
EnvSiruocncmeesnst for
The beginning of school means change and transition for many children. For some, Pre-K will be their first time in a school setting with teachers and other children.
Others may have attended pre-school or child care but the transition to a new classroom could be difficult. We expect children to need time to adjust in the first months of Pre-K During this time some children may be quiet and reserved while others may scream, cry, bite, hit others and throw tantrums.
If you are experiencing any problems in these first weeks of school, try to work with the families to ease the transition for them. Bringing a special toy, blanket, or stuffed animal from home may add comfort and familiarity to the classroom. A certain child or teacher in the classroom may also make them feel more comfortable and if so, try to pair them up together during this time.
Most children should transition to the new environment within a month or two of the beginning of school. We recommend that you always talk with your Project Director or principal and the families about any issues you are having with a child as well as start documenting problems when they arise.
Several forms to help you track and document behavior and to help with family conferences can be found on our website at:
www.decal.ga.gov
Also remember: If you have any questions or concerns, call your Pre-}{ consultant - We're here to help!
Pre-K Teaching Times

Pre-K
Q&A
You Ask, We Answer!
Q : If I have a concern about a student's behavior at the beginning of the year, do I have to wait six weeks before asking for a referral? A: It depends. Some children need time to acclimate to the structure of a school day. Use your best judgment to decide if the child just needs to adjust or if the issue is deserving of a referral. As soon as you have concerns, start documenting. You can find the form on our website or ask your consultant.
Q: How long does large group have to be? A: At the beginning of the year, children's attention span is shorter, so you may have to limit your large group time to 5-7 minutes and then build up to 15-20 minutes.
Q : Is it possible to split large groups into two smaller groups at the start of the year? A: Yes. Sometimes at the beginning of the year, it can be a good classroom management strategy. This allows the teacher to better address the needs of a smaller group and have better proximity control.
Q : Is it okay to start using the GELDS? A: We are encouraging everyone to start using the GELDS this fall. However, we are leaving the decision up to each program administrator. Consult with your administrator to see what is best for your individual program.
1. nsp1. re
teach
CHANGE
Page 5

The Wednesday Webinars are optional for teachers. They are offered monthly and will cover a variety of GELDS topics. Here is a list of the webinars. Dates and times will be sent out to Project Directors and Principals. Webinars are also posted on the BFTS website and can be viewed by going to www.decal.ga.gov. They are listed under Pre-K in the Training tab.

Topic

Introduction to the GELDS
REVISED 12-week Lesson Planning Handbook
1 This webinar will focus on Off to a Good Start, the 12-week lesson planning handbook for
Georgia's Pre-K teachers. We will examine features of the handbook and how to effec-
tively incorporate them into lesson plans.

Cognitive Processes

2

This webinar will focus on the new GELDS domain of Cognitive Processes. Teachers will learn ideas and strategies for developing children's thinking and problem-solving skills.

Approaches to Play and Learning

3

This webinar will help teachers understand the GELDS domain of Approaches to Play and Learning and how they can set up a supportive learning environment for children.

Writing
This webinar will focus on understanding the GELDS indicators related to early writing
5 and provide teachers with ideas and materials that will inspire writing throughout the
day.

Science
This webinar will focus on GELDS indicators in Science and how they correlate to new
4 WSO assessment indicators. Teachers will learn ideas for activities across all the Science
standards.

Creative Development: Drama

6

This webinar will focus on the GELDS indicators for Dramatic Play and offer ideas for stimulating creative expression, storytelling and role play in the Pre-K classroom.

Understanding the Math Continuum
This webinar will focus on several strands of the GELDS sub-domain of Mathematics. It
7 will provide teachers with strategies and activities to help them develop math skills across
a learning continuum.

Pre-K Teaching Times

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Fun in 'Pre-\C..
North Fulton Child Development Center Pre-K participated in the Summer Transition Program. In the photos below, Amy Cain, an Alliance Theater teaching artist, leads children in some fun activities. She is joined by Lead Teachers Kimberly Danahoe and Candice Dubose, and Assistant Teachers, Nicole Aylen and Pavana Oleti.

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia's children and their families.
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, 754 East Tower Atlanta, Georgia 30334 www.decal.ga.gov 404-656-5957 1-888-442-7735
Pre-K Teaching Times

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