Teaching

I am always looking for teaching ideas that are readily available to use within the classroom. On this page I hope to share some of ideas with you. Please feel free to share any ideas that you use in your classrooms as well.

Lesson Plans:

I currently use a computer template to write my weekly lesson plans. When I first started teaching, I used a good old fashioned lesson plan book, and all of my lesson plans were handwritten. Well that took a lot of time! It didn’t take long for me to start using a lesson plan template on the computer! Here is an example of how my lesson plans look like, this is a word document, so–feel free to change this template in order to use it in your classroom! lesson-plan-template

Here is an example of a block plan template that I used in summer school when I taught second grade: summer-school-block-plan

Program Description, Back to School Packet, and Letters to Send Home:

Last year I created a program description of my Preschool/Kindergarten classroom, click here if you would like to view this: early-intervention-program-2007-2008

Every year it seems like I change at least one thing within my back to school packet! Here is a copy of my latest version: back-to-school-packet

Recently, on yahoo’s KinderKorner group, someone asked where to find examples of letters to send home. Someone shared this site that features lots of ideas for letters to send home with parents: Kindergarten Letters to Send Home

Here is a sample snack letter from Calgary Allergy Network that you can send home: Sample Snack Letter

Here is another sample kindergarten letter that Addie Gaines posted on her classroom website: Welcome to Kindergarten sample letter

Through my internet surfing, I also found this fascinating article from Scholastic about kindergarten for parents. This might be interesting to share: Article: What Kindergarten Teachers Wish Parents Knew

Here is a letter that I made for parents that includes tips for listening to your child read. I previously included this letter in my back to school packets when I taught first grade: tips-for-listening-to-your-child-read

This letter includes tips for parents when reading aloud to their child, I also included this in my first grade back to school packet, but you could also easily include it in your kindergarten packet as well: tips-for-reading-aloud-to-your-child

I also have an assessment page with lots of links and useful information for you to use:  Mrs. Kilburn Assessment Page

3/1/2009 Update:  I just added a new homework page with ideas, printables and links for you to use!  Here is the link:  Mrs. Kilburn’s Homework Page

3/15/2009 Update: I am adding some of these great informational pages that my wonderful kindergarten colleagues shared with me–this includes some great tips for parents!

Rationale for Developmental Play in Kindergarten

Tips to Assist Your Child with Number Recognition

Tips for Helping Your Child with Math

Tips for Helping Your Child Learn Letters

Tips for Helping Your Child Learn Letter Sounds

Kindergarten Skills