Welcome to the wonderful world of kindergarten.... kept simple! I’m Mariah, the creator of A Playful Purpose: Learning for Littles Inc. Kindergarten specialist turned curriculum writer. Mom, wannabe baker and lover of early 2000s Disney Channel (hello, Lizzie McGuire and HSM). Enthusiast of ponytails, pancakes and helping Canadian kindergarten teachers stress less by simplifying their planning and re-igniting their love of play-based learning. Here to help you take back your weekends and love teaching on week days. If you are a kindergarten educator spending too much time planning and feeling a little (or a lot) burnt out and you're ready to feel excited about teaching again, and you're looking for French and English play-based resources, simple but engaging activities and ideas, support and real connection and systems and routines that really work....then you're in the right place! Kindergarten Kept Simple is all about helping YOU re-ignite your love for early learning by removing the stress of searching for resources and planning for play-based learning. By implementing simple systems, reliable routines and not re-inventing the wheel, you can leave work at the bell and leave your prep to prep time. Sound too good to be true? I thought so too. But after years feeling burnt out and on the brink of stress leave, I finally realized that teaching didn't have to be like this. Now that you're here, I'll show you the way.Each episode will be an easy listen that will hopefully inspire you and brighten your day. From interviews with people who amaze me to learning about early years education, this podcast is perfect for anyone with littles in their life. And with that it’s time to dive right in! Let’s get this party started. Welcome to Kindergarten Kept Simple.
Mastering the Art of Running Effective Team Meetings with Katie Crichton
Do you ever feel like a meeting should have just been an email? You're not alone! On this episode of Kindergarten Kept Simple, we're joined by Katie Crichton, a team lead and kindergarten teacher in Guelph, Ontario. Whether you're a team lead or not, Katie's tips will help you communicate more effectively with your direct teaching team and become a leader in your school community. Katie shares her top tips on how to run an effective team meeting, from having a plan and knowing your audience to being mindful of time and staying on track.
Katie's Tips on How to Run an Effective Team Meeting:
Have a plan and co-create the meeting's agenda with your team.Know your audience and focus on mentorship or streamlining tasks accordingly.Be mindful of time and offer to talk to team members one-on-one after the meeting.
Tune in to this episode to learn more about running an effective team meeting with Katie!
Want to learn more from Katie? Join her at Camp Kinder this summer to learn how to rock your teacher performance appraisal! Her session will cover how to achieve each competency, what to do with your next steps identified, and how to pre-teach and prepare your students for your evaluation.
Learn more about Camp Kinder and get on the waitlist for early bird pricing here: campkinder.ca (http://campkinder.ca/)
Connect with Katie here:
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/kt_in_kinder/ (https://www.instagram.com/kt_in_kinder/)
1 May 2023
Demystifying Effective Guardian Communication in the Classroom
Effective communication with parents and guardians can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be! Jasmine from First Grade Frenchies joins us on this episode of Kindergarten Kept Simple to debunk some of the myths and misconceptions about effective communication with parents and guardians. Jasmine is an Ontario educator who takes pride in establishing strong and respectful relationships with the guardians of her students.
Jasmine's Three Myths About Effective Guardian Communication:
Myth 1: Guardian communication needs to be constant and highly involved
Oversharing every detail of the day-to-day activities can be overwhelming and difficult to sustain over time. Instead, share important updates and highlight standout activities in your classroom. As the professional, trust your own judgment and don't feel the need to seek validation or feedback from parents and guardians constantly.
Myth 2: No news is good news
Don't limit your communication with parents and guardians to only moments of crisis or concern. Sharing positive updates, such as a little note to let parents know their child is working hard and succeeding at school, can go a long way in establishing positive and open relationships. This also helps ensure that the lines of communication are already open if any concerns do arise in the future.
Myth 3: Guardians are constantly criticizing our methods
It's natural to feel insecure about one's teaching methods, but it's important to remember that guardians are ultimately on your team. Most parents simply want to know that their child is safe, learning, and well-cared for.
Join Jasmine at Camp Kinder this summer to learn more about creating strong relationships with the guardians of your students. Her session will cover:
Feasible ways to establish strong relationshipsSteps to achieve strong and open relationships with parents and guardiansHow to address concerns with guardians and avoid conflictCommon FAQs related to guardian relationships
Learn more about Camp Kinder and get on the waitlist for early bird pricing here: campkinder.ca (http://campkinder.ca/)
Connect with Jasmine here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstgradefrenchies/ (https://www.instagram.com/firstgradefrenchies/)
Blog: https://www.firstgradefrenchies.com/ (https://www.firstgradefrenchies.com/)
TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/First-Grade-Frenchies-8532 (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/First-Grade-Frenchies-8532)
17 Apr 2023
The Wonder Wagon: Tips for Effortlessly Incorporating Outdoor Learning
As educators, we know how important it is to create dynamic and engaging learning opportunities for our students. And when it comes to outdoor learning, using a wonder wagon can be a game-changer! In this episode of Kindergarten Kept Simple, we talk with Kat from Je Me Demande about her experience using a wonder wagon in her outdoor learning program and why it's so important to keep things simple.
Kat, one of the first educators to truly embrace outdoor learning and the use of a wonder wagon, shares her number one tip based on years of experience. Whether you go out daily or once a week, using a wonder wagon can make your life so much easier! It's perfect for last-minute inspiration, keeping track of materials, and helping students become more independent in their learning.
So, what's the most important thing to remember for your wonder wagon? According to Kat, it's all about simplicity. By removing hurdles and obstacles to our planning, we're significantly more likely to actually follow through. Kat's must-have staple wonder wagon items include clipboards, writing utensils, bug catches, magnifying glasses, and math measurement materials.
Listen in on this episode of Kindergarten Kept Simple to hear more about how to effortlessly incorporate outdoor learning with a wonder wagon.
Learn more about Camp Kinder and get on the waitlist for early bird pricing here: campkinder.ca (http://campkinder.ca/)
Connect with Kat here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/je_me_demande/ (https://www.instagram.com/je_me_demande/)
TpT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Je-Me-Demande (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Je-Me-Demande)
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
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