From the category archives:

Teaching Tools and Resources

If you send a preschool teacher to buy a gallon of milk…

by Deborah J. Stewart September 2, 2010 On becoming a Professional

If you send a preschool teacher to buy a gallon of milk… She will stop by the paint store on the way and asked the paint guy if it is okay to take a few color swatches. And if he says “Yes,” she will asked if it is okay to take two of each color… [...]

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We made our family apple tree in kindergarten

by Deborah J. Stewart September 2, 2010 Apples

This was the first week in Kindergarten so I wanted to drop in and welcome the new group. Of course, most of the children I already know but it was fun to see how much they have grown and quite amazing to see that they will be the new big kids on the block. During [...]

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Let’s make our own bulletin board in preschool

by Deborah J. Stewart August 25, 2010 Creative Art

This class participated in making their own pond to display on the class bulletin! The teacher rolled out a large sheet of bulletin board paper and set out some blue finger paint… And the children used their fingers to spread the paint all around… After the entire piece of paper was a pretty blue, the [...]

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My pre-k handwriting book

by Deborah J. Stewart August 18, 2010 Language Arts

This little handwriting book is simple to put together and keep on hand to help children practice their handwriting skills. The cover of the book is printed on the computer on heavy card stock. Pieces of lined paper are placed in the center of the book and another sheet of heavy card stock is placed [...]

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My list of must-haves for preschool teachers!

by Deborah J. Stewart August 11, 2010 Teaching Tools and Resources

I am linking up with…. Babbling Abby: for the Teacher Must-Haves! A Beautiful Mess and Five Minutes for Mom:  for Wordless Wednesdays! What are your ‘must-haves’?

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Choosing scissors for your preschooler

by Deborah J. Stewart July 14, 2010 Physical Development

I observed some children cutting today and realized there was an odd assortment of scissors on the table. I noticed that some of the children were struggling with the ability to cut so I wandered about the quality of scissors. I decided to check them out myself. This pair was unusual in that it didn’t [...]

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Handmade paint brushes for preschool

by Deborah J. Stewart July 12, 2010 Creative Art

This summer, the students explored paint brushes. The goal was to give the children opportunity to discover the different textures, designs, and look that they could achieve as they used each style of paint brush. The paint brushes were made from a variety of materials including…. construction paper feathers yarn bubble wrap …and pipe cleaners [...]

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Creating a stick puppet stage for your preschool classroom

by Deborah J. Stewart March 5, 2010 Teaching Tools and Resources

A week or so ago, I blogged about the use of puppets in the preschool classroom. At that time, I showed you a very plain puppet stage – all white with no bells and whistles. Now I want to illustrate the potential use of a display board once you get it all fixed up! I [...]

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Using puppets in the preschool classroom

by Deborah J. Stewart February 8, 2010 Cognitive Development

Puppets are a wonderful tool to use in the preschool classroom for all ages.  It doesn’t really matter what kind of puppet you use – in fact you can just talk with your hand and kids find it funny and they pay attention. Have you ever watched a live puppet show? There is just something [...]

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Books and technology in the preschool classroom

by Deborah J. Stewart January 27, 2010 Reading and Writing Readiness

I recently read a blog article posted by my new friend Matt at “Look at my Happy Rainbow” titled “Pop Up.” Matt shared with his readers how much his Kindergarten age children still enjoy books – even Pop Up books. I was even kind of surprised at this and then he showed a picture of [...]

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Preschoolers love hearing “You’ve Got Mail!”

by Deborah J. Stewart January 17, 2010 Language Arts

This is a really cool red, pocket quilt made and given to me by one of my assistant teachers back in 1990. When I am teaching, I like to do a week on The Post Office in my classroom and I hang the quilt down low so the children can reach it. I also place [...]

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Preschool proof your teaching resources

by Deborah J. Stewart January 12, 2010 Teaching Tools and Resources

Let’s face it – laminating posters, file folder games, and bulletin board pieces can get expensive. I wish I could offer up some great alternatives to laminating but all I can tell you is that in the long run, laminating produces the best results. In the old days, I used clear contact paper to laminate my resources [...]

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Threading yarn with preschoolers

by Deborah J. Stewart November 11, 2009 Quick Tips for Preschool Teachers

This is just a short tip for you to tuck away the next time your preschoolers are threading yarn. Start by taping the end of your string or yarn to the table so it doesn’t slide around. This will keep the items you are threading from sliding off the end! Put a long, thin strip [...]

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Teaching Tools for Circle Time

by Deborah J. Stewart September 21, 2009 Teaching Tools and Resources

There are many tools teachers can use to introduce educational concepts during circle time to their preschool students for example… Puppets – puppets are a great way to capture the attention of preschool age children. Preschoolers of all ages love to interact with and watch puppets. Children’s books – a well selected book can kick [...]

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Make Bulletin Boards a Priority in Your Classroom

by Deborah J. Stewart September 14, 2009 Classroom Management

Messy, outdated, torn, and faded bulletin boards have a negative impact on parents and students where as bright, clean, and updated bulletin boards have a positive impact on parents and students. It is easy to forget that what goes on the wall is just as critical in the learning environment as the furniture on the [...]

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