Welcome to #espechat everyone! Feeling much like a kindergartner here tonight to chat about teaching the youngest and my favorite of our bunch: Kinders! I am Kelly Brown, K-2, Georgia, 29 years and counting! #espechat
We follow the Q1/A1 format and don't forget to use the hashtag #ESPEchat on your tweet so everyone can follow along. So let’s get ready for question number 1! #espechat
Welcome to #espechat everyone! Feeling much like a kindergartner here tonight to chat about teaching the youngest and my favorite of our bunch: Kinders! I am Kelly Brown, K-2, Georgia, 29 years and counting! #espechat
Q1 After reflecting on the first few months of school, using a GIF, let’s see how we all are feeling about how our kindergarten lessons are going . #Espechat.
A1: I don’t teach Kinders anymore but I had a serious laugh when one found his way into the girls locker room in the middle of volleyball & I saw my student gently carry him out. My middle school shared a building w/an elementary. #espechat
Q1 After reflecting on the first few months of school, using a GIF, let’s see how we all are feeling about how our kindergarten lessons are going . #Espechat.
A2: I love that they love to learn and find joy in moving in every way! They are the classes that make me laugh the most, and the class I see the most growth in. They make the rest of my day ok some days. #espechat
Hi @LovePrimaryPE 👋🏼! My name is Stephanie Sandino, although I’m currently a ms #physed teacher in Southern California (grades 7/8), I taught K-6 for 3 years! Oh yea and one year of Pre-K #espechat
A2: Kinder is an awesome age of exploration. They soak into up like sponges. Light of aha moments when they really grasp a skill like throwing and catching. You can see the joy in their faces. #espechat
A2 #espechat I love their enthusiasm! They are up for anything! Me: "Today we are going to dig a hole through that wall using our fingernails!"
Kinders: "YAAAAAAYYYY!"
A2 They go nuts at everything you do, hug you because they love being in PE, always happy to see the teacher, and of course they say the best things!!! #espechat
A2) My kinders LOVE #PhysEd. EVERYTHING about it. They are so curious and open to anything we are learning. They are truly excited each and every day when they enter the exercise sciences lab! #espechat
A2) Kinder is a ball of energy! Some of my best moments of the day are my interactions with my K students because you never know what they are going to say or do #espechat
A1 When I taught kindergarten, I felt like this after the first few months... (basically, I don’t think pre-k and kindergarten was my strength) #espechat
A3) I utilize 1/2 of the gym, divided by a curtain. I also have access to a great field space and outdoor track. We have bathrooms and water fountains....both are for emergencies only (Ts are expected to take Ss to restroom before #Physed). #espechat
Gymnasium, bathrooms and water fountain located out in the hallway. Use @thepespecialist tips on water and bathroom breaks, been a HUGE help for those hands that would go up during directions and instruction #espechat
#espechat A3
Indoors, bathroom across the hallway, nurse across the hallway, (but I keep cold packs and bandaids in my office), no basketball goals, carpet floor, no lines or markings.
A2: There’s honestly so much room for exploration and true ah ha moments! So menu things they are doing for the first time! The I got it look can make a week special! #espechat
A2 Sounds cliche but they truly are sponges 🧽!! The true essence of childhood innocence- super excited even if you simply have cones set up! I do miss that part 😌 #espechat
A3 Indoor and outdoor for all my schools, bathroom in the gymnasium for one school while 2 doors down for the other schools, first aid kit in the front of the gym for one of my schools and nurse down the hallway for the other 2 schools. #espechat
A3 we are indoors. We have a drinking fountain in the gym (that I wish I could remove 🙈) and the bathrooms are RIGHT across the hall. K just got floor spots this week and they know the 4 corners of the gym for stations. I also see two of my 3 K classes twice a week. #espechat
A3) Kinder comes to me in the gym at 10am! Sometimes there is another kinder class, other times we have a 1st grade class in the gym but we make it work. And bathrooms.... all the way down the hall around the corner past the main office. #espechat
A3: Outside, drinking fountain in sight, next to playgound (very challenging some days). They get phys ed 4x/week for 30 min. I teach them 2 of those days. #espechat
Glad I made this gym layout. But bathrooms are right outside the gym. Nurses office is down the hallway. Honestly a nice set up for my kinders #Espechat
A3 I have a gym with 125 kindergarten ss. When it’s nice we split up outside. Bathrooms are outside of the gym in hall with a water fountain. We try to have ss use bathroom before class but it’s tough with so many ss. #espechat
One of my favorite days of the year is the Fitnessgram mile day. Not that I like doing it but when you show Ss a progression and give them time to work, their faces light up when they see what they accomplished. #espechat
A3. My Kinders are APE students and we have class in a small APE gym, at the pool, and outdoors once they can prove they are safe. There is a lot of prep working up towards their safety! #espechat
A4 Kinders strive in an organized environment in which there are clear boundaries, rules and plans. Communicate the rules and requirements early, clearly and often! #Espechat
A3) indoor! 🙏the heavens! I use the entire gym. I tried the curtain & that was a distraction 😂 we try to hold 🚽 & 🚰 breaks towards the end or it's 🙋🏽♀️🙋🙋🏽♂️🙋🏻♀️. They "know" that when the 🎼is on, that's their 🕓, so they usually don't want to miss unless it's an eme #espechat
A4) Build a relationship with each one!! Get to know them on a personal level. Have consistent start/stop signals, use short/concise dialogue, use Ss to model correct expectations. #espechat
A3)Glad I made this gym layout. But bathrooms are right outside the gym. Nurses office is down the hallway. Drinking fountain right next to the doors to the hallway. Honestly a nice set up for my Kinders.#espechat
A4 Routine, routine, routine!
Repetition of procedures and rules every class meeting.
Each Ss has their own home base number spot to sit on when they enter our classroom. They also leave from those same spots. #espechat
A4 #WATERPOINTS. I give out water points as an incentive. That means you can go to the water fountain. They love it. The best part is they can pretty much ask for water any time except when I'm talking. "Go get a water point and do your awesome walk" #espechat
A4 they immediately go into a warmup along the sides of the gym with 4 loco movements. Into spots for some dance along songs (“the run stop” by the funky monkeys was the most played song on my Spotify two years in a row) and “spaghetti/meatball” curl ups #Espechat
A3: wherever I can be. Inside now because of snow outside when the weather is nice and I have grass. Clearly defined boundaries and spaces. Equipment ready to be used by the students. Music playing as a stop start. Defined “grapes” meet up spot for instruction #espechat
Ferris from PA jumping in a little late... A4 Get them moving ASAP (dance is great) and bring a high level of energy yourself. Also do not get too wordy with instruction, let them experiment. #espechat
A4 Consistency, good behavior management that is developmentally appropriate, follow through, appropriate humor, communication specific to their learning style, and a development of a great relationship. #espechat
Yes some days I ask myself how.. but teachers usually allow kids to go to bathroom before they come to me (they have bathroom in class) and they come with an aid who generally helps support class. #espechat
A4: I make sure they are sitting when I am giving instruction. I keep equipment out of reach until I want them to touch it. I make use of transitions such as having them practice different locomotor skills while moving from place to place, (pt.1) #espechat
#espechat A4)attention getter- "Give me 5!" And everyone puts their hand up. I tell them that way in case someone else didn't hear me, when they see your hand go up they will know.
Also music start and stop.
A4) kinder ss enter their own space of AWESOME or their designated cones to begin their warm up, music for start/stop. we strike 2-3 poses when we freeze to get all their attn. transitions ill call out colors the ss are wearing and perform a loco to the next location. #espechat
A4 I always go "if you can hear me raise one hand, if you are quiet raise your other hand. Now if you are ready to start put both hands down" It works a lot. I Have spots on the floor that whenever an activity is over they find a spot to stand or sit on. #espechat
A4) cont. I also tend to work on something easy and build off it the next class. Working in stations is great for Kinder but going over 20 min of instruction isn't. Work on 2-3 directions today and another one the next, another one.. #espechat
#espechat A4) also before telling them what you want them to do say "When I say go..." Then give direction. If you give direction before that, they have tried to do it every which way except the way you wanted.
A3 My classroom was outside (it still is). I would walk and get the kinders and pre-k in their classrooms, bathrooms were 50-80 steps away from activity area, same with water fountain and first aid was my backpack 🎒 #espechat
A2) I love the fact that my Ks love EVERYTHING I ask them to do. Literally, every new activity is “the greatest thing ever!” As a T, I love that I get to see clear, quick evidence of learning as they progress (ex catching scarf, catching balloon, catching beanbag, etc )#espechat
I agree, I like to add information about the skill being taught and try to see if kids know the skill or played the sport the skill is involved in. It is lovely seeing the kids look like they are ready to jump as they raise their hands to let you know they know it #espechat
Q5 Creating an atmosphere where all Ss know that they count and you are. I love using "anticipation" and FUN!!! Gets them every time! Fun and excitement is contagious! #espechat
A5 Student examples and constant checking for understanding. Rather take an extra minute or two of instruction than have to stop the class in activity to re-explain. Which will still happen from time to time but limits. #espechat
Q4: Build a class foundation, surviving is just going to roll into the next year &prevent learning dial in routines. Be sure S’s understand basic procedures so they can focus on the task, not chaos. K kids need help, discipline, &direction just try to do all 3 w/ ❤️ #espechat
Music is a must. They are so trained right now, the gym stops when one song ends & the next begins w that 3 sec dead air. Cracks me up & that makes the kids crack up. #ESPEchat
Late to the party but I’m here. A5 I love to give instructions individually. Get them all started and move around the gym and talk to them one in one. #espechat
A4 one of my attention getters is saying “say ‘I am listening’” and the kids know that I want them to repeat it back. Also “I am ready”, “I am awesome”, and “I am quiet” #espechat
A3) my kinder classes are suuuuuuuppperr small. 12-16 Ss. We’re indoors in the gym with water fountains inside and bathrooms just outside (in view from the door...this was helpful in September). We have boxes full of magic band aids too! #ESPEchat
A6: I use all grouping types...whole group instruction, then individual skill work, activities then may move into partner work or small group activities. Stations are used to wrap up a unit...and large group activities are usually used during our fitness day. #espechat
A5) Making sure to give instruction quickly while students are close and before they can get their hands on equipment. Lots of pictures and lots of live demos! #espechat
A6 I used to count them off to go to stations. Now I’m calling their “team row” for them to go to a station. I also used to have Ss get back to back to find a partner. Now I use dojo and tell them their partner. #espechat
A6) I would 💓 to do stations more but it's difficult with the setup and tear down there isn't any time between my 2nd grade..1st grade...& Kinder. So if 1st&2nd aren't doing station neither are kinder. Stinks. So partners & whole group mostly #espechat
A1 I say that my kinders are the best class ever and tell them that in front of each of their teachers. They are so excited about everything. #espechat
A6: Whole group general instruction, some individual work, ALOT of partner work, limited big groups. I save specific instruction for individuals/partners! #espechat
A6: I use Team Shake to make groups or pairs. In stations, they can be up to 4 in a group, but I don't have them work with all 4 until later in the year. We are just starting to work with more than 1 other person. #espechat
A6) I have found whole group is the most effective way to ensure that all the students are on the same page. Even if I have stations we will rotate through all of them together. Helps me monitor and keep pacing. #espechat
I also see my kids daily. 25 min/class. 18 classes. In the morning we have double classes (6 time slots with 2 classes per time), afternoon 6 individual classes. I team teach in the morning, by myself in the afternoon! #espechat
A5: quickly and simply to complex or too long and they will turn on you lol. Teach with layers not a ten direction activity. Increase complexity as you go with an option to keep it simple if they need it! #espechat
a6) whole group instruction and partner work otherwise. There is the occasional times that we do station work as well depending on the skill we are working on #espechat
#espechat A6)
A lot of whole group, but also mix in some partners and small groups, no more than 4. First few weeks I call them out to get in groups, now they have assigned team groups and color groups. I use those to make groups quite a bit.
A2.Watching them grow.From that first day when they think gym=free time, to when they realize all the amazing benefits of PE class. I love challenging them outside their comfort zone and their excitement when they are able to master a skill that they’ve been working on. #espechat
A4: “Pathway” floor designs for enter/exit. Almost like a sensory pathway that is used to enter and exit. In my camp experience working with K-2 I used a lot of “If you can hear my clap once” or repeat clap patterns. Also call back cadences. Equipment matched by color #espechat
A4) Turning my instant activities into GIFs have helped a lot. Just simply turning tag instant activities into a "If This, Then That" has been awesome. I put it up as they come in, and just the GIFs alone make them ALMOST self sufficient! & Obviously routines, routines! #Espechat
Late to the #ESPEChat party but A7: On a daily basis. To get their attention I will point out Ss who are making good choices to listen or follow directions. They want to please so easily. I use a lower whisper voice & that catches their attention - diff. strategies for diff. Ks
A7: I am outside and next to a street. There has been construction since school started. We wave at every car that goes by, say Hi and Bye to every animal we see. We wave to every helicopter and airplane. Those are all now built in routines #espechat
A4) keep it moving! No activity longer than ~2 min. Directions have to be super short and sweet...I find it easier to make little corrections mid activity rather than try talking to a group of 5yr olds too long. Oh and NEVER ask if anyone has any ?s before we start #ESPEchat
A7 My kids gone nuts and weren't doing the activity the right way, turned off the music, some kept going, I raised my voice enough for everyone to hear "Music is off" Once I said that got the kdis to sit down and explained the importance of the expectations and tasks #espechat
A5) Being enthusiastic! It is something I'm constantly trying to get better at. Teaching Elementary is like putting on a performance! It's just tough to keep the Mojo going with back to back to back to back to back classes...#espechat
A7) Distractions happen often...I've learned to ignore what can be ignored and not to sweat the small stuff. They are only 5 years old...just gotta keep it in perspective. #espechat
A8 Sometimes they just need a little extra attention. Sometimes they just need a hug. I like to give them lots of encouragement. I also will pair them with a friend. #espechat
The "does anyone have a questions" is my biggest mistake with them. My other one is telling them to clap twice like I do with my other grade levels #espechat
Q7 I ignore their behavior as long as they are safe and not hurting themselves or others- focus on the students who are engaged and making the right choices. Works well in our ABA program. maybe not in Gen K. #espechat
A7 SOMEONE FOUND A SPIDER IN THE GYM....haha need I say more. We took the time to collect it and let it go outside. Ended with a kinder saying that the spider has sportsmanship because she just wanted to play in our game 😂 Sometimes you just have to roll with it! #espechat
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A7) My class got distracted today! It didn't get out of hand because I quickly got things back on track, but it's an almost constant re-direction with some bc they LOVE to make a connection with something that has nothing to do with PE.
Addition, today I told the kids I know u are going to laugh at this so when I say it I will say quiet and you will all stop. "The end of the hockey stick is called the BUTT" Kids laughing so loud Once I said quiet they stopped and some held their mouths! #precious#espechat
A6: I do simple grouping strategies same color shirt etc. Also do an activity called pirates where they find partners. Start the year with more parallel play type activities where each S has their own equipment /share a target or mirror each other. Then move to sharing. #espechat
A7: Daily! 🤷♀️ I usually bring them back to the “middle.” We don’t have class spots or teams or anything, we just “meet in the middle.” They know that is a place we listen at a “CHAMPS 0” (school wide we use the CHAMPS system) #espechat
A6) i group them in the "Six Color" squads at the beginning of the year, and when we do group work they mainly stay with that group. My older Ss I've been using Team Shake a lot. But I have "Squad Cheat Sheets" on the wall that says your Squad Color/Plagnet Number #espechat
A7 I let the kids go crazy for a bit as long as nobody is physically wild. Talk to a friend, get excited. I then use music loudly and do a crazy dance. Brings them back. #espechat
A3 I am outside, unless it rains then we are in a classroom. I pick my kinders up and return them to the classroom. The bathrooms are not near the playground. #espechat
A8 "I can't understand you when you are crying, I need you to try and stop so I can help you" The kids tend to stop a little. I get to eye level, and try and get them to look at me as well. #espechat
A7) at times 40 kinder students may get a little off task. I tend to turn off the music, and give a Heeeeyyyyy Team, to their response Heeeey Coach and that tends to get them back in order. I review the expectations and we party on! #espechat Thanks @jimsgymtx
I like to tell them to that all grapes come in a bunch and we don’t any loose grapes because they will be all alone. Also use Oranges as stand up signal and Apples as sit. #ESPEChat
A8 special water break. I keep small water bottles in the fridge. They can sit in the office for a brief moment. Has to be genuinely upset though. #espechat
A8- depends on the situation but if it has to do with a peer conflict, I will take the two aside and discuss the right way to handle and respond to what had occurred. #espechat
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A8) Good question!!! Most of the time I ask if they need a break. I have a rug in my gym they all know as the place to go to take a "break". It is a different place from timeout. I tell them to come see me when they are ready.
A7) Our floor is carpeted (strange, I know) but the bball and bball court lines can peel up. At least once a day Ss are pulling it. I've definitely had times where I didn't deal with it well, but when I have it's always a "OH MY GOSH! DO YOU SEE HOW ___ IS LISTENING?!" #espechat
A8) I redirect the other Ss.. get them busy so I can then talk to the S that is displaying emotional outbursts. I want all Ss to feel that their voice matters...& try to give them space & time to share their feelings (if they choose). Of course each situation is diff. #espechat .
A4 we establish stop and start signals, create routines for lining up, for where to go to meet and how to put equipment away or to get the equipment. Directions or quick and simple. #espechat
A8: If it is over something silly, I do it right back to them saying "I can't understand you when you are crying". For a minor injury (hurt finger) I ask them if I need to cut off their arm to make it feel better. The shock of those responses gets laughter #espechat
A8 if someone needs a moment (hurt or hurt feelings) they can “rest”. Most disagreements are because someone didn’t get the color they wanted. I had two arguing students share the red scooter last week when one was tired of waiting and decided to go to green instead! #espechat
I've taught on carpet...and loved it. It absorbed the sound so well!! Of course bathroom accidents or vomit on the carpet was never pleasant. #espechat
A8) This is where I need improvement. I need one of those conflict corners! I pull the Ss aside, and squat down to their level and try to listen. I feel 90% of the time they just want you to see if they're okay. #espechat
A8) Sometimes kinder students are emotional. Sometimes they need hugs and high 5s sometimes they just need a break away from the action and sometimes they just need a little water. I do my best to meet their needs so that they can return back to PE as happy as ever #espechat
A4 This is where I ran into some problems, I could have been way more clear with my acronym RESPECT and possibly made a shorter one. I think it was overload for the littles, on the flip side, worked for the older grade levels 1/ #espechat
A8 Individual attention, I also give them permission (suggest) that they get a drink of water so they can save face if they are overwhelmed or embarrased #espechat
I don’t know what it feels like to win the Powerball or Megamillions but it has to be the same feeling as getting a class of Kindergarteners to rotate successfully through 17 stations at 2:00 minute intervals. #Physed#Rhes19
A4 I am starting to forget all of my elementary cues but I had something with quiet feet, quiet lips and lining up in a straight line as I walked each of the classes back to their teachers and classrooms 2/ #espechat
A9) Trick or Treat thru the graveyard. Divide gym into 4 sections. A tagger in each section. If students make it thru all sections they get a piece of candy (ball, ring, etc.) out of the bucket and go again. #espechat
A9: Sure there are some lessons that my Kinders have done great with, but their “best” when they are given freedom to “explore” moving! https://t.co/JvNgJvVJ81#espechat
Today my Kindergarteners were each given a jump rope, and had about 8 minutes to practice “jumping.” No emphasis on swinging the rope, just working on jumping with two feet together. Unstructured play= learning! #physed@dc_linn@KAHPERD@AmandaCoffey21
A9) one of my recent faves, toss the balloon and try to catch it at its highest/lowest point, volley once and catch, etc. It was non stop movement, all I had to change was the end result. TONS of movement! And everything is better with balloons! #ESPEChat
A9) I dont have a good picture, but hands down Striking with Balloons. The excitement level is at an all time high when they enter the gym. I do also love Noodle Dance Tag by @thepespecialist! #espechat
Q9 I usually dhave an obstacle course that they have done earlier in the year for after vacations. Our ABA students have a difficult time transitioning back into school. The OCs are self directed. It saves on conflict and they are FUN! #espechat
A9) also we’ve been playing netball from @OPENPhysEd the last two weeks, first with hands to strike and today with lollipop paddles. 2 min games, LOADS of laughter and repetitions to practice. #ESPEChat
Q8 When my kinders have tantrums or get emotional depending on the child I will either give them space, or give a hug, or ask if they just them what they need. #espechat
A9) My K Ss love tag games; they have come to expect it. However, like April mentioned, any time I give them time to work on manipulatives without too much structure always results in good things happening! #espechat
A3) 85 Ks, 3 TAs & I, 4 “teams”, squads marked on floor like grid (A1, A2, etc). Split in/out when nice. Restroom emergency only. Bandaids/Nurse pass in hanging basket by my office #espechat
I saw a teacher hack to have a spray bottle and label it "refocus spray" or something like that. Ss can go over and refocus themselves at any point and get back to work. #espechat
A10) biggest takeaway is that kinders are a unique species that should be equally loved, feared and respected 🤣🤣🤣 and that we’re lucky to share time with them!! #ESPEChat
#espechat A9) Looking for pics, but 100% agree striking with balloons. I absolutely love watching them explore on the first progression of this lesson!
A10 knowing tomorrow’s that there are so many amazing PE teachers out there doing great things with their kiddos! Super fun topic Kelly @lLovePrimaryPE#espechat
A4 Transitions were always filled with learning pieces, ie. Counting how many steps it took back to get to class, the alphabet with arm movement and sounds, being super sneaky ninjas getting back into the classroom, etc. 3/ #espechat
Omg! The time has flown! Thank you all for such a fantastic chat. Feel free to keep adding your ideas. You all inspire and encourage me to be a better teacher everyday! Thank you so much! #espechat
