Students' Stuff

One of the most important things we do at the beginning of a new school year is figure out how we are going to organize all of the students' stuff.  We've learned from experience that the day goes much, much smoother when there is a "put-away place" for everything.

Here's a glimpse at how we've set it up.

When the students arrive in the morning, they head straight to their cubbies.  Each cubby is labeled with the child's name and I also add a picture.  They hang their backpacks and jackets on the hooks, and place their shoes on the footprints below.  

We use plastic envelopes for daily home-school communication.  Our older students take their folders out of their backpacks and set them on top of the cubbies.  We will start working with our younger class on this routine later in the year!

Each week, the students take home our preschool newsletter and any artwork or writing that they've done in class.  We also write daily reports for each student.  I try to fill in our circle time lessons, stories and snack ahead of time and have a couple of weeks ready to go.

During the day, we have the daily reports available on a little clipboard.  We write down information about their morning work file folder skill, and check off the center activities that they choose.

During snack time, we take a minute to jot down a few comments to the parents.  It takes time, but I honestly feel that it is one of the most important things we do to foster a home-school relationship.  Some parents have told me that they keep all of the daily reports that their child has received during the 2 or 3 years they come to Play to Learn.  Wow!

If you'd like to try using the daily reports, I've uploaded a more generic version HERE.  Feel free to download it and give it a try.  It's a great springboard for the parents to have conversations with their preschoolers at home.

Have fun playing and learning with your children today.