Diary of a First Year Kindergarten Teacher: 2nd Entry

August 25

 Dear Diary,

            What a day! I spent the morning sorting all of the leveled reading books I discovered yesterday. It took four hours! It was a real hassle but as I worked I familiarized myself with the books and their sequential progression. Since I've never taught a guided reading lesson before I thought it was important for me to do this. I also found a teacher reference on guided reading that I'll read later at home. There's one good thing about having all of these books, I shouldn't have to hunt down easy readers for guided reading.

            I've made a list of things I need to do after I leave today and when I arrive tomorrow:

*buy my own classroom broom, dust pan, and brush (I borrowed my grade partners and the school doesn't have any extra on hand to give me. Typical.)

*buy a radio (An early childhood classroom must have music. I like to play classical music when the children arrive and quiet music to help them settle down. Little people need to move their bodies and I have the best CDs for that.)

*find more chairs for students (there are 30 students in a Kindergarten class and I only have 24 chairs)

*set up the furniture in the classroom

*organize my file cabinet (I peeked inside it today. What a mess!)

*find a large trashcan

*wipe down the chairs, the tables, the shelves, my desk...

*ask about computers for the room (My grade partner has two.)

            I left early today. I am still on summer vacation and after the discussion I had with my grade partner about Kindergarten students not being able to play in learning centers I was spent. I am a big proponent of play. I did a thesis on it when I got my Master's Degree. Play is the cornerstone of my teaching philosophy. It's how I design my lessons. It's essential for successful learning among young children.

            I knew that Kindergartners were expected to conform to more traditional instruction, but I thought they still had a chance to play in centers. Over the years when I took my Pre-K students to visit a Kindergarten class, I saw toys in the rooms. My daughter's Kindergarten class had a Dramatic Play center and a wall of shelves full of containers filled with puzzles and manipulatives.   

            There is a loop hole in all of this. The principal (a 48-year old woman that no one seems to like) doesn't visit the Kindergarten very often, the middle-school students keep her busy, and she's pregnant with her first child. With all of this going on, I just might be able to squeeze in a little play time.