Our winter playground
While facilitating provider trainings at centers and schools I’m often told how “individualized” their program is. Yet during observations I feel that many teachers and caregivers are individualizing their classrooms for their own needs and goals. Often their own instruction style or creative classroom set up is evident, but the curriculum remains group focused. It’s easier that way.
MGT teacher bag contents
MGT circle time kit
When I was the preschool teachers of 19 students in Los Angeles I found it difficult to individualize my classroom. I didn’t have an assistant and many of my students didn’t even speak english – making it difficult to understand their needs and develop individualized goals. Yet I made it a priority to discover ways to encourage each child’s interests and assist with individual struggles.
MGT day1 materials
MGT boot craft
At Adventure Academy it’s much easier to individualize with the low ratios and multi age programming. The multi age programming helps keep perspective of developmentally appropriate practices. This does not mean age defined activities are offered. This means students at lower developmental levels have access to higher learning tools encouraging their growth, but at their own speed.
MGT circle time fun
using MTG supplies to make new games
Adventure Academy uses many curriculum options for our tots to teen level students. One curriculum we enjoy is Mother Goose Time, which is preschool focused, but all ages enjoy the thematic studies. While tots simply listen in on the themed stories and explore new materials, young discoverers learn to follow directions in using the provided materials, and older explorers adventure beyond by researching the unit further.
MGT cowboy hat decorating
MGT math manipulatives
This months study unit is “Discover the Desert,” which brings warm ideas to our snow covered location. The concept of a desert is thawing our frozen brains and showing me who has any understanding of what a desert is and what is different from that location and our own. Last month we discussed healthy life styles, which included food groups. Before transitioning to the new theme we had to discuss the difference between desert and dessert!
into animals? what animals live in the desert?
dress up bear led to what we wear in the desert
Last month we also discussed how our students are growing and as we learn about desert life we’ll learn about what things grow in the desert and what we can grow in Northern Michigan once warm weather finds us again! We’ll eat our ice-cream for dessert and think of warm places and talk about things that are fun in the sun. We’ll talk about activities we enjoy in different seasons and different locations.
puzzle fun led to desert scene discussion
train track building led to desert transportation game
I’ll learn about the unique things each child likes and dislikes and use that in my lesson planning. Although we’ll have group activities around the theme I’ll offer individual activities for each child based on their talents and needs. Although I’ll have a lesson plan for each day it’s a flexible plan that changes as the group or even one child challenges me to do so.
art interest turned into creating desert shelters
student drawing desert scene
Typically I follow the lessons as presented in the curriculums, however this month I had the children help me plan out the months daily topics. It was interesting to see which students wanted to follow the plan exactly as presented, which wanted topics modified and which wanted completely different and seemingly random themes instead.
sometimes we play alone, sometimes with friends
MGT = Dance n Beats workout
If you discuss their thoughts further you’ll find no idea is random – they got to that concept some how – and that train of thought opens up their world of interests and personal goals and teaches you how to teach them best. Learning to step back and let them teach you is the best way to individualize your program. Listen to their ideas and follow their lead – teaching them to be tomorrow’s leaders.
dr seuss name hats
penciled in planner … bc it will change 😉
We have a couple part time spaces left in our program for future leaders. For more information about Adventure Academy email Christi@MiFamilies.com. For more information about other programs – such as our provider trainings – visit www.MiFamilies.com. To network with other providers and parents feel free to stalk us on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube…
Our social media sites – such as this blog – continue to grow with resources for families and those who work with families so stalk us and subscribe and follow and ask questions and share ideas and be a part of our community! We love adding more family members to our family tree.
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