How to connect families in Lutheran early childhood programs.

1. BRIDGING THE GAP
Connecting Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and
Kindergarten Classrooms
Drew D. Gerdes
Lutheran Educator’s Conference
November 2015

2. Handouts…
You can access and download
this entire presentation (and
many more) at:
www.slideshare.net/dgerdes

3. The Big Questions…
What can PS/PK/K
teachers do to partner
together in ensuring
student success?
What is the relationship
between these grade-levels
and others?

4. A Big Answer…
The “connectedness” of
PS/PK/K, or lack
thereof, can positively
or negatively impact the
education of the
children and overall
ministry of the school.

5. It All Takes…
TIME INTENTION

6. It’s About YOU!!!

7. You’re Probably Wondering…
What should we all be
teaching our students at
these grade-levels?
What should happen in
PS…PK…K…?

8. Be Careful…
It’s not…
“I’ve got to get these
kids ready for _____.”
It’s not…
“I wish they would do a
better job teaching the
kids ____ in ____.”

9. It’s A Real Partnership…
Teachers at these
grade-levels really need
to get together and
make sure everyone is
on “the same page.”
CURRICULUM GUIDES
are absolutely
necessary!
A Curriculum Guide
provides a goal – a
specific idea of what
students should be able
to demonstrate.
The path teachers take
to achieve that goal
varies.

10. Curriculum Guide…
We talked about the
importance of a
curriculum guide in our
last session and how to
build one.
A curriculum guide holds
teachers accountable and
doesn’t allow for
individual “preferences” in
what a teacher thinks
should or should not be
taught.

11. Developmental Checklists…
A simple Internet search for “Developmental Checklists”
can provide valuable information in determining common
skills children can/should be doing at certain ages.
How can you use this information to your benefit?
Can you take a skill and build on it?
Even though a student may have already done something
in a previous class, there is still additional learning that can
take place if it’s done again.

12. Things To Consider and Talk About…
What is the handwriting style classrooms will use?
Recess rules? Are you using the same playground area?
Classroom behavior expectations?
Communications to parents?
Do younger grades have access to materials from older
grades?

13. What Else?
Discussion…
What else should be on
the list of topics for
discussion and
agreement?
What has worked for
you and your school?

14. A Seamless Transition…
It takes an effort of
partnership in making
sure there is a
seamless transition as
children go from one
classroom to another.
It’s all about the kids!

15. What Else?
There is so much more
to early childhood
education than just
academics.
Self-Regulation
Emotional Intelligence
Social Intelligence
Executive Functioning

16. Behavior…
It’s important to have
uniform rules and
behavior expectations.
The classroom
environment is probably
the most important
factor to consider as we
strive to make all
students successful.

17. Environments…
How are classroom
environments cohesive?
Do they provide
continuity?
The environment you
“set”, as a group,
speaks volumes to
parents.

18. Relationships…
Teacher
Aides/Assistants
Director/Principal
Pastor
Parents

19. Intentional Connectedness…
The words used in communication relay information
regarding the relationship between grades.
Early Childhood vs. Elementary School
Us/Them…try to avoid at all costs!
Are your classes present together? What are the
interactions between classes, students, and teachers?
Facility

20. Look Up And Look Down…
Use a Curriculum Guide to determine what your students
should know, but also look ahead a grade and determine if
any of your activities are connected.
Teachers of older students should also look at what
previous students have done. Can any feedback be given
to other teachers?
Browse through Developmental Checklists
Talk, Ask, Observe, Compliment

21. Events…
What
do/can
you do
together?

22. Family Night…
Many schools have this
event…
How can you make it
more meaningful?
How can you be
intentional in connecting
families with “higher”
grades?

23. Christmas Program…
Could you include
PS/PK/K in a Christmas
program?
Depending on school
size – could you add 1st
or 2nd grade?

24. Round-Up…
Kindergarten Round-Up
Some love it
Some despise it
If it works for you – keep
it.
If it doesn’t – get rid of it!
Which teachers are
usually present?

25. Switch-Up Day…
All students “switch-up”
to the class they would
attend the following
year.
Get kids excited!
Allows kids to know
future teacher.
Take a look at the room.

26. Discuss For A Moment…
What has traditionally been done at your school?
Does it work? How can you tell?
If not, why not?
What could you do? Differently? Additionally?
Best Practices!

27. Heading Over The Bridge…
Having PS/PK students
continue on into
Kindergarten is a
struggle for many
Lutheran schools.
How can you “tackle”
this bridge and
successfully make it to
the other side?

28. Take Time To Meet…
Like I mentioned before, this “whole thing” cannot happen
without the intentional efforts of many people.
Research proves that teachers who spend time together
collaborating find more satisfaction in their job – and they
find students benefit, too!
Are you able to spend time meeting and discussing goals
and objectives?
Can you use a teacher from an “older grade” as a resource
for ideas and concerns you may have?

29. Never-Ending…
This journey is never-ending.
The path you and your
school takes is really up
to you – the collective
group of teachers.
What will YOU do?

30. Contact Me…
Drew D. Gerdes
Early Childhood Director
Messiah Lutheran School
Weldon Spring, Missouri
Email: dgerdes@messiahnetwork.org
Twitter: @ddgerdes
Facebook: EducationEase