short changing?

So, Since I came back online (and to blogging) I’ve been reading all the blogs I follow to get updates.  By the time I got through reading, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was short-changing my kids!  Apparently, some pre-k children are reading by the time the year is over!  Reading!  I never thought this was possible!  But apparently it is.  And so I started wondering if I wasn’t holding my kids back by not offering them more.  It’s not mandated where I live to expect pre-k children to read or do anything more then know their letters.  But, if I have children who already know their letters in the beginning of the year should I be introducing more complex things like sight words or blends?

I went to a conference this spring about literacy and the presenter said she introduces sight words to her pre-k students at the start of the year and continues to introduce a new word every 2 or 3 weeks.  She said that some of her students will pick up on sight words before letters because to read a sight word does not mandate that you need to know every letter within the word.  She also introduces blends later in the year.  I’ve read on other blogs that teachers don’t introduce them until after Christmas to ensure that the children are ready.

So, I’m thinking it wouldn’t hurt to introduce sight words to my class next year.  See how it goes.  Problem is, I don’t know how to introduce a sight word!  Do I just make a flashcard of the sight word I want to introduce and show it to the kids? Do I make a big production of it?  Keep it simple?  What kind of follow-up activities do I need to do?  What words do I start with?  So many questions!  It’s getting a bit overwhelming to think of – but I’d like to give it a try!  If anyone has any thoughts, please share them with me!  I want to be as informed as possible – thanks!  🙂

it’s been a long time

I haven’t abandoned my blog – although it may seem that way.  It’s been well over 2 months (almost 3?) since my last post and I’m well aware that many of my readers may have given up on my eventual return.  There has been a lot of upheaval in my life (both professionally and privately) and I haven’t been in the right state of mind to blog.  The most notable change at work has been the loss of my co-teacher.  Ms. Bennet quit to pursue other job opportunities and that caused a big change for both the children and myself!  As much as I’m going to miss her I wish her well!

So, now that things have calmed down in my life I plan on making time once again for blogging.  I will be teaching alone next year (which is an exciting new adventure for me) and I plan on switching up my curriculum a bit.  I plan on working on next years lesson plans this summer and prepping my room for my next class.  I’m not one who likes change, so I’m trying to stay positive and keep reminding myself that change can be a good thing!  Sorry for the long absence (I know you’ve read this before) but bear with me as I transition into the changes that have occurred in my life – I look forward to life getting back to normal!