Week 1 TABLE WORK and what to observe

 TABLE WORK -Independent and Directed

• Draw a picture of themselves on the first day.  

Title it:       THIS IS ME ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN.  
Save this to add to a memory book at the end of the year.
This also gives a quick assessment of following directions, understanding the top of paper,
(directions), if they can write their own name and what hand do they use?  I always wait to see and ask 'what can you write' before jumping in to write their name for them. 

• CUT SCRAPS

For some children, this may be their first experience using scissors.  "My mommy doesn't let me use scissors."  (I understand...my curtains and kids' hair have been the victim!) Set out scraps and have the children just cut.  
Have a cardboard box or plastic tray to catch as many scraps as it can.  There will be some on the floor to sweep up. 

Some children may need to stand and tuck elbows close to body for stability. Or you will need to suggest to do this.  Elbows out and tongue moving is a sign of youngness and they just need more practice.  Some may stand but need to anchor one foot on the chair behind them.
Observe if they are holding the scissors correctly or not.  THUMB on top!  Point out like shaking hands.
Do they use their other hand to control the paper?  Safely out the the cutting path!
What hand do they use? Some are still developing hand dominance.  They may use one hand for coloring and another for cutting.  These are the students to WATCH and instruct to stronger hand.  Some children switch when one hand gets tired.
Note which students chop or snip.

When ready, have them try cutting a circle the next day. Again watch and set safety practice rules.  Cutting is a skill you want them to be independent doing.
There are a lot of early learning 'worksheets' that can be used to show improvement and experience.  
Combine cutting with learning basic shapes.  
Making a house with a square and triangle.  
Cut circles, one a day, in red, yellow and green to build a stoplight.  Learning directions of top, middle and bottom pasted on a black rectangle.

• PLAYDOH

Homemade playdoh is easy and inexpensive to make.

 3 cups flour
1 1/2 c salt
6 tsp cream of tartar
3 cups water
3 T cooking oil
Mix wet ingredients in pan.  Add food coloring to water for desired color.  *
Mix dry ingredients.  Blend dry ingredients into wet.
Stir over low heat until it forms a ball--
Turn it out on countertop and knead a bit.  Let it cool slightly.  Can be stored in heavy duty zip bag or plastic container.  Let it cool before sealing to prevent condensation.

*You can add scented oil such as peppermint or cinnamon for interest.
This keeps well if kept in airtight container.

You need plastic placemats or laminated construction paper to make experience special or just use the table top (residue washes off easily)
In the past few years, I've noticed fewer children have used playdoh before coming to school.  They will need instruction and guidance.  Keep dough on mat or tabletop.
Show and practice how to:
-make a smooth ball
-roll a hotdog
-roll a snake
-pinch and pull
-make a flat pancake..roll a smooth ball and flatten...no need to pound or press onto mat..

Use playdoh daily for the first week.  Each day adding a new skill so the children are familiar with expectation.

• COLORING

Oh my goodness.  Kids don't color anymore before coming to school.  
This may need to be a directed lesson for some.  
On the first day (experience) note who can hold a crayon correctly.  
Do they color by scribbling?  round and round? or in a control back and forth stroke? 
Do they 'play' with their crayons, needing to hold as many as they can or can they focus on using one at a time?   
Do they use their non-dominant hand to hold the paper?  
Can they stay inside the lines or space?  
How much pressure do they use when coloring?  
I will expand on this in a separate post.  It's not automatically learned.  AND IT IS IMPORTANT and developmental.

So give them plain paper for drawing and coloring pages with simple to more detailed spaces.  Crawford the Cat website has some nice pages that can be used to talk about healthy habits.  Color pictures about a story you're reading, class procedures, etc.  Include time for free choice coloring. 

• DRAWING

Can you make this shape?  Make a shape in front of the students.   Also have a sample of a drawn circle, or square, triangle for children to copy.  Use a pencil, make another with a crayon (red one, blue one..)
DIRECTED DRAWING
Once the children can make basic shapes you can show them how to make a picture directing them one shape at a time.
I have a set of easy step-by-step drawing cards available throughout the year the children can follow.


**When coloring and drawing, begin working with trying to establish proper pencil grasp.  For some it has been achieved.  Others may need guidance, "hold it this way".  Some may have the habit of an awkward grasp and try as you may, you'll never be able to break that.  Another post will discuss this development.

TIMING
There are so many baby steps and the beginning of the year is tough.  I forget that it takes the first 4-6 weeks to get started.  Everything takes 4 times as long to do the first two days, then 3 times as long, and twice and it does get better...Be patient.  They are only 5 for a short time.