WELCOME TO OYENLAND!

Kristin Oyen is a preschool teacher from New Jersey.  I wanted you to get to know her because many of you are “confused” and “stressed” about how to do your job if we are still under the Covid dark cloud when school begins.  We didn’t learn how to do this in college, did we?  

Kristin has some insight and suggestions that may be just what you need to inspire you and give you some direction.  Friends, meet Kristin Oyen…

                               

Plain and simple, like you, I have always loved children. I worked in a local daycare for five years, babysat, was a nanny, and substitute taught. Any job I have ever had has never been a job because I have been fortunate enough to surround myself by my favorite kind of people,  tiny humans!  I began my teaching career as a Preschool teacher in September 2012 at Milton Elementary School in Jefferson, a beautiful woodsy, lake filled town like most in northern New Jersey. My position has changed a bit over the years and for the past four years I have taught a full-day special education class. I have worked with amazing paraprofessionals who fondly refer to our little bubble as Oyenland. 

In March when distance learning began I was two months away from my wedding and in the process of finalizing the purchase of my forever-home with my fiance.  We ended up postponing our wedding, however the stars aligned and we were able to move into our home a few weeks later amidst the quarantine. It was in the corner of my new basement that I knew Oyenland Distance Learning Preschool would be born. I recorded a group time video to send to my students and while rewatching it I thought, "I should share this on my Facebook page." I spared my dignity as Kristin and shared a glimpse into Miss Oyen's preschool life of singing, silliness, wiggling and magic and the response was extremely well-received. I try to share activities from my weekly lesson plans with families following the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/missoyen as well as tips and activities I find around the internet. Our Preschool team follows monthly themes, last month was circus, this month farm and next month ocean, so many of the activities correspond with those themes. One of my favorite weeks was a holiday week I did. I will share those plans with you and highlight some of the activities.

NOTE!  KRISTIN'S PLANS FOR HOLIDAY WEEK WILL BE AVAILABLE ON MY WEBSITE (DRJEAN.ORG) TOMORROW.  IT WOULD BE A GREAT TEMPLATE IF YOU ARE DOING DISTANCE LEARNING WHEN THE SCHOOL BELL RINGS AGAIN.

P.S.  I just have to share this idea for a "Flat Teacher."  It would be the perfect "end of year" or "I miss you" for your students!  You can find out more on drjean.org.

Make and Share a Flat Teacher

“Spend time” with your students at home with your own spin on the Flat Stanley adventures.

MORE ZOOM TIME GAMES

If you missed my Facebook Live yesterday where I 

demonstrated these games you can watch it now.

  

Watch Little Lessons Part 7

Mystery Word
This game is similar to “Wheel of Fortune.” The teacher thinks of a word and makes blanks on the board for the number of letters. As children call out 
letters, the teacher writes them on the appropriate blanks. If a child calls out a letter 
that is not in the word the teacher draws a head on the board. For each letter 
that is not in the word the teacher adds features (ears, eyes, nose, mouth, etc.) to the 
head. The children try to identify the word before the head is completed. 

*Keep a “bone pile” in the corner where you write letters that are not in the word. 

                                                  
Note! You can adapt the picture for any animal or holiday object, such as a pumpkin, bear, etc. 


Tic Tac Toe
Children will need paper, crayons, and a hard surface. Tell them to make a big tic tac toe frame in the middle of their paper. Next, ask them to write a letter in each section. Randomly call out alphabet letters. If they have that letter on their grid they can color it in. The first one to get three in a row or cover their whole frame wins.
*Adapt for numbers, sight words, or other skills.

     

Listen and Draw
Children will need paper, pencils, and something to write on. Give directions for them to draw an object such as a tree.
For example:
Let's draw a pine tree.
Make a big triangle in the middle of your page.
Make a trunk for your tree.
Put a bird in the tree.
Draw a bug under the tree.
Make some clouds in the sky...
*Let them share their drawings when they've finished.


More Musical Chairs
Laura mentioned having the children walk around their chairs as the music played. When the music stopped she showed them a number and they had to sit down and write it or make tally marks. You could adapt this for math facts, phonics, spelling words, etc.

Show Me 
This game can be used to reinforce letters, numbers, sight words, shapes, and so forth.  
You will need to send a copy of the cards for this game ahead of time. Children cut out the cards and place them on the floor or table in front of them.  The teacher asks different questions and says, "Show me."  The children hold up the card with the answer. 

                                

Invisible Writing
Children stand and hold their pointer finger up in the air.  As you call out different math facts they can write the answer in the air.
*They can also write sight words, spelling words, and answers to questions.



Note!  They can clasp fingers and extend both pointers and write or they can use a piece of ribbon or tissue paper.

DRUM ROLL....HERE ARE IDEAS THAT TEACHERS SHARED ON FACEBOOK.  THERE ARE SOME REAL WINNERS HERE!!!

Laura Bounadonna  *Someone requested an idea for "moving up" from pre-k to K. 
We don't do a formal graduation, but I print diplomas and I make a memory book for the entire year to go with that. I am considering doing a "moving up night", and I will invite the Kindergarten teacher. I will say all of my favorite memories for each child and say that I am turning them over to a very special Kindergarten teacher.  I'll then have her say a few words... we only have one Kindergarten teacher so it’s a little easier. I just feel like that might give them some closure. I am having a talent show at 7pm tonight.. hoping the kids keep coming...it’s harder as the weather gets nicer!  I am going to send home bubbles that can be blown after we are officially moved up and saying our favorite memory and I will make a slide show of year long pictures. 

Deborah Davis Renner
Each student (sped prek) will bring a baby doll or stuffed animal, (I gave each one a BuildaBear for xmas) and they will submit their favorite song (your "Going on a Bear Hunt"). We will have a moment for each student to introduce their baby and then have a dance party. After the dance party we will make a special snack called "Teddy Bear Toast" (review from an previous activity we did in class). Then we will say good-bye:) Simple but fun! I may incorporate the microphone and pipe cleaner into the lesson as well.

Jenny Forte Nash
I had students do “tell and show”. I sent home a bag and they got to pick something special from home to share with our class. Before they shared it they had to give 3 clues for us to guess what they brought. Of course, one clue had to be what letter/ sound it begins with. They loved it!

Heather Sinex Toller
Play “This or That”. Mention two things and students put up 1 or 2 fingers to vote for their favorite. For example, 1 for hot dog and 2 for hamburger. Students can also come up with ideas. One of my students said “ play with water balloons or garden hose” So fun! Everyone likes to give their opinion!!

Nancy Walsh
We do Bingo. I have the children create their board (writing numbers 0-20 anywhere on a piece of paper and on the other side of the paper the letters A-Z). Then I call either numbers or letters until everyone is a winner at the bingo hall. : )

Kris Woehrmyer Speelman
Today I did a Microsoft Tea and invited all moms to our kindergarten team meeting for Mother’s Day. Everyone had their favorite morning drink and after each child shared what they love about mom we did a group cheers with our cups! I will be doing quite a few of these!

Zenita Kaplan
26 days before our last day of school, I started an ABC countdown during our Kinder. class Zoom meetings. I have chosen an activity that we can do together, but from home, for each letter of the alphabet. Ex.: Dd day was our dress up day. I even wore my mother of the bride dress to our meeting! Jj day was joke day. Here is one of my favorites from the kids; What is a cat's favorite color? Purrr -ple! When we do Oo day next week, one of my class mom's is going to show the class how to do an origami project. Doing the ABC countdown has allowed me to incorporate a lot of different ideas into the alphabet theme.
Little Lessons for Online Learning #7

ZOOM MYSTERY GUEST!

I've really enjoyed visiting some of your online classes and singing and dancing with your children. I wish I had time to do more! Here are a few special videos that will be "almost" as good as having me in person.

                                          

Tell your kids that Dr. Jean loves them!!!

https://bit.ly/drjeanTootyScat

https://bit.ly/drjeanStoryTimeBearHunt




https://bit.ly/drjeanBingoStory

LITTLE LESSONS FOR PARTY TIME ONLINE! PART 6

Last week Laura Buonadonna made a comment on FB about an “art show” that she did with her students on Zoom. I asked her to tell me more because it was such a clever idea. Well, I felt like I’d won the lottery with all the activities she shared.

PARTY ON!
I know in the past many of you had parties and celebrated the end of school with special memories. Don’t let COVID19 spoil your fun!!! Take a look at Laura’s activities and games because they will spark your creativity and enthusiasm! There are so many great ideas here, and I know you can’t do all of them. However, I bet you’ll find three or four that will give YOU and your kids something to celebrate this month.
                                         
P.S. I loved what Laura said about PARENT BUY IN!

I teach prek4 at Downe Township Elementary in NJ. I have 18 kiddos who have been loving our Zoom meeting. The key has been the parent buy in.

ART SHOW
The students all brought their masterpieces! They got to describe their picture and talk about what materials they used.
                     

I SPY
This is an active game we can play on Zoom. I might say, “ I Spy with my little eye something that is blue.” The kids run and find something in their home and bring it back to show.
Note! If they don’t have an object to represent that you could let them tell you what letter blue starts with.


SHOW AND TELL
Kids love to “show and tell” on Zoom. I told them that they could share the biggest item they could find because it didn't have to fit in their book bag!


BIRTHDAYS
If your kiddos have any birthdays during quarantine or over the summer you can still celebrate them. You know what those kids love so I would try to plan a theme. We always ask all the kids to make a picture for the birthday friend. The kids describe their picture and say what they love most about that friend. I would also make a list of my 5 reasons we love that student. We did a Frozen theme on Zoom at night where we all wore Frozen PJ’s or clothes and they watched me demonstrate how to make Frozen Shaving Cream bath cupcakes. I also read a Frozen bedtime story.
                                       

MUSICAL CHAIRS
I used this in one of our Birthday Zooms, but also snuck in some Math. I told them ahead of time that they would need a chair and a dry erase board or paper to write on. We played Trolls theme music as they ran around their chairs. When the music stopped I held up a number and they attempted to write it or make tally marks.


SUPERHERO YOGA
The kids dressed up like their favorite superhero. I muted them and put on some soft music. I showed them Yoga cards and then I demonstrated the moves for them to copy.


MOTHER’S DAY TEA
Our parents pick up meals once a week so I am making gift bags for them to pick up this week. On the bag I’m including our Zoom code and a poem asking them not to open it until our Zoom meeting. Inside the bag I am putting a fancy cup, tea bag, Danish, candy bracelet, bubbles, and a tea towel. (I purchased everything at the dollar store.) I painted part of a sunflower on the tea towel and I included a small cup of paint. I’m asking the kids to dress up and bring their favorite snack to the Zoom party. The moms will be able to have a snack with their child, and then each child will tell us their favorite thing about their mom. We are going to finish by having the children put their thumb print on the tea towel, and then I’ll read a Mother’s Day book.
                                        

All I can say to Laura is KISS YOUR BRAIN and KISS YOUR HEART!
                                                                                 

Here are a few other topics I've used in the past that you can adapt for your Zoom Party Room!

Sports Day
Children can wear t-shirts and hats from their favorite teams. Let tell why they like that team.


Virtual Field Trip
You can't take your kids on the bus, but you can take them on lots of exciting virtual field trips.  Just look online and decide where you want to go.
P.S.  Ask them to bring a snack in case they get hungry!


Book Party
Ask the children to bring their favorite book and share why they like it. They could also dress up like their favorite character.


Talent Show
Invite the children to think of a “talent” (song, dance, story, gymnastic stunt) they can do. Talk about the importance of being a “good audience” and clap and cheer for friends when they perform.
                                                                              

Pajama Party
Have children wear pajamas and show their favorite stuffed animal to their friends.
*I saw FB where a teacher asked them to bring their favorite blanket and stuffed animal.  How comforting!


Pet Parade
Children show their pet or a favorite stuffed animal.


Beach Party
Children could wear sunglasses, shorts, and bathing suits, etc. Talk about the fun things they are going to in the summer.
                            

Hat Day
Ask children to wear their favorite hat or challenge them to design a hat from a paper plate and art scraps.


Snack Day
Children bring their favorite snack and enjoy it as the teacher reads a book.


Joke Day
Ask children to all come up with a joke they can tell to their classmates.


Sock Hop
Children wear a pair of silly socks and dance to favorite songs from movies. Play “freeze” where they have to FREEZE when you stop the music.
                                                                

SONG AND A STORY #2

Did you know that Tell a Story Day is April 27th? I'm going to do it a bit earlier so you'll have a video to share with your children this coming week. I'll start off with "Tooty Ta" and then do "Scat the Cat." I'll end with an echo finger play. You'll find the words for everything below.

P.S. If you subscribe to my YouTube channel you'll get a notice about this each week.

Tooty Ta
Tooty ta, tooty ta, tooty ta ta. (Children repeat.)
Tooty ta, tooty ta, tooty ta ta.
Thumbs up.
Tooty ta….
Thumbs up…Elbows back.
Tooty ta…
Thumbs up…Elbows back…feet apart.
Song continues as you add knees together, eyes shut, tongue out, turn around.

https://bit.ly/drjeanTootyScat

Scat the Cat  
Once there was a little black cat. (Hold up the file folder showing the black cat.) He was a magic cat because he could change his colors (snap fingers) just like that. All he had to say was:
CHORUS:
I’m Scat the Cat. (Children join in on the chorus.)
I’m sassy and fat.
And I can change my colors
Just like that! (Snap fingers.)

One day Scat decided he was tired of being black. He wanted to be a new color so he said: CHORUS. (Remove the black sheet of paper to make the cat blue.) And he changed blue! Scat went down to the pond to look at himself in the water. Unfortunately, he fell in and he couldn’t swim. Timmy Turtle came along and helped Scat get back on shore.


Use this link to get the rest of the story and the pattern so you can make your own Scat!

Download the Scat Pattern

ME
(This is another echo rhyme.)
I’ve got ten little fingers, (Hold up both hands.)
And ten little toes, (Point to feet.)
Two little eyes, (Point to eyes.)
And a mouth and a nose. (Point mouth and then nose.)
Put them all together, (Circle arms as if hugging.)
And what have you got? (Hands on hips.)
You’ve got me, baby, (Put thumbs in chest.)
And that’s a lot! (Wiggle hips.)



Special You
(Tune: "Twinkle Little Star")
Special, special, special you,
You are special it is true.
There is no one quite like you.
Your teacher loves you 
and your friends do, too!
Special, special, special you,
Here's a hug from me to you!!!


HELPING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES!
Here's a great blog that Education Service Center 13 has created to help parents and children.  Simple, inexpensive, fun, and meaningful ways that parents can engage their children.
https://blog.esc13.net/5-ideas-for-engaging-your-preschool-child/