Hi Dan,
DT>I moved to Washington state from Minnesota when I got my teaching job. I
  >was offered my choice of several grade levels from kindergarten to 5th --
  >I thought kindergarten might be an easier transition for me.....wrong!
I often thought/said I would like to start at the bottom and make my
way up. I still think the same but my reasons for starting in
kindergarten are slightly different. I would love to teach it. I want to
follow the learning process and grow with the kids.
  >My first year was the hardest thing I had ever done....Im on my 8th
What grades did you practice teach? I did some kindergarten and grade
one work so knew what I was in for.
So it's your eighth year and you haven't moved up so you must be happy
where you are. So now is the big question - Why have you stayed so long?
  >year.  I have my Master's degree in education and I sing nursery rhymes
  >and teach finger painting for a living  go figure.
  > and one I did know
Well, in most areas, the most knowledgeable are needed to teach the
basics because that's the most important of all. A good foundation will
get you just about anywhere. :)
DT>In order for children to match the picture with the first letter they
  >would have to know the answer.  In other words, the matching doesn't
  >_teach_ the skill.  If the children can do the matching, they have the
  >skill.  Some might argue that it is appropriate to do this type of
  >activity because it reinforces the student's knowledge.
I think that the worksheet is to prove to the teacher/parent that the
student has the skill - it doesn't teach just gives the children
practice as you said.
DT>For example, if I want a "match the letter to the picture" I can find
  >computer games that will do that.  There are also games that come pre-
  >made or ones teachers can make to match letters to pictures. Alphabet
  >boards are one such idea.
And less waste too. Of course the one problem with working on concepts
etc. and no worksheets is that parents want some concrete examples of
what their children are doing in school. I guess they could glue cut out
pictures onto a letter sheet. What do you have the kids do? Saying this
I remember what I often do with the kids and that is brainstorm for
words beginning with the letter and then make drawings of the words. The
kids then make up their own booklets.
DT>**Save paper -- Save a tree**
We are still on the same wavelength I see. :)
                                -Ruth
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