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Submitted by: Brian

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For the last 3 years I have taught Prep-4 class with up to 23 students. This year I am doing cartwheels as I am now teaching a P-3 class at the same school. I have found some factors for success to be: 1. Developing strong relationships between all students and having older students work with younger students where appropriate. Social skills/getting to know you games can be worth investing time in at the start of the year. 2. Develop routines for all students. I always spend the first few weeks teaching games, simple activities and routines. This becomes useful later in the year when I use more group work. I have been fortunate that most students in Prep have been able to be left alone (with appropriate supervision in the class) to work and play together well. (Up to 7 preps last year and most of them great!). 3. Make use of older students if this is possible. We are using the 4-7s for reading after lunch 4 days a week. This gives me a chance to take a small group everyday to work with while other students are reading to older students and 4-7 staff. Make the best use of other staff as you can. I am extremely fortunate that the staff at my school are very keen and flexible. 4. Some activities can be done together - i.e. gross motor activities. Earlier in the year the whole class can participate in simple fine motor activities as well. 5. Use parents and volunteers if possible. We had a record response last year! The most volunteers in the recent history. 6. Make use of group work. This will only work with clear routines, expectations, consequences etc. Have activities that students can perform independently as well as more complex activities that you and your aide can supervise. You may be able to supervise 2 activities, depending on what they are. 7. If possible, make use of key teachers, learning support and special needs staff. Will depend on staffing, hours and flexibility off principal and those specialists. 8. Teach a focus lesson to students varying content and complexity and then "peel off" your groups - ie. one group may be able to leave to complete a simple activity independently or with an aide while you keep another group to work with. Just some ideas and will depend on your own situation and staff. You will find other ways and methods that will work for you that wouldn't work for me. Just keep in mind that children can surprise you with what they can do. Keep it fun and interesting and let them know when they are doing an excellent job at cooperating and helping you and others out. There are also a number of discussion lists you can join through the department website and other associations.

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Submitted by: Annie

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Hi I am teaching K/1/2 this yr so I can sympathise!!! Having prep in the same class would be a real challenge. As they are only 4yrs and "pre-school". I would have group time structured with activities that they can do without a lot of teacher one on one. I would initially get them doing lots of hands-on and fine motor activities in Term 1 eg play dough, bead threading, lacing cards, peg boards, pattern boards, puzzles. You can also include letter/pattern tracing, name books, structured colouring and cutting etc. Much of this may sound like they are just "playing" however this time will be invaluable to you. Remember that these little people will need structure and you will need to set firm guidelines and boundaries for group time. ( AS you can't be always with every group or child at once) Your classroom management is very important and the success of your group time will depend on it. Always plan and be super organised and have everything ready to go - keeping in mind that most 4yr olds have a fairly short attention span and won't stick with one activity for as long as the older children. You may have to plan more activities in the same time frame for your prep kids. This is pretty generalised but I hope it helps. Good luck and hope you have a great year with your class Cheers Annie

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Submitted by: Lou

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Hi, Before I reply and add any thoughts, could you just put a little more info? What hours/time do you have the assistant for? Has she/he worked with the class before? Do you have an experienced and teaching principal? Who is teaching the older yr 4- 6/7 chn? What hours are your youngest chn at school- are they full time/mornings /afternoons/2 full days etc? In WA we start school with K then Pre primary and go from years 1 to yr 7. I have taught 24 pp-yr3 chn for 3 years. Cheers! Lou

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