tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post1116790801769094580..comments2024-03-26T07:07:14.304-07:00Comments on Teacher Tom: The Policy Of InclusionTeacher Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14606781724784785338noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-89386555572528489682010-09-11T06:44:02.714-07:002010-09-11T06:44:02.714-07:00@Anonymous . . . Yep, a lot of people had your ini...@Anonymous . . . Yep, a lot of people had your initial response to the outdoor space. Our new playground (http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/our-new-playground.html) has changed that!Teacher Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14606781724784785338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-41694105666063182432010-09-10T20:12:09.217-07:002010-09-10T20:12:09.217-07:00I know I'm commenting on a very old post, but ...I know I'm commenting on a very old post, but I wanted to add my thoughts. We were in the NSCC co-op system, and the attrition between pre-3s and 3-5s was pretty much all due to parents deciding on a drop-off preschool instead of co-op, as their child started exhibiting those typical three year old behaviors. And those of us who stuck with it had a lot of moments of doubt when imagining us with a whole room of these challenging people.<br /><br />We've moved to a different city now and again most of our attrition over the summer is parents returning to work or going for a longer day dropoff preschool. <br /><br />I think class size in co-op is not so much related to the adult/child ratio, but the size of the space and how crowded it feels. We didn't apply to Woodland park because of the surface of your outdoor space. Isn't it really crowded out there with 24 kids?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-86343347406282647622009-12-08T07:36:56.188-08:002009-12-08T07:36:56.188-08:00I can't imagine that you wouldn't excel wi...I can't imagine that you wouldn't excel with a class of 30 just as you do with a class of 24.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07874897254332872367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-48344214384568195912009-12-06T20:11:54.314-08:002009-12-06T20:11:54.314-08:00That's so exciting, sprouts! I would love to g...That's so exciting, sprouts! I would love to get to know him. We did wind up with openings for 2 new 3-5 kids last year, so you never know.Teacher Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14606781724784785338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-73672377893473009002009-12-04T20:20:11.303-08:002009-12-04T20:20:11.303-08:00I just asked to have my son added to the waitlist ...I just asked to have my son added to the waitlist for your 3-5s class. I know, we have almost no chance of actually getting a spot before he hits kindergarten, but I figure the teacher who brings tears to my eyes writing about giving his students unlimited supplies of glue should probably be the guy teaching my kid, while I still have (somewhat of) a choice in the matter. Your students (and their parents) are very fortunate, and I'm glad that your board, way back when, had the foresight to know that spreading that kind of good fortune around is good for everyone in the community of learners that you're a part of. The more the merrier.dv.x.3https://www.blogger.com/profile/17097937663389205624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-1918752973273718122009-12-04T05:01:34.636-08:002009-12-04T05:01:34.636-08:00Hi Tom,
Love the volcano:) As far as class size, h...Hi Tom,<br />Love the volcano:) As far as class size, here in Indy we have to go by the youngest age so an age of 3 is 10 to 1 teacher and fours is 12 to 1 teacher. I never had less than 24 students and one assistant enrolled in my classes at a time. I loved the large preschool class - anything smaller, and I would get bored:) I love the challenge of keeping my preschoolers organized, entertained, engaged, and challenged and this seemed actually easier with larger numbers than smaller. The children had more opportunities for playmates, socialization, creativity, and so forth. My class was always hopping. I recently subbed in a class with only 10 students - The children relied much more heavily on the teacher to keep them happy. I definitely enjoy a big class - time flies because we have so much more fun together.Deborah Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992053244004086395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-82944896177592143952009-12-03T18:33:43.241-08:002009-12-03T18:33:43.241-08:00I know what you mean about the attrition (our spec...I know what you mean about the attrition (our special needs preschool that continues to enroll as children turn 3 being the exception). I had high hope for enough attrition in a certain program in our school district that we'd get in, but no dice unfortunately. That same program just changed their admittance for this upcoming year to NOT guarantee siblings a spot, which (as a parent of a child who didn't get in because of the sibs) I think is the wrong decision. How wonderful for you that you find a way to make this work and that you have such a strong community!<br /><br />As for the lava -- I didn't realize this volcano was still "alive" as it were. VERY cool. I love that you're still using it.<br /><br />and selfishly, I could use some ummm professional teacher advice on today's post :)Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07803503583347758969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15932919.post-7162656557491981082009-12-03T09:19:01.765-08:002009-12-03T09:19:01.765-08:00I whole heartedly agree with the larger class size...I whole heartedly agree with the larger class size and community, Tom. Having been there since the beginning and watching how it works and what a beautiful community it creates, I really think she had missed the real fundamental benefits that the children are getting. More engaged parents in the classroom means more opportunities for trying out relationships with other adults that are not their parents...VERY Important. Play is the most important for 3-5s...We're not doing worksheets or trying to learn math facts. Play is loud and busy and energetic and messy and if you can figure out how to play with a whole bunch of people, kids and adults alike, you are going to be a much happier, well equipped bigger kid. We are only there for a couple of hours a day. And the community that results has been fantastic! I am grateful we don't act "exclusive". In fact, it was when that overarching philosophy of "community" got forgotten by some folks is when we had our problems.Julienoreply@blogger.com