Ok, so here's the deal. My 5 year old son's class has a great opportunity for parents to come in for a half-hour every Friday to read to the kids. Well, this Friday is my turn. I'm so excited to spend time in my child's environment, yet at the same time, am nervous! What am I going to do with 5 year old's for a half-hour to keep them entertained? I was planning on reading my son's favorite story and a classic, The Little Engine That Could, but that takes only about 15 minutes at best. What should I do the other 15? Any ideas?
You could read another book such as "Have you filled a bucket today? : a guide to daily happiness for kids" by Carol McCloud. My kids love this book and it's a pretty quick read. Have fun!
Read more books THEY LOVE IT!
I get to help at my daughters school, that half hour seems to go so fast. Some of that time will be getting the kids quite, and introducing you. You could ask questions about the story.
Good luck, A. H
Take a train related craft or snack (if allowed). Or, prepare some questions to help the kids understand the story better.
Take coloring pages of a train. Just search the internet for pics if you don't have a picture already, print it and copy it for all the kids. If you can't find anything, ask the teacher beforehand. Take a small train with you to show and talk about. Talk about the tracks and how they are made. Talk about where coal comes from and how it makes the train go. Don't be nervous, you'll do just fine. It gets easier after the first time. Remember to be funny!
You could make coloring pages to pass out that go along with the story.
BA,
I too help out in my childrens classrooms, and I enjoy it very much. I think you will find that the time goes by much faster than you think it will. One thing you can do to "stretch" the story out is to ask questions about something on every page. Make them raise thier hands and call on a different child each time to answer your questions.
Something you could do as a back up is bring in a CD player if the teacher doesn't use one in the room, and a childrens sing along CD. Something like the wheels on the bus go round and round, that has hand motions for every verse. Something that they can participate in. They do this in my sons class and the kids love it!
Good luck, and I'm sure your going to have a ball!
How about singing some songs. Get them on their feet in a circle and sing a song. My son is in preschool (I'm not sure if kindergarteners are much different) and he loves to sing. He comes home singing a new song (mostly nursery rhymes).
