On the Road Again...

"What exactly are you girls doing now?" We're asked this question a lot... and mostly by those who knew us as kindergarten teachers in the public school setting.

We're on the road.... a LOT!  We are making our way across 9 counties to share our combined 50+ years worth of tried-and-true tips and tricks-of-the-trade in both Early Childhood Literacy and Math.  The miles and miles that we travel are worthwhile, as our audiences appear truly interested and appreciative.  We appreciate them, TOO, as they bring so much  ENERGY to each 2 hour workshop of FUN!

100+ Powerpoint Slides: EXPECT MORE in Literacy

100+ Powerpoint Slides: EXPECT MORE in Math

Our workshops are designed for preschool teachers and providers.  As former kindergarten teachers, we KNOW where their kiddos are headed after they leave the amazingly loving and nurturing environments that preschools provide every day for, in many cases, several years of their young learning lives.  We have also learned, and it has become crystal clear, that teachers on both ends (preschool and kindergarten) need and want to know what the 'other guy' expects on their 'side' of the teaching and learning continuum ~ in order to best meet the needs of their students.  What do my students need to know now to be successful both this year and in their next year?  What did last year's teacher expect?  What does next year's teacher expect? Am I doing enough?
                          And that's where KBound comes in!  
Since leaving our kindergarten classrooms last fall, we have been mentoring preschool teachers in their classrooms, giving ourselves as a resource for ideas to improve the quality of behavior, classroom routines, management and curriculum.  We are helping teachers and students to prepare for the next BIG step = KiNdErGaRtEn! At the same time, we are offering professional development by presenting evening workshops to teachers that illustrate early learning and transition essentials through a variety and abundance of meaningful, hands-on materials and manipulatives.
Opportunities for mentoring and for professional development are just two of the ways that KBound is helping to BRIDGE THE GAP between preschool and kindergarten.


Our KBound MiniMEs have become the HEART of our blog and our workshops

MyOwnCuddly.com created our "real"  MiniMEs,

who go on the road with us

MiniMEs are an integral part of our power point presentations! Shown above, they help to demonstrate the many benefits of YOGA in the classroom (and they also help to protect the identity of young learners ;)
                                                                                                  

They began as simple characters, constructed with simple shapes.  They were created to represent us in cartoon form among the printed stories that we would share.  When they took on their plush 3D form, they began their travel-by-suitcase with us, appearing at workshops to look "cute"!  With each day they seemed to be quietly supporting us in our work... cheering us on!  Today we speak of them as part of the team.  When in doubt, we ask each other, "What would the MeMes do?"  They have, indeed, become sorta silent partners (isn't that right MeMes?)?  OK, ... moving on ...

Along with our MeMes, we bring an ABUNDANCE of other visuals to our workshops! Manipulatives and charts and books and props and stuffed, supporting dolls are toted wherever we go. . .  

Setting Up takes time. . . 2 hours ahead of start time

We've presented in a Township Hall basement and in fancy -ISDs.  It doesn't seem to matter where we meet!  Our meeting locations (which are set up by CCR- thanks Ladies!) are quickly transformed and ready for 2 hours of energetic, idea-filled Kbound fun :)  Our very first presentation took us to Barry county... to which we hauled tubs-full and bags-full and suitcases-full and poster-size-carriers-full of materials.  After several trips to the car and back, through hallways and up three floors, one of us declared (hearing her father's no-nonsense, this-is-ridiculous-and-I'm-not-doing-this-again.EVER. voice in her head), "ONE TRIP!  From now on, we make ONE. TRIP!"!!!!! . . . to which the other of us replied (hearing her own highly organized, motivated-to-tweak voice in her head), "CHECK!"!!!!  Today we each roll a lightweight dolly (the kind with wheels, not the sit-on-our-shoulder 'conscience' types ;) with one large plastic tub, stacked efficiently with computer bags, etc. SIMPLE. MANAGEABLE. CHECK. CHECK. CHECK! (thanks Jodie)  
  

Ready for a group of eager educators!

Just can't separate Math and Literacy instruction!

Set up and Ready ...  We had a nice facility, state-of-the-art equipment, and a warm welcome in Lawrence!

    Our workshop participants are able to peek at some of our materials...

Simple, Meaningful, Funsical materials @ KBound.com  OR  TeachersPayTeachers.com

               CHEERS to sharing what we know WORKS! 
               CHEERS to the little ones who can do SO MUCH . . . 
    and to teachers who aren't afraid to EXPECT MORE of them! 

         COMING SOON:  KBound presents... 
         "Early Childhood Classroom Organization & Behavior Management"
                                                          and
       "Parent/Teacher Conferences: Transition from Preschool to Kindergarten"

                               
                                                    STAY TUNED!

                                                          M&J :) :)