May 2016 TK Conference Materials
Learn with Us
The sold out 5th Annual TK Conference was co-hosted by Early Edge California and New Teacher Center and co-sponsored by First 5 California and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). It provided TK professionals with innovative strategies, practical resources, and hands-on activities to take back to their TK classrooms for a high-quality experience for young learners.
Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, kicked off the conference with a presentation about the power of learning through play. At lunchtime, Cecelia Fisher-Dahms, administrator of the Quality Improvement Office at the California Department of Education – Early Education and Support Division, discussed new professional development modules for TK, and Assemblymember Kevin McCarty spoke about the importance of TK and advocacy.
Below are materials from each of the workshop sessions and video of the luncheon presentation and select workshops.
Speaker and Workshop Presenter Biographies
Luncheon Keynote and Presentation |
The Importance of TK and Advocacy – Assemblymember Kevin McCarty
New TK Professional Development Modules – Cecelia Fisher-Dahms, Early Education and Support Division, California Department of Education |
Workshop Sessions
Intentional Play for Critical LearningThroughout this session, participants will explore the value of play and its critical role in developing young children’s social-emotional, mathematical and literacy skills aligned to the Preschool Learning Foundations. Participants will be able to articulate the importance of play in learning, explain the stages of play, identify materials needed for play, and discuss a teacher’s role in supporting intentional play. |
Presenters: | Betsy Fox, New Teacher Center
Robin Pence, Lynwood Elementary, Novato Unified School District |
Presentation:
Handouts: |
Intentional Play for Critical Learning |
Session Video: |
Teaching Numeracy through Centers and PlayPlease join us for a fun, hands-on experience of Common Core and Preschool Learning Foundations aligned Number Sense activities. Participants will walk away with 10 easy to implement activities that can be used in centers, small group, and whole group settings. |
Presenters: | Barbara Chisholm, San Francisco Unified School District
Lauren Boyles, Starr King Elementary, San Francisco Unified School District Nicole Zanotelli, Dr. Charles Drew Elementary, San Francisco Unified School District |
Presentation:
Handouts: |
Teaching Numeracy through Centers and Play |
Using Powerful Interactions with Children to Support their Thinking, Knowledge, and LanguageParticipants in this engaging session will learn concrete teaching strategies for developing children’s thinking skills using the Powerful Interactions framework. Explore how to help your young learners see themselves as thinkers, how to ask questions that develop their analysis and reasoning skills, and how to prompt their thought processes. |
Presenter: | John Gunnarson, Early Care and Education Consultant |
Presentation:
Handouts: |
Powerful Interactions |
Session Video: |
Developing Comprehension and Language Skills through Interactive Read Alouds
This interactive session focuses on implementing effective early learning read alouds that promote oral language and comprehension strategies for all children including dual language learners. This session will include family engagement opportunities and additional read aloud resources.
Presenters: | Kristin Tripathy, New Teacher Center
Kaytie Smith, New Teacher Center |
Presentation:
Handouts: |
Effective Early Learning Read Aloud
Effective Read Aloud Packet, Read Aloud Article, CROWD handout, PEER handout, Not a Box Lesson Plan |
Session Video: |
Emergent Writing in the TK Classroom
This session will give you tools and activities to get your TK children excited about writing. You will learn about the stages of writing development and discuss tips and strategies on how writing can easily be incorporated throughout the day. You’ll learn fun and engaging ways to embed writing into whole group, small group, and play, addressing the needs of emergent writing through activities that develop fine motor skills, pencil grip and multi sensory writing experiences that utilize the entire body.
Presenters: | Drew Giles, Oakland Unified School District
Nicole Nelson, New Teacher Center |
Presentation:
Handouts: |
TK Writing Done Write |
Session Video: |
Rituals and Routines that Build Social Emotional and Literacy Skills
This session will explore the value of implementing meaningful routines and rituals throughout the day in your TK classroom. We will share strategies and investigate the ways in which our routines, rituals and transitions help us connect with children to create intentional relationships that nurture children’s social and emotional development and prepare them to be engaged learners in our classrooms.
Presenters: | Janis Arnerich, New Teacher Center
Esmeralda Fuentes, New Teacher Center |
Presentation:
Handouts: |
Rituals and Routines |
Organizing a Classroom for Optimal Learning
In this session, participants will engage in thinking about the classroom environment and discuss why, what, and how to intentionally create a space for all students to engage and learn. Throughout the session we will articulate and observe the characteristics of effective physical and emotional environments, with special attention paid to a culturally responsive and social emotional development lens.
Presenters: | Bee Medder, New Teacher Center
Elia Garcia, New Teacher Center |
Presentation:
Handouts: |
Strategic Design of Classroom Environments |
Supporting Effective TK Instruction: Setting the stage for Common Core (morning only)
Much evidence suggests that the work of high quality Early Learning classrooms prepares children to develop the foundations of Common Core skills. During this session, participants will explore the connection between the Preschool Learning Foundations and Common Core Standards, refine observation skills through the use of classroom video and consider the opportunities that come from aligning effective teacher support in the Early Learning and the K-12 space.
Presenters: | Lisa Mount, New Teacher Center
Jenna Wachtel, New Teacher Center |
Presentation:
Handouts: |
Supporting Effective TK Instruction
Supporting Effective TK Packet, Supporting TK Instruction Handout |
Leading for Quality Early Learning: TK Administrator PLC (afternoon only)
Administrators and TK support providers are invited to an interactive session designed to address problems of practice leaders face when introducing high quality TK teaching and learning opportunities to their schools and districts. During the workshop, we will explore the TK Implementation Guide and offer additional resources to draw from as we discuss implementation and troubleshoot challenges.
Presenters: | Emily Grossberg, New Teacher Center
Jenna Wachtel, New Teacher Center |
Presentation:
Handouts: |
Leading for Quality Early Learning Power Point
TK Implementation Guide, Leading for Quality Early Learning Handout |
The Power of Our Voice – Advocating for TK (afternoon only)
Join us for an interactive advocacy opportunity to engage legislators and/or their staff in the state Capitol to showcase the benefits of transitional kindergarten programs in your school district. In this session you will learn techniques and strategies that will prepare you to make the case for broadening investments and/or educating policymakers about the core elements that make TK successful. (Please note: this session may last longer than 90 minutes depending on the timing of meetings scheduled at the Capitol. All meetings will conclude by 4:00pm at the latest.)
Presenters: | Araceli Sandoval-Gonzales, Early Edge California
Ana Moreno, New Teacher Center |
Presentation:
Handouts: |
The Power of Our Voice
TK Legislative Visit Guide, TK Handout for Legislative Packets, Social Media Tips |
Sponsored by First 5 California and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)