Archive for November 22, 2011

The New Roman Missal: Part 2

Teaching preschoolers about the revised Roman Missal is not easy, to say the least. Lots of grownups will be confused! But I’m giving it a try … and incorporating a little teaching across the curriculum in the process. Read more

Grateful for God … Friends … Thanksgiving Break!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday for any age group. Preschoolers understand the concepts of working together … making friends … sharing: themes we work on all year. And that’s what we concentrated on during our Thanksgiving party! Read more

How to Keep a 4-Year-Old on Task

Carter (I’m not using his real name) had some behavior issues today, but overall he’s been improving since the start of the year. Together, he and I have worked on strategies to help him stay in control. (Email me at smacdonald@smmsisters.org for the form that you see at the bottom of this post and I’ll send it to you!) Read more

A Cheery Way to Manage Behavior

I love 123 Magic! I have modified this wonderful discipline technique a bit to fit my style of teaching. Here’s how I use it with my kids.

Using a Traffic Light theme, I assign my kids colors based on their behavior each day. Green represents good behavior, Yellow is a little naughty, and Red means it’s been a rough day.  Read more

New Roman Missal Lesson 1: “And with your spirit”



Catholic school teachers have been asked by the Peoria Diocese to prepare our students for the missal change beginning in Advent. How do you prepare 4-year-olds, I wondered. Impossible. They’re still fighting the urge to play in the holy water! (This photo is from our trip to the monastery. They loved our big hammered brass font … and wanted to play in it!!) Read more

Happy Veterans Day!

We enjoyed a school-wide celebration and Mass with veterans. We thanked them for their selfless service and waved our flags with joy!!!!

Introducing a New Student

It’s always challenging to welcome a new child into a class that has been together for several weeks. Friends have been made. On top of that, the new child will miss his old friends. Well, after 15 years of teaching, I have a couple of strategies that usually work. (Father Greg’s play strategies help, too!) Read more

In the Trenches with Preschool Parents

As anyone who teaches knows, parent-teacher conferences are a stressful time for everyone – teachers, parents and students alike!

Well, maybe not all kids stress over it. But I did. And I don’t want my kids to worry now. So here’s what I do.  Read more