Northern Illinois Early Childhood Network : October Network Meeting

Peaceful Hearts, Plainfield: East Network School of the Month

Business Meeting:

1 1. The new 2017 – 2018 NID Early Childhood East & West Regions brochure was passed out. It lists all of the meeting dates, times, formats, & contact information. Participants took extra copies to share with additional EC teachers, administrators, and related church professionals. For each meeting, it is helpful to contact the host school via the contact information phone or email address at least one day in advance. Please bring your ideas for the designated topics for each month’s sharing time.

2. Next month’s West Network meeting will be at Immanuel Lutheran School, 1964 West Pearl City Rd., Freeport on Thursday, October 26mfrom 4:30 – 6:30 PM. Contact Dan Green, principal at 815-232-3511 or DGreen@ourgodwithus.com

Our upcoming Early Childhood Network meeting will be held this Thursday, October 19 at Peaceful Hearts, Plainfield. If you have not already done so, please contact Tracy Miranda to RSVP at: peacefulhearts@peaceplainfield.org

Address Information: 24024 W. Main Street (when using GPS: 415 W. Main St.) Plainfield 815-436-9857

The topic for these meetings will be STEM. If you and/or your teachers do not know this acronym then you should attend! If you and/or your teachers do know what STEM entails then you should come and share!

Future and Recently Attended Conferences:

a. Some of the preschool teachers from Concordia Machesney Park attended a conference sponsored by “Learning Without Tears” which previously was known as “Handwriting Without Tears.” This publisher now offers full literacy and math elements to their program. For more information their program and professional development workshops check out their website https://shopping.lwtears.com/prekworkshops Conferences are offered as half day, full day and multi day options running from $250 - $385. Upcoming Chicago area conference dates: Sept 29, 2017, December 1, 2017 & March 9, 2018.

b. University of Wisconsin- Plattvillle Early Childhood Conference:

i. One day conference held in March of each year. March 10, 2018

ii. https://www.uwplatt.edu/continuing/early-childhood-conference

c. University of Wisconsin- Whitewater Early Childhood Conference

i. Two day conference held in April of each year April 6-7, 2018

ii. $100 for 1 day $180 for 2 days

iii. https://www.uww.edu/ce/camps/additional-camps-events/ecc

d. An Early Childhood Teacher was discussed as a highly regarded sectional speaker from the Rockford Lutheran August 2017 Teachers Conference:

Linda Figgins – she spoke on early childhood math related topics. We will contact Rockford Lutheran to secure her contact information. She could be a possible speaker for an early childhood network meeting (2018 – 2019), at the NID- LCMS Teachers Conference (Oct 2018) or the Concordia Early Childhood Conference (Aug 2018)

Sharing Topic of the Evening: Large Motor Development & Activities

Immanuel, Belvidere: A lot of effort has been placed on appropriate usage of their outdoor playground and improving materials and resources available for use by the EC classes and staff. Some their athletic fundraising monies have gone specifically for EC large motor materials. Immanuel’s teachers have developed teaching plans using Perceptual-Motor Lesson Plans Level 1 by Jack Capon. One teacher at a time sets up the equipment for use during a given day by all of the EC classes in attendance that day. Each teacher may vary the equipment and plans to fit the needs of their individual class.

Christ the Rock, Rockford: they are DCFS licensed so they use much of the large motor equipment such as slides, boats, steps, etc.. from the DCFS equipment list. They integrate large motor activities into their entire thematic day and learning environments. They use their equipment to effectively motivate their students to want to try new motor skill areas. Example: Backwards Slide Day

Concordia, Machesney Park: recently created a “Ninja” circuit in their gym and it was well used and enjoyed by their early childhood students. They also work with “Kid Spots” in Roscoe and the “Gymnastics Academy” for additional enrichment large motor experiences both at their locations and at Concordia.

Shepherd of the Valley, Rockford: effectively use a separate classroom and the hallways for their large motor activities. This creative use of space works well for them.

Immanuel, Freeport: use a lot of outdoor play, especially at this time of the year in addition to equipment such as giant rubberbands, and Ytube movement/dance videos.

St. Peter, Arlington Heights: are beginning to use some “animal” & “shape” yoga posters and books in their motor room. www.kidsyogastories.com/faq-kids-yoga/stories Some free downloads are available. Animal yoga pictures and other related materials are located at Mother Natured https://mothernatured.com/animal-play/animal-yoga-for-kids/

Idea to be explored: Having elementary K-8 schools come to free standing early childhood centers to do demonstrations such as dance, sporting games, and/or setting up large motor circuits using their elementary students and equipment was suggested. These activities would be a great bridging activity between these early childhood centers and the local Lutheran elementary schools as well as great, memorable large motor experiences.

Challenges to Leading Motor Activities:

1. Storage of equipment

2. Cost of equipment

3. Set-up and clean-up of equipment…..who does it at your school? One person each day or every early childhood teacher

4. Helping children learn to walk up and down stairs at the schools

5. Yoga…is it Lutheran enough?

NID West Region School of the Month:

Concordia Lutheran School, Machesney Park:

Concordia Lutheran School hosts a full wing of four preschool and extended care classrooms as well as a variety of offices. It serves children 3-6 years old. It recently was totally repainted through a local community service grant. The staff include teachers Kara Rehfledt and Arlene Torres as well as principal Joel Koehler. Concordia also has an elementary department which serves kindergarten through 8^th grade in its north region of the Rockford area.