Pre-K teachers: how can I incorporate reading to students 7 times daily into pre-K schedule?

Question

It makes me crazy when I substitute teach in pre-K and kindergarten classes in schools in poor neighborhoods and the emphasis is on lining up quietly. The emphasis should be on constantly reading to these kids, who will NOT get it at home. I will be student-teaching in the fall, and then will be a certified teacher. I want to read to the class while lining up for recess, which will not work. But how can I get in lots of reading time around the time constraints?

I just pulled 7 out of the air. I wrote this at 3 in the morning, so it reflects the impatience I felt. I so value ALL of the reflective answers I have been getting. Thank you, thank you. I'm creative too, but let's face it, many heads are better than just one and you folks have the experience, I just have the determination. I am a non-stop reader who knows how much fun reading can be (among other things) and want my students to read as well as they breathe, the same way I do. I know that's an ideal, esp. given the dominance of television and computer games, but that's why I want to get 'em young and get my licks in (i.e. influence them to value reading). I so appreciate all the ideas, some match my own thinking and some are novel and gratefully accepted. Thank you, thank you.

Answer 1

Much about Pre-K is learning how to learn--following school rules, self-control, social norms, and etiquette.

Instead of trying to cram reading 7 times a day--as if the number 7 is some magical number--try reading to your kids every day for a significant amount of time.

As a teacher, you must realize you will not be the only teacher in the lives of these children. They will have many, many more. You won't be able to teach them Calculus--another teacher may much, much later.

Follow YOUR curriculum and pray other teachers will follow their curriculum as well.

Moreover, try putting print material in front of them as much as possible. Reading is not just novels.

If you say, the Pledge of Allegiance, then have printed copies in front of them to "read."

Before you line up, have them "read" the classroom procedure for doing so, which should be printed somewhere in the room.

Before you go to recess, have them "read" the playground rules, and play with them during this time. Don't just gossip with other teachers at the picnic bench.

Teach them a song to sing while they are walking to and from places. Understanding pace and tone of normal speaking is just as important a reading skill.

Finally, remember that kids are kids--do not overwhelm them--Pre-K kids need some down time too.

Good Luck....

Answer 2

I agree with you. Reading involves so many things: Phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, fluency, vocabulary. Use a lot of poems. You can start chanting a familiar poem as a signal to cleanup. They should be ready and waiting by the time the poem is over. This can also be used to line them up.
You can read to them during snack time, pull vocabulary words and reward them for using them throughout the day.
Make connections between stories you have read with other content areas: science, math, social studies.
Once you get the ball rolling it will get easier.
My son is in Pre-k and I am amazed at the things he is learning in a 1/2 day program.
Good Luck!!