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| High school students create learning games for preschoolers |
Staff Photo by Stacey Hairston:
Students in FCHS’s Teachers for Tomorrow class recently created handmade games for preschoolers at Teens-N-Tots Early Learning Center. |
Monday, February 11, 2013
By STACEY HAIRSTON - Staff Writer
Franklin County High School Teachers for Tomorrow students recently created games for preschoolers at Teens-N-Tots Early Learning Center.
The games were all handmade by the students and featured hopscotch, matching and activities to teach sounds, letters, shapes and different body parts.
Teachers for Tomorrow is a class at FCHS for students interested in the profession of teaching. The class counts as two credits since it lasts for two semesters. The first semester focuses on classroom instruction and second semester consists of internships.
Students enrolled in the class intern at county elementary schools, BFMS and the Gereau Center.
"The students actually help teach a class," said Marsha Lopez, Teachers for Tomorrow instructor. "It's a good way for them to see for themselves whether or not teaching is really something they want to do."
Teens-N-Tots, while similar to Teachers for Tomorrow, differs in that the students work one on one with small children.
"We are an early learning center for the community," said Jessica Leftwich, instructor of the Teens-N-Tots class.
Children ages 3 and 4 come to the center, located on the FCHS campus, three days a week.
"We currently have 28 children that come here," said Leftwich.
Students in the class are taught skills in early childhood development. They make their own lesson plans, follow a time schedule and introduce activities to the children.
"It's about early childhood education," said Leftwich. "The skills students learn in this class can be used to teach grades through high school."
Children attending the learning center have to be at least 3 years of age and potty trained.
"We have a long waiting list," said Leftwich. "We just about have a full roster for next year already."
Last week, Teachers for Tomorrow visited the Teens-N-Tots class and made game stations for the children.
"This is the second year we have combined the classes in order to introduce learning games to the children," said Leftwich.
"This class gives students hands-on experience with young children," said Jaclyn Mather, an instructor for the Teens-N-Tots class.
Students in both classes, as well as the children, all enjoyed the game time, according to Leftwich, and hope to continue the new tradition in years to come. |
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