PreK Parade

🎉 Welcome to the very first edition of The Pre-K Parade! 🎉

We're excited to introduce this new quarterly newsletter created especially for our Region 14 Prekindergarten teachers. Think of it as your go to stop along the parade route for important reminders, classroom inspiration, teacher spotlights, book recommendations, helpful resources, and practical tips to support you throughout the school year.

As we march into a brand-new school year, we hope your classrooms are filled with laughter, curiosity, meaningful learning, and plenty of memorable moments. Thank you for the heart, creativity, and dedication you bring to your students each day. We're excited to celebrate the incredible work happening in your classrooms and cheer you on every step of the way.

Here's to a fantastic school year—let the parade begin! 🎈

Let's celebrate the amazing things happening in our Pre-K classrooms! We would love to visit your classroom or feature photos of creative lessons, centers, special events, or ideas that are bringing learning to life. If you have something you'd like to share, please invite us to visit your classroom or email us pictures and a brief description. We all learn from one another! (Please do not include photos with student faces visible.)

Your guide to upcoming dates, important reminders, and helpful resources to keep your classroom on the right path.

• TEA Approved Pre-K Progress Monitoring List 2024–2027 official instruments for tracking emergent literacy, math, and developmental progress. (New list coming 2027)
• Visual Supports for Routines, Schedules, and Transitions download printable visual cards, transition warnings, and positive behavior supports for families to use at home.
• Texas SPED Support Instructional Support Toolkit download classroom tools, including behavior cue cards, first/then boards, wait cards, and mini-schedules for handwashing or circle time
• Early Childhood Outcomes and Prekindergarten Guidelines Alignment Tool on Texas SPED Support to connect Pre-K guidelines directly to the Early Childhood Outcomes. (developmental continuums to help write precursor goals for students functioning below 3- or 4-year-old benchmarks, plus prompts for embedding IEP goals directly into center rotations and daily routines.)

Your stop for center ideas, station inspiration, and reminders of the power of play, music, and hands-on learning.

If you attended the Early Childhood Symposium this summer, Layne talked about the importance of music for self regulation! Children regulate best when adults meet them where they are. Matching the rhythm of the music to students' energy before gradually slowing the tempo can support smoother transitions and help prepare their brains and bodies for learning. The songs have been added to a Spotify playlist for your convenience. Just click the music menu below! (If you do not have have a Spotify account, you can sign up for free with your google account.)

A little magic can go a long way! This section features quick teacher hacks, organization ideas, and time-saving tips to make your day just a little easier.

This issue's magic: Need to remove permanent marker from a whiteboard? Simply color over the Sharpie with a Dry Erase marker, then wipe it away!