Anderson sock-hoppers so cool!

   

   
Anderson Early Childhood Center students danced to the beat of the music on Friday October, 20, at their annual Sock Hop, organized and orchestrated by Anderson music teacher Ginger Cunningham and PE teacher Katherine Hamilton. They learned to do the “Chicken” dance, the Mamba #5, and the Electric Slide, among others. Two weeks of special training in PE and music classes prepared them for this special day when the kids put on their best ‘50s dancing clothes and were oh so cool!
 

“T” stands for tadpole; “F” stands for frog

When learning about the letters “Tt” and “Ff,” one of Judy Deming’s students brought tadpoles to her classroom. “It has been an exciting learning experience for my class as they have watched the tadpoles evolve into frogs,” The first thing the students did each morning was look to see if the tadpole they saw yesterday had become a frog overnight. I love science and this had been a fun way to incorporate science into the kindergarten curriculum,” Ms. Deming said.
 

Parents volunteer at Anderson

Kristy Jarrett, mother of Kristoff Peete, a student at Anderson Early Childhood Center, is one of the school’s parents who volunteer to help out at the school. Here she is helping several students at the school’s book fair in late September. “This is my first time (to volunteer), but I will probably come at least once a week,” she said.

Anderson Early Childhood Center Principal Mary Deaton is on a mission again this year to keep the parents involved in the school through volunteering to help the teachers during the school day.

“Research shows the earlier we can teach the children, the better they do,” Mrs. Deaton said, adding that the volunteers work with small groups of students, who are struggling academically, in 15-minute sessions on whatever skills they are having trouble mastering. Throughout the year, teachers monitor the students through assessments to keep them abreast of their strengths and weaknesses.

Mrs. Deaton also said that the materials the volunteers use to tutor the children are completely scripted so that anyone can use them. These materials include lessons in recognizing letters and sounds, basic math skills, sequencing, and language lessons. “We appreciate our parents participating and helping our students,” Mrs. Deaton said. “Their service is so valuable to our students.”

Rachel Hurst goes from library to school librarian

Rachel Hurst, a former librarian at the Jackson-Madison County Library, is in her first year of teaching at Anderson as the school’s librarian. In late September she was in charge of the school’s book fair where students can purchase books and games. “They can make a wish list and take it home, then the parents can send the money if they want to buy them for their children.” Some of the proceeds from the book fair are used to purchase more books for the school.