Andrea Alvarez

The second half of the VPK/Pre-K year is a crucial time. Students have settled into routines, explored early learning foundations, and are ready to build skills that prepare them for kindergarten. As teachers, we want to make sure our students are mastering the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards  while also feeling confident and excited about learning. Here’s what children should focus on in the second semester—and how you can feel confident covering everything without...

Once you have the assessment data, it’s helpful to know what tools are available so you can turn results into actionable learning steps. Here are useful resources and how teachers can use them: 1. Official Resources & Reports (Florida FAST STAR Early Literacy) From the Florida Department of Education & Renaissance, there are specific PDF guides and reports made for VPK providers / instructors: FAST Star Early Literacy Resources and Reports (PDF) — This contains detailed guidance on...

If you’re teaching VPK, you already know how much we do every single day — circle time, centers, assessments, and all the learning in between! One of the biggest goals we have in VPK is building early literacy skills that set our students up for success in kindergarten and beyond. But “teaching literacy” doesn’t have to mean long lessons or worksheets. In fact, it’s the little things we do every day  that make the biggest difference. Here’s how you can build strong literacy routines in your...