early-years-teacher/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — early years teacher

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 25-2012.00 (Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education).

Task statements

• [Core] Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
• [Core] Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
• [Core] Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
• [Core] Instruct students individually and in groups, adapting teaching methods to meet students' varying needs and interests.
• [Core] Read books to entire classes or to small groups.
• [Core] Demonstrate activities to children.
• [Core] Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
• [Core] Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
• [Core] Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
• [Core] Prepare children for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
• [Core] Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to children.
• [Core] Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
• [Core] Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine their priorities for their children and their resource needs.
• [Core] Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling.
• [Core] Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
• [Core] Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or special academic interests.
• [Core] Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
• [Core] Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.
• [Core] Assimilate arriving children to the school environment by greeting them, helping them remove outerwear, and selecting activities of interest to them.
• [Core] Maintain accurate and complete student records and prepare reports on children and activities as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• [Core] Prepare materials, classrooms, and other indoor and outdoor spaces to facilitate creative play, learning and motor-skill activities, and safety.
• [Core] Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of kindergarten programs.
• [Core] Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate children's progress.
• [Core] Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
• [Core] Organize and label materials and display children's work in a manner appropriate for their sizes and perceptual skills.
• [Core] Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
• [Core] Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
• [Core] Administer standardized ability and achievement tests and interpret results to determine children's developmental levels and needs.
• [Core] Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
• [Core] Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
• [Core] Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guests, or other experiential activities and guide students in learning from those activities.
• [Core] Involve parent volunteers and older students in children's activities to facilitate involvement in focused, complex play.
• [Core] Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
• [Core] Perform administrative duties, such as assisting in school libraries, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
• [Core] Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.
• [Core] Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
• [Supplemental] Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.

Detailed work activities

• Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress.
• Advise students on academic or career matters.
• Apply multiple teaching methods.
• Arrange childcare or educational settings to ensure physical safety of children.
• Assist students with special educational needs.
• Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
• Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
• Create technology-based learning materials.
• Develop instructional objectives.
• Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.
• Discuss problems or issues with supervisors.
• Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.
• Display student work.
• Distribute instructional or library materials.
• Document lesson plans.
• Encourage students.
• Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
• Evaluate performance of educational staff.
• Evaluate student work.
• Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
• Maintain student records.
• Manage outreach activities.
• Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.
• Monitor student behavior, social development, or health.
• Monitor student performance.
• Order instructional or library materials or equipment.
• Plan educational activities.
• Plan experiential learning activities.
• Prepare reports detailing student activities or performance.
• Prepare tests.
• Provide for basic needs of children.
• Read to students.
• Serve on institutional or departmental committees.
• Set up classroom materials or equipment.
• Supervise school or student activities.
• Supervise student research or internship work.
• Teach life skills.
• Teach others to use technology or equipment.