TEACHER'S CORNER: KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS USE SENSES IN DAILY WORK

One group of children listen to a story on tape in one corner while others play in a kitchen area or take turns at a computer game.

The flurry of activity in the brightly colored room might seem like play, but it's a regular part of the day for students in Sharon Shaw's classroom.

"Young children have the right to behave as children, not as adults in the classroom," said Shaw, who teaches kindergarten at Alma Schrader Elementary School. "They have the right to be listened to, to be taken seriously and to be given logical explanations."

Shaw tries to give reasonable explanations when explaining lessons to the children.

After spending time at the centers, the group of rambunctious students gathered in a circle to answer questions about science and matter.

Shaw recorded the children's reactions to "How does matter feel?" as she passed different materials around the circle.

"Constant thought and preparation must go into everything we say and do around young children," she said. "Teaching kindergarten is a truly rewarding career. Each day brings many special and humorous moments."

Humor is important in the life of a kindergarten student, Shaw learned. After studying the five senses, she asked her class which sense they would most hate to lose.

One boy replied, "My sense of humor."

And with the variety of "work centers" in the classroom, students can always test their senses and skills. Students can listen to reading-readiness tapes, write letters or play in a kitchen area at the learning centers.

During one hands-on activity, students caught snowflakes on black construction paper.

One boy, named Joel, looked up and said, "This is the most wonderful day of my life," Shaw said.

Shaw has been teaching for 24 years, most of them were spent in Nebraska. She received a master's degree in early childhood education in 1993 from Southeast Missouri State University.

She and her husband, Randall, have two children.