For now the seniors in Kids’ Corner make practice lesson plans, but it won’t be long until they can put their skills to work in a real preschool class, according to Kids’ Corner teacher Kimberly Lenzo. Kids’ Corner is a class where seniors get hands-on experience teaching preschoolers, and the 4- and 5- year olds will come Feb. 26 for their first day of the semester.

“So far this semester, (the seniors) have made mock lesson plans to present to the class. Then, they will give each other critique to make sure the real lesson plans will work for the class,” Lenzo said. “Each student has a different curriculum — math, science, reading — that they need to fit with the theme: snow.”

In addition to matching the theme, students have to make sure they’re meeting the Indiana standards for a preschool, something they have researched throughout the semester, according to Lenzo.

However, they’re teaching extends beyond the classroom at CHS. The seniors will all take rotations teaching Kids’ Corner and assisting in the Edu-Care and Early Childhood programs at the middle and elementary schools. They will choose this week which program they will work at first.

Alexandra “Ali” Hardwick, member of Kids’ Corner and senior, said she’s most excited to visit the other schools, especially the Early Childhood program.

Hardwick said, “It’ll be interesting to work with special needs kids and fun to help them.”

According to Hardwick, she and the other seniors have learned not only how to deal with young kids but also how to act in certain situations with them. She said so far Kids’ Corner has been what she had expected.

According to Lenzo, the seniors have researched a lot about working with different age groups and should be ready to teach when the kids arrive. She said the theme of the first week will be Dr. Seuss with eight others to follow, including Under the Sea and Young Chef.