Artist, Educator, Owner of My Primary Prep
Liz White graduated from UCLA with her BA in History. She received her MA in Elementary Education and multiple subject teaching credential from Loyola Marymount University. Liz has also attended The Teacher’s College at Columbia University for a summer intensive program on reading instruction. Liz is passionate about working with young students and has taught TK, Kindergarten and First grade in Los Angeles and San Diego.
As an early childhood teacher for over 12 years, she noticed that many students were lacking the fundamental skills they needed to be successful and confident in their first year of school.
She started her own company, Primary Prep, to help students develop Kindergarten readiness skills. Her company provides Kindergarten readiness assessments, individual learning plans and individual learning sessions designed to meet each child’s needs and help them develop the skills they need to start school confident and ready to learn.
Why Primary Prep?
As an early childhood teacher for the past 12 years, I have noticed that many students come to school underprepared. They often do not know their letters and sounds, how to ask for help or how to write their name. They do not know how to join their peers, share, and play cooperatively. Many young students lack the fundamental skills they need to be successful and confident in their first year of school.
The transition from preschool (which is often play based) to Kindergarten (which is very academic) is challenging for a lot of children. They no longer have hours of free play and endless choices throughout the day. Students have to follow a routine in a new environment, be part of and cooperate within a larger group, listen and follow directions, and make new friends all while learning how to read, write, and count to 100! We will help you and your child feel confident and ready for the big step to primary school.
If you live in the greater San Diego area and have a child entering primary school in the next 1-2 years contact us today to learn more!
*We are now offering virtual services as well!
Liz is passionate about educating the whole child: socially, emotionally and academically. She loves teaching social emotional learning through both art and children’s literature.
Contact Info:
(949) 422-8618
liz@myprimaryprep.com
www.myprimaryprep.com
Liz White’s Art Lessons
My Color Monsters
Students will listen to read aloud, The Color Monster: A Short Story About Emotions, By Anna Llenas and discuss different feelings, why we feel them and validate that all feelings are okay. They will then practice listening and following directions with a directed art project learning how to draw their own Color Monster, using sharpies and watercolors. Students will paint their monster depending on how they are feeling and add their own speech bubble including how they are feeling today.
SEL Connection: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, and Relationship Skills
Unique Self-Portraits
Students will listen to read aloud, There’s Only One You, by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook. The teacher will lead a discussion about what makes us all special and different both on the inside and the outside. Using crayons or colored pencils, students will practice drawing a self portrait making sure to include the features that make them unique.
SEL Connection: Self-Awareness
Bucket Fillers
Students will listen to a read aloud, Have you Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids, by Carol McCloud. The instructor will lead a discussion about what makes us a “bucket filler” and list ways we can all be “bucket fillers.” Students will then create their own bucket through crayon resist watercolor painting and may include a quote about what makes them a “bucket filler.”
SEL Connection: Self-Awareness, Self-Management and Relationship Skills
Directed Art Elephant
Students will listen to a read aloud, Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems and discuss the importance of sharing with others. They will then practice listening and following directions with a directed art project learning how to draw the beloved Elephant, Gerald, using sharpies, watercolor pencils, waterbrush pens, or crayons. Students will add their own speech bubble including what they can share with family and/or peers.
SEL Connection: Self-Awareness, Self-Management and Relationship Skills
Pop Art Inspired by Romero Britto
Students will create their own Pop Art using bold patterns and vibrant colors to express themselves. Students will use planning and organizational skills to create their design and colors. They will improve their focus and discipline through this detail oriented art piece using sharpies and oil pastels.
SEL Connection: Social Awareness