PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING

We teach using a combination of thematic units and a workshop approach to help support and make teaching the curriculum fun.  Our first theme or unit is entitled "Getting to know you".  This theme will focus on the child and his/her favorite things etc.

We believe in using many hands-on activities and projects that revolve around our theme (i.e.- your child will be drawing a self portrait, using play-doh to form the letters of his/her first name, making graphs, collages, etc.). Research shows that these types of activities keep children actively involved in school and are much more enjoyable than sitting all day.

You will notice that reading, writing and math will be a very strong part of the curriculum.  Research also shows that the earlier children are presented with early reading and writing concepts, the better.

It is very important to note that we believe in presenting and not pressuring with academics. Our methods of presenting include learning centers, reading and writing workshop, singing, fun stories, and projects opposed to a complete worksheet approach. This helps to ensure that children are learning and having fun.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL KINDERGARTEN DAY LOOK LIKE?

A typical day in the classroom might look like this: 

8:55-9:00    Get ready for the day

Students come in, hang up coats, and check daily jobs.  Attendance is taken.

9:00-9:20    Independent Writing

9:20-9:35    Snack and Bathroom

9:35-9:50    Morning Meeting: Songs to unite, greeting, picture book or poem, shared reading of the day’s schedule; morning message and alphabet work with names

9:50-10:30 Free Play             

10:30-11:15  Centers :Art/Fine Motor Development, Literacy Development, Handwriting and iPads

11:15-11:45   Reading Workshop 

11:50-12:30  Music and Movement, Calendar and Weather

12:30-1:10    Lunch and Recess

1:15-1:35      Bathroom break and Quiet Time

1:40-2:05    Writing Workshop 

2:10-2:50    Specials : Art, Gym, Music, Library, Tech Time

2:55-3:10    Word Work (word wall words), Phonics Lessons, Shared Reading with a Big Book or Making Meaning 

3:15-3:40    Math Workshop

3:40-3:50    Time to get ready to go home

The schedule may differ slightly from above.  For example, some projects and activities will take longer.  We might have other things that we need to get done.

LUNCH PROCEDURE

At the beginning of the year, if you have pre-paid and put money on your child’s lunch card, please put a note in the green folder each day letting me know they are getting hot lunch.  This will be helpful to me and your child because they often don’t understand the difference between hot lunch/cold lunch stuff at the beginning of the school year.  It will be one less thing for them to worry about. 

When sending money for any reason, please do the following:

We will take the children to lunch and help them go through the hot lunch line. The lunch room paraprofessionals will help the children with opening up things.  In the past, some of the students have had a lot of anxiety about the lunchroom, but it always disappears after a few weeks.  As with anything, it takes time for your child to adjust. You can talk about it at home.  A few classroom discussions will also help.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND BEHAVIOR

Our classroom and behavior management comes from an approach called Conscious Discipline, by Dr. Becky Bailey. It is based on brain development, behavior and building a school family.  Conscious Discipline promotes a safer, more caring and responsive environment.  

Conscious Discipline is designed to teach the following:

·         Anger Management

·         Helpfulness (pro-social skills)

·         Assertiveness

·         Impulse Control

·         Cooperation

·         Empathy

·         Problem Solving

Our goal from this approach is for our school family to develop a sense of community, responsibility and communication skills where all students feel safe to learn.  

DISMISSAL/BUS PROCEDURE

The bus your child rides in the morning is the same bus he/she rides after school.  The bus garage gives us each child’s bus number.  We will board each child on the bus every afternoon and will do so until the end of the school year.  If any discrepancy exists between the numbers the bus garage gives us and the one you were told, please call or write us a note immediately.

Important:  If your child’s dismissal procedure differs from the norm that day, please send a note (i.e. if you are picking your child up and he/she is not to ride the bus).  Frequently, at this age, children mix up days.  This will avoid any confusion and keep your child safe.  Thank you. 

SPECIAL CLASSES

Your child will have art, gym (tennis shoes are required on these days), music, and library this year.  We will send home a schedule as soon as we receive ours.

FIELD TRIPS, PARTIES, BIRTHDAYS

We will take a few field trips throughout the year.  There will be one field trip in the fall and one at the end of the year when the children are ready for school to be out!  

We will have classroom parties with treats and games on all the major holidays.

You are welcome to send in birthday treats for your child's birthday.  Please send them in first thing in the morning.  We have our birthday treats at snack time.   

CONTACTING ME

The best way to contact is by e-mail, I check this every morning and at night.    You can call the Harvey-Swanson Elementary office and they will give my voicemail.  I will get back with you as soon as we have a break from the classroom.  You can also write a note, and I will respond that day.  I am available before and after school, just give me a call so that we can make sure to be in the classroom.  

We hope this information is helpful.