What to Expect in Kindergarten
Reading:
In Kindergarten we use the reading series “Reading Street” by Scott Foresman. Reading street focuses on the five core areas of reading instruction. Those five areas are phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. The literature in Reading Street is culturally diverse and is organized around themes.
Reading Aloud:
Reading aloud to your child is so important! Developing a love of reading starts at a young age and teaches children that reading is fun. Please do your best to read with your child every night for 20 minutes. I have included additional information on reading with your child.
Reading-Writing Connection:
Research shows there is a strong connection between reading and writing. As writing takes place, reading occurs. We will use topics we have read about to make self-to-text connections in our writing. As we become stronger writers, writing will be incorporated across the curriculum.
Listening Center:
I have a reading center that the students will be spending time in throughout the school year. During this time, they will listen to stories and follow along in individual books. They will practice listening comprehension strategies, using illustrations to understand stories and answer comprehension questions to show that they comprehend what they have read.
Other Literacy Centers:
Reading Center: At the reading center students will be taught to select books that are a good “fit” for them to read. This means the book interests them, is not too easy or too hard, and is something they can understand. At the beginning of the year, we teach students that they can also “read” a book by looking at each picture and telling the story themselves. These skills help students build a foundation for reading by learning how to hold a book, look at the pictures and understand what they read.
Writing Center:
At the writing center students will practice writing letters, their names, other student’s names and sight words during the beginning of the year. We will use a variety of writing tools to create an engaging experience.
Word Work:
At the word work center students will engage in different activities where they will practice building words using different vowel patterns and sight words as the year progresses.
Phonics:
At the phonics center they will be working on the different phonics skills we will learn in Kindergarten using a variety of activities. Students will practice decoding words (sounding out new words), writing words and using words in sentences.
Math Series:
In Kindergarten we use the math series “My Math” by McGraw Hill. This program focuses on the five core areas of math instruction. Those five areas are number recognition, number writing 0- 20, addition and subtraction to 10, 2D and 3D shapes and measurement, and counting to 100.
Math Calendar:
Each math lesson will begin with Math Calendar. During math calendar we will review the Days of the Week, Months of the Year, Today is, Yesterday was, Tomorrow will be, counting the days we have had in our month, how many days have we been in school and the days weather. We will also sing songs to review counting to 100.
Math Centers:
After each lesson is taught students will participate in daily math centers to practice skills that have been taught in a hands-on way. During this time students will have their own materials to use and will not share materials with others. This time will also be used so that teachers can provide small group and one on one support for students as needed.
Writing:
We will use the writing series Handwriting Without Tears to teach students to write all uppercase and lowercase letters and numbers. During the first semester our focus is appropriate letter formation. We will use a variety of tools for students to practice this skill. We will also reinforce correct pencil grip. These skills will lay a foundation for students to become successful writers.
2nd Semester:
During our 2nd semester students will begin learning how to write sentences. We will work on starting sentences with uppercase letters, using appropriate finger spaces and correct punctuation. As we begin writing sentences, we will work on sounding out new words and spelling them “phonetically” or the way they sound. We do expect sight words should be spelled correctly since students have a word wall to refer to. New words might look slightly funny to you since students will be using phonetic spelling.
Green Folder/Planner: Planners will come home each day. Please look at your child's behavior color and any messages written.
Homework:
Starting the week of September 14th, you will get a homework packet with either a reading or math assignment for that evening. We will also send home weekly sight words to be practiced. We also ask that you read with your child for 20 minutes each evening. Homework will be checked each week but is not “due” until the last Friday of each month. We will have a monthly “Homework Celebration” for students that have completed all homework each month.
Friday Folders:
Red folders will be sent home on Fridays with your child’s classwork and any notes from the office, me or other teachers. Please make sure you check the folder and send any papers back that need to be returned on Monday or by their indicated due date. Classwork will stay at home.
Online Learning:
Google Classroom:
In the event we need to teach remotely we will use the Google Classroom platform. Each student will be issued a login and password at the beginning of the year to easily access any information for distance learning. Assignments will be posted here and important links to other resources students will need.
*If you need help connecting to google classroom please use the following link
https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/6072460?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
Bloomz:
In Kindergarten we will use the application “Bloomz” to send out messages quickly to all parents. These messages could be reminders, (i.e. picture day, library day, or conference sign up etc). You can also send teachers private messages through Bloomz. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you download the free app and use your child’s login information to access Bloomz at the start of the school year. During your orientation time teachers are available to assist you in this process.