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Dear Families,
Welcome to Kindergarten at the Kew-Forest School!
Kindergarten is an exciting time of inquiry and discovery where students begin the formal process of reading, writing, and mathematics and where a deeper understanding of social and emotional connections take place. Kindergarteners will also make meaningful connections through science, social studies, and develop a strong sense of connectedness not only to school, but to the world.
Throughout the year the children will foster positive relationships with each other, their teachers, and members of the school community. They will continue to learn about routines, managing time and independence, and how to work and play together while sharing ideas and perspectives. We are excited for the home-school partnership that will help these young learners thrive in their scholastic endeavors!
We hope that these next few months leading up to September are filled with joyful learning experiences and we are looking forward to meeting you soon!
Warm regards,
The Kindergarten Team
(Language, math, & Spanish)
(Language, math, & Spanish)
Have your child sign in today at www.ixl.com/signin
Have your child sign in today at www.ixl.com/signin
We’re proud to introduce IXL Learning, an online learning platform we’ll be using to support students’ continued academic growth in a flexible and personalized way.
What is IXL?
With IXL, your child can access Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies, & Spanish as a World Language skills at their "just right level" for the ultimate personalized learning experience. *including full audio in English & Spanish (PK-12)
With thousands of engaging and adaptive content, your child can keep learning all summer long at their own pace at home and on the go.
Why IXL for Summer Learning?
IXL offers many valuable highlights for our students, including:
Personalized skill plans based on your child’s most recent NWEA MAP Growth RIT scores
Student summary reports
Access to over 17,000 skills across subjects
Adaptive practice that adjusts to support or challenge each student as needed
Alignments with NYS Next Generation Learning Standards (PK–12)
Translations available in 80+ languages for Math, Science, and Social Studies
Engaging learning tools, including games and instructional videos
College entrance test prep opportunities
Real-time insights for teachers to monitor student progress and guide at-home support
How Do I Get Started?
Read the IXL Family Guide, which provides a quick tour of IXL and shows you easy, effective ways to get your child engaged and learning.
Families should have received a welcome email from IXL with a username and password. Sign in with your username and password at www.ixl.com/signin/kewforest. Your child can work from a computer or tablet—anywhere with internet access. Please ask your child’s division head if you don't know this information.
Explore skills on the MAP personalized study plan.
Choose a skill and let the learning begin!
We encourage you to have your child spend a little time each week on IXL this summer to keep their learning fresh and stay confident for the upcoming school year.
reading
reading
As you make choices for read-alouds this summer, please consider choosing books from our booklist suggestions. You could also help your children select books from your own childhood favorites or any age-appropriate books that catch your child’s eye in a library or a bookstore.
Reader's response journal
Reader's response journal
Every student will keep a Reader’s Response Journal to continue practicing the comprehension skills and strategies that they have been taught in class when reading and responding to literature.
Reader's Response Journal Expectations:
The Response Journal must contain:
The title and author of each book read aloud
At least one or two responses per book
The Response Journal may contain:
Pictures and words
We have provided a set of reading response questions organized through the lens of the 7 International Baccalaureate Key Concepts: form, function, causation, change, connection, perspective, and responsibility.
The questions challenge students to think critically and reflect on the texts they're reading while encouraging them to make links to different contexts.
Modifications for Young Children:
You might explore these suggestions from Edutopia as a jumping-off point. Adults may write words for children as they dictate to the grown-up.
For example: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Responses (dictated by child, written by parent): “The caterpillar ate a lot of food!” Students can make pictures to go along with their ideas.
We understand that writing/drawing skills vary greatly at this age, so please do not stress if your child cannot draw. Another idea for the journal is to print photos of family activities and write a short dictation from your child about each photo.
Your child has two options for writing and drawing their Reader's Response entries.
back-to-school supply list
back-to-school supply list
On the first day of school, please make sure your child brings in the following:
Completed Reader’s Response Journal
A backpack (clearly labeled with student’s name) that is large enough to accommodate a Homework Folder measuring 9 in. X 12 in.
Official K-F uniform items (clearly labeled with student’s name)
A full change of clothing placed inside a large Ziploc with your child’s name written on it
A reusable water bottle (clearly labeled with student’s name)
A small blanket and crib-sized sheet or nap mat for rest time
A zippered tote bag or zip lock bag to put rest time blanket and sheet inside
Please note: All other school materials, such as pencils and notebooks, will be supplied by the school. Please also remember to label all uniform items with your child’s name!
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