Independent Reading
After students complete their morning responsibilities, they participate in our first reading period of the day. During this time students are invited to read from a variety of books.
Special
Every day children will leave the classroom for a special. The schedule is:
Monday: P.E. (Remember to wear sneakers!)
Tuesday: Art
Wednesday: Music
Thursday: Library (Remember to return your book!)
Friday: Art
Snack and Lunch
Students have 15 minutes to eat one snack and have one drink. Students can either purchase snack or bring a healthy snack from home.
Fundations Phonics
Fundations is a phonics program designed to teach students letter names, sounds, recognize letters, correct letter formations, spelling, and phonemic awareness.
Reading Workshop and Literacy Centers
Reading workshop consists of shared reading, read alouds, poetry, conferences with the teacher, partner talk, and centers devoted to literacy. We will focus on story elements: setting, characters, problem and solution. We will focus on sequencing: first, next, last. Try to discuss these with your child while reading books at home. During literacy centers, I will conference with students to learn more about their interests and get a better understanding if each child as a reader. Later in the year, we will begin guided reading. During this time, books are chosen that are appropriate for each child. The students will learn and practice reading strategies such as using picture clues, and finding word chunks to help them figure out words as they read. The children will learn many high frequency words that will be posted in our classroom on our word wall.
Lunch
A lunch menu will be sent home each month. Please take a moment to check the menu at home if your child is having school lunch so that your child is aware of the available choices.
Quiet Time
This is a time for students to relax and enjoy listening to a story on tape. During this time, they develop listening and picturing skills.
Recess
Recess is every day for 20 minutes. Kindergarteners play on the small playground or blacktop area with balls, chalk, and other small toys. We will go outside for recess when the weather permits. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather. During inclement weather, recess is a board game, drawing, or floor puzzle.
Writing Workshop
Each writing workshop session involves a mini lesson, active engagement, and sharing experiences. We will work on units of study that include a letter book, labeling book, author study and an “all about” book. Tools that we may use during writing workshop include flair pens, colored pencils, writing paper, and writing folders.
Math Workshop
The math program used in kindergarten is Math Investigations. Each math session consists of a mini-lesson with students participating in explorations, through centers and games using math manipulatives. Tools include: pattern blocks, connecting cubes, geoblocks, buttons, colored tiles, calendar, and counting cubes. We will learn about counting, classifying, sorting, patterns, more and less, tallying, graphing, recording information, and numerical recognition and formation.
Center Time/Afternoon Choice Time
This is a time for students to engage in dramatic play and building centers. They get to exercise their imagination!
Get Ready to Go Home
Each night students will be sent home with a mail folder containing important notices, handouts, and items completed throughout the school day. Please have your child return the mail folder to school each day.
Dismissal
If there is a change in your child’s dismissal plan, please send a written note to school. Dismissal cannot be changed without one.