NAME:
Mrs. Hope M. (Bedits) Kanotz
SCHOOL:
Fruitville Elementary, currenty on medical leave of absence. :o(
CLASS:
Kindergarten
SCHOOL PHONE:
(941) 361-6200
About Mrs. K.
Born & raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Bethel Park, to be exact.)
I received a duel Bachelor's of Arts Degree in both Early Childhood and
Elementary Education, graduating in 1991.
I also proudly hold a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Literacy.
I am also ESOL Certified as well as No Child Left Behind certified!
I previously taught Kindergarten outside of Washington, D.C.
for 3 years. (Prince George's County, Maryland)
I have been working in Kindergarten, in Sarasota County since 1995
and I've loved every minute of every experience!
Mission For My Class
I believe my classroom environment reflects real, relevant teaching and
learning. Our classroom curriculum incorporates all the language processes
(listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in a meaningful context using a
Balanced Literacy approach that values purposeful reading and writing. I
encourage children to see themselves as readers, writers, and problem
solvers. I value the process as well as the product, and understand that all
children are unique individuals. The teaching process is based on what we
know about how children learn.
I strive to:
Immerse the students in oral and written language, offering ample
opportunities for experience and practice.
Create a cooperative classroom where children are encouraged to interact
together in a positive way.
Create a print-rich environment.
Give children choices during the day, where they have opportunities to be
responsible for some of their own learning.
Provide multiple opportunities for children to work – independently or with
the teacher – in large groups, small groups, and individually.
Allow opportunities for the teacher to observe and record children and their
learning.
Give children experience with real mathematical and scientific processes.
I also strive to teach a Balanced Reading program based on these beliefs...
Reading programs should be child centered.
Reading for meaning is most important.
Reading must always be rewarding.
Children learn to read by reading, and also by experimenting with writing.
Children need to be read to every day.
Children learn best with books that have meaning and are interesting.
The best approach to teaching reading is a combination of approaches,
Offering instruction in phonics and phoneme skills as well as experience
with good literature. This is the essence of "Balanced Literacy."
The foundations of literacy are laid in these early years.
Teaching “Phonics” as well as “Phonemic Awareness” in My Classroom.
By using Big Books, Pocket Chart, and Literacy Station activities with known
text, used in the context of a meaningful task.
Through interactive music and movement activities.
All of this as part of the daily routines.
Tied to literature, themes, stories, chants, songs, and poems.
Modeled through teacher demonstration and student interaction.
Integrated with journal work, writing times, and special word books.
Through Guided Writing and Guided Reading lessons.
Through child-guided book making.
Through the use of a word wall.
And so much more that has not been mentioned!
