Kindergarten

Children will be actively involved in first-hand experiences, which arouse curiosity and interest as well as promote individual cognitive growth. The process rather than the product will be emphasized.

These experiences will include, but will not be limited to:

• Math
• Reading Readiness/Language
• Social Studies
• Creative and Expressive Arts

We are excited that we have a district wide policy to teach language skills and reading readiness in an integrated manner throughout all subject areas in the curriculum. What this means is that we will teach these skills within the meaningful context of math, science, social studies, health, phonics, as well as literature. Kindergarten "reading" begins as retelling. Storybooks, poems, songs and audiovisuals will be used in class to cover all subject areas. We will utilize picture clues, prediction, repetition, inference and rhyme from this literature to develop children’s oral language and comprehension skills and to familiarize the students with the written word. Children will write in their journals and create class books that are related to study units. This work will then be shared, retold and read by the class.

Children will be encouraged to use the context of the sentence to determine what makes sense when sounding out new words. "Developmental spelling" will permit students to use the letter sounds that they know in order to spell a word the way that they hear it. Most class journals and independent stories will remain in the child’s original spelling. Our goal at this time is to encourage the written expression rather than dwell on the proper spelling.

Every child will have a very special week in kindergarten. This is a way of integrating language skills as we listen to facts and questions about special person. We will look forward to getting to know your family better during this time.

As the oral language becomes the written word, we will be using D’Nealian alphabet. This form will provide a more natural progression to cursive in second grade.

Alpha Time: The "Letter People" program is a phonics based program, which encourages language development. Each letter will be introduced with the inflatable letter person and a special song. After naming the letter people we will work to identify the sound of the letter. The sound comes from the special attribute of the letter person. For example: Mr. M has a munching mouth. Finally, we will practice writing the letter using the D’Nealian form of writing. This sequence usually takes 4-5 days and is followed for each letter.

Math

Our math program gives very young students a "sense" of mathematical concepts, with a hands-on approach. Before any paper/pencil tasks are attempted, we provide the children with the opportunity to "act out" the problems to be solved. Children are also encouraged to understand the processes used to reach a certain solution. Words such as sort, match, use, order, compare, explore, recognize, name, create, and estimate, etc. will be consistently used.

Students will be exposed to many math concepts throughout the year. Children are allowed to interact with a variety of manipulatives and among each other to experience basic concepts such as patterns, sequencing, time, money, counting, number recognition, shapes, size, sorting, number conservation (concept), number operation (addition and subtraction readiness), place value, measurement (non-standard) of length and weight and organization/analysis of data (graphing and estimating). These concepts are experienced in individual, small group and large group settings. Because virtually all of the activities are "hands-on", parents will not have the opportunity to view the student’s work in the form of worksheets. However, asking students about math activities in the classroom will enable parents to identify both the concept involved and the child’s level of understanding.

Computers

The students will be introduced to computers this year. They will learn to use the computer in a safe and appropriate manner. The students will use computer programs that will reinforce various skills taught in class.

Science

Science topics will include ecology, seeds/plants, water exploration, magnets, 5 senses and space. In preparation for a field trip to the Waubonsie Valley High School planetarium, we will talk about day and night, the stars and directions north, south, east and west. Throughout the year we will discuss the seasons and the changes we see around us.

Health

Health topics will include sharing and expressing feelings, the food pyramid and home and school safety. We will learn and practice good health habits. We will recognize the need for rest, play and exercise.

Social Studies

Social studies topics will include family, school, school helpers and school rules. We will celebrate holidays and recognize the important contributions of many famous Americans such as Lincoln, Washington and Martin Luther King, Jr. Community helpers and careers will run throughout the year and will be related to other areas of study in class.

Homework

At the kindergarten level, we encourage parents to reinforce new concepts as they are being introduced. To increase vocabulary and build listening-skills, we ask that you read to your child each day. Your child is allowed to visit the library in school. This is an excellent pattern to build in kindergarten and as your child moves through first grade, he/she will begin to read to you! Reading to your child in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere will help your child come to value the reading experience. You will also work on developing your child's attention span. When you finish the story, check your child's listening comprehension by asking some basic questions (who, what, when, where and why). Above all, have fun reading!

Another way we will assess the children is through our periodic report card checks. Before the end of the first quarter, we will be evaluating (ex. Address, phone number, letters, letter sounds, number recognition). There will be enough time to review concepts before report card checks. If your child does not know how to zip or tie please work on these skills at home. Those are important skills especially as the weather gets colder.

Grading

Bus Transportation - Day Care Transportation

Birthday Treats

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