Welcome to Kindergarten Fairwood Explorer Elementary
Meet your Kindergarten Teachers! Ms. Ruthnaswamy Mrs. Thomas Mrs. Jacobson
Daily Arrival •Please line up outside your child’s classroom when the bell rings at 7:55. Daily Dismissal •Please wait outside your child’s classroom at 11:20 (first 6 weeks). The teachers will open the doors and dismiss the kids. •Starting October 1, dismissal is at 2:15 M-Th and 12:30 on Fridays.
Snack Please send your child with a healthy snack every day, even on short days. We eat snack at morning recess. Please send healthy snacks in containers your child can open independently. Great ideas include: fruit & nuts, cheese sticks, little sandwiches . . .
Our Typical Schedule • School begins at 8AM • Writer’s Workshop • Lunch/Recess • Morning Meeting (Whole Group) • Math small groups and workstations • Reader’s Workshop • Science/Social Studies • Guided Reading and Literacy workstations • Free Choice Centers • Snack/Recess • Dismissal
Starting Arts These classes are taught by professional artists. We have 3 rotations per year. Each rotation lasts a couple of months. • Music • Dance • Drama
So what are we learning? Language Arts • Concepts about print • Writing to convey meaning • Letter identification • Using pictures and sentences • Sight word identification to express thoughts • Letter and sound relationships (Phonics) • Adding details to pictures and sentences • Text comprehension • Phonemic Awareness • Making our writing easy to read
Sight Words for Kindergarten have I little went is said on we here it play the was no are can she so for like he up you see has at this go look do do with want a my and am me what to
Differentiated Instruction • We work hard to reach and teach every child at their individual level. • Every class has some kids who are just learning letters, some fluent readers, and every level in between. • We are committed to making school as meaningful as possible for each student. • We work to help every child meet the Common Core standards and challenge our students to exceed. • Students are encouraged to take advantage of our ongoing challenge and extension activities.
Book Level A (January Benchmark) Covers a familiar topic. One line of text, printed in the same location on each page. Repeating language patterns. Limited sight words.
Book Level B (March Benchmark) Covers a familiar topic. Two lines of text printed in the same location on each page (return sweep). Repeating language patterns.
Book Level C (March/April Benchmark) Topics become less familiar. Text is printed in a variety of locations on each page. Simple dialogue is introduced. Less dependence on patterns.
Book Level D (June Benchmark) Topics are increasingly less familiar. A greater range of sight words are utilized. Students must applying phonics knowledge to decode unfamiliar text.
So what are we learning? Math •Geometry (flat and •Positional Words solid shapes) •Simple measurement •Simple addition and •Number relationships subtraction •Number identification •Problem solving skills •Number writing
So what are we learning? Science •Weather & Landforms - Earth Science •Plants & Animals - Life Science •Push & Pull - Physical Science
So what are we learning? Social Studies •United States symbols •Past & Present - how life has changed •Needs vs. Wants •Citizenship
Project Based Learning What is a neighborhood? –Why is a community important? –What/who is in your neighborhood? –How do I read maps and signs in my community? Non-Fiction Books – Experts (animals) –What is an expert? –How can I become an expert? –What are the features of a non-fiction book? –What do I need to know to be an expert? • What do animals need to live? • Types of animals? • Animal adaptations?
Behavior Management PBIS – Positive Behavior Intervention System PBIS is based on principles of applied behavior analysis and the prevention approach and values of positive behavior support. • Be Respectful • Be Responsible • Be Safe
Grading •Report cards (trimesters: November, March and June) •1-5 (not letter grades) •Grades are determined through: • Observation • Informal assessments • Evaluation of independent work
School Supplies Supply List Wish List • 8 big glue sticks • fine-tip permanent markers • 16 count large crayons • 2+ boxes of Kleenex • 24 count regular crayons • baby wipes (we need tons!) • 1 box of colored markers - 8 count broad line set • 1 bottle of hand sanitizer • 1 box colored pencils - 12 count set • 1 box of Ziploc bags (either quart • 1 pair of headphones (over the ear, no buds please) or gallon sizes) • 1 set of watercolor paints Please do not buy a backpack. • 4 pack fine tip dry erase markers We don’t use backpacks in • 4 pack bullet tip dry erase markers kindergarten. Please only label the headphones, we share all the other supplies.
Student Birthdays • We celebrate birthdays with class traditions. • Our wellness policy prohibits us from having cake & other sweet treats. • Please consider donating a book to the class library in honor of your child’s birthday. • To avoid hurt feelings, please do not pass out invitations at school. The only exception is if you are inviting the entire class.
Traditions and Holidays • We celebrate many cultural traditions & holidays throughout the year. • Please let us know what holidays are important to your family - we want to make sure we celebrate!
How You Can Help? • Plan to volunteer in our class 2 hours per week. • Serve on a schoolwide Team • Show interest in what your child is doing at school through regular conversations. • Set high expectations for your child. Expect good behavior and academic success. • Read with your child for at least 20 minutes every day and talk about the books.
Communication •Make sure you’re on Up-to-Us •Email is the easiest way to contact your teacher. •Check your child’s folder/mailbag daily •Watch for class & school newsletters
Looking forward to a great year!
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