Dear Parents,
Congratulations!
You are the proud parent of a kindergartener. You will be amazed at how much
your child will grow this year. Most likely, your child has had the seeds
of reading and writing planted during pre-school. During
kindergarten those seeds will grow and blossom, making your child a wonderful reader
and writer!
Kindergarten is an
exciting time as children embark upon new adventures in the world of learning.
This is a year of important transitions, as well as one in which acquisition of
new skills is accelerated. Parents as well as children may have some
apprehensions about what will happen.
It is extremely important to keep in mind that we all build on small successes.
Each child will progress at his/her own rate, acquiring skills as he/she is
developmentally ready. Maintaining each child's self-esteem and building a
secure foundation for future growth will always remain a priority in our
classroom.
Lots of help and encouragement from you
will help your child blossom into a wonderful reader and writer. Staying
involved in your child's education is the key to a successful year for your
child. Engage your child in conversation about his/her day, but know that
children won't always give out much information. I will send home a weekly
newsletter on Mondays called "Mrs. Stone's Classroom Connection" detailing our
activities for the week. You can use this as a springboard for discussion;
instead of saying "What did you do at school today?" (the answer is often
"nothing!"), you can say, "Oh, I see you're learning about...what did you find
out?" After they tell you what he/she has learned, you can ask them to
show you. (If it is something that he/she is able to demonstrate.)
Reading to and with your child, every day
if possible, is a wonderful way to help your child. The more your child is
exposed to language, the easier it will be for him/her to incorporate new skills
in reading and writing in the classroom.
Another way to help your child is to
remember our class procedures. If you are picking your child up from
school early, please send a note with your child. On days where your child
will be checking out early, please make sure the adult goes to the office to check
him/her out instead of coming to the classroom. Helping to
remember these things will help your child see that it is also important for
him/her to remember the class procedures/rules.
Your child will need his/her backpack
EVERY day, and the name needs to be written in LARGE letters on the outside!
Put names in all clothes and on all supplies--even pencils and glue sticks!
It makes it so much easier to return them to their rightful owner!
Some of the Activities Used in the Classroom
Centers/Stations:
There are specific stations set up for guided reading. Stations varied depending on the concept being taught. The afternoon center time has housekeeping, listening center, dress-up, blocks, trains, math, and science centers.
Learning Centers
Computer Center: Students will use computers to enhance skills they are learning in the classroom.
Listening Center: In a cubby you will find four choices of books. A book and tape recorder are in bags. The student takes the bag of their choice and a listening center sheet. They listen to the book and then fill out the sheet. The sheet asks them the name of the book and author. It asks them to draw their favorite part of the story and one sentence describing the picture. It also asks them to tell if they liked the book. After they finish the sheet, they place the sheet in their center folder. Next they clean up their center and put their center folder away.
Making Letters Center: The student goes to this center and practices forming letters on a Making Letters center sheet. After they write their letters on the sheet, they then must circle two of their best letters and tell why they chose those two letters.
Making Words Center: The student goes to this center and removes a bag of pre-picked letter tiles and a Making Words center sheet. The use the letters to make a four words that they must write on the sheet. One word must be 2 letters long, two of the words must be three letters long, the last word need to be 3 or more letters long. After they write their words on the sheet, they then must circle two and use the chosen two in a sentence.
Making Sentences Center: At this center, the student grabs a bag of index card. On each index card in a few words. They need to figure out how to manipulate three cards to make a sentence. The sentence may be silly. They must do this twice. On the center sheet they will write the two sentences and draw an illustration to match the sentence. Like all the centers, they must complete the sheet, place it in their folder, clean up the center, and put their center folder away.
Parent/Teacher Communication
Your child's Lions Folder is very important. All communication from the school, PTO, and school work will be coming home in this folder. It is extremely important that everything is removed and reviewed on Wednesday evening. The folder should be sent back empty on Thursday morning.
Behavior/Homework Folders:
The Behavior/Homework Folder is where you will find your child's homework. Homework is a very important part of your child’s education. It provides extra practice on the skills we have learned in class, teaches responsibility, improves fine motor skills, and allows you to see what your child is learning in class. Homework should be completed every night and returned the following day in the appropriate folder. They should be able to do the assignment on their own, but it is okay for you to go over the directions with them. ALL homework should have your child’s name and date on the top of the assignment. If an assignment is to be colored, I expect it to be colored using “real world” colors (no green or blue people). Coloring is a terrific way to develop fine motor skills. Homework should take no more than 30 minutes to complete, if that. This includes nightly reading. THERE IS NO HOMEWORK ON FRIDAYS, OTHER THAN READING.
In addition to the report cards and our conferences, I am always available to meet or speak with you. If it is not urgent, please jot a note, and I will respond as soon as possible. You may call the school or e-mail me as well. In return, I will contact you by note or telephone if there is something that I'd like to discuss.
Classroom Rules and Consequences
Classroom Rules
|
Consequences |
Thank you for helping make this year successful in everyway!
Mrs. Stone
