Autumn Art Activity

In class we've been using our names for recognizing letters and learning their sounds. This week we finished an art project that integrated sponge painting fall colours with our names. We tried to make it look like our names on fallen leaves.

The children had a great time during the activity. They were focused and engaged in learning. I loved the buzz of activity as they read out each other's names. Not all the names are on the walls yet. I've run out of wall space and will extend into the hallway next week!

You can also see the previous name art in this final picture. (You can click the photo for a closer look.) I believe our classroom is looking bright and full of our learning. What a change from August. Ugh! Remember those pictures?

Love Mrs. App

Do you have a copy of the Program Overview?

I realize many parents may not have picked up a Program Overview back on Pizza Night. Surely, some copies have gone missing too. I've decided to post the Kindergarten Program Overview here so it's easily available for everyone. You'll find it below and also as a link on the right for future reference.

See you soon, Mrs. App.

Program Overview for Kindergarten – Mrs. App

Dear Parents and Guardians,

During the first few days, I’ve enjoyed getting to know your children and look forward to our year together. I will assist each child to reach his or her individual potential in an atmosphere of respect and trust. I aim to make the classroom a welcoming, warm, and supportive environment in which each child feels secure and valued. This year we are extremely fortunate to have Michelle Grant working in our class as a full-time Student and School Support Worker (SSW). When you meet Michelle you’ll immediately notice her warm smile and genuinely caring nature with the children. All of our children will benefit from having her in our room. Oh, did I mention she’s a paramedic? We are the luckiest class in the school!

During the first term, the students will be adjusting to school and classroom routines. We will also learn the school wide rules: Be Safe, Be Fair, Be Kind. Meanwhile, I’m fully aware that part of childhood involves “testing boundaries,” and I’ll support each child kindly as they find their way.

I teach the curriculum in visual, auditory, oral, and kinesthetic ways so that I can reach all learning styles in the classroom. Moreover, I believe everyone benefits from multi-modal teaching. Our classroom themes and focus in the subjects will change gradually throughout the year. I’ll keep parents posted on our Class Blog (mrsappkindergarten.blogspot.com), monthly newsletters starting in October, and friendly chats. While waiting to hear the fine details, here’s the basic outline of our classroom.

Curriculum Goals and Teaching/Learning Strategies

The Kindergarten program fosters the development of the whole child and promotes learning through active involvement and play. Learning is a social process, therefore language and literacy development is a main goal. The classroom layout, materials, and accommodate our variety of learning styles and needs. There are opportunities for children to have individual, small group, and large group learning experiences.

Timetable

The morning class: 8:45 a.m. – 11:35 a.m.

9:00 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. on Wednesdays only

The afternoon class: 12:30 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.

No class on Wednesdays

Division 14 starts in the mornings.

Division 15 starts in the afternoons.

Classes will switch times in February.

Please note that these times are different than the main school because they have a different lunch break than us. If you see times on school newsletters that don’t seem to make sense, you are probably right. Unfortunately, the times on the Bayview newsletters often forget to mention us. Ask me anytime and we can clear things up.

Shape of the Day

Arrival: When children arrive they will be greeted by Michelle and me, put their name on the attendance school house chart, change into their INDOOR SHOES, put their Take Home Folder in the yellow bin, and settle into their desks for special reading time.

Book Time: The first ten to fifteen minutes of each class is reading time. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are invited to read with their child or other children. This reading time is an important part of the program as the children learn to appreciate literature and develop positive attitudes towards reading and books. It is my expectation that everyone in the classroom will be engaged in reading at this time.

Class Meeting: Children meet at the carpet for calendar time and news. During this time children are involved in many literacy and numeric activities. Shared reading, counting, writing, songs, poetry, graphing, and the calendar are part of this routine. After the first week, we introduce the ABC helper who leads the class in the phonics exercise. The ABC helper has a chance to develop leadership and public speaking skills. I also find the children are a wonderful audience for their peers.

Integrated Subject Areas

Language Arts and Reading: There are numerous opportunities for daily Language and Literacy activities in the Kindergarten Program. These activities vary and tie in with the current theme we are studying. Some activities include: reading stories, charts, poems, songs, making books, printing, writing in Journals, responding to literature through writing and art, and using prediction and comprehension activities.

The Home Reading starts at the end of October. This program involves parents reading with their child for 15 minutes a day and keeping a record of what you have read. I will send home more information about this program in October.

Mathematics: The curriculum is divided into theme areas: number concepts and operations, patterns, measurement, geometry, and probability. Children will have daily opportunities to use manipulatives and games to explore mathematic concepts and operations. I also use direct teaching and give exercises for children to explore their findings and complete activity sheets.

Science: Children will have opportunities to observe, hypothsize, experiment, and record their understanding of basic concepts related to colours, physical self, plants, animals, air, water, weather, and seasons.

Physical Education: Ms. Veda will be teaching the P.E. portion of the program. The large gymnasium can be an overwhelming experience for children. Michelle will be with the children to help them adjust and give extra help where needed.

Fine Arts: Drawing, painting, printmaking, construction, and collage will be incorporated into theme activities or as a separate project. Music is included in the class daily and during weekly music periods. The children will be exposed to body rhythm, action songs, and percussion instruments. Drama experiences may be related to one area of study or it may arise from the children’s imagination and experiences. As the director of the school play, I can give you advance notice that this year’s play will be on Thursday March 13, 2008. There is a morning and evening performance. Both classes will perform at each show. Stay tuned for more information!

Social Studies: Your child will be involved in Social Studies on an ongoing basis. The topics include roles, rights and responsibilities in school and community, family, friendship, me, environment, and problem solving.

Recess: Both classes will have a daily recess break. The morning class will have recess with the main school. Please be aware that supervision aides will be watching the children in addition to our fabulous Michelle. The afternoon class has recess that may overlap with the Kinder Care program. I will be supervising the afternoon class outside.

Story Time: After recess, the children gather on the carpet for a story. This is a chance to settle after running about and to help gather focus for the next part of the day. Of course, it is also another chance to share a literacy experience and connect to our themes.

Centres: Children can choose from a variety of rotating activities that encourage growth in all areas of development. Skills are practiced at Centre Time and opportunities for creativity and self-expression are numerous. During this time, I will be able to connect with students individually, observe, assess, evaluate, and conference with students if needed.

Student Assessment/ Evaluation and Reporting to Parents

Ongoing assessment includes observations, checklists, and a collection of student work. Evaluation is based on the children’s individual progress over time as well as curriculum goals and widely held expectations for their age group. There are three reporting periods per year. Parents may also set up an appointment with me to discuss questions, concerns, or comments regarding their child’s progress.

Home Communication

Each student has a TAKE HOME FOLDER that goes home every day. Please make sure this folder is returned every day. I will send notices and student work in this folder. Parents can send signed forms or personal notes etc. back in this folder. The folder is checked daily at school. Please check it at home daily too.

The children, family members, and friends can find updates about our classroom at anytime on our classroom blog. The internet address is mrsappkindergarten.blogspot.com

In addition, the monthly newsletter will start going home in October.

Parent Volunteers

Half way through October, a volunteer sign up calendar will be posted by the classroom front door. I ask that only one person sign up per session. I will keep a binder with notes and instructions for classroom helpers. Helper jobs are often cutting and pasting for upcoming projects. It also involves helping the students at seatwork or centres as needed. It’s a great chance to be involved in the learning process. Anyone who volunteers is greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance!

Field Trips

We will go on several little field trips this year. I will contact you in advance if volunteer drivers and/or supervision are needed.

I’m truly excited about this year of Kindergarten. We have many adventures ahead of us. I thank you for cooperation, support, and trusting me with your children.

Sincerely,

Caroline

(Mrs. App)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone is enjoying the three day weekend with their families. Our classes talked about the Harvest and being thankful for what we have. Indeed, one family has grown this weekend and is especially thankful. We are very excited for E who is now a BIG BROTHER! Best wishes to his family and all the Kindergarten families this weekend.

This week we did some corn art activities. Both classes made corn with construction paper. These are hanging in the classroom. On Friday, Division 14 used water colours and popcorn to make another corn art project with their buddy class. This project will be on display on the hall bulletin board. Our buddy class is Mr. Bartlett's grade 6 and 7 class. My little kindies love the attention and guidance they receive when the buddies are in our class. Ask your child if s/he can the name of her/his buddy.

Division 15 had gym class and had limited time for their additional art project. They made a turkey that involved colouring, cutting, and pasting the feathers. Division 15 took their turkeys home.

Picture day is coming up! Individual student photos will be on October 15. Please click Calendar (on the right) for other upcoming events.

Love Mrs. App

More Sport Fit Activities!

Here's some more pictures from our week of Sport Fit! Each class had 30 minutes of field sports and another 30 minutes of gym trials. The air was filled with excitement, confusion, and laughter! I'm already looking forward the the end of the year when we get to go through the courses again. The children's results were entered into computers so they can track their individuals process over the year and future year.

Love Mrs. App

Sport Fit!

The Kindies had sport trials in the gym and in the field this week. Stay tuned for more information and more pictures.

Love Mrs. App

First week of October

Yikes! It's already October!

I want more time with all my sweet kindies to do all the projects I had planned. Oh well, I'll have to put some crafts aside and move on with the next month. We are not finished talking about our families yet. We are working on family portraits. Once they are finished, they will be displayed in the coat area. We will continue working on recognizing all the names in the class. Of course, we do phonics, reading, and counting together every morning at the carpet. We have started our printing books. At the moment our math (mostly number concepts) is integrated throughout the day.

Our field trip to UBC Farm dates are now confirmed. Division 15 is on Friday October 26. Division 14 is on Monday October 29. I'll update the blog and send out a newsletter for permission once the UBC contact sends me exact times for arrival. I will leave the use of car seats up to parents discretion. If you child is going with a volunteer driver, you may bring a car seat to school on the day of the field trip and we will use it for the trip.

Check the calendar for all the events this month! The link for Kindergarten Calendar is on the right side of the main blog page. There's Halloween Howl, Immunization, Hearing Clinics, and more. This week we are doing 75 minutes of SPORT FIT. Division 14 will be doing a variety of sports trials on Wednesday. Division 15 will have their turn on Thursday.

Feel free to email me at the contact link under my profile. I may not check my email right away, but I will get back to you. Of course, I'm at school every day too, so that's always an option. I aim to get a list of parent emails once the office has them compiled from the brown forms.

See you soon.

Love Mrs. App

P.S. Anyone else finding it annoyingly dark at the classroom entrance and the coat area? I talked to Hugh, our principal, and our friendly engineer, Cesar, today and they will see what can be done to help out.