Mrs. App's Kindergarten Classes

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)