Welcome to Kindergarten

1. Welcome to Kindergarten Back-to-School Night September 2013

2. All About Kindergarten • Curriculum • Homework • Discipline • Parent-Teacher Communication • Volunteer Opportunities • Miscellaneous

3. Kindergarten Curriculum(Archdiocesan-based Standards) • Integrated Language Arts (ILA) • Math • Religion • Social Studies • Science • Learning Centers • Resource Classes

4. Integrated Language Arts

5. Reading is a Process… • Observation/modeling • Oral language development • Letter recognition • Print awareness • Letter writing and letter sounds • Recognizing high frequency words

6. ILA Emphasizes 3 Key Areas: • Reading -- The ability to identify words by sight or by decoding. • Comprehension -- Understanding what is read. • Written Expression -- Handwriting/letter formation -- Personal reflection

7. ILA Programs • Saxon Phonics -- Focuses on identifying words. -- Emphasizes phonemic awareness & phonics -- Features daily practice. -- New concepts build upon those previously taught. -- Letter formation uses skywriting techniques & practice sheets.

8. ILA Programs (cont’d) • Macmillan/McGraw-Hill -- Develops comprehension strategies -- Story structure -- Story elements -- Cause & effect -- Features writing activities that reinforce strategies taught -- Writing allows for personal expression

9. Our ILA Program… • Appeals to various learning styles • Is interactive, game-oriented • Features whole class & small group activities • Provides instruction for all levels of learners

10. Kindergarten Math

11. In math we use… • Teddy bear counters • Pattern blocks • Attribute Buttons • Dot cubes • Connecting cubes • Graphs • Two colored counters

12. Religion Attend Mass monthly Prayer Partners Daily Prayer in classroom Community Service Project

13. Religion • Builds upon our school-wide theme. • Features 2 textbooks: -- We Believe (Sadlier Publishers) -- Benzinger Family Life • Active involvement of children.

14. Benzinger Family Life • Instruction of Catholic morals & values for contemporary families • Five themes: -- Family, Self, Life, Love, Community • K-8th grade -- Lessons interspersed throughout school year -- Features home/school connection

15. Social Studies • National Geographic • Weekly Reader • Current Events • Basic Geography • Communities • Government • Citizenship

16. Science • Science Tools • Animals • Plants • Habitats • Day and Night • Earth’s Resources • Weather and Seasons • Matter, Energy & Motion

17. Learning Centers • 8 Activity Centers • Individual and small group activities

18. We love Centers! • Art • Blocks • Dramatic Play • Prayer

19. Learning is Fun! • Computer • Literacy • Math • Science

20. Resource Classes • Spanish • Ms. Monica • Library • Mrs. Hartig

21. Art Mrs. Sherlock Resource Classes Computer Mrs. Williams

22. Resource Classes • Music • Mrs. Chamberlain • Physical Education • Mrs. Duker a

23. Homework • Mon. – Thurs. • Math • ILA • Religion

24. Discipline • Emphasize positive behavior • Good choices are encouraged • Behavior chart used (Turn a Card) • Positive reinforcement • Marble Jar • Loss of some recess time

25. Parent-Teacher Communication • Teacher website olgskin.weebly.com • Notes Place in plastic folder with my name. • Telephone messages OLGS :410-329-6956 Mailbox #138 • E-mail (lensor@ourladygrace.org)

26. Parent Volunteers • Room Parents • Scholastic Book Club • Materials Prep • Field Trip Chaperones • Play dough Maker • Classroom Helpers

27. Birthdays Show & Tell Field Trips Scholastic Books Healthy Snack and Lunch School website Course of Study Rest Time Important Info.

28. Our Classroom Rule The Golden Rule Treat others the way you want to be treated.