Welcome to Elmwood Schools Kindergarten Orientation

The Kindergarten Teachers

Linda Lynn

Eifler Henz

Our Philosophy
DISTRICT 203 VISION STATEMENT: Building a Passion for Life-Long Learning

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of Elmwood School is to create

Self-directed learners Collaborative workers Complex thinkers Quality producers and Community contributors

This vision and mission will begin in Kindergarten.

We will foster and develop a love for learning while helping each child become independent, cooperative, respectful, responsible and caring school citizens.

Kindergarten in a Nut Shell

Kindergarteners SOAR like Eagles

Safety Ownership Acceptance Respect

Partnership between Parents and Teachers

Weekly Newsletters Monthly Newsletters Emails Phone Calls Parent Teacher Conferences Report Cards
October 14th and 15th March 12th and 13th

Trimester 1: November Trimester 2: March Trimester 3: May

Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures

Arrival: 8:00 and 11:55: Kindergarten Teachers will bring Kindergarteners into lobby. If before 8:00 or 11:55, please wait with your child on the front porch area. AM Students may be dropped off using the pick-up lane. 5th grade students will escort Kindergarteners to the front of the school Dismissal: AM: 10:45 out front door PM: 2:30 out front door PM students may use pick up line and will also be escorted by 5th graders. Please send us a note if your students will be going home using the pick-up lane as students are confused by pick-up lane and my parents are picking me up. Please also send us a note if your childs pick-up will be different than the normal routine.

Current Research

Curriculum
Literacy
Reading

Writing

KLP
(Kindergarten Literature Program)

Reading Settings
Shared

Reading Self-Selected Reading Systematic Study of Alphabetic Principle Read Aloud with Think Aloud

Reading Skills
Letter Recognition Letter/Sound Relationship Phonemic Awareness Concept of Word Comprehension Emergent Reading

Poem and Song Binders

We will be introducing and reading these poems and songs at school. Binders will come home on Fridays. Please choose a few of the new poems and songs and a few of the older ones to read together. Please return the binders on Mondays.

Reading Our Favorite Books With Wiggleworks

Writing Settings
Shared

Writing Modeled Writing Independent Writing

Sentence Starters Journal Writing Writers Workshop

Development of Writing
The Stages of Developmental Writing
Scribbling, drawing, letter like forms

Strings of letters
Phonetically based writing Transitional writing

Correct spelling

Writing Skills
Letter Production Letter/Sound Relationship Concept of Word Storytelling Story Development

D'Nealian Handwriting

Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz

Speaking
Reasonable responses

Sharing thoughts
Knowing difference between questions and statement Contributing meaningfully to discussions

Staying on topic
Using descriptive words Participating in cooperative groups

Speaking clearly and audibly

Listening
Remembering and recalling ideas Processing and internalizing information Drawing conclusions Predicting skills Proving ideas and answers Problem solving

Social Science Umbrella Question:

How do connections shape our world? Trimester 1 Choices: rules and consequences Relationships: friendships and community workers Heritage: familys past Place: map skills Trimester 2 Relationships: needs/wants Place: rural and urban Heritage: National Holidays Trimester 3 Place: compare and contrast Mexico and Naperville Relationships: compare and contrast Mexico and Naperville Heritage: compare and contrast Mexico and Naperville

Science

Life Science: Growing and Changing Physical Science: Constructions

Earth Science: Collections from Nature

Math

In Kindergarten we will concentrate on:

Number SenseCounting, Number Recognition, Creating Sets, Problem Solving Algebra..Sorting, Patterns, Sequencing, Graphing Geometry.2-D Shapes, 3-D Shapes, Positional Terms

Play (Choice Time)

Practice social skills Practice learned skills

Specials

Learning Center and Computers with Mrs. Stallman.

Music with Mrs. Bailey

Art with Mrs. Anderson.

Gym with Mr. Howard

Star of the Week

Share family and friends' pictures with the class. Show a hobby, sport or special interest. Pick your favorite KLP book to be read to the class. Share your "favorites" with the class. Bring 1 item to school in the Mystery Bag and play "20 questions."

KB the Kindergarten Bear

KB goes home with one child on Fridays. He must come back to school on Monday. Take KB everywhere you go. Dress, change and take care of KB. Journal on KB with your child. We will share the journal in class.

Good Choices Plan

We can make good choices in Kindergarten.

Classroom Rules
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Listen and follow directions when others are talking. Follow directions. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. Work quietly and do not disturb others. Show respect for school and personal property. Work and play in a safe manner.

Positive and Negative Consequences

Independence
Zip zippers Tie shoes Empty backpacks Pick up mail Be responsible

Field Trips
Pumpkin Farm DuPage Childrens Museum Play at Drury Lane or The Paramount

Brookfield Zoo

Parent Helpers

Role of Parent Helpers: Work with individual students at parent helper station in hallway. Work with small groups of students on project or review skills. Bulletin boards Computer assistant Copying Publishing Class Books Cutting, Tracing, etc Sign-up sheets are in the classrooms !!! -daily helpers -at home helpers -classroom party helpers

Please stop by your childs classroom table

Parent Helper Sign-Up Sheets Classroom Party Sign-Up Sheets Packet to Take Home

Thank you for working with us as partners in your childs education. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.