Welcome to Welcome to Kindergarten!Kindergarten!Welcome to Welcome to

Kindergarten!Kindergarten!Back to School Back to School

September 19, 2011September 19, 2011

• What do we look like?

Ms. Lauren Bastion• I am from the Gold Coast in the

Queensland, Australia. I am very close to my family – my Mum, my Dad, and my younger sister.

• I have a younger sister who is also a teacher and I come from a family of travellers.

• This is my 5th overseas teaching assignment.

• I have lived in the USA, Tanzania, Slovakia and Australia.

• This is my 11th year of teaching and I have always taught the lower levels.

• I love to travel, read, camp, go 4WD, go to the movies and listen to live music.

Mrs. Jeannette Friggle• 2nd Year as a Teaching

assistant.• Is wanting to become a

Early Childhood Teacher.• Is a graduate of TAISM.• Was born in California

but calls Oman home.• Is happily married.• In her free time, she likes

to read, travel, knit and to cook.

Settling-In

• Unpacking• Signing In• Greeting Friends• Question of the Day• Special Projects• Structured Play

Morning Meeting• Every morning we come

together in the circle to sing and have our Morning Meeting.

• Morning Meeting has the following components1. Greeting2. Morning Song3. Morning Message4. Daily Schedule5. ABC Work/ Songs

Literacy• In our literacy block

we will do both reading and writing.

• We work as a whole class, in small groups and with each student individually.

• Activities are planned according to the needs and abilities of the children.

• Literacy is embedded throughout our day.

Writing• Working together in “Shared” &

“Interactive” writing• Whole class mini-lessons• Writer’s Workshop• Small groups based on student

needs• Time for one-on-one conferencing• Working on a piece of writing at

various stages (thinking, planning, writing, revising)

• Sharing work with others

Reading Time•Reader’s Workshop•Read to Self•Partner Reading•Shared Reading •Guided Reading •Read Aloud•Reading Buddies•Take Home Books•Poetry Songbooks•Library

Math• Our math program emphasizes a hands-on,

problem-solving approach to learning math concepts.

• We also work on our calendar skills which include: the days of the week, the months of the year, the concepts of yesterday, today and tomorrow, and various counting skills.

• Units for Math:» Routines and Numbers» Shapes and Patterns» Sorting, Ordering and Comparing» Measurement» Joining and Separating Numbers» Show What We Know

Science/ Social Studies • Me in My Classroom (Rules and

Routines• I Can (Me)• Things In Our World: What is it

and how does it work?• Amazing Earth: Land and Sky• Discover Oman• The World in Our Classroom: How

are we connected?• In My Backyard: Plants and

Insects

Choosing Time

• Play is very important to your child’s social and cognitive development.

• S/he will learn to cooperate, share, problem solve and HAVE FUN!

12:30- Lunch in Our Classroom

• Thank you for sending in food that includes healthy choices and is easy for your child to eat.

• We can warm up food in our microwave.

• Don’t forget utensils!

After lunch we will have a rest time.

Snack & Recess• Please make sure

your child has a hat & water bottle for recess time.

•When the weather is more temperate, we may spend more time outside.

Kindergarten Specials

Art – Ms. York IT – Mr. Hoffmann

Music –

Mr. Drahos

Library – Ms. Catherine

PE – Ms. File

Ms. Grace (assistant)

Counselor –

Mr. Everett

Ms. Lauren-KG Day 1__________

Day 2___________

Day 3___________

Day 4___________

Day 5___________

Day 6_________

8.15 – 9.00 Settling In/Choosing Time

9.00 – 9.15 Morning Meeting

9:15-9:30 Shared Reading/Writing or Word Study

Shared Reading/Writing or Word Study

Shared Reading/Writing or Word Study

Shared Reading/Writing or Word Study

Shared Reading/Writing or Word Study

Shared Reading/Writing or Word Study

9.30-10.15Writing/Reading

WorkshopReading Workshop Reading Workshop Reading Workshop Reading Workshop Writing/Reading

Workshop

10.20 – 10.55 Snack and Recess

11.00 – 11.40Math Writing Workshop Writing Workshop Writing Workshop Writing Workshop Math

11.45 – 12.25 ARTMath Math Math Math

Music/ Week 2 MUSIC

12.30 – 1.20 Lunch and Rest Time

1.20 – 2.00Science/ Social Studies

PEScience/ Social Studies

PEArt/Week 1

PE

2.05 – 2.45Counselor

2pm- 2.30pm MUSIC ITART – 2.50- 3.30

LIBRARYScience/ Social Studies Science / Social

Studies

Read Aloud

2.50 – 3.30 Pack, Recess/Choosing Time & Goodbye Circle

How can you help your child learn?

• Talk about the events of the day.• Ensure that your child has a wide range of

experiences to talk and write about.• Read to your child every day.• Play games with your child.• Make sure your child gets enough sleep

(approximately 10 hours for a 5 year old) and eats breakfast.

Helping at home with reading:

• Reading aloud to your child is the single most important thing you can do to help him or her become a successful reader.

• Read at Home Recording Sheet

Helping at home with writing:

• Provide writing “tools” and a table or desk to work at.

• Encourage young writers by asking them to tell you about their writing/drawing.

• Let them hang up their work, or send it to someone special.

Building Confidence

• Encourage first attempts at reading and writing, with positive comments.

• Ask your child to tell you about their work, and listen with interest.

• Avoid pointing out “mistakes”

Communication• This year Kindergarten will be informing you of the happenings in KG via our class blog!• www.kgmslauren.blogspot.com• The blog contains information about our schedule, important events, things that are happening

and photos of our classroom.• Permission to display photos and children’s work must be given by parents. • Please sign the release form before leaving the classroom this evening. If you have any concerns,

please speak directly to Ms. Lauren.• Don’t forget to sign up as a follower at the bottom of the blog!

Thank you for coming!