Welcome to Welcome to Mrs. Marsh’s Mrs. Marsh’s Kindergarten Kindergarten

Who are the Who are the Teachers??Teachers??

Arrival & Arrival & Journal TimeJournal Time

Students come in, turn in their GATOR Students come in, turn in their GATOR folders for review, and immediately start folders for review, and immediately start morning work. Each day they will have a math morning work. Each day they will have a math and a language worksheet. and a language worksheet.

Morning Morning MeetingMeeting

This is where we start our day by discussing This is where we start our day by discussing what is to be expected in the hours to come. This what is to be expected in the hours to come. This is also the time where the children get the is also the time where the children get the opportunity to share their own special thoughts opportunity to share their own special thoughts or news with the class. or news with the class.

Writer’s Writer’s WorkshopWorkshop

Genres include: Narrative, Persuasive, How To, Informing, Genres include: Narrative, Persuasive, How To, Informing, Poetry, Letter Writing, Everyday WritingPoetry, Letter Writing, Everyday Writing

We begin with a mini lesson on a specific skill, We begin with a mini lesson on a specific skill, followed by independent writing time where the followed by independent writing time where the children can use inventive spelling, “sound trick” children can use inventive spelling, “sound trick” and also refer to the print our rooms. While and also refer to the print our rooms. While students are working independently, the teacher students are working independently, the teacher pulls students or small groups to focus on a specific pulls students or small groups to focus on a specific skill. Following independent writing, students are skill. Following independent writing, students are given the opportunity to share their work with the given the opportunity to share their work with the class.class.

Literacy Literacy Centers Centers Stations where literacy activities are set up for Stations where literacy activities are set up for

independent or guided use. independent or guided use.

ReadingReading: Read To Self, Buddy, Listening, : Read To Self, Buddy, Listening, Computer.Computer.

Guided ReadingGuided Reading: Teacher works with small : Teacher works with small groups on skills specific to your child’s needs and groups on skills specific to your child’s needs and reading level. reading level.

WritingWriting: Practice various writing mediums, : Practice various writing mediums, handwriting practice, and writing pictures and handwriting practice, and writing pictures and words placed around room.words placed around room.

Word WorkWord Work: Letterland, building words, : Letterland, building words, syllabication, rhyming, segmenting sounds, sight syllabication, rhyming, segmenting sounds, sight words, letter/sound identification.words, letter/sound identification.

Shared Shared ReadingReading

Shared Reading is an interactive reading Shared Reading is an interactive reading experience that occurs when students join in or experience that occurs when students join in or share the reading of a big book while guided and share the reading of a big book while guided and supported by a teacher or other experienced supported by a teacher or other experienced reader. Students observe an expert reading the reader. Students observe an expert reading the text with fluency and expression. The text must text with fluency and expression. The text must be large enough for all the students to see be large enough for all the students to see clearly, so they can share in the reading of the clearly, so they can share in the reading of the text. It is through Shared Reading that the text. It is through Shared Reading that the reading process and reading strategies that reading process and reading strategies that readers use are demonstrated.readers use are demonstrated.

Word WorkWord WorkPhonics is the awareness of letter and sound Phonics is the awareness of letter and sound relationships. It is the link between what we say relationships. It is the link between what we say and what we can read and write. Phonics is and what we can read and write. Phonics is taught in a variety of ways including: letter taught in a variety of ways including: letter recognition, connecting the letters with their recognition, connecting the letters with their sounds, teaching and reinforcing sight words, sounds, teaching and reinforcing sight words, and reading and writing easy consonant-vowel-and reading and writing easy consonant-vowel-consonant words. We will introduce new “Word consonant words. We will introduce new “Word Wall Words” gradually so that by the end of Wall Words” gradually so that by the end of Kindergarten students will have a core of sight Kindergarten students will have a core of sight words that they can read and write.words that they can read and write.

HandwritingHandwritingLearning to write can be stressful for students Learning to write can be stressful for students who may need practice with their fine motor who may need practice with their fine motor skills. Children learn to print using hands-on skills. Children learn to print using hands-on materials and developmentally appropriate materials and developmentally appropriate activities such as individual whiteboards, tracing activities such as individual whiteboards, tracing in sand or even shaving cream! This fine motor in sand or even shaving cream! This fine motor practice prepares students for pencil and paper practice prepares students for pencil and paper success .success .

LunchtimeLunchtimeAt lunchtime, the children are taken to the dining At lunchtime, the children are taken to the dining hall and are seated at table E. Students that hall and are seated at table E. Students that pack their lunch immediately go to their pack their lunch immediately go to their assigned table. Students that buy have an ID assigned table. Students that buy have an ID with their student number printed. Money to buy with their student number printed. Money to buy lunch may be added online. In the cafeteria, the lunch may be added online. In the cafeteria, the students follow a two cup system. For the first students follow a two cup system. For the first five minutes the red cup is displayed which five minutes the red cup is displayed which means silent. After that time is up, the green cup means silent. After that time is up, the green cup is displayed to signify inside voices. is displayed to signify inside voices.

MathMathBegins with calendar activities, weather and a review of Begins with calendar activities, weather and a review of concepts previously learned or for ongoing reinforcement. concepts previously learned or for ongoing reinforcement. This This is followed by a whole group lesson on several skill areas is followed by a whole group lesson on several skill areas including: developing a sense of numbers 1-100, reading and including: developing a sense of numbers 1-100, reading and writing numerals, comparing and ordering sets, numbers, writing numerals, comparing and ordering sets, numbers, shapes and attributes of two objects using appropriate shapes and attributes of two objects using appropriate vocabulary (color, weight, height, width, length, texture). vocabulary (color, weight, height, width, length, texture). Finally, the children participate in math centers. Using Finally, the children participate in math centers. Using manipulatives, children can actively explore, investigate, manipulatives, children can actively explore, investigate, estimate, make predictions, count, build, and talk about their estimate, make predictions, count, build, and talk about their ideas. Children are encouraged to tell how they arrive at their ideas. Children are encouraged to tell how they arrive at their answers and to look for alternative ways to solve problems.answers and to look for alternative ways to solve problems.

SpecialsSpecialsEvery day the children get the opportunity to go Every day the children get the opportunity to go to a “Specials” class. The Special area classes to a “Specials” class. The Special area classes that the children will attend are: Art, Music, that the children will attend are: Art, Music, Physical Education, Technology, Media, Physical Education, Technology, Media, Guidance, Reader’s Theater, Science.Guidance, Reader’s Theater, Science.

Outdoor PEOutdoor PEOutdoor play refines a child's gross-motor and Outdoor play refines a child's gross-motor and very important social skills. Playground time is very important social skills. Playground time is also an opportunity to explore and manipulate a also an opportunity to explore and manipulate a different environment. Children love outdoor different environment. Children love outdoor play because they can let loose their play because they can let loose their imaginations while getting physical. imaginations while getting physical.

Snack & Read Snack & Read AloudAloud

Snack time is an opportunity for the children to learn social skills Snack time is an opportunity for the children to learn social skills as they chat with friends at their table. During this time we also as they chat with friends at their table. During this time we also share a read aloud of the children’s choice.share a read aloud of the children’s choice.

Social StudiesSocial StudiesDuring Social Studies, the children will discuss During Social Studies, the children will discuss and gain a better understanding of citizenship, and gain a better understanding of citizenship, how we are alike and different, cultures around how we are alike and different, cultures around the world, needs and wants, and geography.the world, needs and wants, and geography.

ScienceScienceDuring science, students will make observations During science, students will make observations and build an understanding of similarities and and build an understanding of similarities and differences in animals, weather concepts, and the differences in animals, weather concepts, and the properties of common objects. They are involved in properties of common objects. They are involved in first-hand exploration and investigation and first-hand exploration and investigation and inquiry/process skills are nurtured. Students will inquiry/process skills are nurtured. Students will also use appropriate tools and make measurements also use appropriate tools and make measurements to increase their ability to describe their world. to increase their ability to describe their world. Mathematics and communication skills are an Mathematics and communication skills are an integral part of science instruction.integral part of science instruction.

Investigating Properties Weather Animals 2 X 2

Rest & ReflectRest & ReflectThis is the time of day set aside for the children This is the time of day set aside for the children to relax after a full day of exercising their brains. to relax after a full day of exercising their brains. The children will sit at their seats with their The children will sit at their seats with their writing journal and reflect on something that writing journal and reflect on something that happened during the day.happened during the day.

DismissalDismissalAt Alston Ridge, we have a silent dismissal that is done At Alston Ridge, we have a silent dismissal that is done entirely on the television. During this time, students entirely on the television. During this time, students traveling home via carpool and daycare vans are given traveling home via carpool and daycare vans are given color coded tags. The students watch each mode of color coded tags. The students watch each mode of transportation be announced on the television through the transportation be announced on the television through the use of appropriate symbols (car, numbered buses, after use of appropriate symbols (car, numbered buses, after school care). If a student were to forget his or her bus school care). If a student were to forget his or her bus number, he or she may refer to the “How We Go Home” number, he or she may refer to the “How We Go Home” list. If a child’s mode of dismissal changes, the parent or list. If a child’s mode of dismissal changes, the parent or guardian MUST call or send a note in to school.guardian MUST call or send a note in to school.

Behavior Behavior ManagementManagement

1. Five “life skills” are taught in the context of keeping our 1. Five “life skills” are taught in the context of keeping our bodies and hearts safe . . . being respectful, responsible, bodies and hearts safe . . . being respectful, responsible, safe, helpful and patient. safe, helpful and patient.

2. Each day we look for children to demonstrate these five 2. Each day we look for children to demonstrate these five skills. Everyday students start on “green.” If a child cannot skills. Everyday students start on “green.” If a child cannot make good choices, their card will be moved down to make good choices, their card will be moved down to yellow which means that they need to think about the yellow which means that they need to think about the choices that they are making. The student has the choices that they are making. The student has the opportunity to change their choices and move back to opportunity to change their choices and move back to green “On Track”.green “On Track”.

3. If a child’s card keeps going down to red, we send a 3. If a child’s card keeps going down to red, we send a note home to let the family know what happened that day note home to let the family know what happened that day so that they may address it with their child at home.so that they may address it with their child at home.  

HomeworkHomework- A math worksheet is sent home each night.A math worksheet is sent home each night.-- Later in the year, students will receive weekly math facts. Practice them each night for mastery.- Later in the year, students will receive weekly math facts. Practice them each night for mastery.- Sight word or vocabulary cards will come home once a week. Practice them each night for Sight word or vocabulary cards will come home once a week. Practice them each night for mastery.mastery.-- Reading: Must be done with a parent each night for about 15-20 minutes. There may be a short - Reading: Must be done with a parent each night for about 15-20 minutes. There may be a short worksheet to complete. Books may remain the same for the whole week. Rereading is highly worksheet to complete. Books may remain the same for the whole week. Rereading is highly recommended.recommended.

Reporting Reporting PeriodsPeriods

-1-1stst and 3 and 3rdrd Quarter- Parent/Teacher Conferences Quarter- Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held to discuss the children’s progress.will be held to discuss the children’s progress.

-1-1stst through 4 through 4thth Quarter- Report Cards will be Quarter- Report Cards will be sent homesent home

Field TripsField TripsWe usually have about four field trips a year, both We usually have about four field trips a year, both

on and off campus. The tentative field trips that on and off campus. The tentative field trips that we are planning on going on this year include: we are planning on going on this year include:

- Ganyard Farms Pumpkin Patch- Ganyard Farms Pumpkin Patch

- Science Fun For Everyone- Science Fun For Everyone

- Carolina Theater Children’s - Carolina Theater Children’s ProgramProgram

- Museum- Museum

The dates are still to be determined but we love to have The dates are still to be determined but we love to have as many parent chaperones as possible to join in on the as many parent chaperones as possible to join in on the fun! Parents must complete a volunteer clearance form fun! Parents must complete a volunteer clearance form in the media center before helping in class or trips.in the media center before helping in class or trips.

Birthday Birthday CelebrationsCelebrations

Due to the large number of children in our school with Due to the large number of children in our school with allergies as well as initiatives for healthier students, it is a allergies as well as initiatives for healthier students, it is a school wide policy that we do not have food for birthday school wide policy that we do not have food for birthday celebrations. Instead, we invite you to come read a special celebrations. Instead, we invite you to come read a special book chosen by your child to our class and (if you so wish) you book chosen by your child to our class and (if you so wish) you can then donate to our classroom library in your child’s name. can then donate to our classroom library in your child’s name.

MISCELLANEOUSMISCELLANEOUS Absences – For an absence to be Absences – For an absence to be

excused, a note must be sent in with excused, a note must be sent in with the student when they return to school.the student when they return to school.

Newsletter/Class Info – is posted on my Newsletter/Class Info – is posted on my website: monkeyclass/weebly.com. My website: monkeyclass/weebly.com. My email is: canderson3@wcpss.netemail is: canderson3@wcpss.net

NEED PEOPLE TO MAKE COPIESNEED PEOPLE TO MAKE COPIES Volunteers – starting in the 2Volunteers – starting in the 2ndnd quarter, quarter,

we will need volunteers to help in class. we will need volunteers to help in class. Look out for notices. Please make sure Look out for notices. Please make sure you register as a volunteer in the you register as a volunteer in the Library.Library.

WE ARE A TEAM!!!!WE ARE A TEAM!!!!

Thank you for coming Thank you for coming and you support. I look and you support. I look forward to working with forward to working with you all!you all!

Mrs. Marsh & Mrs. GuerinMrs. Marsh & Mrs. Guerin