Welcome

1. All I Ever Needed to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten… Welcome

2. Kindergarten Schedule 7:40 Arrival 7:50-8:15 Calendar/Morning Message 8:20-8:35 Handwriting 8:35-9:35 Language Arts/Literacy Stations/Guided Reading Groups 9:35-10:30 Writer’s Workshop 10:30-11:00 Lunch 11:00-11:20 Read Aloud/Reader’s Workshop 11:20-11:50 Math Whole Group 11:50-12:35 Specials 12:35-1:05 Math Small Groups/Math Stations 1:05-1:35 Recess 1:40-2:05 Snack 2:05-2:35 Science 2:35-2:50 Pack Up/Closure/Dismissal

3. Announcements/ Reminders *Email: anything we need to know immediately. *Dismissal Changes: Please send e-mail or call the front office. *Lunch: visitors /restrictions on your child’s account. *G.M.A.:Please meet us in the cafeteria on Fridays. *Daily Folders: Behavior Calendars /Completed work/Notes from school or PTA

4. Math • Hands-on curriculum • Manipulatives and math tubs • Sorting, patterns, number concepts, counting to 100, counting by 2’s, 5’s, 10’s, graphing, measurement, problem solving, addition, subtraction, place value, and fractions • Work at individual levels • Small groups, large groups, and independent activities (Math Stations) • Math Journals

5. Reading *Shared Reading -Whole group -Familiar Text / Pattern Books *Guided Reading -Small group -Developing reading strategies • Start the word • Look at the picture • Look for things you know • Go back and get a running start • Check if it makes sense Comprehension Explicit and Non-explicit *Readers Workshop 20-30 Minutes Daily

6. Language Arts • Individual / Small Group Work • Various Types of Center Activities 1. Listening Center 2. Writing Center 3. Reading Around the Room 4. Handwriting Center 5. Name Center 6. ABC Center 7. Making Words with Magnetic Letters 8. Computer Literacy 9. Poetry Center 10. Art Literacy

7. Spelling • Informal Instruction • Color songs • Chunking • Word families • Word wall • Phoneme segmentation • Progresses in stages

8. Non-Phonetic • Scribbled or approximated • letter forms; “wavy” or “loopy” • writing • Pre-Phonetic • Random symbols • not necessarily associated • with letter knowledge • Semi-Phonetic • Spelling attempts • begin to show some • evidence of sound/symbol • correspondence • Phonetic • Every sound feature • of a word that the child • hears is represented • Transitional • Consistent attempts of • words with letter blends • More accurate attempts • involving vowels • Some conventionally • spelled words begin to • appear • Conventional • Most spelling conventions are incorporated • Spells most words correctly • Now ready for more intense word study: homonyms, contractions, • and irregular spellings • Begins to internalize the rules that govern more difficult vowel • and consonant combinations, word ending, and prefixes

9. Writing • Interactive Writing- teacher guided, students help sound out words and write together • Journals- independentpractice writing andsounding out words • Writer’s Workshop- learning the parts and components of a story, creating their own books and stories, and editing and publishing their writing • Handwriting- New curriculum, Handwriting Without Tears.

10. HWT Parent Letter Dear Parents,   Welcome to kindergarten! In Frisco ISD we are using the state approved Handwriting Without Tears® (HWT) kindergarten program for printing. This developmentally appropriate program uses hands-on, multisensory techniques to teach letter and number formation and eliminate reversals. Automaticity (fluency) in handwriting is critically important. Just as fluency in reading positively impacts reading comprehension, fluency in writing positively impacts writing composition. (Steve Graham, Vanderbilt University,1996) Your child will be using the Letters and Numbers for Me workbook to print letters and numbers, words, and simple sentences. The workbook includes lessons using large arm movements, air tracing, letter sizes and places exercises, and more. These strategies invite active participation and address diverse learning styles so that all children achieve their highest potential and develop a love of learning. Lessons present new concepts in order from the easiest to the most challenging so that children master skills one step at a time to develop ease and confidence. The attached charts will provide an overview of the HWT model. To learn more about this model, please visit hwtears.com to watch how-to videos that will show you what your child will be learning. Sincerely, The Elementary Curriculum Department

11. Science • 30 Minutes Daily • Hands On experiments/activities • Science Journals • Research based • Aligned with TEKS • Consistent throughout the district *plants, rocks, soil, insects, pumpkins, apples, five senses, seasons, weather, Farm Animals*… • Integrated Library Research Units

12. Social Studies • Integrated into Language Arts. • Kindergarten S.S. Big Ideas • My School & Me • Culture & Traditions • My Community • Patriotic Symbols & Figures *Constitution Day, Freedom Week, Community Helpers, Black History, Famous Americans/Presidents, Thanksgiving, Gingerbread Unit, Technology*

13. Free Choice Centers Self-Selected Centers: 45 minutes every Friday. Important for Social Development Benefits of Play *Gives children a sense of power and control. *Promotes imagination and creativity. • *Allows for investigation and repetition. • * Promotes longer attention spans. • *Encourages deeper interests. • * Decreases stress. • *Is a voluntary activity. • *Allows children to practice different roles. • *Encourages language building. • *Helps children to learn and practice problem solving skills. • * chance to make new friends and communication skills with peers. AND It is FUN!

14. Technology • Classroom or computer lab activities. • Design Scholastic Keys page with graphics, text, and sound. • Type to learn junior. We will focus on keeping left and right hands on the appropriate side of the keyboard. • Practice typing, changing font, size, and style of text in Word • iStation • iTouches • Mac Books

15. Read to your child. Sing silly rhyme songs with them. Have them practice writing their first and last name with only one capital letter. Practice “Life Skills”: tying shoes, phone number, address, birthday. Let them tell you “stories”. Practice counting things at home. Practice saying & recognizing the alphabet. Talk with your child. What Can I Do to Help Prepare My Child?

16. Communication • School Phone: 469-633-2300 • Email:addresses available • Conference period: 11:50-12:35 *Check the marqueefor upcoming events* Frisco ISD website: www.friscoisd.org Kindergarten Website: Weekly Newsletter/ Wish Lists/School News & Announcements

17. Daily Folders *Side Pocket- Send all money in envelope, empty and check daily. *Behavior Calendar- Check & be sure to sign each day. No news is good news!  *Homework *Guided Reading

18. Important Dates to Remember! • Parent/Teacher Conferences October 10th. *Sign up sheets for parent conference times are located outside of Pod 1! Don’t forget to sign up!*

19. *Instill in Your Child a Love of Learning*

20. “When you ask me what I’ve done at school today, and I say that “I just played”, please don’t misunderstand me. For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in my work. I’m preparing for tomorrow. Today, I am a child and my work is play.”

21. Thanks for Coming! We know this is going to be a fantastic year!*Mrs. Cross, Miss Autry, Mrs. Hardwick, Miss Lyttle, Mrs. Bundy