The Kindergarten Program
The three basic areas of academic concern in Kindergarten are Language Readiness, Reading Readiness and Math Readiness.
Language Readiness
Almost everything we do in our classroom involves language development. It is the readiness area that overlaps all areas of learning. Reading especially builds upon the oral language experience. Your child must have a good basic vocabulary, a reasonable range of knowledge about the world around him/her, and the ability to express his knowledge before he/she can be expected to comprehend the written word. Oral language is your child's main means of communication. Our activities, such as opening, poems, rhymes, singing, and big books stress the development of your child's oral language. Reading aloud to your child also encourages verbal interaction at home.
Reading Readiness
Your child will learn the sounds of the alphabet through our reading program, Treasures. This program includes those essential concepts that research has repeatedly shown are necessary for learning to read.
- The alphabetic principle
- Phonemic awareness and phonics
- Comprehension strategies and skills
- Inquiry techniques and strategies
- The writing process and writing skills
Math Expressions is the math curriculum that has been adopted by Fremont Unified School District. It has a hands-on, discovery learning approach that will work well with Kindergarten. This year I will cover:
- Sorting and classifying
- Matching and Counting
- Patterns
- Numbers
- Money
- Time
- Addition
- Subtraction
We also do many Math Their Way activities which stress experiences with concrete materials to effectively teach a young child math concepts. Your child will be introduced to Touch Points and most of the children will be able to do simple addition and subtraction by the end of the school year.
Our Day
Every day is divided into a variety of time blocks, with your child's attention span and need for activity and movement carefully factored into our plans. Each day includes most of the following:
- Opening Activities
- Reading Readiness
- Math Readiness
- Workshop/Choosing
- Motor Development Activities
- Music and Literature
- Recess
Character Counts and Scholarly Habits
Once a month we will award two students per class an award for a character trait and Scholarly Habits. These awards are based on our Character Education Programs 8 Great Traits and Scholarly Habits. While we would like to give these awards to many students, we am only allowed to give each award to one. This is a school-wide program, so if your child does not win an award this year, he/she will have six more years to earn one.
Homework/Communication
Homework will come home in a special folder every Monday, and needs to be returned on Friday in the home work Folder. Please provide a quiet place and daily routine for your child. I feel that homework is important, and truly makes a difference in your child's education. It is also crucial that your child's first experience with homework be guided by a parent who makes the experience a positive one. Your child will be bringing home their completed classwork home on Thursday. Please make sure your child brings back to school their homework folder and Brier Folder on Friday. Our library day is Wednesday. Every Wednesday we will go to the School Library. Your child will be able to check out a book. Children have to return their book each week to check out a new book. In addition to the school library, we will also be implementing a reading; Raising a Reader. Children will bring home a book bag with three books for children to read and discuss with an adult. The Raising a Reader bags will come home on Monday with the homework and should be returned to school with the homework on Friday.
Classroom Behavior
We believe in expecting, encouraging and promoting positive classroom behavior. I focus on what is being done well, both as a group and individually. My expectation is for students to:
- Show Respect
- Make Good Choices
- Problem Solve
However, if a child makes a choice not to follow class rules, he/she will first receive a verbal reminder. Then, if the problem persists, he/she will be asked to sit by themselves in a time-out chair. We will always follow up with that child so that he/she is clear as to why he/she was removed from the group. We will also keep in contact with parents regarding any problems in this area. Kindergarten is critical in molding the children into good citizens. We truly appreciate your support.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email us (jpurnell@fremont.k12.ca.us or scollins@fremont.k12.ca.us), stop by for a visit before or after school, call (657-5020) or send a note with your child. We will do my best to get back to you by the following school day.
