Kindergarten Miss Arlotto

Education DeSales University (2005) Undergrad Degree in Elementary Education Certified Special Education Teacher East Stroudsburg University (2011) Master of Education in Reading Certified Reading Specialist

Philosophy of Teaching I feel it’s important that my students… feel safe to take risks in the classroom are actively engaged in learning are challenged and held to high expectations enjoy coming to kindergarten every day My expectations are different for each child I take a firm, assertive approach while encouraging my students

Circle Time Morning Greeting/Singing Math Objectives: Weather Temperature Days of the week Yesterday, today, and tomorrow Months Number identification Counting backward/forward, skip counting Ordinal numbers Place value Graphing Tally marks

Journeys (Language Arts) Unit 1 Topics: Families, Going to School, Pets, Jobs, and Helping. Unit 2 Topics: Using Our Senses, Sounds and Language, Ways to Move, Machines and Wheels, and Using Shapes. Unit 3 Topics: Seasons, Weather, Animal Bodies, Animal Homes, and Up in the Sky. Unit 4 Topics: Testing Ideas, Nature All Around, Oceans and Waterways, Outdoor Adventures, and Making Discoveries. Unit 5 Topics: Working Together, Growing Up, How Things Grow, Animal Colors, and Growing Food. Unit 6 Topics: Trying Your Best, Family Outings, Getting Help, Learning New Things, and Good Neighbors. (All units will address various reading skills- Words to Know, Phonological Awareness, Fluency, Vocabulary Strategies, Comprehension Skills and Strategies, Grammar, and Writing.)

Guided Reading Block Children assessed using a DRA Information used to create reading groups Guided reading groups are small groups (4-6 children reading on the same level) that meet together each day to read Focus on: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Comprehension, and Vocabulary. Groups work in literacy centers when they are not at guided reading (students work on building independence by completing tasks on their own)

Science/Social Studies Big Ideas Science- Looking at Plants and Animals, Where Plants and Animals Live, Looking at Earth, Looking at the Sky, Observing Objects, and Things that Move. Social Studies- School Days, Farms and Factories, The Thanksgiving Story, Citizenship and Famous Americans, Living in a Community.

Centers Beginning of the year centers used for play (kitchen, dress up, blocks, play-doh, etc.) As time progresses students transitioned to literacy centers working on activities focusing on particular concepts supporting learning Activities are engaging and hands on (Centers are used during Guided Reading block) Literacy Centers: Write Around the Room, Alphabet Matching Games, Name Games, Listening Center, Word Work Games, Sound Work, Writing, Art, Computers.

Math Concepts Model, Read, and Write Numbers Represent, Compare, and Order Numbers Addition and Subtraction Numbers to 20 and Beyond Sorting and Data Two-Dimensional Shapes Positions and Patterns Three-Dimensional Shapes

Writing Workshop Primary Goal: Help students realize they are “famous authors” like the books they read Students’ draw stories and write about simple things that happen to them in their everyday life Teacher modeled mini lessons help their writing develop/progress Students will use knowledge and ideas from mini lessons to write: (use temporary spelling) Conferences daily/meet each child at least once a week

Portfolios/Kinder Karnival Student work kept in portfolios throughout year Children chose examples of work from their portfolio beginning, middle, and end of year Work chosen is displayed at Kinder Karnival at the end of the year Students receive a report card 4 marking periods Pre-K to 2 will receive progress notes.

Homework Review of concepts taught in school (Approx min.) Main Homework: Book BaggyBook Baggy Book for each child based on their reading level They take it home and read each night during the week (Amount of time spent reading and talking about story increases as reading ability progresses) Sent home on Tues./Sent back to school on Fri.

Recess/Specials Approx. 25 Minutes Daily Indoor/Outdoor Specials Phys. Ed. Art Music Health Spanish

Raceway On Track With Good Behavior On track (green) = 2 tickets Tickets placed in box for each warning No tickets left- move off track into the pit (yellow/ 5 min. timeout at recess) If spoken to again- move from the pit into the garage (red/up to 10 min. timeout at recess) Students demonstrating excellent behavior can get back on track! Students can also move up and attain highest level color- GOLD!

Welcome to Kindergarten!!! I look forward to working with you to make this school year a success