Kindergarten Readiness Helping Parents and Students Through the Transition Process

AGENDA Understand the behavioral and academic expectations of a Kindergarten classroom Possess ideas for activities to promote Kindergarten Readiness in children Understand the various parts of the Kindergarten transition process

The Kindergarten Teachers

A TYPICAL DAY IN THE CLASSROOM All Kindergarten classes meet 7 hours per day The typical classroom size ranges from 20-22 children with one teacher Students have a 30 minute lunch in the cafeteria and go to recess for 30 minutes with their grade level peers. ENCORE (55 minutes) –PE, Art, Music, Science; classes vary campus to campus Students go to the library and computer lab weekly and have integrated technology in the classroom (iPad) 45 minutes math 90 minutes English language arts which includes reading workshop and writer’s workshop as a  daily program Subject areas science, social studies integrated throughout the entire day

BEHAVORIAL EXPECTATIONS Students should: transition from activity to activity independently with a few verbal prompts sit in whole group instruction on the floor be able to independently take care of personal needs (bathroom, blow their nose, etc.) monitor their own behavior manage classroom materials appropriately follow routines and rules work independently

ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE Skills your child should practice: buckling and unbuckling seat belt/car seat using the toilet without adult assistance putting on and removing his/her own outer clothing practice eating in a 30 minute time frame and staying seated while eating opening food containers, cartons, and straws putting away materials following directions focusing on an activity enduring a full day of kindergarten (no nap) consistent bed time every night working socially with peers and teachers emotionally functioning in a full day classroom tying his/her shoes

Social-Emotional Expectations Student should: show an eagerness to learn new things be willing to try new things be able to show empathy for others be able to work with others in order to solve problems

Encourage social skills Provide opportunities for your child to socialize with other children…. Story time at the local library Parks Playgroups Expose children to new activities

Literacy Expectations Students should be able to: identify some uppercase and lowercase letters name the correct sound to some letters write some letters recognize and produce rhyming words recognize their name and write their name, using a capital letter and lowercase

How can you help? Read to your child and discuss the story Talk about books Sing rhyming songs Play with magnetic letters Practice matching letters with their sounds Read signs in the environment

Prepare for written language Provide fine motor experiences through…. playing with Play-Doh practicing cutting with child’s scissors using glue bottles and glue sticks coloring or writing with a variety of tools such as pencils, markers, and crayons encouraging your child to draw pictures and tell you about them writing the letters of the alphabet working with your child to recognize and name the basic shapes working with your child to recognize and name the basic 8 colors

Math expectations Students should be able to: identify positions of an object (first through fifth) understand position words such as over, on, under, etc. sequence events count to 10 recognize number 1 - 10

Provide math experiences Engage your child in: counting (e.g., cookies at snack, stairs climbed, number of pennies, etc.) setting the table to practice one-to-one correspondence sorting laundry by color or size helping prepare a simple meal using quantitative words (e.g., empty/full, more/less, one or one more)

Things you need to know Student who will be 5 years old on or before September 1 are eligible to go to kindergarten in the fall. Check the district website for more information regarding online registration, health information and more.

Thank you for joining us this evening! We look forward to seeing you in August. You can find this presentation by accessing the Johnson Elementary School website through www.southlakecarroll.edu. (Click on the Kindergarten link.)