Welcome to Mrs. Crump’s Kindergarten Curriculum Night 2014-2015

Jeana Crump Kindergarten, 2nd grade, Preschool in Albuquerque, NM and San Angelo, TX Armstrong Kindergarten Inst. Asst: 2011-2012 Armstrong Kindergarten Teacher: 2012-2014 BS in Elementary Education, Baylor University Working on MSEd in Curriculum and Instruction w/focus in Literacy Education, Mizzou

Communication Class Website! armstrong.hpisd.org Please click "Subscribe" to start receiving all of my posts. Whole class e-mails occasionally Email anytime you have a question or concern! I want to deal with any issues as soon as possible.

Folders Yellow Poetry: Goes home Friday - Have your child read the poem to you and have fun reviewing our old poems. Send back on Monday Green Take Home: Goes home daily – Serves as a daily communication tool and Snap Word log. Send back on Monday No more Green Friday Folders – any other information will be in Green Take Home folder, posted online, or sent via email

Behavior Our class rules: Kind words Hands to self Listen when my teacher/friend is talking Follow directions Always do my best work!

Homework Homework will consist of a daily reading log. We are asking that you and your child read together for 15-20 minutes per day and record on the Reading log on my website. Additional reading assignments will be sent home weekly and then daily, as the year progresses. Snap Words – see next page

Snap Words

Parent-Teacher Conferences When: November 3rd, 2014 We’ll discuss report card information and TPRI results Location: Main Conference room near the office Sign-ups will be posted online soon Feel free to contact me with any concerns you may have before then.

Classroom Volunteer Opportunities Friday Readers – Come and read a few favorite picture books to the class on Friday mornings at 8:05 – 8:15 (one day per person initially, please) Poetry Folders – Help stuff poetry folders on Thursday mornings (may be shared among several) Miscellaneous Take-Home tasks – occasional cutting, tracing, etc. on an as-needed basis Class Parties, etc. – More information coming from our room moms, Becca Betz and Kathy Gameros

Arrival Access lockers or come in classroom at 7:50am School begins at 8:00am, Students are tardy at 8:05am Please help your child develop independence and responsible behaviors by unpacking themselves and coming into the classroom alone. If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. ~Abigail Van Buren

ELA/Reading and Writing Reading Workshop Writing Workshop Word Work Focus: developing stamina and independence while practicing skills learned A balanced approach to literacy includes read alouds, guided reading, shared reading, independent reading, and word study

Becoming an Independent writer I never spell a word for a child. I always help them sound it out, give them a strategy to try, or direct them to our class word wall. This enables them to take ownership and to determine what sounds they are hearing within the word. This will help build their self-confidence and will eventually help them to become a better reader, writer and speller.

Key Concepts in Kindergarten: Math Key Concepts in Kindergarten: Geometry Patterns Number Concepts Composing and Decomposing Numbers Addition and Subtraction Graphing Measurement *Personal Financial Literacy and Money Math Workshop consists of:

Social Studies Science Integrated Throughout the Curriculum Five Senses Properties of Matter Earth Materials/Rocks and Soil Plants Systems: Weather Integrated Throughout the Curriculum Our Home, Community, State, and Nation Map Usage Light and Colors Animals Oviparous animals Insects Metamorphosis Simple Machines

Digital Citizenship “Our kids are playing on a digital playground, and no one is on recess duty!” @kevinhoneycutt

Twitter Partnership with around 7 classes (at this time) around the country Opportunity to begin learning about digital citizenship Private – only other Kindergarten classes allowed to see our tweets, no names or photos of students Tweet a sentence or two about our day Read and learn about other Kindergarten classes Please let me know if you have any questions!

Specials Please wear athletic shoes for PE Discipline in Specials classes Monday – Art/PE Tuesday – Library/Music ** Wednesday – PE/Library Thursday – Music/PE Friday – PE/Art

Library Kindergartners are allowed to check out one book a week. Our checkout day is Wednesday. Parents are welcome to check out 6 books at a time. Library books must be returned by the following Wednesday in order to check out books again.

Lunch Our Lunch Time is 11:00-11:30 Review lunch menu daily with your child. If you plan on having lunch with your child, please wait for them in the cafeteria. Do not invite other students to eat with you unless they are accompanied by their parent/guardian. Check with Jeanette Volpe regarding your child’s DineRite account for ice cream on Friday. If you do not want your child to get ice cream please explain this to them.

Birthdays Birthday snacks are for lunch time only. Also, we ask that you only give to our classroom and not to friends in other classes. Summer birthdays - may be celebrated on half-birthday or during the month of May. Let me know when your child will be celebrating. Please remember no balloons or party favors. Please see the Student Handbook for more information about appropriate snacks and treats. WE ARE A PEANUT-FREE classroom!

Dismissal Any Changes? Send a note with your child Call the office Please do not rely on email after 12pm (I may not have time to check!) If there is an emergency, please call the office and they will inform me. Ex: stuck in traffic due to an accident and are going to be late picking up a child or want to give permission for another parent to pick up your child. If it is raining. The class will wait inside the doors and look for your vehicle. It is very crowded, so please be patient or you can check in at the office and have them call for your child.

Clothing Dress your child appropriately for the weather as we will be going outside for recess daily. Classroom temperature fluctuates (have a sweater!) If your child cannot participate in P.E., we must have a written note on that day. Please practice buttoning/zipping coats and sweaters and tying shoes!

Star of the WEEK Toys and Sharing Page for class book Show and Tell Class Leader Responsibilities Due to possible loss or damage, please keep all toys at home unless we are doing a special project. Ear Buds – Please send an inexpensive pair to keep at school.

October 31st Come to school dressed as your favorite storybook character – and bring the book to share, too! More details to follow…

Scholastic Book Orders Scholastic Book Order reminders will be sent home regularly. You can find the link to Scholastic on the tab on my website. Follow the directions to order online with our class. This helps us earn free books for our classroom!

Stability Balls in Our Classroom There are 3 main purposes for using the ball chairs and incorporating movement into the classroom: Movement increases blood flow to the brain, which is better for brain function (and learning!). Movement helps children "get the wiggles out" which aids their natural need to move.  This helps them focus by expending the excess energy they build up throughout the day. Sitting on a stability ball supports and builds their core muscles.  This also helps develop large motor muscles, which support small motor muscles (think writing and hand strength).

HPISD Talented & Gifted Information:

Room Moms Kathy Gameros Kgameros@sbcglobal.net Becca Betz Beccabetz@me.com