Kindergarten Back to School Night Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Welcome to BTSN 2011!!! Here is what we will cover this evening: Getting to know each other Goals for this year Methods of Communication Volunteering in the Classroom Snack Behavior Management Kindergarten Integrated Curriculum 2.0 A Day in the Life a Kindergartner Homework Conference Sign Ups Questions or Concerns

Goals for This Year Your child will…. Grow as an individual and learner within all learning domains. Be provided with a positive and enriching learning environment where his/her needs are met and furthered. Become an independent and successful reader and grasp essential math concepts. Enjoy his/her time in Kindergarten and has a positive attitude towards school.

Methods of Communication Newsletters (Quarterly) Letter from home or school Phone Call Student Work Report cards sent home in January and June Mini-Reports sent home in the middle of each quarter

Volunteering the Classroom We utilize parent volunteers inside and outside the classroom to support the development of your child. Monday September 19 th – Forms will be sent home. Monday September 26 th – Forms will be due. Monday October 3 rd – Volunteer Calendars will be sent home. Monday October 17 th – Volunteer Positions will begin.

Snack Please send in with your child a nutritional snack for the afternoon. Clearly label your child’s snack to ensure that they do not eat their snack during lunch. Some quick and easy snack ideas include apples, bananas, trail mix, and cheese. Please avoid sending in snacks like cookies and sweets.

Behavior Management Each student is expected to follow all school and class rules. Class constitution is developed. Each teacher has her own behavior management system. -Positives- stickers, reward after filling jar, star rewards -Consequences 1. warning 2. sit in thinking chair 3. contact parents. Centers around Community of Caring character education theme and our new Stop and Think social skills lessons.

What is MCPS Curriculum 2.0? See packet for K breakdown. New Internationally-driven standards in mathematics, reading, and writing. Renewed focus on teaching the whole child. Integrates thinking, reasoning, and creativity for a lifetime of learning.

New internationally-driven standards in mathematics, reading, and writing Developed by a group of states to help U.S. students compete favorably with peers in leading academic nations. More challenging than current Maryland standards. Greater emphasis on depth of understanding at the elementary level in mathematics, reading, and writing. Learn more at corestandards.org

Renewed focus on teaching the whole child The Thinking and Academic Success Skills are the common thread that integrate content areas. Content areas still maintain their separate goals and objectives. Students learn more when making connections across content areas – natural areas for connections are provided. Art Mathematics Music Health Information Literacy Reading Science Social Studies Writing

What is MCPS Curriculum 2.0?

Where can I learn more? Definitions and examples of Thinking and Academic Success Skills Parent Guides for the content in each grade level – K-2 (what will my student learn?) Video examples of integration Video on Mathematics changes Share your feedback with MCPS Detailed curriculum framework (philosophy, research, content area learning objectives)

A Day in the Life of a Kindergartner Opening Morning Meeting Shared Reading/Read Aloud Literacy Centers/Small Group Recess and Lunch Math Lesson Math Centers/Small Group Specials Writing Dismissal Ms. Fernandez’s Class Mrs. Atkinson’s Class Mrs. Buss’s Class Monday: PEMonday: MediaMonday: Music Tuesday: MediaTuesday: PETuesday: Art Wednesday: ArtWednesday: Music Wednesday: Library Thursday: MusicThursday: ArtThursday: PE

Kindergarten Homework We are presently in the process of planning what homework will look like this year and how it will be organized. In the past the expectations have been 10 minutes of math and 10 minutes of reading each day Monday through Thursday. It will be similar but with more hands on and fun math activities. It is given on a Monday and turned in the Friday of the following week. (They have two weeks to complete) Kindergarten homework will begin at the beginning of the second marking period. (beginning of November) Just practice and checked for completion.

Housekeeping We need notes/ s first thing in the morning when there is a change in where they are going after school. Please let the front office know as well. We need notes/ s first thing in the morning when there is a play date after school. From both parties! Please check in with the office before coming to the classroom for any reason. We need to see a visitor badge. Birthday policy – we celebrate with crown & song, but do not have special treats or parties.

Don ’ t Forget… Sign up for conferences! Please specific questions!

Thank you for coming! It is going to be a great year