Kindergarten Team Mrs. Pam Yarbrougn – Classroom Teacher Mrs. Sally Lipkowitz – Autistic Support Mrs. Jen Smith – Reading Specialist Mrs. Aimee Mraz – Reading Specialist Mrs. Cheryl Burinski – IST, Instructional Support Teacher Mrs. Deb Weber – School Nurse Mrs. Sue McKernan & Mrs. Alexandra Lewis - Office Staff Mrs. Malinda McKillip - Principal

About Mrs. Yarbrough This is my 23 year of teaching. This is my 3 rd year here at FC (previously taught 3 rd and 5 th grade) Taught Kindergarten for 20 years: Illinois – 7 years, Colorado – 3 years, Tennessee – 8 years, & Michigan – 2 years Eastern Michigan University – Elementary Education, BS in Mathematics. University of Memphis – M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction When I’m not teaching I enjoy spending time with my family, walking my dog, sewing, and volunteering with the OJR HS Marching Band.

Home / School Communications - (will respond within 24 Notes – remind student to put notes in note basket Money – please put in an envelope with student’s name and what it is for Class School Wires Page Weekly Newsletter - (posted every Friday on our Class School Wire Page). I also send a Skyward message with the Newsletter attached. Parent Conferences (November & March) ½ day for students, conferences in the afternoon and evening AM attends first day, PM attends the second day (in the morning!)

Kindergarten Daily Schedule AM 8:40-8:50 Morning Meeting 8:50 – 9:30 ELA Read Aloud, Poems, Writing 9:30 – 10:00 WIN Time, Centers, Guided Reading 10:00 – 10:10 Snack 10:10 – 10:40 Calendar Math & Everyday Math Lesson 10:40 – 11:10 Specials 11:15 Dismissal PM 12:30 – 12:40 Morning Meeting 12:40 – 1:10 Calendar Math & Everyday Math Lesson 1:10 – 1:50 ELA Read Aloud, Poems, Writing 1:50 – 2:00 Snack 2:00 – 2:30 WIN Time, Centers, Guided Reading 2:30 – 2:35 Backpacks packed and put on chairs 2:35 – 3:05 Specials 3:10 Dismissal

Specials Schedule Helpful tips about specials: Art - Can be messy – Wear clothing you don’t mind washing Library – Books need to be returned to check out new books P.E. – Wear sneakers and comfortable clothing

Kindergarten District Curriculum Go to Click on Curriculum and then choose K In your packet are copies of the K Curriculum Expectations

Homework Begins in October Monthly Calendar - activities that support the Common Core standards Nightly Reading – Read to and with your child (20 Minutes handout & Pizza Hut Calendars) How Parents Can Help Their Children in Kindergarten – see handout

Classroom and School Community Our classroom is a community. In our community, we have rules to help us get along with each other.

Behavior Lady My goal is for all students to be READY TO LEARN each day. Students can more up and down on our behavior chart. Ask your child if their clip was moved. See Handout on Rules and Behavior Lady

Writing – Lucy Calkins Positive approach to teaching writing All students CAN write! Taking ideas and putting them on paper using words and illustrations Stretching words to write the sounds they hear Typical Writing Workshop: Mini-Lesson/Modeling Writing (teacher will meet with small groups or individual students) Share

Writing – Lucy Calkins Teaching students to use tools: Word walls Words in classroom ABC Charts Characters Think – Draw Think – Write Writing is developmental: and students progress through stages Encourage students to be RISK TAKERS!

Handwriting Without Tears Where do we start our letters? At the top! Capital Letters, taught by where the letter start (corner starters, etc.) Lower case letters Name (one capital, rest lowercase) Pencil Grip – see handout

ELA – Center / Daily 5 Students work independently to allow teacher to work on reading with small groups Daily 5 Centers Cross-curriculuar centers that align to district/state standards Preparing students for older grades

Guided Reading & WIN Time  Assessment Driven: push-in support until after assessment are completed  Flexible grouping based on formal and informal assessments  Looks different at each developmental stage: Letter recognition Sound recognition Concept of Word Sight Words Reading Strategies Comprehension  Small group instruction of students with similar needs  May work with Mrs. Y or support teacher depending on needs

Everyday Math Hands On Learning Whole Group / Small Group / Partner Activities Spiral Philosophy – revisits topics regularly Homework/Home Links Books – see books in student bag EDM Online Calendar & Daily Routines: Attendance Calendar Number of the Day Weather and Temperature Yes/No question

Science & Social Studies Integrated though out the curriculum Hands on activities, big books, projects Taught through various themes during the year Science kits Plants, Water, Recycling, 5 Senses (observations and comparisons) Kinder”gardens” Maps/Globes Holidays Citizenship

Preparing for School Fine motor skills (cutting, pencil grip) Socialization Following Directions and Rules Routines Responsibility Love of Learning!

Snack Small, preferably dry snack 5 minutes to eat Please no juice – water bottle ok Nut free classroom! Please send utensils if needed

Odds and Ends Folders - check and clean out backpacks/folders everyday Dress comfortably for weather, work, and play Volunteers – See Volunteer Handout Birthdays & Invitations – non food items - Let me know if you have not been receiving s from me ASAP! Star Student – you will receive a note Communication is key…we are on the same team! is the best way!

Homework for Mom & Dad Parent Questionnaire Pink or Blue Information Card Treasure Chest