Ms. DeFazio’s Kindergarten 2013-2014

WHO IS MS. DEFAZIO? * I grew up in Tempe/ Scottsdale I have one brother and two younger sisters Went to U of A Finished my Masters in Early Childhood Education with reading specialist from NAU I have taught 3 years prior to coming to Kyrene Taught preschool for 2 years

What we have been doing! Functioning in a classroom setting Adjustment to school routines Understanding of “school language” Emphasis on listening and following directions

What we do in Kindergarten Opening: Attendance, calendar, tally, number line, counting, place value, patterns, weather graph, poems, rhymes, flash cards with numbers and words. Reading: (Harcourt) Morning Message, Phonemic Awareness, Sharing Literature, Reading Groups, Daily Journals. Whole group and small group differentiated instruction. Math: Investigations. Begins with manipulatives and progresses to pencil and paper activities along. Centers: Students participate in a variety of centers during the week. Centers are self managed and based upon objectives taught earlier in the day or week for reinforcement. Writing Activities: Individual and class books, sight word book, journals, dictation, story starters, spelling, and nursery rhymes.

Classroom Environment *Safe *Respect *Confident Children learn how to work together and create a sense of community within our classroom!

Discipline ~Each student has a clip with their name on it. They start on Read To Learn. Clips can move up for positive behaviors and clips can move down if there are behavior concerns ~Positive behaviors are rewarded with stickers, notes home and treasure box Fridays

Mariposa is implementing a school-wide PBIS program What is PBIS? Positive Behavior Intervention System Focuses on positive rewards for good behavior Creates a plan for “teaching” appropriate student behaviors Creates a plan to address undesirable student behaviors through teacher and administrative interventions Lesson plans build on Mariposa LifeSkills Consistency throughout the school All staff expectations are the same, using the same language and the same series of rewards and consequences

BLAST Be Respectful Lead with Integrity Act Responsible Safety Matters Together We Achieve BLAST takes all the great programs and incentives Mariposa already has in place and ties them together! School Store coupons (Blast Coupons) Miss Manner certificates (Blast Coupons) Principals Lunch Lifeskills (all Lifeskills are imbedded within BLAST)

Homework 3-4 times a week It should take 10-15 minutes Reinforces skills Teaches children responsibility and accountability ALWAYS READ! Return at the end of the month when packet is finished

Progress Reports Conferences: Fall and Spring Report Cards: January and May Which follow the newly adopted Common Core Standards in reading and math. Quarterly assessments (October, December, March and May) DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) state mandated reading test Given three times a year, fall, winter and spring

Snacks – Send in every day! Small and healthy Snacks will be individual due to allergies Small and healthy Consumed within 5 minutes Water ONLY- please no Capri Suns Lunches Can pay ahead and online Lunch money Checks- write student’s & teachers name

Birthdays- correction to welcome packet Invitations NO birthday invitations at school This is a district policy Goodies There are no edible treats. May bring pencils, erasers, stickers to pass out at the END of the day.

More information will be sent home as these events become closer Up coming events More information will be sent home as these events become closer Thanksgiving Feast Winter Party Friendship Party Field Trip- Zoo End of Year Celebration

Things Volunteers can do: -Assist in centers -Prep materials- tracing and cutting -Attend field trips -Work one on one with children ~Volunteering will start in mid September  Please sign up!

Things to remember Please label belongings Jackets, Lunch Boxes, Water bottles No TOYS PLEASE!- including key chains, makeup, cars, Legos… Change in pick up- please send a note Make sure your emergency and contact information is current. To ensure your child’s safety please keep us informed of any changes regarding dismissal. Changes need to be in writing. We can only release your child to people listed on their emergency card.

Things you can do at home: Remind students of school behaviors Ask questions about the day Practice handwriting/ coloring READ every day! Look at online resources Classroom website

Please proceed to Library at 6:10 for a presentation from Mr Please proceed to Library at 6:10 for a presentation from Mr. Fallgatter