1. Welcome to McGregor Elementary
Kindergarten Round Up

2. Welcome to Kindergarten
Children entering kindergarten in 2011 will graduate in 2024!

3. Kindergarten is Not What it Used to Be…
Kindergarten is a demanding curriculum that includes:
Reading
Writing
Math
Science
Social Studies
Play

4. C Level Book

5. Student Writing Sample
Grace was mad about the smoothie.
I want to help.

6. Kindergarten Curriculum
The curriculum for Rochester Community Schools is set by the Michigan Department of Education and the Rochester Community Schools
RCS utilizes a reading and writing workshop approach to teach literacy
Kindergarten students are assessed throughout the year in a number of areas. Some examples are:
Concepts About Print
Rhyming
Blending
Segmentation
Letter/Sound Identification
Writing
Reading Level
Numeration and Math concepts
Students who need additional support may be invited to join an intervention group. These students will work in small groups of 3-4 children with our intervention staff.

7. Zoo Phonics

8. The D’Nealian Alphabet

9. Ready, Set, Go! Emerging Independence: Learning to be part of a group:
For some children, kindergarten marks the first big separation from their family. They have to be able to cope with the events of any given day – both disappointments and triumphs – on their own. They have to be able to put the urge to see mom and dad or a familiar baby-sitter on hold, becoming more self-reliant and learn to turn to adults other than their parents for help.
Learning to be part of a group:
Sitting in a circle, standing in line, taking turns and working with other kids to build a block town are part of a typical kindergarten day. These activities are not as easy for children as they seem to be for the rest of us. They require many social skills, such as being able to compromise and to control impulses i.e. to shout or jump up at inappropriate times.
Staying on tasks:
In preschool, kids can start coloring a picture and move on to building with blocks when their interest wanes, but in kindergarten, they begin learning to stay with a task until it’s complete. Very short, focused activities, such as tracing numbers or telling a story, are designed to help kids do that.

10. Independent/Self Help Skills
Prepare your child for kindergarten by encouraging self-help skills. Independence is critical for helping your child adjust to school.
Get coat on and off and hang it up 
Follow simple two-step instructions such as "take off your boots and put on your shoes"
Go to the bathroom and wash hands 
Blow their nose and cover their mouth when they cough 
Fasten and unfasten simple buttons and snaps 
Eat neatly and pour into a cup 
Open up a juice box and get the straw in.

11. Social Emotional Skills
In Kindergarten, children should be able to express their feelings in words and begin to understand that two people can use the same thing at the same time
Sharing
Compromising
Turn-Taking
Problem-Solving

12. The First Day of School!
The first day of school is a half day. AM kindergarten ONLY
The second day of school is a normal day. AM and PM kindergarten. This will be PM kindergarten’s 1st day of school.

13. Preparing for Kindergarten
Practice cutting, coloring, and tracing.
Read at bedtime and during the day.
Practice writing first name. Capital for the first letter and the rest should be lower case letters.
Sing and recite nursery rhymes.
Play outside with others.
Read instead of watching TV.
Listen to your child, let them express their own feelings.
Read a variety of books.
Talk to your child. Make decisions together.
After reading a book to your child, have them retell the story back to you.
Encourage proper pencil grip.
Introduce your child to numbers 1-10.
Practice zipping/buttoning pants, coats, etc.
Practice cleaning up after self and taking turns.
Set bedtime routine.
Practice appropriate ways to express anger/frustrations.
Practice following directions

14. Did You Know…
Studies show that reading to your child for minutes each day increases their early literacy skills, vocabulary, language development, and attention to details!
US Department of Education

15. Pencil Grip
The proper pencil grip is important to learn and practice as early as possible because we all know that “bad habits are hard to break!” Please encourage the following pencil grip: The pencil should be held between the pointer finger and thumb at the base of the pencil. The middle of the pencil should lie in the crease of your hand.

16. What Can Parents Do? Provide a variety of print materials at home.
Have writing instruments and materials readily available.
Encourage child’s attempt to read and write.
Read storybooks routinely.
Check out the resources we have provided for you on our website.

17. PNC Bank: Growing Up Great!
Go into any PNC bank branch to pick up a FREE copy of one of their Math is All Around Kits.
Go to their website for more great resources!
EN ESPAÑOL TAMBIÉN!

18. Kindergarten Round Up Website

19. See You in September!
Thank you for attending your child’s kindergarten round up! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask any of the kindergarten teachers, principal or office staff. We would be happy to assist you in making this wonderful transition to McGregor as smooth as possible!
Kindergarten website: