1. Welcome to Ms. Rizzi’s Kindergarten Class
George Washington Elementary School

2. Parent-Teacher Conferences:
November and February
Kindergarten Report Cards:
February and June

3. A Typical Day in Kindergarten
8:15 Arrival
Morning Meeting- Pledge, calendar, weather, weather graph, days in school morning message, schedule review, letter sound cards
Word Study/Snap Words/Handwriting
Reading Workshop
Snack
Math
Recess and Lunch (11:10-11:52)
Writing Workshop
Specials- Library, Gym (X2), Music, Art
Science/Social Studies/Family Life
Center Time
230-2:49 Pack up/Dismissal

4. Kindergarten Curriculum
Reading Workshop:
The children are experiencing Reading as an adventure .
They are learning how to choose books, search the pages of books for something they recognize, and look for new things to learn.
Our Readers’ build reading habits, learn strategies and skills of a good reader, and ultimately read “Just Right” books.
Most importantly, they are enjoying and exploring many different kinds of books.
Readers learn how to talk about their books through partner reading. They also learn how to be a good listener.

5. Writing Workshop:
Our “super writers” are learning how to use various tools to write as best that they can independently.
The children are learning that they can write for different reasons. They can teach people and they can write true stories.
Our Writers’ focus on the process of writing and have the opportunity to express themselves, every day through pictures and words.
They are looking forward to publishing and celebrating their favorite story of the month.

6. Math  
Throughout our day fun Math activities are being integrated into our daily life in the classroom.
Students will be:
Counting from 1-50 (by Dec.) then (by June)
Build foundations for place value (base ten)
Skip counting by 5’s and 10’s
Naming and identifying numbers
Counting and sorting objects
Comparing two objects
Naming, describing and making 2D and 3D shapes
Adding and subtracting

7. Word Study
Our study of letters begins with recognizing our own name and then the names of our classmates.
The children discover the letters, count how many letters and together we clap out the number of syllables. This fun celebration recognizes who we are!
Our more formal word study program begins with naming and sorting (Concept Sorts ) which features food, animals shapes etc. The children are becoming familiar with the sorting activity.

8. National Symbols and Holidays Families Are Alike and Different
Social Studies:
Discovering Who We Are
National Symbols and Holidays
Families Are Alike and Different
Why People Work and the Jobs They Do
Exploring Communities and neighborhoods
Maps
Past and present

9. Science: Physical Science Position words Force Movement Life Science
Living and non-living things
Plant, animal and human needs
Life cycle of a butterfly
Earth Science
Sun, clouds and moon
Weather
Rocks, soil and water
STEM (Science, technology, engineering, math)
Hands on activities
Predictions and observations

10. Family Life/health:
Through various topics, such as wellness, nutrition, safety and character development, students will develop a well-rounded concept of a healthy lifestyle and friendships.

11. Snap Words: What is a Snap Word?
Snap Words are words that can’t be sounded out.
They have to be learned by sight, or memorized.
Repetition and practice are very important in
making recognition of sight word automatic.
Once the core of basic sight words are memorized,
children read with better fluency and comprehension.
Sight words are placed on our word wall where
students can see them.

12. Spanish:
Spanish is taught through a program called Spanish 1a with Phonics.
Lessons include:
Comparing Alphabets
Learning the alphabet
Learning numbers 1-20
Colors
Animals
Greetings
Food
Weather
Days of the Week

13. Specials Monday: Library Tuesday: P.E. (Please remember sneakers)
Wednesday: P.E. (Please remember sneakers)
Thursday: Music
Friday: Art

14. Behavior and Reward Systems
Behavior Chart
At numerous times during the day, the students have a chance go up the behavior chart. Once, they reach the top they get a prize from the treasure chest!
Marble Jar
Students have the opportunity to earn marbles for our class marble jar during the day. Marbles are given as a whole class reward. Example: Doing a great job in specials, walking nicely in the hallway, or working together as a class. For every 10 marbles the class earns, they will earn a class surprise!

15. Tips For a Successful Year…
1.  Check backpacks daily. Please remove all notices and completed work from your child's take home folder. All notes, lunch money, or notices must be sent in your child’s take home folder.  
2.  Review the school calendar for special dates and activities.
3.  Please place all lunch money in an envelope labeled with your child's full name.
4.  Birthdays may be celebrated with a healthy snack provided by the parents (please refer to the approved healthy snack list).
5.  4 Daily homework assignments will be sent home on Monday and asked to be returned on Friday.

16. 6.  Help your child be responsible for behavior, homework and library books.
7.  Please send in a note or me if there is a change in your child's dismissal routine.
8.  Your child needs plenty of sleep; encourage an early bedtime hour. Your child should also have a healthy breakfast to begin the day with energy.  
9.  Read to your child every day.  This will benefit him/her with the language arts program and provide a special time together.
10. We are a team.  Let's work together!

17. The ABC chart above is a great tool for you to use at home
The ABC chart above is a great tool for you to use at home.  The students use these charts in school across subjects when they are reading and writing.  In addition, we practice our letters and sounds each morning during Morning Meeting using the same letters and pictures on larger individual cards.  Please practice going through the chart with your child whenever time permits.  When using the chart, point to a letter and have your child say the letter name, picture and letter sound.  For example, A, apple, "a".

18. Star Student
Every week we will have a star student of the week. Each child will have an opportunity to share some of their special family pictures, toys and books, as well as give the other children a chance to get to know them better. Please check the attached schedule for your child’s special week. They will need to do the following with your help:
On Monday, your child will bring in 3-5 pictures of themselves and their family to be posted on our classroom Star Student Board. They will also have to answer a few “favorite” questions to be posted. The pictures will be returned at the end of the week.
On Tuesday, your child will bring in their favorite toy or stuffed animal in a brown paper bag. They will also bring in a list of clues to indicate the contents of the bag to the class.
On Wednesday, your child will bring in their favorite book for me to read to the class.
On Thursday, your child will bring in a baggie with less than 24 small items in it for our Estimation Jar. You may put anything in the baggie: stickers, erasers, rocks, buttons, beads etc. The children take turns estimating how many items are in the jar. This is an important part of our math program as it reinforces the concepts of counting and numbers.
On Friday, your child will bring in an item that is special to them for show and tell.

19. This program is an excellent way to help strengthen self-esteem, oral communication skills and a sense of community. I realize that it requires a great deal of parental support. So, thank you in advance for being such an important part of this program.
Please refer to the detailed star student schedule found in your folder. This outlines which student will be the star of the week from the beginning to end. All of this star student information will be available on our class webpage.

20. Birthdays and Celebrations
This can be found in the   Parent-Student Handbook:
To maximize instructional time, birthday parties are not permitted during the school day. However, students can bring a healthy small treat for their classmates, which will be distributed during snack time or towards the end of the day. Please see the Approved Healthy Snack List for food guidelines. Goody bags may not contain candy or toys. Goody bags may contain an “educational treat” (Pencils, erasers, notepads, etc.)

21. I am looking forward to a great year with you and your child.
Thank you for coming!