2. Some information about me  Born in Ontario, raised in BC  Have two Special Needs foster siblings.  BSc. (Psychology) from UVic in 2001. BEd. in Elementary Education from UBC in 2009.  Taught Kindergarten in 2010 at a small independent school, then York House Little School, then Collingwood since 2012.

3. Our Associate Faculty (AF) Miss Ellie Klintworth  Graduated from UBC- B.Ed program with focus on Kindergarten.  Loves teaching Literacy, especially reading.  Daughter of Mr. Paul Klintworth! (Our Computer teacher )

4. Classroom Ethos  We are all good at different things.  We feel proud of trying our best.  We praise effort, not ability.  We are kind to our friends.  We help each other out when we can.  When we need help, we ask a teacher  We say ‘please’.  We say ‘thank you’.

5. Reggio Emilia Philosophy  The Reggio Emilia approach is an educational philosophy based on the experiences of families and educators in Italy, proceeding World War II. They believed that children become who they are as individuals in their early years of development. The program focuses on learning through exploration and discovery.  We value the child as strong, capable and resilient; rich with wonder and knowledge. Every child brings with them deep curiosity and potential and this innate curiosity drives their interest to understand their world and their place within it.

6. Children are capable.  Children are capable of constructing their own learning.  They are driven by their interests to understand and know more.

7. Learning from each other.  Children form an understanding of themselves and their place in the world through their interactions with others.  There is a strong focus on social collaboration, working in groups, where each child is an equal participant, having their thoughts and questions valued. The adult is not the giver of knowledge. Children search out the knowledge through their own investigations.

8. Learning from their surroundings.  The environment is recognised for its potential to inspire children.  An environment filled with natural light, order and beauty.  The space encourages collaboration, communication and exploration.  The space respects children as capable by providing them with authentic materials & tools.

9. The Importance of Play  Young children learn about their world through play.  Centres time most afternoons.  Building- the physics of balance and shapes.  Home Corner- learning to get along, take on different roles.  Puzzles, lego- solve problems, develop spatial awareness, and concentrate.  Creation Station- Express themselves, explore their creativity, fine motor skills.  Natural Materials- scientific discoveries, develop sense of wonder.

10. My philosophy:  Kind, consistent, firm.

11. Parent- Teacher Communication  Email is the best method: seema.ahad@collingwood.org  Our class website: http://kakindergarten2014- 2015.weebly.com/http://kakindergarten2014- 2015.weebly.com/  Reading Diary  For any absence-please send an email for our records (thanks!)

12. Class mums  They will help me to organize help for class parties and field trips and to relay important info  Everyone who wishes should get a chance to help with something over the year  Must have criminal record check to volunteer for field trip  No goodie bags

13. Daily Routines  children come into classroom starting at 8.10 am  hang up backpack, coat, etc…  put reading folder in the reading folder bucket and water bottle in front of their mailbox  go to table to do ‘Morning Work”- might not finish  attendance at 8.30am at the carpet  morning recess at 10.05am (snack before, except on Thursdays).  lunch at 11.50am- **please send placemat.  Lunch recess from 12.05-12.45pm  **NO NUTS  dismissal at 2.30pm (*usually start down at 2.20pm)  Daycare: must be registered

14. Weekly Routines Monday: Bring gym bag back to school Tuesday: Library – Please send library book back to exchange. A new book will come home. Wednesday: Assembly day – Kindergarten assemblies will be every other week. #1 uniform every Wednesday Friday: Gym bag sent home at the weekend to be washed and returned Monday

15. Children’s Belongings  Which items ‘live’ at school?  rainboots  (*optional=rain jacket. We have CW ponchos as well)  gym bag (comes home every Friday to be returned Monday)  Which items travel back and forth each day?  -reading folder  -water bottles  **Please Label Everything!!

16. Home Reading Programme:  programme starts next week (Monday 16 th )  -book sent home each night in reading folder  -a variety of ‘types’ of books  -should be at your child’s reading ability  -child reads home reading book to you (with support )  -please make a note in the reading diary  -send book and reading diary back to school in reading folder each day

17. This year, I would like your child to:  try new things and develop varying interests  make new friends  develop self confidence  explore and be curious  be creative  develop social and emotional awareness  increase his or her independence  not be afraid to make mistakes  develop language and communication skills  enjoy coming to school EVERY DAY!

18. Ways that you can help :  encourage independence  label everything  Teach your child how to open containers, and how to keep their spaces tidy.  Note about tomorrow re: Traffic, parking. Thank you for coming this evening!