1. Curriculum Night 2014 Kindergarten Samuel Beck Elementary School
Welcome, Families!
Curriculum Night 2014
Kindergarten
Samuel Beck Elementary School

2. Kindergarten Schedule
7:20-7:50 Arrival
7:50-8:10 Fluency Skills Block
8:10-9:10 Writing Workshop
9:10-10:10 Reading Workshop
10:15-10:45 Lunch
10:45-11:15 Recess
11:20-11:50 Science
11:55-12:50 Specials
12:50- 1:00 Snack/ Read Aloud
1:00-2:20 Math Workshop
2:20- 2:40 Small Group Instruction
2:40- 2:45 Pack Up/Dismissal

3. So, what do you learn in Kindergarten, anyway?
the four seasons
So, what do you learn in Kindergarten, anyway?
healthy habits
the science inquiry process/questioning
basic personal information: phone number, address...
determining the weather
calendar basics: months, days of the week, year…
to classify and group objects according to such characteristics as shape, color, size, and texture (attributes)
developing fine motor skills
to recognize upper and lowercase letters of the alphabet
and more!!
collecting and interpreting data: graphs, surveys
to match letters with sounds
social skills
count numbers up to 100
word families like “-at” (cat, sat, hat)
rhyming words
to read sight words like I, and, is, the, my
use their five senses to make simple scientific observations
holidays and what they mean
when to use capital and lowercase letters
begin reading words
what a sentence is and how to write one
different families and cultures
how to be a good student/school procedures
to write sight words like I, and, is, the, my
to write numbers up to at least 20
understand how people in communities work together
about my family
identify and name shapes
draw cut and manipulate shapes
recognizing patterns
basic addition and subtraction

4. Language Arts
Book and Print Awareness Letters and Letter Sounds Syllables Beginning, Middle and Ending Sounds Blends and Digraphs Rhyming Words Blending to Read Words Basic High Frequency Words Writing Capital and Lowercase Letters Penmanship and Fine Motor Skills Write First and Last Name Read a Level 4-6 Book Comprehension

5. Language Arts Reading Test: DRA2-- What is it?
DRA2 is a reading assessment that determines your child’s reading level.
Most Kindergarteners are able to read a level A or 1 at the beginning of the year.
By the end of Kindergarten, your child should be able to read a level 4-6.

6. Level 4

7. Level 6

8. Beginning of Year Writing Stage 3

9. End of Year Writing Stage 4

10. End of Year Writing Stage 5

11. Mathematics
Count by Ones to 100 Write Numbers 1-20 Skip Counting by 2’s, 5’s & 10’s Patterns Shapes and Solids Positional Language Comparing and Sequencing Identify Half and Whole Identify Coins Read a Calendar Addition and Subtraction Problem Solving

12. Science
Our Five Senses Observing and Gathering Information Simple Investigations Communicate and Record Findings Rocks, Soil, Water Weather and Seasons Living vs. Nonliving Things Animals Life Cycles Plants

13. Social Studies
US and Texas Flags Customs and Cultures Celebrations and Holidays Landforms and Bodies of Water Jobs and Community Workers Location Terms Chronological Order

14. Technology
Computer Ipad Using a Mouse Technology Safety Start and Exit Programs Basic Technology Vocabulary

15. Kindergarten Grades Grade Explanation:
Kindergarten uses a letter system on Report Cards based on academic and developmental growth
D: “developed”: child meets that academic goal with 100% satisfaction every time.
SD: “skill still developing”: child understands the skill, and can perform it most of the time, but may need more practice to achieve mastery level.
X:“experiencing difficulty”: the child needs a lot of help with the skill. They may not know what to do, or very little of the skill at all. These are areas which need extra practice at home as well.

16. Nuts and Bolts…

17. Family Communication Student Handbook and Code of Conduct at
Class Websites at
Select Beck Elementary Staff Teacher Name
Daily Communication Folders
Pay Lunch Account Online:
Parents Menus/Food Services
Transportation Changes Must Be ed to the front office at by 2:00pm

18. Communication Binders
Students will take these to and from school every day!
Be sure to initial calendar every night! Even on the good days! 
Pocket is used for sending money and important notes to and from school.
Be sure to check for important information, homework, etc.

19. Attendance & Absences
Attendance in Kindergarten is very important. This is because we do many hands-on and interactive activities that simply can’t be made up.
When your child needs to stay home, please notify the front office and/or your child’s teacher via
Make-Up Work
Can be requested if your child is absent more than two days
Work will not be sent home with siblings, neighbors, or friends

20. Birthday Celebrations
We love to recognize your child on their special day!
If you would like to provide a treat for your child’s class in honor of their birthday, you may send them to school with your child or bring them to the front office. The teacher will determine the appropriate time in the afternoon for sharing the treat.
The birthday treat MUST be single-servings. (cupcakes, cookies, etc)
Please also provide napkins for the treat. 
No party favors, balloons, drinks, or decorations are allowed.

21. Clothes and Shoes Please be sure your child is prepared: 
Be sure they have tennis shoes to wear during P.E. and recess. P.E. is everyday!
2. Be sure to leave a change of clothes in your child’s backpack for unforeseen incidents (accidents, mud, who knows?)
3. Bring a light jacket for cool classrooms and cool days outside.
P.S: Students should be bringing their backpacks every day!

22. Independence
Kindergarteners are encouraged to be independent. They should be able to:
Take care of own bathroom needs
Do their morning jobs (put away folder, select lunch choice, put away backpack, etc.)
Button, zip and snap own clothing and tie/velcro their shoes. Be teaching it at home! (Double-Knot before they leave for school!

23. Library Here are some good things to remember:
Please reinforce how we take care of our books. (We don’t eat or drink around them, we carry it carefully, etc.)
2. Always read your child’s books with them. Talk with them about the book they chose. Was it a good choice? Why/Why not?

24. We love our parent volunteers!
PTA and Volunteering
We love our parent volunteers!
If you would like to volunteer, fill out the PTA volunteer form if you haven’t already, at the PTA table.
Parents/Guardians must have completed and NISD background check to volunteer (These must be completed each year)
See the Beck Website for more details

25. A Little Housekeeping…
To help your child be successful:
Be sure to leave all toys, jewelry, key chains at home. These can be distracting and risk getting lost if brought to school. Teachers are not responsible for lost student toys.
Please write your child’s first and last name on things you send to school: lunchboxes, jackets, backpacks, snacks, water bottles, etc. This will help us return lost items ASAP 

26. How Can I Help My Child? Read with them every night.
Here are a few things you can do to help your child be successful in Kindergarten:
Read with them every night.
Write with them as much as
possible.
-Magna Doodles
-iPads
Count anything and everything.
Make sure they get a good night’s rest.
Fill ‘em up right at mealtimes.

27. Questions?