Remsenburg-Speonk KindergartenREMSENBURG-SPEONK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2019-2020 An Informal Look at the Kindergarten Program Welcome to the Remsenburg-Speonk Elementary School Kindergarten. This is a very exciting time in your child's life! We are delighted to share this special year with you and your child and welcome the opportunity to provide the following informal description of our daily schedule. A full day program such as ours is organized and structured, yet open to change according to new events and student needs. Children have a need to feel secure and comfortable in their environment. Children feel more in charge of their own lives if they understand the daily routine. Therefore, a daily routine is established that becomes comfortable and familiar to the students. Our balanced approach to literacy learning provides many differentiated experiences. Several components comprise the literacy program and include a reading and writing workshop model. Our program's main focus is on emergent literacy, developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills taught through theme units. Theme units are units of study in which lessons in various subject areas, such as language, math, science, and social studies, are related to one another. Together, these lessons provide the focus on a specific topic, subject, or major theme. Themes are child-centered, developmentally appropriate, based on the children's interest and the Kindergarten curriculum. These units include themes such as: All About Me, My Friends at School, Home and Family, Animals in Winter, Things that Go, and Celebrations. A range of literacy activities immerses the children in fine literature and is used to create readiness for reading and writing. Several activities foster active involvement by the children as we begin formal instruction in reading and writing. As children participate in beginning literacy lessons, they talk, listen, write, and have experiences with books and print. Experiences are provided that allow children to build upon their own knowledge and ability, as children are encouraged to question, reflect, and to gain an understanding of their literature experiences. Each morning, the children are given instruction in literacy activities. Many of our lessons and activities are completed in small groups. This process facilitates interaction with the children and continuous assessment of their progress. There are several special subject areas that our class participates in throughout the week. The children go to Physical Education five times a week and Library two times a week; Art twice a week; and Computers, Music, Spanish, and Health once a week. The children also borrow and return books from our library on a weekly basis. In addition, the students bring a snack from home each day for our snack time. The remainder of the day is used for a variety of activities. The teacher meets with the children to carry out math, social studies, or science activities. Many lessons incorporate hands-on, discovery-type activities. Often, the children are divided into groups that are later rotated, so that all children have an opportunity to try each activity. Many days, a second outdoor play time is scheduled in addition to their lunch-time recess. The children require some gross motor activity before ending the day. We go outside to enjoy the playground, kick ball, jumping rope, and playing outdoor games. Before going home, we meet to discuss the day's events as well as to discuss any special events for the next day. The children are responsible for the neatness of their classroom, their own belongings, and private space. They have individual jobs that need to be completed daily. Responsibility, even on a small scale, is part of growing up. Therefore, it is necessary to begin having a few responsibilities of their own. Some examples of classroom jobs are: leader, caboose, calendar, weather, snack helper, and messenger. You will be proud to hear and see your child take these responsibilities very seriously. The teacher is available for questions and concerns throughout the year. Every effort is made to keep you informed of your child's progress and individual strengths/weaknesses. Your child may not develop at the same rate as another child in the classroom, and this is very important to remember. Your child is special and unique, and this should always be kept in mind when looking at his/her development and progress throughout the year. A positive home-school relationship is vital to your child's success. We share a common goal to ensure the developmental welfare of your child. This goes beyond academic achievement tests and report cards. We look forward to working together so that we can help each other make your child's experience in Kindergarten a successful, happy one. Please feel free to call whenever you have a question concerning your child and school. We look forward to seeing your children, the class of 2032, in September! |