The document summarizes the kindergarten curriculum and philosophy at the Joseph Sears School. It discusses the school's approach to teaching the whole child through developmentally appropriate activities. Key areas of the curriculum covered include language arts, math, science, social science, and specials like music, PE, Spanish and library. The document also outlines classroom routines, parent-teacher communication, and other logistical information.

1. Kindergarten Curriculum Night Mrs. Joyce Toan The Joseph Sears School September 9 th , 2008 Welcome and thank you for joining us! Mrs. Kosicki Instructional Assistant

3. Kindergarten Philosophy Our basic philosophy is that learning should be enjoyable, meaningful and the least stressful environment for your child. Although many of your children share the same chronological age, their developmental age varies greatly. It is the developmental age that is the most important, because it indicates to us what your child is ready to do. It is our philosophy to teach the whole child. By teaching the whole child, we are addressing their social, emotional, physical, cognitive and sensory needs through a developmental approach. We value the individuality of each child as much as you do. It is our intent to develop a classroom of children who can critically think and ask meaningful questions for themselves, rather than recite facts and imitate others. It is with these thoughts in mind that we actively involve our students in the learning process. We do so by providing our students with many opportunities to express themselves, make discoveries, solve problems and interact with their environment. It is in this way that we help your child develop mentally, physically and emotionally at the rate that is most comfortable.

4. Curriculum Areas – Language Arts Language Arts – For reading progression to take place, children must understand that print should make sense, and that it is just written down words. Literacy expressions such as shared reading, choral reading, listening, reading aloud and language experience stories help the children build an awareness of the relationship between print and comprehension. For writing development to take place, children need to explore writing using a variety of tools (markers, pencils, crayons, papers and stationary). In addition, children need to be exposed to many different forms of print (environmental, newspaper, magazines, books, advertisements). The combination of these experiences help build a foundation that is conducive to lifelong literacy. Handwriting – we use the Handwriting Without Tears style of writing with the focus on teaching lower case letters and reviewing upper case letters. Strategies: listening, comprehension, communicating ideas both verbally and in print, experiencing various literacy genres, identifying letter formations and sounds, writing upper and lower case letters, holding a pencil correctly, spelling developmentally, spelling conventionally, making class and individual books, writing in journals, acting out stories, fingerplays, songs, etc.

5. Phonemic Awareness vs. Phonics Phonemic awareness is recognizing that speech is made up of a series of sounds that can be manipulated. Phonics is a means to decode printed words made up of sounds and is built on the child’s ability to understand Phonemic Awareness.

6. Curriculum Areas - Math The most important goal of mathematics instruction is developing problem solving skills. Children acquire these skills best through hands-on activities. There are three levels of learning and understanding numbers: Concept level using actual items Connecting level using picture cues Symbolic level using written numerals and symbols Strategies: patterning, sorting and classifying, counting whole numbers, comparing, graphing, estimating, adding, subtracting, time awareness, money, conservation, calendar skills, place value, spatial awareness (puzzles & blocks), geometry.

7. Curriculum Areas - Science Systems of sorting. Using senses to sort and organize the world through hands-on activities. Life Science Physical Science Earth Science Strategies: identifying patterns in the environment, comparing objects and living things, observing attributes both similar and different, recording predictions and results, demonstrating fair experiments. Possible themes include seasons, living and growing, the 5 senses, creepy crawlies and magnets. Themes are subject to changes.

8. Curriculum Areas – Social Science To have children learn about themselves, the community around them and cultures around the world. Possible themes include self-awareness, family, community, cultural holidays, careers, address and phone number. Me Day activities.

9. Curriculum Areas - Play Children gain insights about themselves and the world around them through play. The works of Piaget, Montessori, Erikson, Elkind, Vygotsky, Gardner and other theorists have demonstrated that children learn best while at play. Center Activities: blocks, dramatic play, art, reading books, math, writing, puzzles, easel, computer, Leap Frog, sensory and science. “ If we took our child’s play as seriously as our own tasks, we would be as loath to interrupt it as we are reluctant to be interfered with when we are working.” - Bruno Bettelheim

10. Specials P.E. – Mr. David Hawk Children meet 20 minutes, 3 days per week We recommend children have velcro gym shoes and a pair of socks to be kept at school Please dress child appropriately for outdoor P.E. classes Music – Mr. Ross Cabin Classes meet 30 minutes, 2 days per week Spanish – Senora Carol Rosenberg Classes meet 30 minutes, 5 days per week Library – Mrs. Elisabeth LeBris and Assistant - TBA Class meets 20 minutes, 1 day per week

11. Classroom Routines Snacks – Please send one healthy simple snack with your child each day. We do not have a snack supply in our classroom. You should send a water bottle with your child daily to be kept in their backpack. Birthday Celebrations – Please let the teacher know in advance if you are planning to bring a special treat. Birthdays are celebrated at snack time. Please provide napkins and paper plates. Juice boxes are acceptable for birthday celebrations. Class parties: There are four class parties throughout the year. Room parents are responsible for planning, organizing and preparing for the parties. If you are available and would like to help out, please let the Room Parents know. Room Parents –Kim Thames (contact), Kimberly Hedley, and Lisa O’Rourke. Dismissal – Please give your teacher a note if your child is going home with someone other than you. It is important for your child’s safety that we know the adult who is picking up your child at dismissal time.

12. Parent – Teacher Communication Weekly newsletter – Each Friday our classroom newsletter will be coming home informing you of upcoming events and highlighting our week’s activities. Please check your child’s backpack each Friday. Email – jtoan@kenilworth38.org Phone – (847-853-3853). I am usually with the children during teaching hours and unable to answer my phone, but I will return voice mails at lunch or after school. If you have an urgent message, please call the school office (847-256-5006) and they will let me know. Conferences – Parent/Teacher conferences take place in November and March. Please note we are also available for conferences when and if it is necessary.