KINDERGARTEN 2014

Parents Night

Welcome

Mrs. BernhardtGraduated from National Louis University

with Masters Degree in 2003Teaching for 16 years (first, multi-age,

second)Kindergarten (2nd year)FamilyMarriedThree children (9,8 & 6)Busy!!!

Kindergarten Philosophy

In District 47 we believe that the foundation of successful schooling is formed during the kindergarten year through the development of positive attitudes and learning habits. We recognize that each child enters kindergarten with a unique background of experiences. Therefore, the child’s kindergarten experience should be the cooperative effort of the child, parent and teacher. The curriculum is designed to support the academic, social, emotional and physical growth of the child. The instructional program is activity and language oriented, providing a secure and accepting environment, which motivates each child to use skills when developmentally ready. School personal and parents working together will provide for the individual development of the whole child.

Kindergarten Core Instruction

http://www.corestandards.org/what-parents-should-know

Language Arts Increase Reading of Informational Text

There will be a greater emphasis on Informational texts Text Complexity

In addition to having opportunities to read at their independent and instructional reading levels, all students will be exposed to grade-level texts

Academic Vocabulary Tier 1: Social Language Tier 2: Literature Based (synonyms, etc.) Tier 3: Content-Specific

Text-Based Answers Close Reading/Referring to text for answers, analyzing the text, having to synthesize text before answering

questions, etc. Increase Writing from Sources

Argumentative/Persuasive Informative/Expository

Literacy Instruction in all Content Areas Integrating Social Studies into Units of Study Integrating Spelling into ALL content areas (rather than a separate block of time)

Handwriting

Kindergarten Core Instruction

Math Currently aligning standards

Science Next Generation Science Standards

Language Arts

Reading Your Character and Your Community, Ecosystems, Cultural Movement,

Forces and Interactions, Weather and Climate and Life Cycles Shared Reading Mini-Lesson Guided Reading Stations

Writing 6+1 Writing Traits Program

Modeled Writing Interactive Writing Independent Writing

Technology www.Raz-kids.com (passwords will be sent home) Please see my website for additional links

Handwriting

Sunform

D’Nealian Workbook Additional Worksheets Stations

Math

Everyday Math Whole Class Instruction Small Group Work Math Explorations Independent Tasks

Homework Few times a week Requires parent support

Technology www.everydaymathonline.com (Students will be sent home with

passwords) Please see my website for additional links

Science

Wood and Paper Spring

Technology http://www.fossweb.com Please see my website for direct link

Character Counts

Six Pillars of Character Responsibility

Duty, Accountability, Pursue Excellence, Self-Control Trustworthiness

Integrity, Honesty, Reliability, Loyalty Citizenship

Do Your Share, Respect Authority and Law Caring

Concern for Others, Charity Fairness

Fairness and Justice, Openness Respect

Golden Rule, Tolerance and Acceptance, Nonviolence, Courtesy

Lunch

Lunch Time 11:30-12:20Students have the option of bringing or buying their

lunch. Menus are sent home monthlyParents are encouraged to purchase a lunch ticket if

their child will be buying lunch. A 10 day ticket is $26.00 and a 20 day ticket is $52.

Cash or checks are accepted. Checks must be made out to School District 47.

Milk may be purchased for $0.55 If you would like to send in cash, $2.60, for your child to

buy lunch please send it in an envelope or Ziploc bag with their name written on the front.

Encores

Students that will be staying all day will need to have gym shoes to participate in P.E. and an art shirt. The encore schedule is as follows;

Monday - Art Tuesday- STEM Wednesday- Library Thursday- Gym Friday- Music

Snack/Rest Time

Each afternoon we will be restingRest time could include;

Reading Writing Resting

Snack time will occur during rest time. Snacks are optional and are provided by parents. Small and Manageable Healthy Peanut Free

Behavior Management System

Classroom behavior will be tracked on a behavior ladder. The children will have the opportunity to be recognized for good behavior by climbing up the ladder. The ladder will also serve as a redirection system for inappropriate behavior

As students are learning the rules reminders will be given about behavior. Students will be given a stamp on their calendar if they had a good day. If a child requires multiple reminders they will not receive a stamp for the day. Please check your child’s calendar every day.

Report Cards

Standards are established by the District for each grade level in Reading, Writing & Math

Reports reflect student progress as a whole Learner Characteristics Academic Progress over time (4,3,2,1) Student Work, Assessments, and PortfoliosStudents Assessed three times a yearMAP test

Daily Routine Reminders

Attendance Please call the office and notify them of your child’s

absence. Drop-Off

Front of the school by the cross-walkPick-Up

Parents must park their car and walk to front of building to pick up their child.

If there is a change in your child’s end of the day routine please call or send a note with your child. E-Mail notifications are unreliable.

Folders

Red Folder Needs to be brought to school “cleaned-out” every day Behavior Calendar – Stamped daily for good behavior Homework – Please return the next day

Reading Folder Reading Log

Please sign the log each night your child reads/or is read to (log will begin in October)

Guided Reading Books Books will be sent home periodically Please read them with your child and send them back the next

day

Celebrations

Birthdays When your child’s special day arrives they can bring in a non-food item to

share with the class. Donate a book to the class for all to enjoy Special pencils/erasers for each student Stickers Please remember bringing in a “treat” is certainly not a requirement for

birthday recognition. Birthday invitations are not allowed at school and cannot be distributed to

friends and classmates. PTA is putting together a directory of students.

Class Parties Last hour of the day

Halloween Winter Valentines Day (Card Exchange only)

Volunteer Opportunities

Project Story Boost Reading to various Kindergarteners

Classroom Parties Sign Up Sheet (2 Parents per party)

Halloween Winter Valentines Day (Card Exchange only)

No Photographs Please

Helpful Hints

Sleep A good night’s sleep is important (10-12 hours) Consistent Bedtime

Breakfast Be sure your child has a good meal before school to

give them energy to take on their dayLabel Clothes

Winter GearProper Name

Capital letter only for the first letter Lowercase for the rest of their name

Upcoming Events

Picture Day- Monday, September 23rd

Parent Teacher Conferences Wednesday, October 23rd 5-8pm Thursday, October 24th 12-8pm Friday, October 25th 8-11am

Early Release Days There are several throughout the year and the

student hours are 9-2pm.

Contact Information

Newsletters Sent home weekly Electronic or hard copy available Follow me @mrsbkindy

Phone 815-459-4231 Before school, Lunch, Fine Arts

E-Mail cmbernhardt@d47.org

Website home.d47.org/cov/cmbernhardt

Questions

Note cards Questions Phone Number Best time to call