Welcome toKindergartenBoulder Creek

ElementaryA+ School2013-2014

Boulder Creek SUCCEEDS

Our mission: Boulder Creek students will excel academically and socially in a safe and nurturing environment, that fosters independence while exemplifying good character.

Boulder Creek Rules

• Respect yourself• Respect others• Respect property

What are the rules in the classroom?

Be safe! I will keep my hands, feet,

and objects to myself.

What are the rules in the classroom?

Be kind!I will be nice and helpful

towards others.

What are the rules in the classroom?

Be respectful! I will be a good listener and

follow directions.

What are the rules in the classroom?

I will always try my best!I will work hard to complete my

schoolwork with a positive attitude.

Kindergarten Curriculum

The New Common Core Curriculum

For the 2013-2014 school year, Kindergarten will be implementing the new Common Core curriculum. Each consecutive year, other grade levels will begin to implement the Common Core curriculum.

“The point of the state-led effort to create common academic standards is simple: improving teaching and learning to ensure that high school graduates in every part of the nation have the knowledge and skills they need for college or a career. The process is designed to produce standards that are research and evidence-based as well as internationally benchmarked. If students meet these new rigorous and clear standards, they will have better choices in their lives and the nation will be more competitive in today’s global economy. These sets of standards define the knowledge and skills students should have to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing, academic college courses and in workforce training programs.” (Arizona Department of Education)

English Language Arts

The English Language Arts Core Curriculum consists of four components:

• Phonics- Fundations• Reading- Rigby/Hampton Brown• Writing- Write from the Beginning• Speaking and Listening

MathThe Mathematics Core Curriculum

consists of the following components:• Counting and Cardinality• Operations and Algebraic Thinking• Number and Operations in Base Ten• Measurement and Data• Geometry

Social Studies Curriculum

The Social Studies curriculum includes the following units:

• I Am A Citizen In My Community• Let’s Explore• How My Community Works• Red, White, and Blue

Science Curriculum

Kindergarten children experiment with:

• Wood• Paper• Fabric• LadybugsThis is a kit-based curriculum with

activities, which engage the imagination, creativity, and natural curiosity of students.

10 Things Your Child Needs to Know for First Grade

• Letter Names• Letter Sounds• Sight Words• Decoding Words• Read emergent-reader texts with

purpose and understanding

10 Things Your Child Needs to Know for First Grade

• Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to narrate a single event

• Count to 100 by ones and tens• Write numbers 0-20• Fluently add and subtract within 5• Problem Solving

SpecialsYour child will participate in a “special”

each day. These classes include: • P.E. (Physical Education)- Mr. Starks• Library- Mrs. Seals• Art- Mrs. Pedretti• Music- Mrs. Christensen• Computers * Schedules will be found in your child’s

daily folder!

Other Important Staff

• Principal- Dr. Coleman aka Princess Zero• Office Staff- Mrs. Tracy, Mrs. Heidi, and Mrs. Dana• Health Office- Nurse Jane• Building Manager- Mr. Gary• Speech Pathologist- Ms. Dawn• Reading Specialist- Mrs. Moore• Math Specialist- Ms. Udall

Kindergarten Assessment

Assessment and Report Cards

Assessment in kindergarten is a natural, ongoing, and important part of daily learning. By talking to children, listening to the language they use, and observing their behavior, the teacher gains important information about a child’s skill level and understanding. Assessments are done one-on-one to determine whether the student is meeting the standards.

Report cards go home four times a year. Assessments and report cards will be explained in more detail during parent/teacher conferences in October!

Support your Child’s Classroom

• Collect Box Tops• Collect Campbell’s Labels for

Education• Complete an Arizona Tax Credit Form• Volunteer• Chaperone Field Trips• Donate supplies and snacks

Daily Folders

Daily folders are an important component for communication between school and home. Please make sure that you are checking your child’s folder and returning it on a daily basis!

We look forward to an amazing Kindergarten year!

“ Most of what I really need to know about how to live and what to do, and how to be, I learned in Kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at elementary school.” ~Robert Fulghum