The Whole Child

Social development involves the child's perception and acceptance of his/her social roles and responsibilities with regard to others. Social experiences will be provided on a daily basis, which will require exploration of materials and environment, and problem solving situations. These experiences will include, but not be limited to:

	Expression of ideas
	Cooperation
	Sharing
	Sense of belonging to a group
	Acceptance of responsibility
	Manners
	Active participation
	Respect for authority and rules
	Appropriate decision-making
	Development of independent behaviors
	Respect for the rights of others

Emotional development involves the child's perceptions and acceptance of his/her self. Experiences will be provided and guidance given to allow individuals to effectively react to the environment. These experiences will include but not be limited to:

	Development of positive self-concept
	Appropriate expression of needs
	Adaptation to change
	Appropriate response to guidance
	Development of secure relationships

The program will include active physical experiences to enhance physical growth, coordination, and relief from stress. The experiences will include, but not be limited to:

	Large motor activities
	Fine motor activities
	Eye-hand coordination

Children will be actively involved in first-and experiences, which arouse curiosity and interest as well as promote individual cognitive growth. The process rather than the product will be emphasized. These experiences will include, but not be limited to:

	Math
	Reading readiness/language
	Science
	Social studies
	Creative and expressive arts

1. Macmillan Reading Readiness--Your child will be introduced to various reading readiness concepts that will help build a strong foundation for reading instruction next year. ACTUAL READING INSTRUCTION OCCURS IN FIRST GRADE.

The following skills are covered in our readiness program:

	recognize and identify letters
	recognize rhyming words
	recognize and identify initial sounds
	predict outcomes *understand cause and effect relationships *compare and contrast stories *encounter a variety of quality literature *understand the importance of listening to others *understand the connection between spoken and written language *express themselves verbally and through print *retell stories or experiences in sequence

2. AlphaTime--The "Letter people" program is a phonics-based program that encourages language development. Each letter is introduced with the inflatable letter person and a special song. Each letter person has a special attribute to associate with the sound. For example, Mr. M has a Munching Mouth-thus the /m/ sound. Our assessments include identification of capital and lowercase letters and their sounds.

3. Part of our reading readiness program also includes literacy-based activities. We are attempting to get children to learn to read and write by reading and writing. We take each child at his/her current level and build on it. In kindergarten, we do a lot of dictation stories and repetitive reading. Students are encouraged to write their own stories. We write class books frequently as well as read a variety of children's literature to expand their vocabulary and understanding.

4. 6+1 Writing Program-- Students from K-12 use the 6+1 traits of writing. In kindergarten, students are exposed to the vocabulary from this program. This is done through books we read, stories we write, pictures we draw, etc. Kindergarten students are "graded" on 2 of the traits: Conventions and Ideas/Content. A continuum is provided so you may see what your child will be graded on. The following is an explanation on each of the six traits.

	IDEAS The ideas are the heart of the message, the content of the piece, the main theme, and the details that enrich and develop that theme.
	ORGANIZATION Organization is the internal structure of a piece of writing, the thread of central meaning, and the logical and sometimes intriguing pattern of the ideas.
	VOICE The voice is the heart and soul, the magic, the wit, along with the feeling and conviction of the individual writer coming out through the words.
	WORD CHOICE Word choice is the use of rich, colorful, precise language that moves and enlightens the reader.
	SENTENCE FLUENCY Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language, the sound of word patterns, and the way in which the writing plays to the ear-not just to the eye.
	CONVENTIONS Conventions are the mechanical correctness of the piece: spelling, grammar and usage, paragraphing, use of capitals and punctuation.

5. Handwriting--D'Nealian writing is an improved method of teaching the basic number and letter forms, size, slant, rhythm, and spacing. It makes the transition from manuscript to cursive much easier for the children Children will be taught to write their name with a capital letter followed by lowercase letters (John, not JOHN). Please keep this in mind when labeling school supplies, coats, etc.

As each letter in introduced, we talk about how we will write the letter and how we will see the letter written in books. In essence, your child is learning two forms of the alphabet. Reversals are common at the kindergarten level. Do not be concerned by this, as reversals tend to diminish as your child matures.

Math

The district has adopted the University of Chicago's Everyday Math program. The following is an introduction to the program.

Mathematics is about numbers, shapes, and patterns. It is counting, measuring things, discovering similarities and differences, and solving problems.

The University of Chicago School Mathematics Project's Everyday Mathematics program is a program that "does mathematics". It relies on dialogue and discussion, experimentation and discovery.

Children who are read to, learn to read. Everyday Mathematics supports the belief that children who are "mathed with," learn mathematics. Doing mathematics together can be as pleasant for families as sharing a good book.
-from Everyday Mathematics Mathematics Home by the University of Chicago

Social Studies

Our Social Studies curriculum consists of 5 topics which include Cultures and Traditions, Decision-Making and Social Skills, Community Awareness, School and Rules, and Families. Much of this curriculum is integrated into the Language Arts portion of the day as the district has provided us with wonderful literature to share with the children.

Science

During the year your child will experience activities from five different science kits: Water Exploration, Ecology, Senses, Magnets, and Seeds to Plants. In addition, we will explore and investigate the world around us, learn about constellations and the night sky, and discover dinosaurs. Health topics will include sharing, expressing feelings, food groups, and home and school safety. We will learn to practice good health habits and recognize the need for rest, play, and exercise.

Specials

	ART Children are encouraged to express themselves through various forms of art activities. We will visit the art teacher each week for 25 minutes for formal art instruction.
	MUSIC Children spend 25 minutes each week with our music teacher and benefit from other music experiences throughout the week. Musical expression and rhythm are introduced.
	PHYSICAL EDUCATION The children spend 25 minutes each week with the P.E. instructor learning various games, exercises, dances, and skills. Your child will need to wear gym shoes for P.E. class.
	LEARNING MEDIA CENTER (LMC) Students will be allowed to check out books in addition to special activities in our LMC. Children will also visit the computer lab once a week and build skills based on our curriculum.

Please help us and your child by making things run more smoothly. Your cooperation in following these guidelines is greatly appreciated!

School Hours

AM 9:05-11:50
PM 12:50-3:35

It is important that our sessions start promptly at 9:05 and 12:50. Children not present when attendance is taken will be marked tardy. AM students arriving after 9:05 and PM students arriving after 12:50 must enter through the main doors and stop in the office to sign in and receive and late slip from one of our secretaries.

Please send a note any time there is a change in the manner that your child is dismissed from school. If no written notice is received, your child will be sent home as usual.

It is the responsibility of the parent to inform the day care centers of any changes in attendance due to field trips or special events.

Communication

Once a month, you will receive a newsletter describing the skills and activities we cover in each curricular area. Please read the letter to become acquainted with the subjects that will be introduced. You will also receive a weekly newsletter that lists our activities for each curricular area as well as any important reminders we may have.

We appreciate the communication you initiate regarding questions and concerns you may have. If your child is experiencing some crisis at home such as illness, death of a relative, travel by one or both parents, loss of a pet, etc. it is very helpful for your child's teacher to be aware of this. Feel free to send a note or call and leave a message. Your call will be returned within 24 hours.

It is the school's policy that you call the school explaining the reason for any absence from school. This holds true for an absence of one day as well.

Birthdays

Birthdays are a special treat for kindergartners. We will celebrate your child's birthday by giving him/her a certificate, singing to him/her and s/he will receive a McCarty Mustang item from the principal as well as having his/her name announced over the loudspeaker. Because of diet restrictions and food allergies, NO TREATS ARE ALLOWED. Non edible treats such as pencils, erasers, etc. are acceptable items to share with students. For those who would like to participate, we have initiated a "Birthday Remembrance" program where you donate a book in honor of your child to our LMC.

INVITATIONS TO BIRTHDAY PARTIES ARE TO BE HANDLED BY PARENTS. THEY WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED AT SCHOOL. This is to avoid the possibility of some children feeling excluded.

Big Cheese

Each week one child is selected to be the Big Cheese. At this time, your child will share things about themselves and their families through the Big Cheese Poster, have show and tell, wear the Big Cheese apron, and be the line leader.

Book Orders

Book orders will be sent out once a month or every other month. Ordering books is optional. If you choose to order, please return the order form WITH A CHECK by the date listed on the form. DO NOT SEND CASH. Checks should be made payable to SCHOLASTIC. The selections are made by the book club and are not necessarily recommended by teachers.

Homework

At the kindergarten level we encourage parents to reinforce new concepts as they are introduced. Please go over your child's papers each evening and talk about the math and reading readiness concepts presented that day. See if your child can recall the letter person and his/her feature and sound. Once a week your child will receive a handwriting page to practice the letter of the week. Please return this homework the following day so we can monitor his/her progress. Math homework will be given out on Fridays. Please use the Homelinks books throughout the year. Homework sheets reflect the activities in the Homelinks.

To increase vocabulary and build listening skills we ask that you read to your child each day. Your child is allowed to visit the library each day if s/he brings back a book and provided there is enough time that day. This is an excellent pattern to begin in kindergarten and as your child moves through first grade, s/he will begin to read to you! Reading to your child in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere will help your child come to value the reading experience. You will also work on developing your child's attention span. When you finish the story, check your child's listening comprehension by asking some basic questions (who, what, when, where, and why) Above all, have fun reading!!!

The last area of homework is our periodic report card checks. Midway through each quarter you will receive a Progress Report indicating those concepts we have been working on. (Some examples include: address, phone number, letters, sounds, numbers). Please review these concepts with your child, as we will be assessing them again for report cards. If your child does not already know how to zip, button, and tie, please work on those skills at home. Those are important skills especially when the weather gets colder.

Grading

At the kindergarten level a great deal of work we complete in class is done a s a group. Many activities involve discussion. Since the work during first semester is completed together, your child should have few errors. As we move through the second half of the year, your child will begin to complete work independently.

Evaluation of each student is based upon the teacher's observation, daily classroom work and report card checks each quarter.

The first quarter conference is based upon "the whole child". We will discuss the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual areas of that reporting period. During the second, third and fourth quarters, we will issue report cards evaluating specific kindergarten objectives.