Kindergarten - Allen Independent School District
Cheatham Kindergarten
Handbook
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Kindergarten is a very special time. It is an introduction to formal school. The children will be introduced to many new ideas and concepts. They not only learn technical concepts, but also good study habits, listening skills, problem solving, and how to follow directions.
Kindergarten classes consist of structured lessons (whole group, small group and one on one), teacher modeling, peer interaction, independent work, and literacy centers. In the beginning of the school year, children are assessed as to what they already know. Teachers individualize instruction for each child based upon the needs of that child to assure bringing that child to his/her fullest potential. It is our goal to develop the whole child; intellectually, emotionally, creatively, and socially.
Kindergarten is a period when children are actively engaged in acquiring new skills and basic concepts. They begin to use these concepts in problem solving tasks that are the beginnings of many inquiries. As they begin to explore their environment they begin to construct their own knowledge. It is our responsibility to provide a rich and an interesting environment for growth and risk taking to take place. We want to bring every child to their highest potential for learning.
Parents are the most important people in a child’s life. It is very important for parents to be involved with their child’s education. For this reason we encourage parents support and participation throughout the kindergarten year and beyond.
Curriculum
Children in kindergarten are involved in many activities. The TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) provide the curriculum backbone with many opportunities for the children to reach their highest potential. It is through this curriculum that the following content areas are taught: reading and writing, math, social studies, science, and technology.
• If you would like to view any information regarding the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) you may use the following website:
Kindergarten Writing
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Writing is an essential part of your child’s development. Since all students enter kindergarten with their own writing abilities, the skills taught during reading instruction will aid students in their writing process.
Stages of Writing
Research has shown that writing skills develop in a predictable order:
▪ Pictures
▪ Approximations
▪ Random Letters
▪ Initial Consonants
▪ Initial and Final Consonants
▪ Vowel/Consonant Combinations
▪ Words (all syllables present)
▪ Standard Spelling
Daily Writing
In kindergarten, students will be given a Draft Book in which they will write everyday. This first composition is their very first draft that will go on to be edited at individual writing conferences with the teacher. A final product will then be developed and published to glorify their achievements as an author.
In the beginning stages, writing is in the form of personal accounts. Writing is then enhanced as we venture into different genres of literature. Their writing techniques will transform their personal accounts into actual stories intended for an audience. As your child’s stories develop through the different writing stages, you will simply be amazed at what your young writer is truly capable of!
Kindergarten Reading Program
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At Cheatham Elementary, we teach reading using a Comprehensive Literacy approach. In kindergarten, your child will be both immersed and surrounded by literature and will be taught important basic skills that will help them learn to decode words and use context clues in their reading.
Students will be actively involved from day one. We will read and discuss many exciting books together. The students will learn about authors and illustrators, title and dedication pages, and story grammar: character, setting, problem, and solution. Several opportunities will be provided each day for the students to explore reading during individual reading and listening centers (Daily 5).
As teachers, we will teach your child letter identification, the link between letters and sounds, and how to blend those sounds together to form words. Your child will learn how to detect initial and final sounds in words. They will also learn about rhyming words and patterns with print. They will see and hear how letters fit together to form words and how words combine to form sentences. The students will learn the different forms of punctuation and how sentences can form the basis for stories that can be published into books.
Sight words are introduced and then placed on a Word Wall. Students will have Word Wall Words each week that they will be expected to learn. This will build their sight word vocabulary allowing them to quickly identify words in a passage.
Students will be placed in flexible reading groups that will fluctuate throughout the year. They will also have the opportunity to work one-on-one with the teacher on reading skills, applying these skills when reading a story, and enhancing their comprehension capabilities. All books and instruction are tailored to meet the individual needs of each student.
All of these skills will be used to develop your child’s ability to read and write. As they learn to identify letters and sounds, the students will begin to apply these skills in their writing. The Word Wall will serve as an excellent tool for Draft Book. The more stories that the students are exposed to, the better their writing will become. “Great readers go on to be great writers, and great writers go on to become greater readers.”
Your children are embarking on a great adventure. To ensure their success, we will need to work as a team. It is extremely important that reading take place both at school and at home. You will be asked to have your child read books that they receive during their reading group, as well as, practice reading and writing their Word Wall Words. Together we can help your child succeed in reading!
Components of a Comprehensive Literacy Program
Read Aloud – The teacher reads stories/ poems that are at or above the students’ independent and guided reading levels. This familiarizes students with book language, story structure, descriptions, plot development, concepts of print, phonics and phonemic awareness, and the love of literature.
Shared Reading – This provides the beginning support that enables children to read independently. The teacher reads a story to the whole group or class. During rereading, the children participate, reading more and more of the text.
Guided Reading - A small group, teacher-directed, that helps the children to develop the reading strategies they need to become independent readers.
Independent Reading – This provides opportunities during the day for children to practice and internalize strategies learned during shared and guided reading, using many different types of text.
Write Aloud/ Modeled Writing – The teacher models the processes an author uses in planning and writing a story or other product, for the whole class or a small group.
Shared Writing – The teacher and the children work together through the processes that occur in writing: concepts and conventions of print, sound/symbol relations, phonics, and spelling.
Guided Writing – The children write with or for the teacher, following the same processes as Shared Writing.
Independent Writing – Children learn to write by writing for their own purposes and from their own experiences. They learn to think of themselves as authors, making good writing decisions while employing the entire Writing Process (from first draft through editing to “published” product). Additional practice of discrete skills may be in the form of directed writing or worksheets.
Kindergarten Math
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The math curriculum is a sequential hands-on approach. It begins with basic concepts and develops into higher level thinking skills. Real life scenarios are also incorporated through story problems. Students are allowed to work with many different types of manipulatives to reinforce the concepts learned. It is our goal to promote lifelong problem solving skills as we encourage the children to explain their “thinking”.
Kindergarten Math Concepts:
▪ Count, Read and Write Sets to 10
▪ Generate and Compare Sets to 10
▪ Count, Read, and Write Sets to 20
▪ Generate and Compare Sets to 20
▪ Graphing
▪ Geometry
▪ Numbers to 100
▪ Estimation
▪ Composing and Decomposing
▪ Addition
▪ Subtraction
▪ Measurement
▪ Money
▪ Personal Finance
Science
Children can discover the content of science by applying the processes of science. These include observation, comparing, classifying, measuring, communicating, predicting analyzing, and evaluating. The scientific method is used as experiments are demonstrated. Science is very hands-on with real life experiences to connect knowledge to what they already know and promote learning. The science program aids in the development of language and reading skills as well. Cheatham has a well equipped science lab that kindergarten students will have the opportunity to utilize periodically throughout the year.
Social Studies Integrated with ELA
Our social studies units are based upon areas of study that promote growth and expansion of knowledge of which the children can relate. Social Studies allows children to become aware of their environment and the world around them. Children realize their importance in their community and how they can be a positive influence.
Social Studies Integrated with ELA
All About Me
Manners
Five Senses
Family
Rules, School & All About Me
Families
Community Helpers & Fire Safety
Basic Needs
Customs and Traditions (Fall & Winter)
MLK
Timelines
Presidents, Patriotic symbols and holidays
Texas Historical Figures and Symbol
Science
Becoming a Scientist
Matter
Energy
Space
Weather
Force and Motion
Living and Non-Living
Earth Science
Plants (life cycle)
Natural Resources
Animals
Technology and Problem Solving
Landforms
Maps and Globes
Technology
The children are exposed to technology in the classroom to reinforce concepts learned. The Internet provides opportunities to explore interesting topics and to promote research. Cheatham has two well-equipped computer labs that help to extend learning in the classroom. Each kindergarten class will visit the computer lab weekly. Each kindergarten classroom also has 4 student computers and printer access. We also have the use of digital cameras, scanners, iPads, laptops and video conferencing which will be employed along with a variety of software programs. Students are expected to follow the acceptable use policy as stated in the student code of conduct.
Policies and Procedures
Absence
On the day a student is absent, his/her parent/guardian should call the attendance clerk in the school office as early as possible. When a student is absent from school, the student - upon returning to school - must bring a note signed by the parent/guardian that describes the reason for the absence and the date(s) of the absence. A note has to be received within 3 school days to be considered excused. The absence will be considered unexcused if a note has not been received by the school office within 3 school days. Emails will not be accepted unless it contains a scanned copy of the signed note from the parent/guardian.
Education Code 25.093 and Family Code 51.03
It is a violation of compulsory attendance law when a child has unexcused voluntary absences on:
1) 10 or more days or parts of days within a 6-month period; or
2) 3 or more days or parts of days within a 4-week period.
Arrival Time
Please have your child at school no later than 7:50. The tardy bell rings at 7:55 and we begin class promptly. If your child arrives early they will need to go to the cafeteria until their teacher picks them up between 7:45-7:50.
Back Packs
Your child works very hard on their school projects and is very proud of their work. Therefore, we would like each child to bring a backpack every day. This will ensure that you receive all of your child’s work, as well as any communication from his/her teacher. Please check your child’s backpack daily. It is also a good idea to clean it out weekly as items tend to accumulate.
Birthdays
We know that celebrating your child’s birthday is very special, and each classroom recognizes that special day. The administration also recognizes each student’s birthday by name over our closed circuit morning announcements. We ask that if you choose to celebrate please follow a few guidelines:
1. No birthday treats (food) are allowed during the school day. Non-food goodie bags are welcome.
2. If you wish to pass out invitations to a birthday party, we ask that you provide one to either ALL the girls in the class or ALL the boys or the entire class.
Dress
Please send your child to school in clothes which facilitate their being able to easily use the bathroom on their own. Also, refer to the AISD dress code policy. If your child wears sandals, please send socks and tennis shoes in their backpacks for physical education class.
Lunch
Your child may bring a lunch to school or purchase in the cafeteria. You must pay for lunches in advance on their lunch account. Do not send cash daily. If you send a lunch box, please make sure it contains items that your child can easily open. We are unable to warm up or refrigerate items.
Parent/Teacher Communication
At Cheatham we have several ways to communicate information to and from parents. A monthly newsletter will be emailed to you. The newsletter will let you know what your child will be working on in the coming weeks and any upcoming dates and events that you will need to know about.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email or call your child’s teacher. They will get back to you as soon as possible. Emails are checked twice daily and all phone messages will be returned within 24 hours.
Please look at the section titled “Take Home Folders” for other ways to communicate with your child’s teacher.
Report Cards
Report cards will be sent home each 9 weeks in a manila envelope. You will need to sign envelope on the signature line for the correct nine weeks and return only the envelope to school with your child. The report card is yours to keep.
Snack
Each child may bring a snack for themselves daily. Due to state nutrition laws, students/teachers cannot provide a snack to others. Please put your child’s snack in a separate container from their lunch. Be sure to choose something healthy. A sports type water bottle is acceptable. Please be sure to only fill with water, and use a leak/spill proof container.
Please check with your classroom teacher to see if there are any food allergies in your child’s classroom. Food allergies will determine what snacks are allowed in each classroom.
Star of the Week
Each child will be assigned a week to be our classroom “star.” Be looking for more information from your child’s teacher about when your child will be the star of the week and how they will be celebrated.
Take Home Folders
Your child will bring a folder home every day. Inside the folder will be their completed class work from the day and important information from the teacher and/or office. Please check your child’s folder daily. This daily folder will be the way in which we communicate with you and will allow you to communicate with your classroom teacher.
There will also be a “behavior chart” for you to initial daily. The behavior chart will document your child’s behavior during the school day. Each day of the week will have a small oval, which can be colored one of 4 colors. There will be a key at the bottom of the daily folder page to explain the color codes. The codes are as follows:
Green= great day
Yellow= gentle reminder, thinking and or talking time with teacher about what we
can do differently
Orange= consequence was given/ parent contacted
Red= consequence was given/Principal contacted/parent contacted
If your child has any color other than green you will also get a written explanation as to what occurred. Please check this folder daily. Please know that an occasional yellow in kindergarten is very normal, a gentle reminder, a learning opportunity for your child, an opportunity to discuss with, and support your child at home. All written communication must be sent in the red folder.
Toys
Please do not let your child bring a toy to school unless the teacher specifies this as part of a learning unit.
Tuesday Folders
This is a school wide folder that will contain important information pertaining to school and district events, fundraisers, etc. It will come home every Tuesday and will need to be returned the following day. Please do not send items back to school in this folder.
Volunteering
We love volunteers and can always use them. If this is something that you are interested in pursuing you will need to fill out a criminal background check. These will be available on-line at . Please do not fill these out prior to July 1st. The background will only be good for 1 year and you will have to reapply each year.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY CHILD BE
SUCCESSFUL IN KINDERGARTEN?
PRAISE AND ENCOURAGE
*Praise what your child can do, rather than dwell on what he/she can’t do.
ENCOURAGE SMALL MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
*Let your child color and cut pictures, coupons, coloring book pages (coloring and cutting are skills, which will help your child’s coordination and letter writing).
*Teach your child to button, zip, or snap his/her clothing and to take care of his/her toilet needs behind a closed door.
*Teach your child how to tie his/her own shoes before starting school.
BEGIN PRACTICING
*Phone number
*Address
*Birthday (month, day, year)
*Saying the alphabet (not singing the song)
*Writing first and last name (with 1st letter being upper case and the rest lower case)
*Identifying letters of the alphabet- both upper and lower case letters randomly
*Identifying numerals 0-20
*Counting orally
*Identifying shapes-
circle, triangle, square, oval, diamond, heart, plus, star, rectangle
*Identifying colors-
red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, brown, black, white, and gray
READ TO YOUR CHILD EVERY DAY.
ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO LOOK AT AND LISTEN TO THE PERSON SPEAKING TO HIM/HER.
ESTABLISH REGULAR ROUTINES OF SLEEPING AND EATING.
LET YOUR CHILD KNOW THAT WE WILL WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM TO MAKE THIS YEAR A SUCCESSFUL ONE!
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Social Studies and Science Content
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