Kindergarten Open House

Mrs. Marino’s info:. 630-493-8111. jmarino@lisle202. org Mrs. Marino’s info: *630-493-8111 *jmarino@lisle202.org *Website: Go to www.lisle202.org, click on kindergarten, click on Mrs. Marino *Remind App (info in blue folder) *Twitter- @jmarino@lisle202 (info in blue folder)

Balanced Literacy Approach Reader’s Workshop Model Mini Lesson-Lucy Calkins Reading Units of Study-K-5 Private and Partner Reading- Everyday students read books at or below their instructional reading level and choice books from their book bins. Then they read together with their reading partner. Conferring/Strategy groups- Reading conferences (1 on 1 or partner) and strategy groups (small group targeted instruction) take place during private and partner reading time. Phonics-Jolly Phonics and Words Their Way Jolly Phonics Journals go between school and home EVERYDAY. Review sounds with your child every night. Words Their Way is leveled based on students decoding needs. It’s a weekly sort that helps students understand and learn word patterns.

Balanced Literacy Approach Shared Reading- whole group instruction Warm up text (poem, nursery rhyme or song) finding letters/sounds punctuation marks rhyming words Text Discuss vocabulary One to one word matching (tracking print) Comprehension strategies Word solving strategies Interactive Read Aloud- Reading books together as a class and focusing on answering questions before, during, and after the story. Also practicing reading strategies.

Balanced Literacy Approach Phonemic Awareness-Michael Heggerty- Rhyming, segmenting, blending, syllables Sight Word Instruction/ Rainbow Words Your child will be instructed on 95 sight words through out kindergarten. We teach 3-4 words per week. The word list will be shared with you and can be found on my website. You will receive a letter about our Rainbow Words. It is a fun way for students to take ownership of learning their sight words.

Writer’s Workshop Model Mini Lesson-Lucy Calkins Writing Units of Study-K-5 Independent Writing-Students write, edit, and revise stories. They use a variety of tools during Writer’s Workshop (checklist, anchor charts, stapler, lined paper, word wall) Conferring/Strategy groups- Writing conferences (1 on 1)and strategy groups (small group targeted instruction) take place during independent writing time Invented spelling- spelling words phonetically EX: Hape (Happy) Stretching out words sound by sound and writing what they hear. Teaches students to come up with a topic, visualize it, illustrate it, write it, then revise it (When we are done, we have just begun!)

Handwriting Handwriting Without Tears Prek-3rd grade uses same program Zaner-Bloser handwriting, but exposure to different fonts through word study Multi-sensory approach to learning to write (songs, building letters, use slate boards) Teaches upper case letters, then numbers, and finally lower case letters

Math Workshop Calendar Problem of the Day/Number Talk Mini Lesson- Georgia Math Units connected to Common Core State Standards- We use a combination of manipulatives, paper/pencil, and technology to meet standards. Independent or Partner Practice-Students work alone, with a partner, or in a small group to play game related to skill taught in mini lesson. Centers M- math fact practice A-at teacher table (small group instruction with me; math journals) T-technology (IXL on iPad) H-hands on game

Science We do 3 science units a year: We integrate science into our literacy and math blocks. The units use non-fiction texts, observational data, and hands-on experiments. Properties of Matter (December) Weather (February) Seed to Plant (May)

Choice time workshop Purposeful Play Workshop Model: Optimize and balance different types of play to deepen regular classroom learning In play, learners are developing ideas, taking on and assigning roles, collaborating, crafting the environment and deciding when to change it, developing and negotiating rules, and being active listeners. Workshop Model: Whole Group mini lesson Teach into play to foster social–emotional skills and a growth mindset EX: empathy, problem solving skills, collaboration, flexibility, resiliency Work Time Choices may include: Art Center, Cardboard, Construction (blocks, magna tiles, & Legos), sensory table, doll house, play-doh Students stay in same choice for the week in order to encourage team work and collaboration, perseverance, and deeper thinking (continuing to revise/add-on to their projects) Allows time for students to apply the SEL work we have been learning in authentic and meaningful ways Conferring (1 on 1 or partner) / Strategy Groups: Focus on SEL skills and growth mindset

Choice time workshop There is play in work and work in play Examples: When children are dramatizing a favorite book, they are engaged in high-level comprehension skills including inference, interpretation, and synthesis. When children engage in imaginative play, not only do they develop their creativity, they learn to be flexible thinkers, and they develop core social skills, such as negotiation, collaboration, and empathy. When students create their own structures and projects from simple materials, they are building their creativity and imagination. Through this work, they need to plan, collaborate, problem solve when things don’t work they way they wanted, and continue to revise

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) (ha Second Step Curriculum (pre-k- 8th grade) Home Links will come home for you to complete with your child! Zones of Regulation (A system to help students regulate their emotions and body.) Green Zone (happy, ready to learn); Blue Zone (tired, sleepy, worried); Yellow zone (excited, silly); Red zone (angry, frustrated) Zones corner helps students be independent and in charge of their own Zones breaks. Classroom Expectations (I use a combination of visual cues, sign-language, and positive encouragement to enforce our classroom expectations.) We have still bodies. We use walking feet. We use our words to fix problems. We act kindly. We show perseverance.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) (info in blue folder) High Five Chart When students are caught following directions their name gets put on the chart. We have a weekly drawing for a prize (pre-k- 2nd grade). Classroom Bucket When students are caught going above and beyond (helping a friend, cleaning up without being asked, following directions consistently) they put a ping pong ball in our class bucket. When bucket is filled we have a celebration.

Specials Monday- Music (There will be a music program in April.) Tuesday- P.E.(please send your child in gyms shoes) Wednesday-Library (please make sure your child returns their library book each Wednesday) Thursday – Technology Friday-Art(Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately.)

Homework August- November November-May Jolly Phonics Journal (yellow) Practice letter/sound, practice writing letter 2. Read with your child (discuss characters, make connections, make predictions) November-May 1. Rainbow words (sight word list) 2.Homework folder (menu of homework options) 3. Read from bag of books

Me in a Bucket Each child will have a turn to take home the special bucket. You will receive instructions on how to fill the bucket with your child. It’s a way to get to know each other’s interests. Students will bring a few items to school in the bucket and share. EX: My bucket was filled with a hockey puck, a picture of my family, a dog treat, goggles, and a book.

Birthdays We celebrate birthdays in class. Your child will receive a birthday crown, book, and stickers. You may send a NON-FOOD treat to share with the class (ex: bubbles, pencils, stickers, etc.) We currently have 19 students in our class.

Volunteering I encourage you to volunteer to help in the classroom during specific times. We realize that many parents work and have small children so anyway you can help is appreciated. Please email me or call me before you stop in so we can set up a time for you to help. When you come to school, FIRST stop in the office and sign-in so we know you are here. We ask that no siblings accompany parents during volunteering. We need volunteers for: Field Trips- TBD Room parties Clerical work- cutting, copying, assembling Mystery Readers

Attendance Policy When your child is absent from school, please phone the school’s attendance line 630-493-8199. This is available 24 hours a day. You must report the absence and the reason for the absence. Please make every effort to place the call by 9AM the day of the absence. We kindly thank you for your cooperation. Please inform me or the office if your child will be missing school for an extended period of time. Please send a note if your child’s transportation or after school plans change. I can manage the situation more effectively if I know in advance. NO KINDERGARTEN on ½ days: 9/19; 10/31; 11/24; 2/6; 5/15

Resources www.starfall.com www.ixl.com (log in coming soon) www.raz-kids.com (log in coming soon) www.pbskids.org www.abcya.com http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/english-language-arts-standards/reading-foundational-skills/kindergarten/