Kindergarten Open House Meridian School

Tonight’s Agenda Schedule Writing Math Balanced Literacy Reading Daily 5 Sight Words IB Learner profiles/ Attitudes IB Program Of Inquiry Action Science/Social Studies Library & Reading Buddies Wish List Communication Mind Up

What does a typical day in Kindergarten look like? The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program is based on inquiry and integration of learning experiences across all subject areas. 7:30-7:55 AM Students arrive in the hallway 8:00 AM Classroom 9:30-11:30 AM Recess, Lunch, Quiet Time 11:30 PM Classroom 1:00 PM Snack 1:15 PM Specials 2:05 PM Recess 3:05 PM Review/ Pack up/ Dismissal

Writing Writing mini lesson: Writing is modeled and practiced through our morning message, creating our own stories, brainstorming lists, and publishing writing. Independent Writing Writing Conferences Publishing- every 9 weeks

Math Everyday Math Program - Everyday Math is a spiral program that provides real-life opportunities to develop and refine a variety of skills. The spiral continues throughout your child’s years at Meridian. Some of the Kindergarten expectations are: 1. Reading, writing and recognizing numbers 2. Counting to 100 by 1,2,5,10’s 3. Naming, describing, sorting and creating shapes 4. Problem solving through addition and subtraction 5. Interpreting graphs and analyzing data 6. Understanding financial literacy and identifying coins In addition, we will be using Math Tubs and pulling small groups for differentiated activities.

Balanced Literacy Children are involved in reading, writing, listening, speaking, observing, and illustrating. Reading is practiced through : guided reading songs poems word walls Children in kindergarten hear different types of literature and are read to often during the day. They become involved in stories through reading, retelling, and listening to stories.

Some of the Kindergarten Reading Expectations are: 1. Using reading strategies to decode text and read fluently 2. Showing comprehension through making connections and retelling a story. 3. Ability to identify concepts of print. 4. Ability to hear and make a rhyme. 5. Reading at least 25 Kindergarten sight words.

Daily 5 The Daily 5 is an opportunity for students to go to five areas of reading and writing a day with two mini lessons in between each session. It is a structure that helps students develop daily habits of reading, writing, and working independently to lead to a lifetime of literacy independence. Students will be using the Words Their Way program to build their skills in spelling and reading. Students are able to choose “good fit” books from the classroom library and school library.

Daily 5 Below you will find an example of what The Daily 5 may look like on a given day Mini Lesson: Whole group lesson that lasts 10-15 minutes. Round: Daily 5 activity chosen by the teacher. The following lists the five activities: 1. Read to Self:The best way to become a better reader is by practicing each day, with books you choose and that are a “Good Fit”. This is a quiet, independent reading time. 2. Work on Writing: Just like reading, the best way to become a better writer is by practicing writing each day. 3. Read to Someone: Partner reading allows for more time to practice strategies, helping to work on fluency, checking for understanding, and hearing our own voice. 4. Word Work: Expanded vocabulary and correct spelling allow for more fluent reading and writing thus speeding up the ability to comprehend what is read, and get thinking down on paper. Students will be using the Words Their Way program to build their skills in spelling and reading. 5. Listen to Reading: Hearing good examples of literature and fluent reading expands your vocabulary, builds stamina, and helps you become a better reader. While students are working during Daily 5 rotations, the teacher will be pulling small groups for differentiated guiding reading groups.

Sight Words These are words that readers may instantly recognize without having to “figure them out.” There are two reasons why sights words are essential components of good reading. First of all, many of these words do not sound like their spellings, so sounding them out is unproductive. Second, a good reader can’t spend too much time dwelling on words or else they may lose speed and fluency necessary to determine the author’s message. Basic Kindergarten Sight Words: see, me, an, like, am, in, I, and, we, a, to, no, go, it, my, at, the, can, is, he, do, up, so, she, child’s first name Our curriculum allows for enrichment through Words Their Way and word families. We will continue to add more sight words throughout the school year.

IB Learner Profile and Attitudes The IB learner profile is made up of ten profile traits that students are encouraged to demonstrate. Learner Profile: balanced, caring, communicators, inquirers, knowledgeable, open- minded, principled, reflective, risk-takers, thinkers. There are twelve IB attitudes that are used to guide and shape personal development throughout a child’s education in the IB program. These profile traits and attitudes carry on with the children through their years at Meridian. They have been taught through literature and daily reinforcement through behavior and modeling. Attitudes: appreciation, commitment, confidence, cooperation, creativity, curiosity, empathy, enthusiasm, independence, integrity, respect, tolerance.

Program Of Inquiry IB Units of Inquiry for Kindergarten are: Who we are: Awareness of the self drives choices. How we organize ourselves: Communities depend upon a diversity a talents. Where we are in place and time: Traditions celebrate the uniqueness of culture. How the world works: Environmental patterns affect our daily lives. How we express ourselves: Communication builds knowledge and understanding. Sharing the planet: Human interactions impact the world.

What is Action? Examples of Action: Action is an important part of IB. Action is usually shown at home in different ways! Action can be small or big! Examples of Action: ~Coming home and sharing ~Asking questions ~Trying to make a difference ~Wanting to do something

Science/Social Studies Science and Social Studies are not taught in isolation but are included in our IB units of inquiry. Children are encouraged to ask questions, predict, observe, experiment and wonder. Some Meridian Kindergarten Science topics include: Observation and classification of objects Life cycles Weather and seasons Earth materials Our five senses Basic needs in living and nonliving things Nutrition and staying healthy Patterns in the natural world Some Meridian Kindergarten Social studies topics include: Forms of communication Rules and responsibilities at home and in the classroom Cultures and traditions Roles in the community Needs and wants Maps

Library & Reading Buddies Classes will go to the library once a week and will be allowed to check out 2 books that will stay at school to be used in the classroom. Each class has an assigned upper grade class that meets with them periodically to read together and collaborate on other activities.

Wish List The Kindergarten wish list at the bottom of the newsletter consists of items that were not included on the school supply list that we would like to have for the classroom. These are optional items that you can donate.

Communication We believe communication is essential for your child’s success in school. Here are the best ways to communicate: 1. Read the bi-weekly Kindergarten newsletter to keep up with current academics and happenings in Kindergarten. 2. Please read The Primary Pride newsletter that goes out weekly to keep up to date with important primary information. 3. Email is a good way to contact your child’s teacher, but please allow up to 48 hours for a response. 4. Kindergarten website: http://www.mwschool.org

Mind Up Mind Up is a curriculum that utilizes a brain centered approach to integrating neuroscience, positive psychology, mindful awareness training and social and emotional learning, as tools for success in the classroom and in life. Activities include: -Core practice (brain breaks/breathing exercises) -Role playing -Learning the anatomy of the brain and each part’s function -Exploring through the senses -Integrating literature to promote mindfulness