Transition to Kindergarten “Talk, Listen, Read, Play … Learning takes place in everyday moments”. Developed By: Andrea Grucela & Ashley Paesch

What is Kindergarten? “Kindergarten forms the basis for the development of the critical academic, intellectual, social and emotional experiences and learning foundations that will guide and inform students throughout the duration of their school careers”. “The experiences are planned using the Maryland State Curriculum for Kindergarten and include reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, science and health”.

Where will I go to Kindergarten? Schools are identified based on boundaries You MUST enroll at your boundary school or designated IEP Program Applications are accepted for Kindergarten children to attend specialty programs and charter schools (may be outside of your boundary school) –Application deadline for the school year is March 18, 2011 –A lottery system is used to select applicants –Placement notifications will be mailed to parents –Early entrance applications are not accepted for specialty programs

A typical child entering Kindergarten… is aware that written words and symbols mean something recognizes a few letters and/or words pretends to read and/or write loves to have stories read to them is becoming independent but still needs limits set follows two to three step directions can open their own food and juice containers is physically strong and coordinated communicates with adults and others uses the bathroom independently can get on and off the school bus independently

Who’s in a Kindergarten class? Students who are 5 years old by September 1, teacher (no additional paraprofessional) Children in the classroom from: –PreK –Head Start –Early Childhood Centers (ECC) –Community Daycare Centers –Home

A Day In The Life Arrival Reading/English Language Arts Lunch/Recess Math Specials (such as PE, Music, Technology, Media/Library and Art) Health Social Studies Science Dismissal *IEP implementation of services will be provided throughout the day with support from special education teacher

Arrival Child will learn to INDEPENDENTLY … remove backpack/coat (button, zip, etc) follow morning unpacking routine (materials to teacher, personal materials in cubby/locker, lunch/lunch $ to designated location) complete morning work (journal writing, read a book, worksheet/handout) attend to school morning announcements Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to arrive on time, daily.

Reading/English Language Arts 135 Minute time block –Whole Group Instruction Opening routines Comprehension mini-lesson Phonemic awareness/phonics Word work Writing and Language mini-lesson Read aloud –Small Group Instruction/Guided Independent Practice (20 min each) Teacher guided reading group Literacy activity (independent work) Centers (such as: library, listening, art, write the room, read the room, science, writing, blocks, math, computers)

A Balanced Reading Program is the core reading program for Prince George’s County Public Schools. It combines the development of phonological awareness skills with literature rich activities. This consists of: Phonemic Awareness – the ability to hear, identify and utilize individual sounds in spoken words Phonics- the relationship between the letters of written language and the sounds of spoken language Fluency- the capacity to read text accurately and quickly Vocabulary- the words students must know to communicate effectively Comprehension- the ability to understand and gain meaning from what had been read

Lunch/Recess Help your child practice and learn their PIN # for their lunch account Remind your child to give their money to their classroom teacher for their lunch account. Children should be able to open all containers independently, if bringing a lunch to school If bringing a lunch to school please remember refrigerators, freezers, microwaves and ovens are not available. Use a cold pack for items needing refrigeration. Please have labels on lunch box and food items (in additional to all other personal items) Adults are available in the cafeteria during lunch. Please teach and encourage your child to raise their hand if they need assistance. Paperwork for Free and Reduced Lunches must be submitted and approved before it will be reflected on the students lunch account. (Remember to submit your forms)

Specials Children may participate in one or more of the following: Music Physical Education/ Adaptive Physical Education (APE) Art Media Center/Library Computer Lab/Technology In some cases, children will be taught by a teacher (other than their classroom teacher), outside of the classroom.

Math 75 Minute block –Whole Group Instruction Problem of the day Manipulatives/Hands-on materials Literature experience Defining and developing vocabulary –Small Group Instruction Teacher guided math group Independent activity (journal, math workbook pages, games, etc) Centers

Health 25 Minute Block (once a week) –Teacher directed and independent activities Maryland State Curriculum Standards Mental and Emotional Health Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Personal and Consumer Health Family Law and Human Sexuality (Family Members, etc.)

Social Studies 45 Minutes (every other day) –Teacher directed and independent activities Maryland State Curriculum Standards Political Science Peoples of the Nations and World Geography Economics History Social Studies Skills and Processes

Science 45 min block –Whole Class, Small Groups and Lab –Open-ended multi level Lab activities –Science Journals Maryland State Curriculum Standards Earth and Space Life Science Chemistry Physics Environmental Science

Dismissal Children will independently pack up their backpack and gather materials to go home. Any changes in dismissal routine must be given to the teacher, in writing (ie- Marcus will not be riding the bus today, etc.) ANY adult picking up the student MUST be listed on their Emergency Card in the Main Office. Proper ID will be required Check with your school for specific pick up and drop off procedures.

Kindergarten Curriculum Materials Maryland Model for School Readiness (MMSR) Maryland State Curriculum Houghton Mifflin Reading – A Legacy of Literacy Scott Foresman – Addison Wesley Mathematics Scott Foresman Social Studies – Here We Go Scott Foresman Science Harcourt Health and Fitness

Kindergarten Assessments Alphabet Identification Concepts of Print Writing Spree Dictation Directed Reading Assessment (DRA) Maryland Model for School Readiness (MMSR) Math Chapter Tests

What is MMSR? An assessment and instructional system Identifies for parents and teachers, what children know and are able to do when they begin school Composed of seven domains

Seven Domains of MMSR Personal and Social Development –How a child gets along with others and handles emotions Language and Literacy –Learning to talk, listen, read and write –Expressing himself and learning to understand others Mathematical Thinking –Using patterns, counting, noticing relationships and figuring out how to solve problems Scientific Thinking –Wondering, asking questions, finding answers and collecting information

Social Studies –How people live, work, get along together and solve problems The Arts –Appreciating and participating in dance, drama, music and art Physical Development –Muscle control and coordination –Meeting basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and regular health care Seven Domains of MMSR cont.

Grading and Report Cards Report cards are sent home quarterly (every 9 weeks) Interim progress reports are sent home for each child in the middle of each quarter IEP progress reports on IEP goals are sent home four times during the school year Students receive a minimum of 2 grades per week, per subject in classes meeting 4-5 times a week Students receive a minimum of 1 grade a week for classes meeting less than 4 time a week

Grading Process Grading Scale –PR – Proficient – % –IP – In Process – 80-89% –EM – Emerging – 70-79% –ND – Needs Development – 50-69% Final Grades are comprised of: –Class work –Homework –Assessments

Family Portal PGCPS uses an online student information system, called SchoolMAX, which tracks nearly all student data, including: Contact information Attendance Grades Discipline Directions for use and how to access are located on the PGCPS website at:

Getting Involved at School Remember to check the Parent Portal on a regular basis Volunteering –Check with teacher about opportunities and/or needs for volunteers in the classroom and school –ALL volunteers/chaperones who interact with children MUST: Have a commercial background check completed by Prince Georges County Public Schools –Cost $7 Fingerprinting may be required in special situations Please contact the Fingerprinting office for details: School Lane Room #131 Upper Marlboro, MD Office Hours: M-F 8am-3:45pm

Children with Special Needs Placed in a Kindergarten program based on their IEP Implementation of special education services and related services occurs in the programs based on : –current progress –present levels of performance –goals and objectives –amount of accommodations and modifications

Child Find for Parentally Placed Students in Private and Religious Schools (PARD) IEP students attending a private school MUST contact the PARD office Current services are provided through a service plan to qualified students Contact: LaRon Martin, Child Find Specialist John Carroll Elementary School 1400 Nalley Terrace Landover, MD

How to prepare your child for their transition to Kindergarten Talk about school in a positive way Visit the school (please make an appointment) Visit the school’s playground Share your child’s IEP with the school principal, special education teacher and classroom teacher. Find books at the library about starting school Get organized (plan for bedtime, morning routines, get supplies) Create a plan with your child for the first day of school (dropping off, saying goodbye, etc) Review bus safety, if applicable Attend the systemic kindergarten orientation day with your child Practice Lunch PIN number during the first month of school Discuss your/child's feelings about starting school; address their concerns Inform teacher and school of any special needs/concerns your child may have (health, allergies, IEP, 504 plan, etc.)

Suggested Books to Read to Your Child to Prepare for Kindergarten –When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang –Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! by Nancy L. Carlson –Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes –I Love School! by Philemon Sturges –My Kindergarten by Rosemary Wells –Lots of Feelings by Shelley Rotner –The Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews –ABC for You and Me by Margaret Girnis –Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee *available at your public library

Resource Websites - parent information center – Children’s Home Society & Family Services - Nation Association for the Education of Young Children - Ready at Five parent tips Parent and Family Support Information – National Center on Physical Activity and Disability – National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities – Center for Parents of Special Needs

Educational Information - facts about MMSR - MMSR – literary activities and online games – supports transition to Kindergarten - school readiness indicators – support for people with disabilities and their families Websites con’t.

PGCPS Offices Board of Education – Compliance & Due Process – Early Childhood Office – Even Start – Family & Community Outreach – Fingerprinting – Head Start – Home Schooling – Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center –

PGCPS Offices Cont. Nonpublic Office Partners for Success Parent Center – Safety Office – Special Education – Student Services – Talented & Gifted (TAG) – Transportation & Central Garage – –Parent Complaint Line Walk-In Student Counseling & Family Support Centers –