Mrs. Watkins’Kindergarten Class 2014-2015 Welcome Parents!

General Agendas – initial & return daily You may give me feedback here also. Transportation – write a note in the agenda for changes or call and leave a message before 2:45 Money – send money in a Ziploc or envelope labeled with first and last name, Watkins, and purpose. Clip it in the agenda on the current day’s page. Please write your child’s name on his/her bookbag, lunchbox, and jackets.

Absences If your child is absent, you must send a note stating the reason for the absence. If not, it is considered an unexcused absence. If you bring your child after 8:30 – please come in the office and sign him/her in. Please bring your child to school on time. After 5 unexcused tardy/early dismissal/absence – Dr. Moulder will call you for a truancy contract meeting. Please look in the student handbook to see what qualifies as an excused absence.

Lunch and Snack Breakfast: $1.50 Lunch: $2.25 Snack time is at the end of the day. The monthly calendar will be printed out with your day to bring in snacks. If you want to send it in at the beginning of each month that is fine. Don’t worry about sending in drinks. Lunch is from 11:50-12:20. You may join us in the lunchroom any day.

Schedule 8:10-8:35 Reading Centers 8:45-9:00 Morning Meeting 9:00-9:20 Component time/Rug Clubs 9:20-9:50 Word Workshop 9:50-10:50 Reader’s Workshop 10:50-11:40 Specials 11:50-12:20 Lunch 12:20-12:50 Recess 12:50-1:40 Writers Workshop 1:40-2:10 Math Workshop 3:10-3:30 Choice Centers (Science/SS) 3:30 Pack-up (Read & Relax)  

Assessments The Record of Progress goes home 4 times a year. It is designed to show progress over time The HCLI is given in August, December and May. Reading level with comprehension Letter ID/sound Writing samples GKIDS – Is our Georgia Kindergarten Assessment

Signed Papers Papers go home on Wednesday in the Panda Folder Signed Papers Papers go home on Wednesday in the Panda Folder. Please take the papers out, sign the back, and return the folder on Thursday. *We do many hands-on activities. There will not be a product sent home for most of these activities.

Homework It is important that homework be developmentally appropriate. Letters Sight Words Sorts Guided Reading Books Math practice Soon a bag of books will come home every day and should return every day!

Reading Learning to read is a big goal for us in kindergarten. Students should be reading on level D or above at the end of Kindergarten. Letters, letter sounds, and sight words are essential! Reading aloud to your child is the most important activity that you can do to increase your child's chance of reading success. Talking to your child about books and stories read to them also supports reading achievement.

Emergent Level In literate homes…Kids are being read to Every Day. The reason kids can read with ease, is because they’ve been read to. They know how it goes. It immerses them in grammar and standard English.

Don’t worry about words…The meaning is in the picture Don’t worry about words…The meaning is in the picture. Learning how the picture holds the meaning with help students become better at comprehending text when the are truly reading words. Students who are strong with meaning have a easier time reading. We can READ anything!

Also.. So please don’t cover the pictures!!! This is a vital step in how they learn to read! And it’s okay if you are thinking…My child is just memorizing the book. That’s great! They are learning how story’s sound and the beauty of story language. They are also learning about patterns and using vocabulary that is helping them become smarter people.

Computer Lab, Specials, and Library We will go to the Computer Lab every week for one hour. Our day is on Monday. The library schedule is flexible. We go to the library once a week as a class.

Rules 1. Listen to the speaker. 2. Always use kind words. 3. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself. 4. Walk inside the building. 5. Obey the first time. **We are learning how our behaviors impact our own learning as well as the learning of those around us.

Consequences and Rewards Each day starts on Green. Students move their clip if they break a rule. Reminders and warnings are given. Blue (moved clip 1 time) = warning to make good choices Yellow (moved clip 2 times)= 5 min timeout Orange (moved clip 3 times)= 10 min timeout and note home Red (moved clip 4 times)=office referral Rewards Students who show extra effort can move to purple!

Help at Home Please help your child learn to… Tie his or her shoelaces Open snacks Write his or her name with a capital letter followed by lowercase Recognize the letters and letter sounds Identify shapes and numbers Count objects www.starfall.com is a great website with literacy activities!

Book of the Month Thank You!!!

Birthdays Your child may hand out Birthday invitations quietly during pack and dismissal time. You may send a special snack for the class for birthdays that can be eaten at recess. Please drop these off first thing in the morning or bring to the classroom at lunch.

Security Clearance You must have security clearance to attend field trips and/or to work in the classroom. This is for all adults who plan to participate in functions with children in Houston County Schools. You may get a form in the office.

Bullying and Sexual Harassment Mr. Trent will teach a class to all students this Friday. “Being a Good Friend”, “The Dangers of Bullying” and “Keeping Ourselves Safe”. Bullying is acts that are so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment There is a procedure in place when these are reported. Mr. Trent is our Title IX coordinator and can answer any additional questions that you may have.

ginger.watkins @hcbe.net Let’s Have a Great Year! My email address if you should ever need me: ginger.watkins @hcbe.net