1. Welcome to Kindergartenat
Stuart R. Paddock School !!

2. Your Teachers Mrs. Barry Mrs. Gannon Barryc@ccsd15.net

3. Our Philosophy
Children come to kindergarten with different backgrounds due to home experiences, preschool, travel and leisure time activities. We consider their varied physical, social, emotional and academic needs when planning our program. In addition to academics, we believe that kindergarten is a time for students to learn important social behaviors, develop critical thinking skills, learn to be problem solvers, build concepts, strengthen vocabulary and learn how to communicate effectively with peers as well as adults.

4. In kindergarten we teach using thematic units, integrating subject areas such as reading, math, social studies and science in a way that makes sense to children. This method helps them make connections, enabling them to transfer what they learn and apply it in a meaningful way to their own lives. In addition, teaching in thematic units helps us address the diverse learning styles of the students in our classrooms.

5. Due to the fact that future success in school depends on the ability to read and write well, a main focus of our program is on pre-literacy and literacy skills. These include:
Phonemic awareness – The ability to manipulate sounds, hear likenesses and differences in sounds, blend and segment sounds to make words, and rhyme.
Phonics – Our phonics instruction is based on the Jolly Phonics program.  With Jolly Phonics children learn all the 40+ sounds of the English language, not just the alphabet.  They are taken through the stages of knowing individual sounds of letters, blending sounds to form words and then reading.  Each letter/sound combination is accompanied by an action.  By performing an action for each sound, the children are using body movement, ears, eyes and speech to help them remember. .

6. Sight Words – We also call them “popcorn words”, because they pop up quite often when reading. These sight words are generally words that cannot be sounded out, and therefore must be read “on sight.” You will be notified each time a new sight word is introduced. Reinforcement and practice at home is key to your child learning these words.
Shared Literature – We read fiction and nonfiction books that relate to our current theme. During our read alouds we talk about the characters in the books, the setting, plot, problem, solution, sequence of events and vocabulary. When reading nonfiction the students listen to learn facts about the topic and become familiar with the characteristics of nonfiction books, the various parts of nonfiction books, and how to use nonfiction books efficiently.
Writing – We write every day. We make lists, draw and
label pictures, write in journals and write responses to
books that have been read.

7. Technology
Kindergarten students visit the computer lab on a weekly basis. There they learn the different components of the computer, how to log into the school’s computer system, how to launch and use software programs, how to use a pull-down menu within a program, how to use a mouse to click and drag, and to recognize and locate letters and numbers on the keyboard. In addition, we are excited to be adding iPads to the technology tools we will be using this year.

8. Kindergarten students participate in music, physical education and library lessons outside of the classroom.

9. Opportunities for Parental Involvement
There are several ways you can help us here at school. One of the most valuable ways to be of assistance is to be a center volunteer. During centers the students are broken into small groups to do adult-led, hands-on activities such as art projects, science experiments, math investigations and writing. There will be a sign up sheet for center volunteers during our orientation days in late summer and fall. There are also opportunities to help us in the computer lab and to be a Kindergym volunteer. Kindergym volunteers help run activities during our regularly scheduled gym periods. During Kindergym the students are directed and supervised by the gym teacher as well.

10. Additional Information
For additional information and specifics on the kindergarten curriculum in District #15, please consult the Learner Statements located on the district website: