Welcome to Our Classroom Webpage!

Welcome to Our Classroom Webpage!

Friday, September 23, 2016

Dear Families,                                                                                                                      September 23, 2016
We have been very busy here in kindergarten! Students have been working hard learning the routines of our classroom, getting to know their classmates, making new friends, and exploring materials. This week students have begun working on writing. We have also begun building our Stamina and independence reading to themselves. We have made it to 6 minutes already!
This year I have integrated a morning and afternoon play time for students. This has been very helpful for students with having stamina and attention to make it through the day, as well as help to build our classroom community. The morning play time will fade out as we progress through October and November.
Now that routines and materials are finished for the most part, we will be beginning our science and social studies curriculum. Students will continue working on building our classroom community. We will also be learning about the life cycle of apples, the parts of an apple and some fun apple activities! We would love to do some crafts and baking with apples if anyone is interested and/or willing to donate some (any kind) to our classroom. If you are interested and able, we would like some by next Friday – September 30th. Thank you in advance!
NOTICE:
There is lice going around our school. Please be sure that your children (girls) have their hair up and braided in order to prevent this from spreading. Hair spray and tea tree oil also work well to prevent getting lice. Treatment is very time consuming as you have to treat all carpets and linens as well as your child’s head. The schools policy is that students stay at school even if they have lice, but please be mindful that this is very time consuming and treatment is necessary, if anyone has any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the nurses office at 748-8912 ext. *2006.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Miss Bailey J

IMPORTANT DATES:
-          September 30 – School Spirit Day/Assembly (Red and White)
-          October 3 – Picture Day @8:15
-          October 7 –No School (In-Service)
-          October 10 – No School (Columbus Day)
-          October 21 – Early Release Day

-          October 28 – End of Quarter 1
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1 comment:

  1. KatieSeptember 27, 2016 at 7:25 AM

    On early release days what is the adjusted time for dismissal?

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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Classroom Information

.::Academic Structures::.

First and foremost, I believe that students learn best through play. My kindergarteners get at least 45 minutes/day of free play in the classroom. This does not include recess or U-Arts. In addition, I try my best to make learning fun, engaging and interactive. I also believe that students need to talk and share and communicate their ideas and thinking. Their voices matter!

Literacy
In kindergarten, your students will be participating in a literacy structure called the Daily 5. In this structure students gain access to many important skills such as:
* Independence
* Routines
* Choice over learning
* Stamina
* Engagement in hands on learning
* Reading, writing and working with words
Students will also participate in daily phonics lessons that support students learning around letters, sounds and making words. As the year progresses and foundational skills and routines have been established, students will participate in guided reading groups.

Math
In math, students will participate in hands on learning through the support of the Engage NY/Eureka curriculum. Students will begin with numbers 0-5 to build a foundation of structures and routines that will support their work with larger numbers and more complex concepts.


Writing
Students will take part in writing each and every day through the structure of the writing workshop. Writing is critical in early development. It allows students to express themselves, communicate ideas and thinking, and make connections with their learning throughout the other practices.

Science/Social Studies
Students will also learn about and explore several hands on engaging concepts in science and social studies based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards. These activities will include expansion of vocabulary and understanding, projects, field-trips and a lot of fun! Some topics include:
* Apples and Pumpkins
* Classroom Community
* Friendship and Kindness
* Community Helpers
* Maps
* Animals in Winter
* Seasons/Weather
* Force and Motion
* Earth Day
* Plants

.:: Classroom Management::.

Responsive Classroom
The St. Johnsbury School is working under a consistent structure called Responsive Classroom. Responsive Classroom supports natural/logical consequences (ie. something spills, you clean it up). We work to build trust and relationships with one another. We do not all need to be friends, but we do all need to be friendly and respectful. Responsive Classroom supports a proactive approach of understanding children and their development, making learning fun, taking body/mind breaks, movement, singing, dancing and putting children first. It believes in explicitly teaching skills and expectations so students understand what is expected of them and there are no surprises. This model can be described as a "go slow, to go fast". I have been using this structure for 4 years now and I believe that it supports the needs of students.

"Safe Space"
This year, I will be implementing a "safe space" in the classroom. This safe space will be a designated place in the classroom students can use for several purposes. Students may use it to calm down if they are having a strong emotion, or if they are having a hard time focusing. It is a proactive, sensory based space that supports students needs. It is not a punishment and will be accessible to all students. Stay tuned for more information later on this year!