Getting Ready for Kindergarten
pk4.1 news
Objectives of the week:
- Listens to and understands increasingly complex language
- Demonstrates knowledge of the alphabet
- Demonstrates phonological awareness
- Uses number concepts and operations
- Remembers and connects experiences
Dear families,
Many of us have fond memories of Kindergarten. What we might not remember is the anxiety and excitement we may have felt leading up to our entry into Elementary School. The final weeks of school can be scary, fun and exciting at the same time, and not just for children! It's understandable for you to experience a range of emotions about your child moving from PK to Kindergarten. When children go through big life changes, such as the transition from preschool to elementary school, they may have big feelings that they aren't able to easily communicate. In our program, we welcome you to come and talk to us about how to support children at home and ease any anxiety they may feel.
In the classroom, we will support kids by using strategies to help children’s social emotional development as they prepare to leave the comfort of Pre-K 4 and move on to kindergarten. This week we talked about what a kindergarten classroom looks and feels like. We asked students what they already know about kindergarten, and made a chart depicting what things will be similar and different. I am happy to say that students seem very enthusiastic about moving on to kindergarten, and as the last few weeks of school go by, I am sure they will all be kindergarten ready!
What can you do at home?
If possible, we would love for you to share photos of family members in kindergarten for us to display in our classroom. Please label all photos with your name so we can return them at the end of the year.
- Acknowledge your child's feelings. Know that some behaviors may be because of anxiety about the transition.
- Keep your home routines and rituals consistent. This will help your child feel a sense of security and stability at home.
- Read books about moving on to kindergarten, and talk with your child about the characters and their feelings.
- Encourage older siblings to share their kindergarten experiences, and share your own fond memories.
- Talk with families of children who already attend the school. Ask them questions about their experiences and for any advice they have for new families.
Questions of the week
How is kindergarten like preschool? How is it different? Which of these look like a classroom? why? How many syllables are in the word kindergarten?
During Small Groups and Choice time
What’s Missing?
Objectives
Uses language to express thoughts and needs
Remembers and Connects experiences
We invited the children to play a memory game. We gave the children a moment to look, touch, and talk about the objects. Then, we covered the objects with a large piece of paper. The next step was to remove one or two objects from their view. The students needed to discover, discuss and tell us which objects have disappeared. They had a blast with this activity!
Memory Game
Making our PK Memory Book
Letter Recognition- ABC Magazine Letter Hunt
Having Fun!
GETTING READY FOR KINDERGARTEN -MONSTER MANNERS
Behavior expectations for our monsters
Our monsters will... smile ,share, work, listen, clean up, help others, walk, take turns and they will have some fun!
"Wait Ms. Duby, our monsters will practice self-control".
Article for Parents
Reminders:
On Tuesday, May 23rd the counseling team will be presenting a workshop in the PAC from 12:30-2:30. The topic to be discussed is: Child Protection and Empowerment.
1. June 9th: ES End of the Year Concert (schedule below)
Friday, June 9--Concert 8:00-8:20—PK4 Concert
2. June 12th: ES Sports Day! More information will come
3. June 14th: PK Moving up ceremony @ PAC, 10.00 a.m.
4. June 15th: Last day of school! End of the year party!
From the music teacher
Friday, June 9, 2017 in the PAC
PK4- 8:00 AM
Kindergarten & Grade 1- 8:45AM
Grades 4 & 5- 9:50AM
Grades 2 & 3- 11:25AM
Students should wear black pants or leggings OR regular jeans (black or blue). No shorts, skirts, or dresses, please. On top, students need a bright, solid-colored shirt (no sports jerseys or patterns). Shirts can be t-shirts or long-sleeves. This will create a beautiful effect on stage representing the diversity that makes up our school and the cultures we are studying.