Welcome to Welcome to

Kindergarten!Kindergarten!

Welcome to Welcome to

Kindergarten!Kindergarten!Mr. Mr.

WilkusWilkusMrs. Mrs.

BabinskBabinskii

Basic Schedule

• Calendar• Phonics/Handwriting• Gym/Music/Art• Snack• Reading/Vocabulary• Math• Thematic Study• Science• Lunch• Cooperative Play/Discovery Centers• Recess• Writing• Character Education

Literacy• Vocabulary

• Phonics• Shared Reading• Guided Reading• Being a Writer

• Making Meaning• Social Skills• Technology

iRead•     Iread: This is a computer based

program that works on skills in phonics, word blending, and fluency.  Students will be doing this program multiple times per week.

•  Contact Mrs. Julie Wilson, Reading Specialist with any questions or concerns.

Science Trimester 1 - Properties To make sense of the world, a child must develop the capacity to classify and sort.

Students use their hands and eyes to classify and sort by color, size, shape, and texture. They work with balances and other equipment to compare and contrast objects by weight, buoyancy, magnetic attraction, and material composition. As they practice distinguishing and grouping objects, they also build two vital vocabulary skills: describing and explaining.

Trimester 2 – Finding the Moon Students discover that Earth's nearest neighbor in space is far more interesting than

any storybook Moon. Through direct observations and modeling exercises, students learn that the Moon is visible day and night, that it rises and sets, appears to change shape, casts shadows, reflects light, and lacks air and water.

Trimester 3 – Animals Two by Two Animals Two by Two provides young students with close and personal

interaction with some common land and water animals. Appropriate classroom habitats are established, and students learn to care for the animals. Students observe and care for one animal over time, and then they are introduced to another animal similar to the first but with differences in structure and behavior. This process enhances opportunities for observation, communication, and comparison.

Everyday Math

Everyday Math was developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. The program is based on research about how children learn and develop mathematical power. This program provides the broad mathematical background needed in the 21st century.

You can expect to see:• A problem solving approach based on everyday situations

• Key mathematical ideas repeated over time in slightly different ways – Spiral Program

• Learning through age-appropriate, playful activities

• A broad range of mathematics topics based on an optimistic view of children’s capabilities and motivation to learn

• Opportunities to “do math” at home

• Online Games and IPAD apps will be used to reinforce concepts

Home/School Folder

Your child should have a Home/School Folder on the first day of school. This is a great place to put your notes for us. It is very important to notify us of changes in home transportation, any illness your child has, and days your child will be out for appointments. Please be sure that any money sent to the school is sent in a sealed envelope clearly labeled with your child’s name, teacher’s name and what the money is for (example: Scholastic Book Order).

If you need to inform us about anything, write a note and put it in the folder. We will ask your child to show us the folder everyday.

This folder is for Home/School communication. Please teach your child responsibility and organization; be sure it is checked daily and returned to the backpack neat and clean.

Gym – Music - Art

•Gym-90 minutes•Music – 60 minutes•Art – 60 minutes

You will receive a schedule notifying you of thedays we attend specials. Please be sure

your child is dressed appropriately for gym and art classes.

Hazelgreen P.E./GymHazelgreen P.E./GymHazelgreen P.E./GymHazelgreen P.E./Gym

-Students will be active and learning new and fun activities, as -Students will be active and learning new and fun activities, as well as how exercise and fitness benefit other parts of life well as how exercise and fitness benefit other parts of life (energy levels, health, school work, etc…).(energy levels, health, school work, etc…).-Information on current and upcoming Gym/P.E. happenings will -Information on current and upcoming Gym/P.E. happenings will be in the monthly Hazelgreen Highlights, in the NEWS FROM be in the monthly Hazelgreen Highlights, in the NEWS FROM THE GYM section. You can also find additional information THE GYM section. You can also find additional information online or in handouts that will be sent home with your student.online or in handouts that will be sent home with your student.-GYM SHOES…students must wear appropriate footwear to -GYM SHOES…students must wear appropriate footwear to participate in gym class. This is to ensure their safety (shoes participate in gym class. This is to ensure their safety (shoes flying through the air) and to prevent injuries (stepped on toes flying through the air) and to prevent injuries (stepped on toes and slips). and slips). -Please feel free to contact Mr. Strange at anytime!-Please feel free to contact Mr. Strange at anytime!

Music• All students K-6 participate in singing games and instrumental

activities to expand our musical knowledge• Grades 3-6 also play recorders, which are small plastic flute-like

instruments• This year’s performances:

– 3rd and 4th grade: November 6th, 1:15pm in the Gym– K, 1st and 2nd grade: March 26th, 1:15pm in the Gym– 5th and 6th grade: May 14th, 1:15pm in the Gym

• Chorus will take place on Thursdays after school and is open to grades 3-6—stay tuned for more information!

• Contact Miss Stansbury for any comments, questions, concerns! – 708-293-2234– kstansbury@dist126.org

A Year in Art:

There are no “art bags” this year. With the district’s generosity, all necessary supplies are provided.

Be prepared to send an art-shirt to school for messier project days. A notice will be sent home to let you know when it is needed. Art-shirts will not be stored in the art room.

Students will explore various techniques and styles of influential artists from Master to Modern movements.

Students k-6 will develop and grow their understanding of the Fine Arts discipline.

Join us for the Art Show in April! A reminder will go home as the date approaches. Please come to see our hard work and talent on display.

Ask your students about the “Picasso Ninja.”

Ms. Fahle

Behavior Our classroom is a small community, where teamwork

and good relationships are expected. To establish good order and help learn self-control, the children will be guided to respect themselves and their classmates through specific directions, positive reinforcement, suggested new choices and responsible actions. Please reinforce these rules with your child.

The 3 Rs :

• Be Respectful• Be Responsible• Be Ready

PBS• Targeted Behaviors

• Grade Level Rewards• Class Behavior Chart• Positive Notes Home

• Red Lights & DAF Forms• Character Counts

RecessEvery day at lunch Kindergarten students will receive 20 minutes of play time. Please dress them accordingly the weather can change throughout the day, layers are recommended. Flip-flops can be hazardous when running, gym shoes are best.

Please do not send toys from home for recess. A variety of items are available for use on the playground and in the classroom.

Birthdays & Celebrations

Birthdays are special occasions for young children. If your child wishes, he/she may bring a treat for the entire class. We will celebrate summer birthdays during the last few weeks of school. Please send only non-edible treats (pencils, Play-doh, small toys, coloring books etc.) Our District Wellness Policy does not permit dessert snacks for birthday treats. Our school library will also be sending home invitations to participate in the Birthday Book Club.

In an effort to spare hurt feelings, birthday invitations will only be passed out at school if there is one for every child or one for each boy or girl in our class.

There are three main parties each year – Halloween, Winter and Valentines Day. We do have other celebrations that the teachers organize such as the 100th Day of School and Pajama Day. If you would like to help with a party, please sign up at Open House. We will not be collecting a blanket $10 fee this year, we will collect fees as needed.

Media CenterMedia Center Mrs. KingMrs. KingMedia CenterMedia Center Mrs. KingMrs. King• Each classroom has a fixed 30 minute library period weekly.Each classroom has a fixed 30 minute library period weekly.

• Library skills and literacy skills are presented and reinforced, and students Library skills and literacy skills are presented and reinforced, and students choose books for independent reading.choose books for independent reading.

• K-1K-1stst graders check out one book for one week, 2 graders check out one book for one week, 2ndnd-3-3rdrd graders check out two graders check out two books for one week, 4books for one week, 4thth-6-6thth graders check out two books for two weeks. graders check out two books for two weeks.

• Students choose books based on their Lexile Levels and interests.Students choose books based on their Lexile Levels and interests.

• The classroom teachers help students determine their Lexile Levels The classroom teachers help students determine their Lexile Levels by using a variety of assessments and MAP test scores.by using a variety of assessments and MAP test scores.

• The student’s Lexile Level helps him/her choose books at an appropriate The student’s Lexile Level helps him/her choose books at an appropriate level of level of

difficulty, and determines how well they will comprehend the text. Lexile difficulty, and determines how well they will comprehend the text. Lexile measures can also be used to monitor a reader’s growth in reading ability measures can also be used to monitor a reader’s growth in reading ability

over time.over time.

• Visit the library page on our school website and choose links. Scroll down Visit the library page on our school website and choose links. Scroll down and and

open Destiny, our online catalog of resources. There are many useful open Destiny, our online catalog of resources. There are many useful websites listed on our Destiny home page as well as a link for determining websites listed on our Destiny home page as well as a link for determining the Lexile Levels of books you have at home. the Lexile Levels of books you have at home.

ESL Services Students that speak another language and/or have another language spoken at home

receive extra support to strengthen their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. We use a science based National Geographic series and Benchmark Literacy materials.

Students are taught the same comprehension strategies that are being used in the classroom as well as receive support using the same writing processes that are being taught within the classroom. Some classes will also have an ESL teacher co-teaching to support students within the general classroom and meet the needs of our learners.

Some students also receive literacy support using our computer program Imagine Learning (IL). IL is an engaging technology tool that strengthens language and literacy skills for students in grades pre-k through 8th grade.

When applicable, a student’s learning is supported in their native language. All students within the ESL program take the state mandated ACCESS test every

January. This assesses a student’s reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Any questions, please contact Mrs. Rodriguez or Mrs. Qurt at 293-2225 or

drodriguez@dist126.org.

Welcome ! ¡Bienvenido! !مرحبا

Sveiki Atvykę! Witamy!

Let’sLet’s Have aHave a

Great Year!! Great Year!!

Let’sLet’s Have aHave a

Great Year!! Great Year!!Mr. Mr.

WilkusWilkusMrs. Mrs.

BabinskBabinskii