Back to School NightSeptember 12, 2013

Gwynedd Square Elementary School

KindergartenMrs. Cooper

Agenda

Meet the Teacher

Contact Information

Curriculum Overview

Homework Policy

Behavior Policy

Miscellaneous

Helping Suggestions

Questions???

Meet Mrs. CooperWelcome to

Kindergarten!

A bit about me…

Contact InformationEmail:

cooperam@npenn.org Voicemail: (215) 855-

4331, extension 4600Twitter (@Mandi_Cooper)

Please do not use Twitter for direct

messaging, though. Please use email,

a phone call, or a note.

Curricular Overview ~ MathGo Math ~ newly adopted math

program that addresses Common Core Standards

http://www.npenn.org//Domain/1182

H:\Math\Parent Letter Intro Go Math 9-10-13.docx

Math Night ~ date and location to be announced

Curricular Overview ~ Language Arts Harcourt Trophies Program

Literature based Strong emphasis on phonemic awareness and phonics Students are expected to identify letters and their

sounds, write uppercase and lowercase letters, and blend letter sounds into words

Kid Writing Zaner-Bloser (handwriting) Guided Reading and Centers RTII (Star Time)

http://www.npenn.org/cms/lib/PA09000087/Centricity/Domain/631/RtII_brochure.pdf

Parents Go To Kindergarten ~ October 24th

Curricular Overview ~ Science

We cover three science units:Five Senses – 1st Marking PeriodPaper / Paper Making – 2nd

Marking PeriodLadybugs – 3rd Marking Period

*We will also visit the high school’s planetarium later this year!

Curricular Overview ~ Social Studies

We cover five social studies units:Who We AreCommunitiesWorkThe USAOur Earth

*Most of our social studies content is integrated with language arts.

Homework Policy Kindergarten students receive homework

beginning in October. Homework serves a variety of purposes. It is meant to be an adjunct to what we are learning in school and it helps your child make connections between what we are learning and the real world outside of school. It also serves as a communication tool to let you know what types of things we are studying. It is meant to be an enjoyable experience for you and your child! I may occasionally send home an activity that your child did not finish in school to be completed at home. There will be a note written on the paper letting you know that it should be completed and sent back to school should this occur.

Homework Policy (continued)

Weekly Ask Me sheets will be sent home on the first day of each week. They should be completed throughout the week, signed by a parent, and returned on the last day of the week.

Math homework – workbook or pages?Homework assignments are designed to

be flexible to meet a variety of student needs.

Behavior Policy

We generated a list of rules as a class (with teacher guidance) that should be followed while in our classroom and at Gwynedd Square so that all children may learn and have fun in a safe, caring environment. We discuss these rules often, especially during the first couple of weeks of school, emphasizing why we have specific rules and encouraging students to make “good kindergarten choices.”

Behavior Policy (continued) Room 116 Rules

Use a quiet voice.Raise your hand.Use kind words.Take care of our school.Be safe – always walk.Be a good listener and follow directions.Keep your hands, feet, and objects to

yourself.

Behavior Policy (continued)

A multi-tiered approach to behavior:

Banks, tickets, and lots of positive reinforcement!

Table stars – foster cooperation between classmates

Clothespin plan

Miscellaneous InformationReport Cards – three

times per year

Conferences - 1-2 per year (November and Spring)

Ask Me Sheet– sent home most weeks in the beginning of the week

Early Dismissals and Delayed Openings

Helpful Suggestions

Read everyday. Count often. Share your child’s enthusiasm for learning. Ask lots of open-ended questions. Be involved in your child’s education. Do not hesitate to contact your child’s

teacher with any questions or concerns. A strong connection between home and school greatly impacts learning!

Questions???