KindergartenOpen House

2013

Welcome!

Outline for Tonight

-Introductions-Specialist Teachers-Curriculum/Philosophy Overview-Schedule- Communication- Housekeeping Items- Questions?

Krista and Maite

the kindergarten team

Jenny

Phebe

Rosie

Patrice

Jacky

Krista

Kristie

Maite

Nat

Zehra

Phebe

Leah

Ashley

Joanne

Kaillie

Anissa

Carol

Anissa Eglington and Trish Mirasol Kindergarten ESL

Ms. Anissa helps supports English Language

development with all students by spending a morning a week in each classroom. If you have

any questions or concerns about English Language

Learning or bilingualism, you can contact her at eglingtona@ismanila.orgMs. Trish is the ESL TA for kindergarten and

grade one.

Carol del Rosario- Literacy TA

Ms. Carol spends time in each kindergarten class supporting oral language, reading and writing development.

CMC

Information TechnologySteve McCallum

Ms. Pat and Ms. Jo

PE with Coach Chapman

PE is three times a week.

Art with Ms. Liz

Art is twice a week.

Music with Mr. Smith

Music is twice a week.

Kindergarten is a year of amazing development in these areas:

• SOCIAL SKILLS- learning how to interact productively as they become more social.

• CONFLICT RESOLUTION- learning how to problem solve effectively and independently with peers.

• LIFE SKILLS- learning how to be independent in self-care and work management.

• COMMUNITY SKILLS- learning how to function as a positive and productive member of the group.

Every Child is Unique

• Every child develops and progresses in their own way and at their own pace.

• At ISM we meet each child where they are with a differentiated program.

• Avoid comparing your child with others and focus on the growth and progress you see in them.

Our Curriculum:• Inquiry Based• How to Learn Vs. What to Learn• Develop a passion for learning

dispositions

-caring

-creative

-self-directed

-balanced

-responsible

-ethical/fair

transdisciplinary skills

-research

-personal management and reflection

-critical thinking and problem solving

-connection and collaboration

-communication

Our Units of InquiryCommunities Materials and

Properties

The Human Body Stories Around the World

* More detailed information can be found in the ES Program Guide.

Play in Kindergarten?

Play for young children is not recreation activity,... It is not leisure-time activity nor escape activity.... Play is thinking time for young children. It is language

time. Problem-solving time. It is memory time, planning time, investigating time. It is organization-of-ideas time, when

the young child uses his mind and body and his social skills and all his powers in

response to the stimuli he has met.

--James L. Hymes, Jr., child development specialist, author

Inquirers

Empowering our children to be:

We want children to be good at asking questions, not just answering them.

Collaborators

We want children to be able to work cooperatively and collaboratively.

Speakers & Listeners

The importance of oral language cannot be understated! It is the foundation for understanding the world and the base for reading and writing development.

Readers We want children to be motivated to read and develop a love of reading and books. Please read to your child in their first language every day!

Writers

We want children to see themselves as writers, to have confidence and take risks.

Mathematicians

Children need authentic and investigative experiences to develop a solid number sense and problem solving skills.

ScientistsWe want to encourage a sense of wonder and curiosity.

Artists

We want to foster children’s ability to express themselves in different ways.

Global Citizens

At ISM we are in a very privileged position to have a wealth of culture at our fingertips. We encourage children to value all cultures and respect the differences and similarities.

Parent-Teacher Communication

• Report Cards (Dec and June )

• Parent Literacy Workshop (Sept)

• Parent Conferences (Oct and April)

• Student Led Conferences (Mar)

• Class Websites http://plankk.ism-online.org/

• Black Folders

• E-mail

• In Person (I am always happy to arrange a meeting time!)

Parent Volunteers• Special skills or interests? Do

you bake? Make paper? Have an expertise you could share? Please arrange a time to come in to the class and share!

• Wednesday Reading Mornings

(8:30 - 8:50)

• Special Projects

• Field Trips

Housekeeping Items• Room Parent – Dorothy Drysdale and Paige Purcell

• If your child will absent or late please let me know via email or calling the ES Office. If you need your child to leave early, you need to get a gate pass from the ES Office.

• Birthdays can be celebrated in the classroom with a song and a healthy treat at snack time. Please let me know in advance if you’d like to do this with your child.

• Allergies: There are no nuts allowed in the classroom other than peanuts and peanut butter.

• There are a few times a year your child will have the chance to wear a special costume. Filipiniana is in October and students can wear traditional Filipino dress. International day is in March and students wear clothes from their home country. Kindergarten has a Character Day in April when students dress up as their favourite character.

• Expect the class mascots Daisy Dolphin and Doctor Dolphin to visit you over the weekend sometime.

• Reading with Parents is every Wednesday from 8:30 to 9:00.

• Please collect and send in any junk materials the students can build and create with such as boxes and paper rolls.

• Afterschool Activities start in January for Kindergarten. Inquiries can be directed to Bill Blankenship, AFAC Coordinator.

Housekeeping Items Continued.

Questions