Back to School Night

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Welcome !

If you have any questions during our presentation, please feel free to ask after the presentation.

Why is Kindergarten Important?Our Goals

• Sets a firm foundation for your child’s education

• Discover that learning is fun through academics, fine arts, free & creative play,

& socialization• Teaches children

appropriate skills to interact with peers and adults

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• Instills the love of learning

• Teaches children to be lifelong

learners

Punctuality

• School starts at 7:40 A.M. We are happy to welcome the children at 7:30 A.M.

• If your child is tardy, he/she will miss out on an integral part of the day…. a calm start to the day, getting in tune with learning, and socializing

• Please make sure your child is on time.

Teaching and Learning in Kindergarten 2

• “Getting things done is not always what is most important. There is value in allowing others to learn, even if the task is not accomplished as quickly, efficiently or effectively." - R.D. Clyde

The students and teachers in KG2 are unique, and each of us have our own learning and teaching styles… we respect and celebrate our differences.

Classroom Community• In our community, we have ‘agreements’ to be a part of

DAA’s Culture of Kindness:– Kind Words– Kind Actions– Kind Thoughts

• Our individualised classroom community agreements are also built on:– Attentive Listening (using our ears, eyes and heart).– Mutual Respect – Appreciations / No Put-downs– Right to pass

A Day in Kindergarten!

Morning Meeting• Greet/Share/Learn• Daily Morning RoutineMath• Whole group introduction• Small group activities with

manipulativesLanguage Arts• Introduction & review of letters

(using games)• Word Study• Read-Aloud• Writing and Reading

WorkshopsSocial Studies / Science Units• Investigation• Class discussions • Presentations• Project work

Learning Groups • Small group rotations of

integrated activities• Mixed & homogeneous ability

grouping Cross Curricular Learning Centers• Play oriented learning activities

to revise, consolidate and extend learning

Music & Movement • Throughout the dayTechnology Integration • Throughout the day• P.C.s; iPads; Interactive white

board

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Language Arts Yearly Plan

Reading Workshop Writing Workshop Words Their Way Names & Sounds of Letters High Frequency / Sight words Blends/Diagraphs Word Families

Resources: Scholastic Readers, Words their Way, Reading and Writing Workshop, Teacher created resources

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Reading Workshop

• Individualized approach• Children take initiative for their

growth as readers• Reading logs/response journals• Children progress at their own

pace and level• Builds sustained reading.

Writing Workshop

• Develops motivation for writing• Builds repertoire of strategies• Focuses on writing about meaningful

experiences• Develops the craft of writing• Individualized approach

Math Yearly Plan

Geometry Patterns Numbers & Numeration Measurement (Time,

Money, Calendar, Comparisons)

Addition/Subtraction Data & Chance (Graphing,

Tables)

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Everyday Math is a spiraling program that emphasizes the application of mathematics to real world situations.

Social Studies Yearly Plan

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Social Studies Learning Skills All About Me

History and Culture Connections and Conflicts

Society and Identity People, Places, Environment

(Geography) Needs, Wants and Resources

Celebrations

NGSS: New Standards

● Aligned with US ELA & Math Standards (CCSS)● Created by 26 U.S. states in collaboration● 11 U.S. states have adopted the standards, 29

more in-process

Sequence of TopicsGrade Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3

KG1 Senses Properties of Matter Growth & Change

KG2 Forces & Interactions: Pushes & Pulls

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: Animals, Plants, and Their Environment

Weather & Climate

Grade 1 Waves: Light and Sound

Structure, Function, and Information Processing

Space Systems: Patterns and Cycles

Grade 2 Structure and Properties of Matter

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

Earth’s Systems: Processes that Shape the Earth

The BIG Shifts

Knowing Content: What are pushes & pulls?

Understanding Concepts: How do Pushing or Pulling on an object change the speed or direction of its motion?

Learning about Science: What are the steps in the scientific method?

Start with a question: What happens if a plant has no light?

Doing Science: Plan & carry out investigations to answer questions or test solutions.

Start with a question AND a Problem (Engineering) How do we build a house for plants to grow in?

FROM TO

Cross Curricular Learning Centers What are they?

Integrated studies(Language Arts, Math, Social

Studies, Science) Exploration Small group activities Flexible grouping

Review, practice, and extension of skills

Learning & negotiating through play

Differentiated instruction to meet individual students’ needs

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Instead of asking your child “What did you do today?" Ask…

• Name 2 children that sat at your table. • What did you do at choice?• What greeting did you do during Morning Meeting? Can you teach it to me?• What did you eat for lunch? Who sat at your table?• What did you do at your specials? (P.E., Music, Art, Swimming, Computers, Library)• What story did Ms. Koltypin read today?• What did you write in your book during Writers’ Workshop? If you want to practice with your child at home, make up stories and talk about them together. Use characters from books to get started if your child needs help (ex. Pigeon from Mo Willems books).• What game did you play in Math today? Can you teach it to me?

Parental Involvement

Home-Room Mom/Dad Reading Home-learning Healthy Habits/ Language

Development Clear and consistent rules &

expectations Field Trips Class Parties Celebrations

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Field trips

We have fun field trips planned for this year:

• Children’s City• Dubai Aquarium • Safa Park Literacy day• Science investigation

Centre

The KG2 BlogWeekly communication will be posted on the teacher’s blog. More information will follow from your classroom teacher.

Homework

• We prefer to call it Home-LEARNING• Reading every night• Try the Home-tips posted every week in the

Blog:– Play literacy games– Play number games

• No tears please!

PS LibraryWho: Deborah Knight, LibrarianWhere: Upstairs, over the lobbyWhat: Books, eBooks, DVDs, and

more! Parent accounts include up to 5 items

When: Parents welcome in the morning and after school

Library blog updated regularly

Please visit during the Open House!

Counseling Services

Mrs. Mira NasrEmail: m.nasr_daa@gemsedu.comPhone: +971 4 347 9222 x305Office: Room 135

Mrs. Mira is available to help students with their social/emotional difficulties. She is also available to support you with concerns related to your children. Please feel free to contact her!

She supports our students using:- Individual Counseling: one-on-one support for students.- Group Counseling: Small group activities held in the counseling office. The topics include:

•Anger Management•Friendship/Social Skills•Divorce•Grief & Loss

-Classroom Guidance: Lessons designed to build social skills and prevent conflict.

For more information about counseling services you can also visit the Primary Years Counseling Blog: http://primarycounselormndaa.blogspot.com

Let’s Have a Great Year Together!