Transition to Transition to KindergartenKindergartenTransition to Transition to KindergartenKindergarten““Talk, Listen, Read, Play …Talk, Listen, Read, Play …

Learning takes place in everyday moments”. Learning takes place in everyday moments”.

Developed By: Andrea Grucela &

Ashley Paesch

What is Kindergarten?

“Kindergarten forms the basis for the development of the critical academic, intellectual, social and emotional experiences and learning foundations that will guide and inform students throughout the duration of their school careers”.

“The experiences are planned using the Maryland State Curriculum for Kindergarten and include reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, science and health”.

www.pgcps.org/kindergarten

Where will I go to Kindergarten?

• Schools are identified based on boundaries• You MUST enroll at your boundary school or designated

IEP Program• Applications are accepted for Kindergarten children to

attend specialty programs and charter schools (may be outside of your boundary school)– Application deadline for the 2011-2012 school year is

March 18, 2011– A lottery system is used to select applicants– Placement notifications will be mailed to parents– Early entrance applications are not accepted for specialty programs

A typical child entering Kindergarten…

• is aware that written words and symbols mean something• recognizes a few letters and/or words• pretends to read and/or write• loves to have stories read to them• is becoming independent but still needs limits set• follows two to three step directions• can open their own food and juice containers• is physically strong and coordinated• communicates with adults and others• uses the bathroom independently• can get on and off the school bus independently

Who’s in a Kindergarten class?

• Students who are 5 years old by September 1, 2011• 1 teacher (no additional paraprofessional)

• Children in the classroom from:– PreK – Head Start – Early Childhood Centers (ECC)– Community Daycare Centers– Home

A Day In The Life

• Arrival• Reading/English Language Arts• Lunch/Recess• Math• Specials (such as PE, Music, Technology, Media/Library and

Art)

• Health• Social Studies• Science• Dismissal

*IEP implementation of services will be provided throughout the day with support from special education teacher

Arrival

Child will learn to INDEPENDENTLY …

• remove backpack/coat (button, zip, etc)• follow morning unpacking routine (materials to teacher,

personal materials in cubby/locker, lunch/lunch $ to designated location)

• complete morning work (journal writing, read a book, worksheet/handout)

• attend to school morning announcements

Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to arrive on time, daily.

Reading/English Language Arts

• 135 Minute time block– Whole Group Instruction

• Opening routines• Comprehension mini-lesson• Phonemic awareness/phonics• Word work• Writing and Language mini-lesson• Read aloud

– Small Group Instruction/Guided Independent Practice (20 min each)

• Teacher guided reading group• Literacy activity (independent work)• Centers (such as: library, listening, art, write the

room, read the room, science, writing, blocks, math, computers)

A Balanced Reading Program is the core reading program for Prince George’s County Public Schools. It combines the development of phonological awareness skills with literature rich activities. This consists of:

• Phonemic Awareness – the ability to hear, identify and utilize individual sounds in spoken words

• Phonics- the relationship between the letters of written language and the sounds of spoken language

• Fluency- the capacity to read text accurately and quickly

• Vocabulary- the words students must know to communicate effectively

• Comprehension- the ability to understand and gain meaning from what had been read

Lunch/Recess• Help your child practice and learn their PIN # for their lunch

account • Remind your child to give their money to their classroom

teacher for their lunch account.• Children should be able to open all containers independently, if

bringing a lunch to school• If bringing a lunch to school please remember refrigerators,

freezers, microwaves and ovens are not available. Use a cold pack for items needing refrigeration.

• Please have labels on lunch box and food items (in additional to all other personal items)

• Adults are available in the cafeteria during lunch. Please teach and encourage your child to raise their hand if they need assistance.

Paperwork for Free and Reduced Lunches must be submitted and approved before it will be reflected on the students lunch account. (Remember to submit your forms)

Specials

Children may participate in one or more of the following:

• Music• Physical Education/ Adaptive Physical Education (APE)• Art• Media Center/Library• Computer Lab/Technology

In some cases, children will be taught by a teacher (other than their classroom teacher), outside of the classroom.

Math

• 75 Minute block– Whole Group Instruction

• Problem of the day • Manipulatives/Hands-on materials• Literature experience• Defining and developing vocabulary

– Small Group Instruction• Teacher guided math group• Independent activity (journal, math workbook pages,

games, etc)• Centers

Health

• 25 Minute Block (once a week)– Teacher directed and independent activities

Maryland State Curriculum Standards

•Mental and Emotional Health

•Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs

•Personal and Consumer Health

•Family Law and Human Sexuality (Family Members, etc.)

Social Studies

• 45 Minutes (every other day)– Teacher directed and independent activities

Maryland State Curriculum Standards• Political Science• Peoples of the Nations and World• Geography• Economics• History• Social Studies Skills and Processes

Science

• 45 min block– Whole Class, Small Groups and Lab– Open-ended multi level Lab activities– Science Journals

Maryland State Curriculum Standards

•Earth and Space

•Life Science

•Chemistry

•Physics

•Environmental Science

Dismissal

• Children will independently pack up their backpack and gather materials to go home.

• Any changes in dismissal routine must be given to the teacher, in writing (ie- Marcus will not be riding the bus today, etc.)

• ANY adult picking up the student MUST be listed on their Emergency Card in the Main Office. Proper ID will be required

• Check with your school for specific pick up and drop off procedures.

Kindergarten Curriculum Materials

• Maryland Model for School Readiness (MMSR)• Maryland State Curriculum• Houghton Mifflin Reading – A Legacy of Literacy• Scott Foresman – Addison Wesley Mathematics• Scott Foresman Social Studies – Here We Go• Scott Foresman Science• Harcourt Health and Fitness

Kindergarten Assessments

• Alphabet Identification• Concepts of Print• Writing Spree• Dictation• Directed Reading Assessment (DRA)• Maryland Model for School Readiness (MMSR)• Math Chapter Tests

What is MMSR?

An assessment and instructional system Identifies for parents and teachers, what

children know and are able to do when they begin school

Composed of seven domains

Seven Domains of MMSR

• Personal and Social Development– How a child gets along with others and handles

emotions

• Language and Literacy– Learning to talk, listen, read and write– Expressing himself and learning to understand others

• Mathematical Thinking– Using patterns, counting, noticing relationships and

figuring out how to solve problems

• Scientific Thinking– Wondering, asking questions, finding answers and

collecting information

• Social Studies– How people live, work, get along together and solve

problems

• The Arts– Appreciating and participating in dance, drama,

music and art

• Physical Development– Muscle control and coordination– Meeting basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and

regular health care

Seven Domains of MMSR cont.

Grading and Report Cards

• Report cards are sent home quarterly (every 9 weeks)• Interim progress reports are sent home for each child in

the middle of each quarter• IEP progress reports on IEP goals are sent home four

times during the school year• Students receive a minimum of 2 grades per week, per

subject in classes meeting 4-5 times a week• Students receive a minimum of 1 grade a week for

classes meeting less than 4 time a week

Grading Process

• Grading Scale– PR – Proficient – 90-100%– IP – In Process – 80-89%– EM – Emerging – 70-79%– ND – Needs Development – 50-69%

• Final Grades are comprised of:– Class work– Homework– Assessments

Family Portal

• PGCPS uses an online student information system, called SchoolMAX, which tracks nearly all student data, including:

• Contact information• Attendance• Grades• Discipline

• Directions for use and how to access are located on the PGCPS website at:

http://www1.pgcps.org/schoolmax/family/index.html

Getting Involved at School• Remember to check the Parent Portal on a regular basis• Volunteering

– Check with teacher about opportunities and/or needs for volunteers in the classroom and school

– ALL volunteers/chaperones who interact with children MUST:

• Have a commercial background check completed by Prince Georges County Public Schools

– Cost $7

• Fingerprinting may be required in special situations Please contact the Fingerprinting office for details:

14201 School Lane Room #131 Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 301-952-6775 Office Hours: M-F 8am-3:45pm

Children with Special Needs

• Placed in a Kindergarten program based on their IEP• Implementation of special education services and

related services occurs in the programs based on:– current progress– present levels of performance– goals and objectives – amount of accommodations and modifications

Child Find for Parentally Placed Students in Private and Religious Schools

(PARD)• IEP students attending a private school MUST contact

the PARD office• Current services are provided through a service plan to

qualified students• Contact: LaRon Martin, Child Find Specialist

John Carroll Elementary School1400 Nalley TerraceLandover, MD 20785301-618-8342

How to prepare your child for their transition to Kindergarten

• Talk about school in a positive way• Visit the school (please make an appointment)• Visit the school’s playground • Share your child’s IEP with the school principal, special

education teacher and classroom teacher.• Find books at the library about starting school• Get organized (plan for bedtime, morning routines, get

supplies)• Create a plan with your child for the first day of school

(dropping off, saying goodbye, etc)• Review bus safety, if applicable• Attend the systemic kindergarten orientation day with your

child• Practice Lunch PIN number during the first month of school• Discuss your/child's feelings about starting school; address

their concerns• Inform teacher and school of any special needs/concerns your

child may have (health, allergies, IEP, 504 plan, etc.)

Suggested Books to Read to Your Child to Prepare for Kindergarten

– When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang

– Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! by Nancy L. Carlson– Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes– I Love School! by Philemon Sturges– My Kindergarten by Rosemary Wells– Lots of Feelings by Shelley Rotner– The Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews– ABC for You and Me by Margaret Girnis– Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee

*available at your public library

Resource Websites

http://www1.pgcps.org/judycenter - parent information centerhttp://www.familynetworks.com – Children’s Home Society & Family

Serviceshttp://www.naeyc.org/families - Nation Association for the Education of

Young Childrenhttp://www.readyatfive.org/resources/tips.aspx - Ready at Five parent

tips

Parent and Family

Support Information

http://www.ncpad.org – National Center on Physical Activity and Disability

http://www.nichcy.org – National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

http://www.ppmd.org – Center for Parents of Special Needs

Educational Information

http://www.readyatfive.org/facts/mmsr.aspx - facts about MMSRhttp://www.mdk12.org/instruction/ensure/MMSR/index.html - MMSRhttp://www.getreadytoread.org – literary activities and online gameshttp://www.countdowntokindergarten.org – supports transition to Kindergartenhttp://www.gettingreadytoread.org/matriarch - school readiness indicatorshttp://www.thearcofpgc.org – support for people with disabilities and their families

Websites con’t.

PGCPS Offices

Board of Education – 301-952-6115Compliance & Due Process – 301-952-6337Early Childhood Office – 301-808-2707Even Start – 301-431-6220Family & Community Outreach – 301-952-2531Fingerprinting – 301-952-6775Head Start – 301-408-7100Home Schooling – 301-333-1001Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center – 301-408-6860

PGCPS Offices Cont.

Nonpublic Office - 301-985-1775Partners for Success Parent Center – 301-952-2811Safety Office – 301-952-6527Special Education – 301-618-8300Student Services – 301-952-6384Talented & Gifted (TAG) – 301-808-3709Transportation & Central Garage – 301-952-6570

– Parent Complaint Line 301-780-5800

Walk-In Student Counseling & Family Support Centers – 301-749-

4567