Kindergarten Readiness Night

St. John Lutheran SchoolWhere love, faith and learning connect.

Kindergarten Readiness NightApril 29, 2010

Tonight’s Purpose

• Learn about Kindergarten Readiness– Expectations for Kindergarten– Is your child ready? – How to help your child prepare

• Learn about our Kindergarten Program

• Meet our Teachers• Visit our Classrooms

Kindergarten Readiness

• A child’s ability to think logically, speak clearly, and interact well with other children and adults are all critically important to success in school.

• We incorporate developmental skills to assist Preschoolers to successfully transition into Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Readiness

Expectations for Kindergarten

Expectations for Entering Kindergarten

• Follow two-step directions• Work in groups• Sit quietly/be attentive for

periods at a time• Show a readiness to read• Display socially acceptable

behavior• Able to write his/her first and

last name

Social and Emotional Expectations

• Work and play cooperatively with others• Developing an imagination through play• Learning to solve conflicts with others• Developing feelings of respect for others, classroom materials,

rules, personal space and belongings• Manages transitions between activities effectively• Learning to make good choices for themselves and others• Understands and follows classroom rules and routines• Develops friendships with others

Language and Literacy

• Listening comprehension • Letter recognition• Vocabulary and verbal expression• Phonological Awareness• Print and book awareness• Early word recognition• Written expression• Recalls simple rhymes and songs• Uses conversations to show feelings

Math and Science Concepts

• Recognizing number value• Counting – 1-20• Making correct numerals• Graphing• Matching (alike/differences)• Measuring/Weighing• Sorting• Shape recognition and drawing• Symmetry (Part/Whole)• Observes changes in color, size weather and sound• Identifies animals and plants

Physical Development

• Physical Movement– Shows awareness of name, location, body

parts, moves, runs, jumps, hops– Plays in group games

• Gross Motor– Throws and kicks objects in a direction– Plays catch and bounces balls

• Fine Motor– Holds writing tools with fingers, holds

scissors correctly, coordinates finger activities and clapping exercises

– Can zip, button

Is your child ready?

• Success in preschool and/or other group activities– Realizing areas of concern or where

focus is needed

• Willingness to learn– Listens to direction– Excited about possibility of school– Open minded to new ideas

• Emotionally prepared – Separates from parent

How to help your child prepare

• Read daily– Read to your child every day (make it part of your routine)– Begin to point out words that they can read or see often

• Pre-K workbooks/activities that promote learning– Maintains preschool learning – Reinforces quiet time to follow

directions• Fun activities that you can

incorporate any type of learning – “Field trips” to see and explore

areas around St. Louis• Keep it interesting, fun and light-

hearted.

St. John Lutheran School

Our Kindergarten Program at SJLS

Spiritual Development

• Weekly chapel• Jesus time daily

– Creation story - Moses– David - Peter– Jesus’ birth - Paul– Miracles of Jesus - Timothy– Pentecost - Ruth– Fall into sin - The

Disciples – The Promised Land– Jesus death & resurrection

• Open prayer time daily• “Integrate the faith!”

Saxon Phonics

• Coding vowel-consonant patterns • Includes spelling, handwriting, vocabulary • Reading fluency • Assessments and remediation• Leveled decodable readers• Continuous program that focuses on phonics rules and builds

each year through 3rd grade

The Daily 5

• Student-centered activities that develop independence and literacy.

1. Read to Self2. Read to Others3. Listening 4. Writing5. Word Work* Grade 1 program too

Saxon Math

• Morning meeting - calendar, counting, patterns• Hands on - linking cubes, pattern blocks, geoboards,

bear counters• Work pages - 4 days per week• Review and build on

prior knowledge• Regular assessments

Social Studies

Around the World in 180 Days Program• Study one country each week• Reinforce phonics letter of the week

(country that starts with the letter of the week)

• Study/learn about all aspects of the country in an engaging, kid-friendly way:– Flag, culture, language, location, capital,

money, food, government and leaders

Science

Observe, measure, compare, classify, predict, investigate and draw conclusions through the study of:

• Study of Plants• Study of animals• Earth systems• Weather• Matter

Parent Involvement

• Parent readers• Room Parents• Library volunteers• PTL Committees• Field Trip Drivers• Mission Project Coordinators• Small Group leader / Participant• Auction project coordinator

Additional Programming

• Spanish instruction 2x per week• Art classes weekly• Computer classes 2x per week• Physical Education 2x per week• Field trips• Chapel buddies with 7th and 8th

graders• Lunch with the “big” kids

Staffing/Classes

• Average class size of 20 students • Full-time aides (10 to 1 ratio)• Morning and Full-Day programs

– Half day friends leave just prior to lunch

– Primary subjects covered in themorning

• Housed in primary wing with 1st graders

Discipline Policy

Cougar Code of Conduct• Focuses on doing what’s “right”• Lose or earn cougar paws each day• Rewards good behavior• Acknowledges appropriate and

inappropriate behaviors • Reinforces the idea of consequences

for our actions

What Makes us Different

• Focus on JOY Model (Jesus-Others-You)

• Integrates the faith• Christian modeling• Connected to larger school

program (K-8)• Annual reading assessments –

Gates-MacGinitie Reading Tests• Community of staff, parents and

students• Passionate staff desiring to make

a difference with kids

Entrance to K

• 5 years old by July 31st

• Take part in Kindergarten readiness assessment. This is administered to all students entering SJLS Kindergarten program in April and May

• New families will be contacted for an appointment

Classroom Visits

• Visit classrooms to talk to teachers• See actual kindergarten work• View curriculum materials