A Few Reminders

Dear Parents,

It was very nice to meet all of you at Curriculum Night. If you didn't have a chance to attend, there are a few things that we would like to share with you.
Please remember to send to school healthy snacks, and an extra pair of shoes and clothing (if you haven't done so already).
Please help your child to dress and undress independently.
Please remember to check your child's backpack daily.


We will be sending home a Scholastic book order form, if you would like to order any of the items for your child, please fill out the order form and attach a cheque. Please make cheques payable to Scholastic Canada.


Starting the week of September 29th, we will start our Book-a-Day program for our Senior Kindergarten students, and the Poetry Folder program for all students. Please read through the introductory letter in the Poetry Folder and Book Bag.


Have a great weekend!
The English Kindergarten Team

Ms Cano and Ms Sidheri's Schedule

Simple Strategies for Creating Strong Readers

Without doubt, reading with children spells success for early literacy. Putting a few simple strategies into action will make a significant difference in helping develop children into good readers and writers:

- Read from a variety of children’s books, including fairy tales, song books, poems, and information books.

- Through reading aloud, providing print materials, and promoting positive attitudes about reading and writing, you can have a powerful impact on children’s literacy and learning.

- Invite your child to read with you everyday.

- Read your child’s favourite book over and over.

- When reading a book where the print is large, point word by word as you read. This will help the child learn that reading goes from left to right and understand that the word he/she is says is the word he/she sees.

- Read many stories with rhyming words and lines that repeat. Invite the child to join in on these parts. Point word by word as he/she reads along with you.

- Discuss new words. For example: “This big house is called a palace. Who do you think lives in a palace?”

- Stop and ask about the picture and about what is happening in the story

- Reading well is at the heart of all learning. Help make a difference!

Academic Readiness Goals to Work On

Fine Motor Skills

Ø  Puzzles

Ø  Buttons and Zippers

Ø  Writing name and other letters

Ø  Visual matching activities (match shapes, letters, numbers)

Ø  Identifying and copying basic shapes (horizontal and vertical lines, circles, squares, triangles)

Language

Ø  Vocabulary development both receptive and expressive

Ø  Learn colour names

Ø  Learn the name of various body parts (“point to your _____”)

Ø  Spatial terms (e.g. in, on, under, between, over, in front of etc.)

Ø  Encourage and model how to ask questions (what, when, where, why, how, who)

Ø  Listening to a simple story

Ø  Retelling a simple story (with a beginning, middle and end)

Ø  Simple sentences (expand on words said, if the child says “flower” say “Yes, that is a pretty yellow flower.”)

Number Concepts

Ø  Count by ones from 1-10, 10-20 etc.

Ø  Understand common descriptive terms (big, bigger, small, smaller, little, most, a few)

Ø  Concept of ‘half’

Ø  One-to-one correspondence

Ms Sharman and Ms Bennett's Schedule

A Poem About Our Classroom: 'Just Playing ~ By Anita Wadley

When I’m building in the block room,
Please don’t say I’m JUST Playing.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play;
about balance and shapes.
Who knows, I maybe an architect someday.

When I’m getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don’t get the idea I’m JUST playing.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don’t let me hear you say “she’s JUST playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me “Reading” to an imaginary audience,
Please don’t laugh and think I’m JUST playing.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
don’t pass it off as JUST play.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,
or some plaything at my school,
Please don’t feel the time is wasted in play.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don’t think that because I enjoy it,
it is JUST play.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run,
and move my body,
Please don’t say I’m JUST playing.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I did at school today,
And I say, “I JUST Played”,
Please don’t misunderstand me.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in work.
I’m preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I’m a child and my work is play.