A Day in Kindergarten…

Arrival/Announcements/Morning Work:

At the beginning of the year, we begin to get settled into our day by playing games, putting together puzzles, and/or looking at books at our tables. I put out theme related games, puzzles and books that focus on skills and concepts we are working on in class. This time allows the children to talk and play with their friends before the day begins.

Morning Meeting:

We always begin our day with Morning Meeting. We sing a Good morning’ song, shake hands and say Good Morning to our friends, redeem tickets and do calendar and weather activities. At Morning Meeting we read our Morning Message together as well as discuss the schedule for the day and special happenings.

Balanced Literacy:

During this time we read Big Books, other thematic books, and song charts. The lessons focus on our Language Arts, Science, Social Studies SOLs. Then we do an activity based on the story/lesson. This activity can be an art project, journal page, whole group game, cooperative learning activity, writing, or oral language game that extends from the stories we have just read.

Recess:

To enhance our gross motor skills, we go outside for outdoor play every day that the weather cooperates. If at any time during the instructional day, we need an ‘energy boost,’ we take a quick walk outdoor for fresh air and sunshine.

Math:

During math time we use hands on math manipulatives to ‘investigate’ our math concepts. We have a Focus Time, in which I introduce mathematical ideas for ‘investigating.’ Choice time is a center type rotation, which has activities (new and recurring) that support focus time work.

Encore Class:

We are continuing the block schedule this year, every day your child will attend a Specialist or Encore class. The schedule for Encore classes will be in the Friday Newsletters and on the Weekly Homework. It is important that on days that your child has P.E., he/she wear tennis shoes.

Science/Social Studies:

Our Science and Social Studies Units are incorporated daily into our Literacy program via Refrigerator Stories. We also supplement instruction with hands-on science experiments and current events are studied through our exploration of our current Let’s Find Out magazine.

Core Extension/Literacy/Developmental Centers:

During this time, we work in small groups on the computer, book center, listening center, pocket chart center, ABC games center, read /write the room center, art center, poetry center, and writing center. I use this time to work with the children doing guided reading and assessing individual needs during this small group time. During Developmental Centers, all of the classroom centers are open after the children have worked in literacy centers!

Snack/Show and Tell:

We have snack on a daily basis. The students may bring in a healthy snack from home (1 drink item and 1 food item.) At the end of the day, we enrich our oral language by participating in Show-and-Tell. Each child has his/her own special day in which he/she brings in something to share with the class. We work on our questioning skills as well as use describing words and learning to take turns in conversations.

Prepare for Dismissal: