Mrs. Kerr's Kindergarten

Mrs. Kerr's Kindergarten
2010-2011

Welcome to Mrs. Kerr's Kindergarten
Welcome Kindergarten Class 2010-2011

The term "kindergarten" is derived from the German language. It means "a garden of children" -- a place where children may grow naturally in a child's world. Usually, kindergarten is a child's first introduction to formal schooling.

Although there will be a structured learning program, kindergarten will still allow for "child's play." Children will be encouraged to develop their own individual potentials. Children's learning will be nurtured and enriched in kindergarten. The kindergarten program is designed to serve as a foundation for meaningful learning experiences which will make future learning more effective.

Going to school for the first time is one of the most important and exciting milestones in a youngster's life. The child is entering a period in which he/she becomes more independent of parents and begins the process of formal learning.

Parents are sometimes as apprehensive of the first day of school as much as their children. To make this event a pleasant experience, the parent should present a positive attitude about school for the child. Many children are fearful of being left at school by their parents. Let your child know that you are not leaving them forever, but that after each school day, he/she will return home and someone will be there waiting for them.

Be supportive of your new kindergartner. Until now, your child has been living in familiar surroundings. Now he/she will face some unfamiliar adults and a new environment.

Your child may also be experiencing the group situation for the first time. It is not unusual for a child to be tearful or sad during the first few days. Be patient with them. Be sure to emphasize the positive aspects of school in order to make the transition less stressful.

To ready your child for kindergarten, a regular schedule will be very helpful. Enforce consistent bedtimes and daily schedules. Your child needs to be accustomed to regular eating times and rest times, since this will be the case at school.

Find out as much about the new school as possible. Know lunch money prices and general school policies. A good idea to reduce the anxiety of the first day is to make sure your child attends Kindergarten Orientation. Find his/her classroom and meet the teacher. If possible, find out which of your child's friends will share the same classroom. These methods will all help to make the new school less of a strange and intimidating place.

The parent may need to go shopping to prepare the child for school. Among the items that an elementary aged student might need are: A lunch box (for snack/lunch), pencils, crayons, book bag, proper clothing, etc. Parents should put their child's name on coats, sweaters, lunch boxes, etc.

Make sure your child has the proper immunizations and health check-ups before school begins. Let the teacher know of any special physical needs or handicaps so that proper care can be taken at school.

As for as making kindergarten itself a smooth transition, parents can try any of the following options:
1. Make a countdown calendar, marking down the days until the first day of school.
2. Help your child pick out a very special lunch box as well as juice boxes and favorite snacks.
3. Go through the closet or head to the local clothing store and pick out an outfit that will be worn on the first day of school.
4. Take your child for a ride by the school, during the summer months, so that he/she can see where he/she will be going to school.

Some of the entry level skills your child should be familiar with when they enter Kindergarten are:
1. saying his/her first and last name
2. printing his/her first name
3. holding a pencil correctly
4. holding and using scissors
5. sitting quietly for 10-15 minutes
6. naming the four basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle)
7. naming the eight basic colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, and black)
8. begin recognizing letters of the alphabet
9. begin recognizing numbers 1-10
10. saying the alphabet

Here is a web site that offers free alphabet flash cards to print out and some alphabet activities. http://home.netcom.com/~hexchex/flashcards.html

I am looking forward to meeting you and your child. I am excited about beginning a new year filled with wonderful and exciting learning experiences!

Please e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns! skerr@franklintwpschools.org

Here are some areas you may want to work on to give your child a head start in being successful in Kindergarten:

Fine Motor Skills
1. Puts a 10- to 12- piece puzzle together
2. Holds scissors correctly
3. Holds a pencil or crayon properly

Gross Motor Skills
1. Runs, jumps and skips
2. Walks backwards
3. Walks up and down stairs

Social Skills
1. Uses words instead of being physical
when angry
2. Speaks clearly so an adult can understand him/her
3. Plays with other children
4. Follows simple directions
5. Expresses feelings and needs
6. Goes to the bathroom by him/herself
7. Waits his/her turn and shares
8. Talks in sentences
9. Asks questions about things around him/her
10. Enjoys having books read to him/her
11. Can tell a story about a past event
12. Says "please" and "thank you"
13. Can spend extended periods
away from mom and dad

Academic Skills
1. Recognizes shapes (square, circle,
triangle, rectangle)
2. Can sort items by color, shape and size
3. Can identify six parts of his/her body
4. Understands concept words such as
up, down, in, out, behind, over
5. Counts from 1 to 10
6. Recognizes five colors
7. Tries to write his/her name
8. Recognizes his/her written name

Personal Information
1. Knows his/her full name
2. Knows how old he/she is
3. Knows his/her address and telephone number
4. Knows his/her mother and father's first names

Enjoy the remainder of your summer!

**Please visit my Official Website (Click the The link below) where you will find important classroom information along with activities and ideas to keep you busy this summer! Have fun and enjoy the activities provided for you! **

Other Places to go:

Mrs. Kerr's Official Website

Email: Mrs. Kerr

	Welcome to Mrs. Kerr's Kindergarten Welcome Kindergarten Class 2010-2011
	The term "kindergarten" is derived from the German language. It means "a garden of children" -- a place where children may grow naturally in a child's world. Usually, kindergarten is a child's first introduction to formal schooling. Although there will be a structured learning program, kindergarten will still allow for "child's play." Children will be encouraged to develop their own individual potentials. Children's learning will be nurtured and enriched in kindergarten. The kindergarten program is designed to serve as a foundation for meaningful learning experiences which will make future learning more effective. Going to school for the first time is one of the most important and exciting milestones in a youngster's life. The child is entering a period in which he/she becomes more independent of parents and begins the process of formal learning. Parents are sometimes as apprehensive of the first day of school as much as their children. To make this event a pleasant experience, the parent should present a positive attitude about school for the child. Many children are fearful of being left at school by their parents. Let your child know that you are not leaving them forever, but that after each school day, he/she will return home and someone will be there waiting for them. Be supportive of your new kindergartner. Until now, your child has been living in familiar surroundings. Now he/she will face some unfamiliar adults and a new environment. Your child may also be experiencing the group situation for the first time. It is not unusual for a child to be tearful or sad during the first few days. Be patient with them. Be sure to emphasize the positive aspects of school in order to make the transition less stressful. To ready your child for kindergarten, a regular schedule will be very helpful. Enforce consistent bedtimes and daily schedules. Your child needs to be accustomed to regular eating times and rest times, since this will be the case at school. Find out as much about the new school as possible. Know lunch money prices and general school policies. A good idea to reduce the anxiety of the first day is to make sure your child attends Kindergarten Orientation. Find his/her classroom and meet the teacher. If possible, find out which of your child's friends will share the same classroom. These methods will all help to make the new school less of a strange and intimidating place. The parent may need to go shopping to prepare the child for school. Among the items that an elementary aged student might need are: A lunch box (for snack/lunch), pencils, crayons, book bag, proper clothing, etc. Parents should put their child's name on coats, sweaters, lunch boxes, etc. Make sure your child has the proper immunizations and health check-ups before school begins. Let the teacher know of any special physical needs or handicaps so that proper care can be taken at school. As for as making kindergarten itself a smooth transition, parents can try any of the following options: 1. Make a countdown calendar, marking down the days until the first day of school. 2. Help your child pick out a very special lunch box as well as juice boxes and favorite snacks. 3. Go through the closet or head to the local clothing store and pick out an outfit that will be worn on the first day of school. 4. Take your child for a ride by the school, during the summer months, so that he/she can see where he/she will be going to school. Some of the entry level skills your child should be familiar with when they enter Kindergarten are: 1. saying his/her first and last name 2. printing his/her first name 3. holding a pencil correctly 4. holding and using scissors 5. sitting quietly for 10-15 minutes 6. naming the four basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) 7. naming the eight basic colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, and black) 8. begin recognizing letters of the alphabet 9. begin recognizing numbers 1-10 10. saying the alphabet Here is a web site that offers free alphabet flash cards to print out and some alphabet activities. http://home.netcom.com/~hexchex/flashcards.html I am looking forward to meeting you and your child. I am excited about beginning a new year filled with wonderful and exciting learning experiences! Please e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns! skerr@franklintwpschools.org Here are some areas you may want to work on to give your child a head start in being successful in Kindergarten: Fine Motor Skills 1. Puts a 10- to 12- piece puzzle together 2. Holds scissors correctly 3. Holds a pencil or crayon properly Gross Motor Skills 1. Runs, jumps and skips 2. Walks backwards 3. Walks up and down stairs Social Skills 1. Uses words instead of being physical when angry 2. Speaks clearly so an adult can understand him/her 3. Plays with other children 4. Follows simple directions 5. Expresses feelings and needs 6. Goes to the bathroom by him/herself 7. Waits his/her turn and shares 8. Talks in sentences 9. Asks questions about things around him/her 10. Enjoys having books read to him/her 11. Can tell a story about a past event 12. Says "please" and "thank you" 13. Can spend extended periods away from mom and dad Academic Skills 1. Recognizes shapes (square, circle, triangle, rectangle) 2. Can sort items by color, shape and size 3. Can identify six parts of his/her body 4. Understands concept words such as up, down, in, out, behind, over 5. Counts from 1 to 10 6. Recognizes five colors 7. Tries to write his/her name 8. Recognizes his/her written name Personal Information 1. Knows his/her full name 2. Knows how old he/she is 3. Knows his/her address and telephone number 4. Knows his/her mother and father's first names Enjoy the remainder of your summer!
	Please visit my Official Website (Click the The link below) where you will find important classroom information along with activities and ideas to keep you busy this summer! Have fun and enjoy the activities provided for you!