Kindergarten Team Mrs. Pam Yarbrougn – Classroom Teacher

2. Kindergarten Team • Mrs. Pam Yarbrougn– Classroom Teacher • Mrs. Sally Lipkowitz – Autistic Support • Mrs. Jen Smith – Reading Specialist • Mrs. Aimee Mraz – Reading Specialist • Mrs. Cheryl Burinski– IST, Instructional Support Teacher • Mrs. Deb Weber – School Nurse • Mrs. Sue McKernan & Mrs. Alexandra Lewis - Office Staff • Mrs. Malinda McKillip - Principal

3. About Mrs. Yarbrough • This is my 23 year of teaching. • This is my 3rd year here at FC (previously taught 3rd and 5th grade) • Taught Kindergarten for 20 years: • Illinois – 7 years, Colorado – 3 years, Tennessee – 8 years, & • Michigan – 2 years • Eastern Michigan University – Elementary Education, BS in Mathematics. • University of Memphis – M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction • When I’m not teaching I enjoy spending time with my family, walking my dog, sewing, and volunteering with the OJR HS Marching Band.

4. Home / School Communications • Email - pyarbrough@ojrsd.com (will respond within 24 hours) • Notes – remind student to put notes in note basket • Money – please put in an envelope with student’s name and what it is for • Class School Wires Page • Weekly Newsletter - (posted every Friday on our Class School Wire Page). I also send a Skyward message with the Newsletter attached. • Parent Conferences (November & March) • ½ day for students, conferences in the afternoon and evening • AM attends first day, PM attends the second day (in the morning!)

5. Kindergarten Daily Schedule AM 8:40-8:50 Morning Meeting 8:50 – 9:30 ELA Read Aloud, Poems, Writing 9:30 – 10:00 WIN Time, Centers, Guided Reading 10:00 – 10:10 Snack 10:10 – 10:40 Calendar Math & Everyday Math Lesson 10:40 – 11:10 Specials 11:15 Dismissal PM 12:30 – 12:40 Morning Meeting 12:40 – 1:10 Calendar Math & Everyday Math Lesson 1:10 – 1:50 ELA Read Aloud, Poems, Writing 1:50 – 2:00 Snack 2:00 – 2:30 WIN Time, Centers, Guided Reading 2:30 – 2:35 Backpacks packed and put on chairs 2:35 – 3:05 Specials 3:10 Dismissal

6. Specials Schedule Helpful tips about specials: Art - Can be messy – Wear clothing you don’t mind washing Library – Books need to be returned to check out new books P.E. – Wear sneakers and comfortable clothing

7. Kindergarten District Curriculum • Go to www.ojrsd.schoolwires.net • Click on Curriculum and then choose K • In your packet are copies of the K Curriculum Expectations

8. Homework • Begins in October • Monthly Calendar - activities that support the Common Core standards • Nightly Reading – Read to and with your child (20 Minutes handout & Pizza Hut Calendars) • How Parents Can Help Their Children in Kindergarten – see handout

9. Classroom and School Community Our classroom is a community. In our community, we have rules to help us get along with each other.

10. Behavior Lady • My goal is for all students to be READY TO LEARN each day. • Students can more up and down on our behavior chart. • Ask your child if their clip was moved. • See Handout on Rules and Behavior Lady

11. Writing – Lucy Calkins • Positive approach to teaching writing • All students CAN write! • Taking ideas and putting them on paper using words and illustrations • Stretching words to write the sounds they hear • Typical Writing Workshop: • Mini-Lesson/Modeling • Writing (teacher will meet with small groups or individual students) • Share

12. Writing – Lucy Calkins • Teaching students to use tools: • Word walls • Words in classroom • ABC Charts • Characters • Think – Draw • Think – Write • Writing is developmental: and students progress • through stages • Encourage students to • be RISK TAKERS!

13. Handwriting Without Tears • Where do we start our letters? At the top! • Capital Letters, taught by where the letter start (corner starters, etc.) • Lower case letters • Name (one capital, rest lowercase) • Pencil Grip – see handout

14. ELA – Center / Daily 5 • Students work independently to allow teacher to work on reading with small groups • Daily 5 Centers • Cross-curriculuar centers that align to district/state standards • Preparing students for older grades

15. Guided Reading & WIN Time • Assessment Driven: push-in support until after assessment are completed • Flexible grouping based on formal and informal assessments • Looks different at each developmental stage: • Letter recognition • Sound recognition • Concept of Word • Sight Words • Reading Strategies • Comprehension • Small group instruction of students with similar needs • May work with Mrs. Y or support teacher depending on needs

16. Everyday Math • Hands On Learning • Whole Group / Small Group / Partner Activities • Spiral Philosophy – revisits topics regularly • Homework/Home Links Books – see books in student bag • EDM Online • Calendar & Daily Routines: • Attendance • Calendar • Number of the Day • Weather and Temperature • Yes/No question

17. Science & Social Studies • Integrated though out the curriculum • Hands on activities, big books, projects • Taught through various themes during the year • Science kits • Plants, Water, Recycling, 5 Senses (observations and comparisons) • Kinder”gardens” • Maps/Globes • Holidays • Citizenship

18. Preparing for School • Fine motor skills (cutting, pencil grip) • Socialization • Following Directions and Rules • Routines • Responsibility • Love of Learning!

19. Snack • Small, preferably dry snack • 5 minutes to eat • Please no juice – water bottle ok • Nut free classroom! • Please send utensils if needed

20. Odds and Ends • Folders - check and clean out backpacks/folders everyday • Dress comfortably for weather, work, and play • Volunteers – See Volunteer Handout • Birthdays& Invitations – non food items • Email - Let me know if you have not been receiving emails from me ASAP! • Star Student– you will receive a note • Communication is key…we are on the same team! Email is the best way!

21. Homework for Mom & Dad • Parent Questionnaire • Pink or Blue Information Card • Treasure Chest