Gearing Up for Kindergarten Program Implementation Guide

1. Welcome to Program Implementation

2. Program Implementation • First thing to do – before anything else …… • Watch this video to see first hand the Gearing Up for Kindergarten program “in action”.

3. Program Overview for a 1.5 hour class • Second 45 minutes • Parents dismiss to the parent education room with the parent education teacher • Children stay in the kindergarten classroom with the kindergarten teacher • Families arrive • Put away coats, put on name tags, drop off siblings in childcare • First 45 minutes • Parent/child activities together in kindergarten classroom • Circle time • Note: the transition from classroom to parent session can take 5-10 minutes. Allow for this time by shortening both the parent/child and parent sessions.

4. Parent and Child Activity Time together in the classroom • Center time • Literacy • Math • Science • Sensory/motor • Circle time • Story time • Discussion with parents and children

7. Table Tent Cards to be used for parent/child activity time

8. Book list for circle time stories

9. Children’s Class Time • You are on your own with the children in your classroom for this time frame – about 40 minutes (parents are dismissed with the Parent Educator) • You will not have had time to read all the stories at Circle time • read some additional stories (your own or suggested book list) • sing some songs – rhyming, pattern, counting • things you would do with your own students in your classroom • do an activity connected to the story

10. Children’s Class Time • Songs, chants & charts • Washing up • Snack • Stories • Extend the Session Activity • Book check out • Going home

11. Extend the Session (for the 10 Session Option)

12. Parent Education Sessions

13. Parent Educator • Help parents understand the importance of interacting with their child during the class sessions • Continually encourage parents to share their experiences • Remind parents this is a time set aside for them and their four year old – put cell phones away – be present!! • Begin each session by reviewing last week’s lesson

14. Parent Educator • Help parents understand these classes are also preparation for, responsibility, routine, and procedures in school • Listening to the teacher • Raise hands to be heard • Clean up routines • Voice levels • Taking turns • For some, first time away from parents • Following directions

15. Parent Session Format • Parent Presentation • Topic Introduction • Objectives • Icebreaker • Content • Switching Gears • Create “Family Activities”to take home • Handouts/Parent Tip Cardsand reminders for the week

16. Parent Session Handout

17. Parent Session Handout

18. Parent Session – Tip Cards

19. Family Take Home Activity

25. 10 Week Session of Gearing Up • Week 1 - What to Expect (Session 1) • Week 2 - Brain Development (Session 3) • Week 3 - Raising a Reader (Session 4) • Week 4 - Responsible and Independent (Session 7) • Week 5 - Importance of Sleep and Healthy Habits (Session 8)

26. 10 Week Session of Gearing Up • Week 6 - Learning Styles (Session 9) • Week 7 - Temperament (Session 10) • Week 8 - Early Math (Session 11) • Week 9 - Social and Emotional Development (Session 12) • Week 10 - Parents’ Role in School Success(Session 16)

27. To order curriculum visit www.gearingupnd.orgIf you have questions, please call Jeanne Erickson at NDSU(701) 231-8652 or Email:jeanne.erickson@ndsu.edu