Kindergarten Classroom Information Letter

1. 2019 - 2020 Please find your child’s seat and write them a letter that I will read to them tomorrow 

2. Questions???? • If you have questions please write them on a post it with your email and I will respond. • If you want to talk specifically about your child please email me and we can set up a time before or after school to speak.

3. A little About Mrs. Lewis

4. My Beliefs • First and foremost, my educational goal if for your child to grow to be a kind, thoughtful member of society. • I believe all students can learn and we aim to grow both academically, socially and behaviorally. I want my students to love learning. • Parent/teacher communication is key!

5. Behavior Expectations • Positive reinforcement, problem solving, natural consequences. • Counselor is Mykela Fantone. • Dean of Students is Brandy Falk

6. Reading • Read aloud, shared reading, guided reading, independent reading • Leveled Reading Program • Sight Words – reading and writing • Making Meaning curriculum Thank You ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION for funding/providing our bookroom!

7. Writing • Writing Workshop: Shared writing, interactive writing, guided writing, independent writing. • Lucy Calkins: Narrative writing, how to writing, persuasive writing. • Handwriting Without Tears – letter formation and fine motor development

8. Communication • Listening skills • Communication skills • Best way to help: Talk and listen to your child. • Weekly Friday updates. • Please check folders DAILY!!! • Connect website with brief reminders • https://connect.issaquah.wednet.edu/staff/challenger/lewisk/

9. Eureka Math • Numbers 1-10 • 2 Dimensional and 3 Dimensional shapes • Comparison with Length, Weight, Capacity, and Numbers to 10 • Number pairs, addition and subtraction to 10 • Numbers 10-20 and counting to 100 • Analyzing, comparing and composing shapes

10. Social StudiesCooperation and Respecting Differences • Myself & My Family • Friendship & School • Classroom & School Rules (civics)

11. Science and Health Science Topics: • Life science – plant and animal parts • Physical science – solids and liquids • Earth Science – properties and change • Science to Go Lessons Health Topics: • Personal Hygiene, Healthy Habits, Emergencies, Understanding Stress, 5 Senses

12. Technology Classroom Laptops: Starfall Brainpop Jr. Reading A-Z Zearn Go Noodle (brain breaks)

13. Homework • Showing Contents of Folder to parents • Reading with parents

14. Learning Center Time • Learning center time is a time for your student to explore and create. • Purposeful questions to help your child problem solve using their imagination. • Involves imagining, planning, experimentation and evaluation.

15. ELL (English Language Learner) Teacher Hello! My name is Samia Bel Abbes. I help the classroom teachers with their ELL students in Kindergarten and Fifth grade here at Challenger! The ELL department will have a Curriculum Night to welcome and inform parents of new and returning ELL students in October. We look forward to meeting you soon!

16. Report Cards • Report are posted online on Dec. 2nd: • Conferences will be Dec 4-5th • Kindergarten state standards are online (Issaquah School District Website)

17. Volunteering • Classroom volunteering begins in October. • Need- • Room parent for parties

18. Library volunteers: • Check in and check out books. • Shelve books. • Connect with students! • Please sign up in your child’s classroom or contact Mrs. McDowell in the library!

19. Washington State Patrol Form- online • Needed for you to volunteer in our classroom • Needed before you chaperone on field trips

20. Field Trips • Jubilee Farms- October • October 28th at 11:15 to pumpkin patch • Fully disposable sack lunch needed • We will go rain or shine • Toymaker workshop at school- April-May • In – house: “Science to Go” hands-on investigation lessons.

21. Conferences I will have a conference with each child’s parent after report cards are sent home You will sign up using our district sign up program, online. More to come later. Children do not come to school on conference days.

22. Parent Checklist • Emergency Snack • Headphones needed for computers! • 2 Daily snacks consist of one item, no silverware in a separate place (not in lunchbox) • Please keep ill children at home!

23. Expect the Best • I am looking forward to a great year with your child! • When you expect the best, your child will try his/her best! • Parent - Teacher team! • Thank you so very much for attending tonight!!!