Curriculum Information
This section will house information about our daily schedule (a general overview of times, and which special class happens on which day) and information about our Kindergarten Curriculum. Currently, we use Scott Foresman Reading Street (2008), Lucy Calkins' Writers Workshop Units of Study, Let's Find Out Magazine (Science and Social Studies), Michigan Model for Health and Safety, and we should be transitioning from University of Chicago EveryDay Math to My Math (Singapore Math based curriculum). We continue to follow the Common Core State Standards for Math and Language Arts. I will be including links to resources for our curriculum, as well as to the CCSS, to this page in the future.
Specials
We have one "Special" class each day of the week. We love our Specials, and our Special teachers! You will notice I have added a quick note about preferences for each special. These guidelines help your child to be safer and happier in his/her Special class.
- Monday: Library with Mrs. Needham (please return library books on Fridays)
- Tuesday: Music and Movement with Mrs. Aubin (safe running shoes are required)
- Wednesday: Music and Movement with Mrs. Aubin (safe running shoes are required)
- Thursday: Art with Mrs. Aubin (we often use paint or markers, so please don't wear your fanciest clothes!)
- Friday: PE with Mrs. Aubin (safe running shoes are required)
Daily Schedule
Please note that our daily schedule is flexible, and times depend on the needs of the students. Certain times are set "in stone" such as lunch, recess, Title Groups, and so on. Please help your child arrive at school no later than 7:55 a.m. This allows your child to put his or her items away, use the restroom if needed, and be ready to do morning jobs (attendance, lunch selection, etc) in a timely manner in the morning. Being part of this morning routine will help your child to feel more comfortable transitioning into our school day. Learning time in our classroom begins at 8:00 a.m., and your child is expected to be in class and ready to begin at this time. Thank you so much!
7:40 a.m. Students may be dropped off for a.m. recess at this time
7:55 a.m. First bell rings
8:00 a.m. Second bell rings, Breakfast begins (students arriving after this time are late)
8:20 a.m. Small Group Intensives (for specific students)
9:55 a.m. Title I Small Groups (for all students)
11:05 a.m. Lunch Recess, Cafeteria Time
11:35 a.m. Lunch in Classroom
1:00 p.m. Recess
1:35 p.m. Special Class (1:30 p.m on Fridays)
2:10 p.m. Computers (Fridays only)
The rest of our day will be filled with: Language Arts, Calendar, Math, Science, Social Studies, Literacy Centers, Writing, Free Play, and Quiet Time. Our classroom will have a strong routine/daily schedule, which will be a work in progress for the first few weeks, as I discover what works best for this group of students. Each class has its own personality and own needs, and I will adjust our routines to meet those needs.
7:40 a.m. Students may be dropped off for a.m. recess at this time
7:55 a.m. First bell rings
8:00 a.m. Second bell rings, Breakfast begins (students arriving after this time are late)
8:20 a.m. Small Group Intensives (for specific students)
9:55 a.m. Title I Small Groups (for all students)
11:05 a.m. Lunch Recess, Cafeteria Time
11:35 a.m. Lunch in Classroom
1:00 p.m. Recess
1:35 p.m. Special Class (1:30 p.m on Fridays)
2:10 p.m. Computers (Fridays only)
The rest of our day will be filled with: Language Arts, Calendar, Math, Science, Social Studies, Literacy Centers, Writing, Free Play, and Quiet Time. Our classroom will have a strong routine/daily schedule, which will be a work in progress for the first few weeks, as I discover what works best for this group of students. Each class has its own personality and own needs, and I will adjust our routines to meet those needs.
Language Arts: Scott Foresman Reading Street
I will be putting some great information and resources for our Language Arts/Reading series here.
Language Arts: Writer's Workshop
This will be home to resources and information for our Lucy Calkins Writer's Workshop curriculum.
Math: My Math (Singapore Math Based Curriculum)
Our district has just adopted the My Math curriculum for Kindergarten to Third Grade. This curriculum is based on "Singapore Math". It is a big change for us, but we are excited to begin using this curriculum, and to get started building some strong math thinkers! I will share resources and information here, because it is definitely a program that gets us looking at math in a different way than many of us experienced as students. Luckily for us, these differences are less obvious at the kindergarten level!
Science Curriculum
We use a Harcourt-Brace Science curriculum, but we also support our science learning through integration in Language Arts, as well as in our Michigan Model curriculum, and through the use of the amazing Let's Find Out!/My Weekly Reader magazines we use each week. We are working to implement new science standards this year!
Social Studies Curriculum
This curriculum is still based on Michigan Department of Education standards. We meet these standards through the use of the Michigan Model curriculum, our Let's Find Out!/My Weekly Reader magazines, integration with our Language Arts series, and through the use of wonderful picture books, classroom play, and many other hands-on learning opportunities in our classroom.
Health and Nutrition
Our building takes Health and Nutrition education for our students very seriously. The majority of our Health and Nutrition education is taught through our Michigan Model for Health and Safety curriculum. In addition, we learn about health and nutrition through play activities, books, and classroom discussion. Please note that our district does have specific nutrition guidelines in place for meals from school and any treats (including birthday/holiday treats); please see our handbook (you will be/were given one at Orientation).