Kindergartners learning how to stretch our words and “label” by first labeling their teacher with sticky notes and then our classroom too! Kids can practice labeling items in their homes as well by using scrap paper or sticky notes!
Welcome to my favorite time of year! The kids are changing as much as the seasons are right now. Expectations are growing for our young learners, and parent teacher conferences are right around the corner as well.
So, what skills are we looking for at the end of October? Please realize that when making this list, that there are always exceptions to the rule, which is why teachers work so hard to differentiate the curriculum to best suit the needs of the individuals in our classrooms.
- Children are putting more details into their drawings and coloring with real colors. No more purple cats!
- Children are labeling their pictures and writing down the sounds that they hear when they S T R E T C H out words.
- Students are learning how to reflect on their writing through conferring with their teacher and focusing on strategies that they can use to make their writing better.
- Students should be writing their names with the appropriate use and size of upper and lower case letters.
- They are beginning to predict what may come next in a story, or how a story might end.
- Asks and answers questions about a story.
- Produces rhymes, isolates initial consonants and some children are beginning to blend sounds.
- They are grouping items and counting by 5’s and 10’s and are learning to use a 10 frame mat/structure. http://youtu.be/p6RaMGDPfJg
- Students are working on number sense to 5 as well as beginning level addition and subtraction by using a variety of math tools such as bean counters (with one side painted orange),
rekenreks, unifix cubes, etc. They are also learning to solve math problems with drawings and/or numbers and are learning how to explain their solutions/answers.
- Identifying Numbers to 20 and counting to 100 by ones and tens.
- Counting by 5’s to 30
- Counting objects with 1:1 correspondence to 20
- They are learning to monitor their own progress by keeping track of either a journal of work, or possibly a writing folder. Many children may be working with math or science journals as well.
- Socially, students are being asked to work alone, in small groups and large groups as well.
- They are learning problem solving techniques for dealing with both academic and social day to day difficulties.
Finally, I would like to add just a note about kindergarten parent-teacher conferences. Parent-teacher conferences are the best way for you to stay informed and updated on your child’s progress. It is vital that the lines of communication stay open between home and school. Please take this time to ask questions and learn about new curriculum. Ask what resources are available if your child needs help, and don’t be afraid to say if you feel that your child needs to be challenged! Bring a pencil and notebook with you to list questions that may arise or things that you might need clarification on. List possible parent resources and tips that the teacher might give for working you’re your child at home. Generally, conferences at the kindergarten level are for parents only, as it gives all adults the opportunity to be honest about the child without them hearing any criticism. Remember that the relationship between your child and their teacher is an important one!
More than anything, your involvement in your child’s education sends the message to them that school is important. Be your own child’s advocate and become an active part of their success at school!
Renee Gillespie authored this blog, she has taught kindergarten and developmental kindergarten in Belding for 28 years. She has a first-hand account of what is required of children and of teachers during this first year in the public school system.
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