There are many different learning experiences your children are having here at St. Mark. As you may know, the Ontario Government mandates what must be taught in Ontario schools. This is also true for the Full Day Kindergarten program. There is a prescribed curriculum that children are expected to progress through during their 2 years of Full Day Kindergarten. Below you will find the subject area followed by the curriculum expectations that we have been teaching over the past few weeks.
Language
· Follow and provide one- and two-step directions in different contexts (e.g., in classroom routines)
· Use language to talk about their thinking, to reflect, and to solve problems
· Demonstrate an awareness of basic book conventions and concepts of print when a text is read aloud or when they are beginning to read print
· Use illustrations to support comprehension of texts that are read by and with the EL–K team
· Demonstrate knowledge of most letters of the alphabet in different contexts
The development of early reading and writing concepts is a very exciting part of your child’s development. At school we will be taking part in many activities that will enhance your child’s listening, speaking, reading and writing concepts. As you talk with your child about their day, explain things to them and read together. You will be supporting your child as they develop literacy skills. At school we will be reading picture books together to develop your child’s comprehension skills (and for fun!). We will also read many charts, poems and messages to help your child learn about the conventions of reading (read from left to right, look for letters and words you know etc.). The children will also have many opportunities to add print and words to their work as they begin to develop their writing skills.
This month we will be focusing on the following letters: i, p, n, c, k. Please remember to review with your children both the letters, as well as the corresponding letter sounds. Our language lessons will continue to follow the Jolly Phonics program.
As we have learned the letter sounds for: s, a, t, i, p, n we will now start to blend words from our vowel and consonant combinations. So far we have learned the words is and at and will then be learning the words it, in, and.
Math
· Sort, classify, and compare objects and describe attributes used.
· Identify, create, reproduce, and extend repeating patterns through investigation, using a variety of materials.
· Identify and describe informally the repeating nature of patterns in everyday contexts.
· Use and represent whole numbers in a variety of meaningful contexts.
Sorting activities started our year off in an organized way! All sorts of things were sorted according different attributes, and sorting rules were made for each sorting activity.
The children have discovered so many patterns in their everyday life. We have made patterns using students when they line up (boy/girl, long sleeve/short sleeves etc) and during carpet time. The students have been quick to notice pattern in the classroom (borders, pictures etc) and also on their own clothing (stripes, symbols etc). We have found patterns in nature, books, songs, and even dances!!!
Finally, we have been counting the number of days that we have been in attendance at school, and learning about simple place value as we count those days. Our aim is to have a classroom celebration when we have attended school for 100 days!
Science
· Ask questions about and describe some natural occurrences, using their own observations and representations.
In science we have begun to look at seeds, with a particular focus on apples and pumpkins. We will be learning about the life cycle of a pumpkin, and what a pumpkin needs to grow. We will be baking, measuring, creating, and playing with fruits of the autumn harvest. We love fall!
Also, our class has adopted two trees on our school property this year. We walked the yard and looked for trees that might be in need of our care. We chose a coniferous tree and a deciduous tree (that have yet to be named) to watch over. We will be looking for similarities, differences, and observing seasonal changes of the trees this year.
Health and Physical Education
· Begin to demonstrate an understanding of the effects of healthy, active living on the mind and body
· Participate actively in creative movement and other daily physical activities
· Begin to demonstrate control of large muscles with and without equipment (e.g., climb and balance on playground equipment; roll, throw, and catch a variety of balls)
· Begin to demonstrate control of small muscles in activities at a variety of learning centres (e.g., sand, water, visual arts centres)
Your children have been engaged in many activities to promote physical activity. We have played various tag games (i.e. sharks and fishies), parachute games and had some tricycle fun. All children look forward to our fun times in the gym!
The Arts
· Explore different elements of drama and dance.
· Explore different elements of music.
· Explore a variety of tools and materials to create visual art forms in familiar and new ways.
The children have gone on a lion hunt, been stow aways on a desert island, and rode the bus within the confines of our classroom. We have chicken danced and prayed to the stomp, stomp, clap rhythm of Queen’s We Will Rock You.
Our latest artistic creation involves a teaspoon, paint, paper and a pumpkin. Ask your child all about it.
Social and Emotional Development
· Demonstrate the ability to take turns in activities and discussions.
· Use a variety of simple strategies to solve social problems.
· Demonstrate self-reliance and a sense of responsibility.
As the novelty of school may be wearing off, we are trying to stay as focused as possible on routines and expectations. The children are doing a great job at recognizing their responsibilities in the classroom and they are definitely rising to the challenge of being excellent students!
General Information
Indoor Shoes and Outdoor Wear
Thank you so much to all parents who have made sure that their children have a pair of “indoor” shoes to be left at school for the use throughout the day. Wearing indoor shoes is one way that we can work together to keep our learning environment clean.
Now that coat and sweater season is upon us, please ensure all items that come to school are well labeled with your child’s name or initials on them.
Field Trip: Kustermans Berry Farm
Just a reminder that our class will be going on a field trip to Kustermans Berry Farm on Wednesday, October 29, 2014. Buses will leave St. Mark promptly at 9:00a.m. and will return to St. Mark by 2:30p.m. Please remember to NOT pack any blueberries, strawberries or raspberries in your child’s lunch.
Halloween Activities
We will be celebrating Halloween in our kindergarten class on October 31st with a special afternoon of classroom activities. A separate information sheet will be sent home soon regarding this fun-filled event. Special days of celebration are very memorable for the children, and they couldn’t take place without the assistance of volunteers. If you are interested and able to volunteer, please contact us for further information. Also, we are encouraging the students to dress in orange and black on the 31st.
Roots of Empathy
We are excited to be doing this program again this year. This program teaches children about feelings, their own feelings, and the feelings of others. Ms. McKinley is an instructor in this program, and she facilitates our Roots of Empathy session every Tuesday. Once every three weeks, we will welcome Baby William and his mother Lindzi into our classroom. William will become the teacher of the class during the family visit. Through observation, the children learn about infant development and develop a greater understanding of emotions and empathy. We have already had one visit with Baby William, and are really looking forward to our next visit!
Thank you for your continued support of our classroom activities. Our journey together has begun, and we are off to a great beginning. Please be in touch with any concerns or questions via our website, send us a note in Ziploc, or call the school at 519-675-4421.
Sincerely,
Ms. McKinley, Mrs. Bruno, Mrs. Murray
Language
· Follow and provide one- and two-step directions in different contexts (e.g., in classroom routines)
· Use language to talk about their thinking, to reflect, and to solve problems
· Demonstrate an awareness of basic book conventions and concepts of print when a text is read aloud or when they are beginning to read print
· Use illustrations to support comprehension of texts that are read by and with the EL–K team
· Demonstrate knowledge of most letters of the alphabet in different contexts
The development of early reading and writing concepts is a very exciting part of your child’s development. At school we will be taking part in many activities that will enhance your child’s listening, speaking, reading and writing concepts. As you talk with your child about their day, explain things to them and read together. You will be supporting your child as they develop literacy skills. At school we will be reading picture books together to develop your child’s comprehension skills (and for fun!). We will also read many charts, poems and messages to help your child learn about the conventions of reading (read from left to right, look for letters and words you know etc.). The children will also have many opportunities to add print and words to their work as they begin to develop their writing skills.
This month we will be focusing on the following letters: i, p, n, c, k. Please remember to review with your children both the letters, as well as the corresponding letter sounds. Our language lessons will continue to follow the Jolly Phonics program.
As we have learned the letter sounds for: s, a, t, i, p, n we will now start to blend words from our vowel and consonant combinations. So far we have learned the words is and at and will then be learning the words it, in, and.
Math
· Sort, classify, and compare objects and describe attributes used.
· Identify, create, reproduce, and extend repeating patterns through investigation, using a variety of materials.
· Identify and describe informally the repeating nature of patterns in everyday contexts.
· Use and represent whole numbers in a variety of meaningful contexts.
Sorting activities started our year off in an organized way! All sorts of things were sorted according different attributes, and sorting rules were made for each sorting activity.
The children have discovered so many patterns in their everyday life. We have made patterns using students when they line up (boy/girl, long sleeve/short sleeves etc) and during carpet time. The students have been quick to notice pattern in the classroom (borders, pictures etc) and also on their own clothing (stripes, symbols etc). We have found patterns in nature, books, songs, and even dances!!!
Finally, we have been counting the number of days that we have been in attendance at school, and learning about simple place value as we count those days. Our aim is to have a classroom celebration when we have attended school for 100 days!
Science
· Ask questions about and describe some natural occurrences, using their own observations and representations.
In science we have begun to look at seeds, with a particular focus on apples and pumpkins. We will be learning about the life cycle of a pumpkin, and what a pumpkin needs to grow. We will be baking, measuring, creating, and playing with fruits of the autumn harvest. We love fall!
Also, our class has adopted two trees on our school property this year. We walked the yard and looked for trees that might be in need of our care. We chose a coniferous tree and a deciduous tree (that have yet to be named) to watch over. We will be looking for similarities, differences, and observing seasonal changes of the trees this year.
Health and Physical Education
· Begin to demonstrate an understanding of the effects of healthy, active living on the mind and body
· Participate actively in creative movement and other daily physical activities
· Begin to demonstrate control of large muscles with and without equipment (e.g., climb and balance on playground equipment; roll, throw, and catch a variety of balls)
· Begin to demonstrate control of small muscles in activities at a variety of learning centres (e.g., sand, water, visual arts centres)
Your children have been engaged in many activities to promote physical activity. We have played various tag games (i.e. sharks and fishies), parachute games and had some tricycle fun. All children look forward to our fun times in the gym!
The Arts
· Explore different elements of drama and dance.
· Explore different elements of music.
· Explore a variety of tools and materials to create visual art forms in familiar and new ways.
The children have gone on a lion hunt, been stow aways on a desert island, and rode the bus within the confines of our classroom. We have chicken danced and prayed to the stomp, stomp, clap rhythm of Queen’s We Will Rock You.
Our latest artistic creation involves a teaspoon, paint, paper and a pumpkin. Ask your child all about it.
Social and Emotional Development
· Demonstrate the ability to take turns in activities and discussions.
· Use a variety of simple strategies to solve social problems.
· Demonstrate self-reliance and a sense of responsibility.
As the novelty of school may be wearing off, we are trying to stay as focused as possible on routines and expectations. The children are doing a great job at recognizing their responsibilities in the classroom and they are definitely rising to the challenge of being excellent students!
General Information
Indoor Shoes and Outdoor Wear
Thank you so much to all parents who have made sure that their children have a pair of “indoor” shoes to be left at school for the use throughout the day. Wearing indoor shoes is one way that we can work together to keep our learning environment clean.
Now that coat and sweater season is upon us, please ensure all items that come to school are well labeled with your child’s name or initials on them.
Field Trip: Kustermans Berry Farm
Just a reminder that our class will be going on a field trip to Kustermans Berry Farm on Wednesday, October 29, 2014. Buses will leave St. Mark promptly at 9:00a.m. and will return to St. Mark by 2:30p.m. Please remember to NOT pack any blueberries, strawberries or raspberries in your child’s lunch.
Halloween Activities
We will be celebrating Halloween in our kindergarten class on October 31st with a special afternoon of classroom activities. A separate information sheet will be sent home soon regarding this fun-filled event. Special days of celebration are very memorable for the children, and they couldn’t take place without the assistance of volunteers. If you are interested and able to volunteer, please contact us for further information. Also, we are encouraging the students to dress in orange and black on the 31st.
Roots of Empathy
We are excited to be doing this program again this year. This program teaches children about feelings, their own feelings, and the feelings of others. Ms. McKinley is an instructor in this program, and she facilitates our Roots of Empathy session every Tuesday. Once every three weeks, we will welcome Baby William and his mother Lindzi into our classroom. William will become the teacher of the class during the family visit. Through observation, the children learn about infant development and develop a greater understanding of emotions and empathy. We have already had one visit with Baby William, and are really looking forward to our next visit!
Thank you for your continued support of our classroom activities. Our journey together has begun, and we are off to a great beginning. Please be in touch with any concerns or questions via our website, send us a note in Ziploc, or call the school at 519-675-4421.
Sincerely,
Ms. McKinley, Mrs. Bruno, Mrs. Murray