What to Expect in Your Child’s
Kindergarten Classroom
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to teach your child during this very crucial kindergarten year! I know that you, as parents, could have chosen other classes, schools and teachers but you have chosen the Museum School. For this I am honored and thankful. Together we will have a wonderful year full of growth and fun. You will see your child develop new skills and bloom before your eyes!
Discipline
I truly believe that each and every child has the right to learn and grow in a classroom that provides a safe, warm, nurturing environment. In order to accomplish this I use a positive approach in my discipline program. I give each child the opportunity to shine and succeed many times throughout the day and when he or she does, positive praise, Ms. De la Pena dollars, points and special privileges reward them.
In addition, I use a color-coded system that allows for the parents to see, each night how their child behaved in school during the day.
On the first day of kindergarten the children and I will discuss the rules of our kindergarten classroom, or as I like to call them, the keys to our classroom.
These are the rules that each child must follow while in school; they are the keys to the classroom. Raise your hand to participate, use kind words, share, put things away, be a good listener, follow directions and have fun.
When a child chooses not to follow the rules he or she is given a friendly warning. If the behavior continues the child will be asked to move his or her clip from green to yellow. If the child chooses to continue the negative behavior he or she will move their clip to red. When negative behavior persists the child is then asked to move the clip to blue. Please take a look at the card your child receives each day. If it is any other color but green, read the back of the card, sign it and have your child return it to school the following day. Upon returning the card, I will speak with your child and he or she will return their clip to the color green.
Please make sure that your child places his/her green cards in a special place where they will not be lost. Once your child has saved up 20 green cards they are entitled to a trip to the treasure chest! This is always great fun and the children love it!
Green Card-great day!
Yellow Card- child was warned (more than once) and behavior continued.
Red Card- child was asked to sit out and think about ways to change behavior.
Blue Card-phone call to parents.
Homework
Homework will be given weekly and it will be a packet. The homework is an extension of what we have learned in the classroom during the week. I will give the homework packet out on Monday and it should be returned the following Monday. If your child is spending more that 10-15 minutes a night on homework please let me know and I will modify the assignments.
Poetry
Each child will have a poetry book and every Monday we will study a new poem, which will be pasted inside. Your child will be asked to memorize the poem and present it in front of the class on Friday. Encourage your child to use an expressive voice.
The poetry book must be returned to school on Friday and there you will find how he or she did on the presentation of the week’s poem.
Homework Folders
In addition to the poetry book your child will receive a homework folder that must be returned every single day to class. Corrected papers, notes form the teacher and school and homework will be placed inside. Remember, if your child does not bring the folder I cannot place a GREEN card inside.
Mystery Tub
The Mystery Tub is a fun activity for the students and your child will bring home the Mystery Tub many times during the school year.
You and your child will place an object inside the tub and try to think of three clues describing the object (don’t make it too simple). The clues can be written down or you can draw pictures to make it easier for child to remember the clues. Practice the clues with your child the night before or on the way to school. He/She is going to be responsible for giving the clues in front of the class until someone can guess what might be in the Mystery Tub. I would like for your children to give the clues, it’s no fun when I have to read the clues.
Peanut Butter Bear
Peanut Butter Bear is our classroom mascot and every week a new student will have the opportunity to take him home for an entire week. Along with Peanut Butter Bear you will find his travel journal and some simple instructions. I encourage you to take pictures and place them in the journal; the children love to see what PB Bear was up to.
Shining Star
The Shining Star is also chosen randomly on a weekly basis. This is a chance for the students and I to get to know each other and to show off a little. You will receive a short outline and will be asked to make a poster featuring your son or daughter. Please limit your poster size since we do have limited space on the walls of the classroom.
Fieldtrips
We take various fieldtrips during the school year depending on the theme we are studying. Parent volunteers are always needed to accompany us and/or to drive. Please bring your drivers license and proof of insurance to school and I will make a copy for our files if you are planning on driving.
Please limit your cell phone use during the fieldtrips. The children are our main priority and using the phone can be a distraction. In the past issues have arisen when special items are purchased for one group of children and not another. It simply is not fair for the children and I ask that you do not purchase treats during fieldtrips unless you plan on treating the entire class.
Parent Volunteer Hours
There will be a Parent Volunteer box in the classroom with various projects that any parent can take home and complete. Included in this box will be projects that need to be done at school. All parents are encouraged to consider taking on these projects. They consist of cutting, stapling and assembling small books and art projects that are needed in the classroom. There will also be copying on the Xerox machine. I truly appreciate this!
Volunteer Jobs in the Classroom
Parent involvement is a vital part in the success of our kindergarten classroom. Please consider participating in any way you can. Here are some ways that you can make a big difference.
Scholastic Book Orders______________________
Field Trip Drivers__________________________
Classroom Volunteers______________________
Friday Folders___________________________
Organizing Classroom Library_________________
Room Mother___________________________
Please feel free to stop by the classroom before or after school if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions. You can also e-mail me at museumschooldiana@.gmail.com or diana.delapena@cox.net
So, sit back, sign up, strap in and enjoy the year!
Diana de la Peña
