Dear families,
I hope you are having a nice weekend.
This week we completed our inquiry on Primary Colours and colour mixing. We mixed colours with various media, including paint, water colour pencils and bingo dabbers. The children completed a colour wheel, tracing over the words and colouring appropriately. We watched a video of Peep and the Big Wide World on Colour Mixing, Ms. Santiago made play dough of different colours with the children.
We also completed our Author Study of James Dean and his Pete the Cat books. The children each got 4 "Groovy" buttons like Pete the Cat and we talked about adding and subtracting them. We made a graph about them together, they drew them freehand, and then coloured 4 buttons on a work sheet and wrote about them: "My Groovy Buttons are..."
The Popcorn Words (sight words) of the week were LIKE and MY. Please put them in your child's Bedtime Book Box for practice at home.
It was a week of "firsts" for the Juniors: first photo day, first pizza lunch, first Sharing Assembly, first Reading Buddies! We had fun meeting our Grade 4 Reading Buddies and reading and colouring a Pete the Cat booklet together.
The Grade 8 LIVE program is up and running as well; each morning two students read leveled readers one-on-one with two children in the hall for about 20 minutes.
The homework for this week is to complete the "I Can..." sheet, writing the word "I" in various patterned sentences.
Thank you so much to Hannah who collated and stamped this month's Scholastic order forms. They are due on October 17th. Thank you as well to Alexandra's dad who was our Mystery Reader. Ruby brought in her own copies of Pete the Cat books, too, and read to her friends. Thank you, Ruby!
This week we also did some Cosmic Yoga, which the children really enjoyed. It's a great website for kids, teaching them about Mindfulness, Relaxation and Self-Regulation.
We had fun coming up with "B" words and beginning sounds this week, with a definite Blue Jay theme :) Ball, bunt; bat, batter, blue, baseball, and lots more!
We have reached the end of September and the end of each month the children complete a "This is me in [month]" and they fill in a calendar with numbers. These are used to track progress and a copy is sent home. I keep the original for Parent-Teacher interviews.
Our very first Sharing Assembly of the year went well. The children sang "There's No One Else Like Me," and Alex, Phoebe and Rielle received certificated for Respect. Well done!
The new October word list and October Bingo Calendar was sent home in Friday's mail bag. Please put the word list on the fridge or your child's Bedtime Book box. When they can read a word (alone or using the picture), they colour it in!
We have a few more things to do before the "Pete the Cat Loves Colours" folder goes home in Thursday's mail bag.
On Friday it is a PA day. The Kindergarten Team will be reviewing and discussing the Kindergarten Curriculum document. Monday is Thanksgiving, and this upcoming week we will be focused on this special day when we remind ourselves to be thankful. Look for some Fall-themed and Thanksgiving art and work in this week's mail bag!
That's the news for this week - I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend. I also hope the Blue Jays win tonight! :)
Mrs. Tyndall
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Week of September 19-23
Dear families,
I hope you are enjoying this lovely fall weather.
This week we continued learning about primary and secondary colours. to inspire us we read the wonderful Herve Tullet books "Press Here," "Mix it Up" and "Let's Play" as well as "Mouse Paint." We graphed our eye and hair colour, mixed primary paint colours together and did primary colour "math" (i.e. red + blue = purple). Next week we will make and mix primary colour play dough together as well.
We also learned about one of the simple machines in our classroom (door stopper) and how wedges made jobs easier. The children helped me identify wedges in the playground and in the classroom (e.g. wood chips, sand tools, eating utensils).
We are completing Pete the Cat pattern books which reinforce colour words and sight words, and which the children can read with you at home.
Many of the Juniors are still learning to form letters (their name being the most important word!). Any extra small-motor practice they have at home as well is terrific, including using child-appropriate round-edge scissors, glue sticks, and tracing and writing with various writing utensils. I remind the children to write letters and numbers with pencil, and to colour with crayons/pencil crayons etc. For the Juniors, tracing is a very good activity that strengthens their small motor ability and control of writing utensils. I have sent home a tracing alphabet for practice. Writing your child's name in highlighter and having them trace over top of it is also helpful.
The Popcorn Words of the week are CAN and ME. Your child's first Snuggle Up and Read Book went home in Friday's mail bag. Please return the book each week so that s/he can get a new one.
The SKs received their Journals on Friday. When our child completes a journal entry, I will "mark" it (I will write a note to them in the journal) and will put awesome stickers on it, too. :)
I also sent home instructions on how to make a Bedtime Book Box out of a shoe box, which is where your child keeps his/her popcorn words and Snuggle Up books. There is no need to bring it to school when it is done. It's just a fun way to inspire your child to read before bedtime.
We will meet with our Grade 4 Reading Buddies from Mrs. Shkler's class next week! Each week on Day 2 we will read books together, write together, and make new friends. The children will also take turns reading with three Grade 8 volunteers during each Homeroom period.
The whole school also participated in a Wellness Activity on Thursday by talking about what makes us happy. Our answers are on a paper chain outside the classroom.
Our very first Sharing Assembly this year will be on September 30th. We are going to sing a song called "There's No One Like Me."
I hope you have a lovely weekend. See you Monday!
I hope you are enjoying this lovely fall weather.
This week we continued learning about primary and secondary colours. to inspire us we read the wonderful Herve Tullet books "Press Here," "Mix it Up" and "Let's Play" as well as "Mouse Paint." We graphed our eye and hair colour, mixed primary paint colours together and did primary colour "math" (i.e. red + blue = purple). Next week we will make and mix primary colour play dough together as well.
We also learned about one of the simple machines in our classroom (door stopper) and how wedges made jobs easier. The children helped me identify wedges in the playground and in the classroom (e.g. wood chips, sand tools, eating utensils).
We are completing Pete the Cat pattern books which reinforce colour words and sight words, and which the children can read with you at home.
Many of the Juniors are still learning to form letters (their name being the most important word!). Any extra small-motor practice they have at home as well is terrific, including using child-appropriate round-edge scissors, glue sticks, and tracing and writing with various writing utensils. I remind the children to write letters and numbers with pencil, and to colour with crayons/pencil crayons etc. For the Juniors, tracing is a very good activity that strengthens their small motor ability and control of writing utensils. I have sent home a tracing alphabet for practice. Writing your child's name in highlighter and having them trace over top of it is also helpful.
The Popcorn Words of the week are CAN and ME. Your child's first Snuggle Up and Read Book went home in Friday's mail bag. Please return the book each week so that s/he can get a new one.
The SKs received their Journals on Friday. When our child completes a journal entry, I will "mark" it (I will write a note to them in the journal) and will put awesome stickers on it, too. :)
I also sent home instructions on how to make a Bedtime Book Box out of a shoe box, which is where your child keeps his/her popcorn words and Snuggle Up books. There is no need to bring it to school when it is done. It's just a fun way to inspire your child to read before bedtime.
We will meet with our Grade 4 Reading Buddies from Mrs. Shkler's class next week! Each week on Day 2 we will read books together, write together, and make new friends. The children will also take turns reading with three Grade 8 volunteers during each Homeroom period.
The whole school also participated in a Wellness Activity on Thursday by talking about what makes us happy. Our answers are on a paper chain outside the classroom.
Our very first Sharing Assembly this year will be on September 30th. We are going to sing a song called "There's No One Like Me."
I hope you have a lovely weekend. See you Monday!
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Week of September 12-16
Dear families,
It was a pleasure meeting with you on Curriculum Night and having the opportunity to present information about the Kindergarten Curriculum with our Kindergarten Team. Please click on the link above for further information about the Ontario Kindergarten Curriculum Expectations.
The children participated in the Terry Fox assembly and did a terrific job in our very first Fire Drill.
A huge thank you in advance to our Grade Parents this year: Simone (Caelan's mom) and Tiffany (Hudson's mom). There are many opportunities to volunteer in our classroom each year, such as Mystery Reader (weekly) and craft parties (October, December, April) as well as Scientist in the School, a field trip and the 100th Day Math Party. A Mystery Reader is a volunteer (usually a parent). They sign in at the office, the office buzzes our classroom that "the Mystery Reader is here," two children bring him/her to the classroom, and the reader reads 1-2 books. Our first Mystery Reader was my former student Megan! Thank you Megan! Please contact our Grade Parents if you would like to volunteer in the classroom this year.
This week we continued learning about colours and Pete the Cat books. The children learned a song called "Rainbow" and the poems "Rainbow Hair" and "Am I...?" about colours. They counted Pete the Cat 10-frames, helped spell adjectives describing Pete, and are making a pattern booklet called "I Like My Shoes" patterned after the Pete the Cat book.
The Popcorn (Sight/High Frequency) words this week are IS and AND. The first two Jolly Phonics sounds we are learning are S and A. The children also took turns playing and exploring various letter and number centres this week.
In Art the children made "Eye Spy Letters (JK) and Eye Spy Letter Sounds (SK) collages, which are on display on the classroom bulletin board.
In Science the children have started playing with the "simple machines" and tools in our little Science Centre, for example various hole punches, a stapler, paper clips, and fasteners.
We also started Daily Physical Activity (as well as outdoor play) in the classroom with the terrific website Go Noodle.
The Snuggle up and Read a Book exchange will start this upcoming Friday. Each Friday the children will take a classroom book home in their mailbag, and return on Monday. They will get a new book each week (upon returning the previous one). Once again our wonderful Grade 8 student volunteers will be reading one-on-one with the children each homeroom period. We will also be doing weekly Reading Buddies with Mrs. Shklar's Grade 4 class.
A small note about lunches and snacks - please ensure your child has enough food for their lunch and two snacks, as well as utensils. If you are packing apple sauce or yogurt, a good idea is to freeze it the night before so that it's not as messy and also keeps the other food cool!
Thank you for your Scholastic Orders. They are due by September 28. If you are ordering online, please ensure you send me your order forms as well. Thank you! Scholastic helps teachers buy books and materials for the classroom.
That's the news for this week! I hope you are having a terrific weekend!
It was a pleasure meeting with you on Curriculum Night and having the opportunity to present information about the Kindergarten Curriculum with our Kindergarten Team. Please click on the link above for further information about the Ontario Kindergarten Curriculum Expectations.
The children participated in the Terry Fox assembly and did a terrific job in our very first Fire Drill.
A huge thank you in advance to our Grade Parents this year: Simone (Caelan's mom) and Tiffany (Hudson's mom). There are many opportunities to volunteer in our classroom each year, such as Mystery Reader (weekly) and craft parties (October, December, April) as well as Scientist in the School, a field trip and the 100th Day Math Party. A Mystery Reader is a volunteer (usually a parent). They sign in at the office, the office buzzes our classroom that "the Mystery Reader is here," two children bring him/her to the classroom, and the reader reads 1-2 books. Our first Mystery Reader was my former student Megan! Thank you Megan! Please contact our Grade Parents if you would like to volunteer in the classroom this year.
This week we continued learning about colours and Pete the Cat books. The children learned a song called "Rainbow" and the poems "Rainbow Hair" and "Am I...?" about colours. They counted Pete the Cat 10-frames, helped spell adjectives describing Pete, and are making a pattern booklet called "I Like My Shoes" patterned after the Pete the Cat book.
The Popcorn (Sight/High Frequency) words this week are IS and AND. The first two Jolly Phonics sounds we are learning are S and A. The children also took turns playing and exploring various letter and number centres this week.
In Art the children made "Eye Spy Letters (JK) and Eye Spy Letter Sounds (SK) collages, which are on display on the classroom bulletin board.
In Science the children have started playing with the "simple machines" and tools in our little Science Centre, for example various hole punches, a stapler, paper clips, and fasteners.
We also started Daily Physical Activity (as well as outdoor play) in the classroom with the terrific website Go Noodle.
The Snuggle up and Read a Book exchange will start this upcoming Friday. Each Friday the children will take a classroom book home in their mailbag, and return on Monday. They will get a new book each week (upon returning the previous one). Once again our wonderful Grade 8 student volunteers will be reading one-on-one with the children each homeroom period. We will also be doing weekly Reading Buddies with Mrs. Shklar's Grade 4 class.
A small note about lunches and snacks - please ensure your child has enough food for their lunch and two snacks, as well as utensils. If you are packing apple sauce or yogurt, a good idea is to freeze it the night before so that it's not as messy and also keeps the other food cool!
Thank you for your Scholastic Orders. They are due by September 28. If you are ordering online, please ensure you send me your order forms as well. Thank you! Scholastic helps teachers buy books and materials for the classroom.
That's the news for this week! I hope you are having a terrific weekend!
Friday, September 9, 2016
Friday. September 9
Dear families,
We've had our first week of school! I am so happy to say that the children are all adjusting very well and are learning the classroom routines very quickly! I'm proud of them! Next week we will continue to establish and review routines. It will take many of the JKs the whole first term to learn all the various rules and routines. I am encouraging the Seniors to help the Juniors and be leaders.
This week there were a number of letters sent home to be signed and returned. Please make sure you send back your completed forms. Thank you. SK Parents please complete and return the journal topics you would like your child to write about this year.
If I have stamped your child's work with "Please complete for Mrs. Tyndall," this means that your child did not complete his/her work in class and that it should be finished at home and returned in Monday's mailbag. Thank you.
We are currently learning all about COLOURS, starting with colour words, and the Pete the Cat book "I Love My School Shoes" which explains colour mixing in a fun way. We will continue with colour mixing and Pete the Cat stories over the next few weeks. The children have started their first read and colour booklet called "I like my school shoes." We also completed our first graph, "What is your favourite colour?" Our favourite colour is green!
We have also started right into Phonics with the letter/sound "S." The popcorn (sight) words of the week are I and AM. I have sent them home for practise.
It would be wonderful if you could practise letter and sound recognition with your child at home. We are learning to recognize high-frequency words in the modeled writing each day. As well, it is important for your child to learn to print his/her name this year with a capital letter, followed by lower case letters. This is not going to happen overnight with my little JKs. It may take most of the year for some! Try making their name with play-dough, sugar on glue, or dot-to-dot on paper.
The children are also learning about working together cooperatively in Centres. We have played in the following centres: wooden letter games, patterns, magnetic letters and numbers, counting cards, Wedgits, dominoes, building toys, and dramatic play.
Curriculum night is September 15. The Kindergarten presentation will start at 5:30 in the Gym. We hope to see you then.
That's the news for this week! I'm looking forward to a terrific next week and a great year ahead!
Have a great weekend.
We've had our first week of school! I am so happy to say that the children are all adjusting very well and are learning the classroom routines very quickly! I'm proud of them! Next week we will continue to establish and review routines. It will take many of the JKs the whole first term to learn all the various rules and routines. I am encouraging the Seniors to help the Juniors and be leaders.
This week there were a number of letters sent home to be signed and returned. Please make sure you send back your completed forms. Thank you. SK Parents please complete and return the journal topics you would like your child to write about this year.
If I have stamped your child's work with "Please complete for Mrs. Tyndall," this means that your child did not complete his/her work in class and that it should be finished at home and returned in Monday's mailbag. Thank you.
We are currently learning all about COLOURS, starting with colour words, and the Pete the Cat book "I Love My School Shoes" which explains colour mixing in a fun way. We will continue with colour mixing and Pete the Cat stories over the next few weeks. The children have started their first read and colour booklet called "I like my school shoes." We also completed our first graph, "What is your favourite colour?" Our favourite colour is green!
We have also started right into Phonics with the letter/sound "S." The popcorn (sight) words of the week are I and AM. I have sent them home for practise.
It would be wonderful if you could practise letter and sound recognition with your child at home. We are learning to recognize high-frequency words in the modeled writing each day. As well, it is important for your child to learn to print his/her name this year with a capital letter, followed by lower case letters. This is not going to happen overnight with my little JKs. It may take most of the year for some! Try making their name with play-dough, sugar on glue, or dot-to-dot on paper.
The children are also learning about working together cooperatively in Centres. We have played in the following centres: wooden letter games, patterns, magnetic letters and numbers, counting cards, Wedgits, dominoes, building toys, and dramatic play.
Curriculum night is September 15. The Kindergarten presentation will start at 5:30 in the Gym. We hope to see you then.
That's the news for this week! I'm looking forward to a terrific next week and a great year ahead!
Have a great weekend.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Week of September 5-9
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Kindergarten at Lambton Kingsway Junior Middle School! I am delighted to have your child in my class! We are going to be learning a lot this year and it is my goal to do everything I can to make sure my classroom is a welcoming place full of learning, fun and friends. Please also join me in welcoming Early Childhood Educator Miss. Santiago to our classroom! Thank you to Caelan's mom Simone who has volunteered to be our Grade Parent this year! We need one more Grade Parent. Please email Madeleine Lowenbork-Frick (mfrick@sympatico.ca) if you would like to be a Grade Parent.
We enjoyed meeting everyone at the Kindergarten Open House today! I am looking forward to a wonderful year and I know you are, too.
Kindergarten is a two-year program and our classroom has both Juniors and Seniors. I encourage you to have conversations with your child about what we are doing in school. Parental involvement is very important. Your participation and support will help instill a positive attitude about learning. When we all work together, students are successful! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns during the school year. Please check my blog each weekend for updates and important classroom information.
Kindergarten Schedule
8:45-8:50 Entry
8:50-11:20 Morning Program
11:20-12:30 Lunch
12:30-12:35 Entry
12:35-3:05 Afternoon Program
Your child will need a regular-sized backpack for Kindergarten. This backpack should be large enough to carry snacks, lunch (if your child is not going home for lunch), a library book, small reading books, as well as a clear TDSB plastic "mailbag" (provided by me) that will go home at the end of each week. This bag will include notes from school, classwork, art projects, etc. Please return this bag to school each Monday, and remind your child to hand put it in the bin provided when s/he enters the classroom. Please give your child opportunities to practice opening, putting things in, taking objects out of the backpack and then zipping the backpack closed.
As your child enters school, independence (and attempting to be independent) is very important. Saying a cheerful goodbye at the outside door will ensure your child has a smooth transition to classroom routines and independence.
The beginning of the day, end of the day, and lunch time are busy times, with children coming and going to before and after school programs, taking the bus, daycare, etc. My first priority is ensuring that each of my children is dismissed safely to parents and caregivers, bus attendants. etc. If you wish to speak with me about your child's progress, please send a note and I’ll be happy to make an appointment to speak to you at a time convenient to all.
Please note that the Kindergarten Playground/Yard is CLOSED after school each day as it is reserved for the After School Program. Thank you.
Important Numbers:
School Office: 416-394-7890
Please leave a message with the office if your child will be absent from school. Messages can be left 24 hours/day. Please give your child’s name, teacher name, and reason for absence.
My Program:
In keeping with the Ministry of Education’s Full Day Kindergarten Curriculum, the Kindergarten Program is Inquiry-Based. I will also be doing several educational and interesting theme-based literacy and numeracy activities with the children adapted to their level and interests, which also helps prepare them for SK/Grade One Curriculum. The children will bring these themed units home in folders when they are completed, so that you can see all the hard work they have been doing in class!
Each child is unique. Young children grow and develop at their own rate. When provided with opportunities to play and interact with their peers and guided by adults, children have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and solve problems through everyday activities. While there will be large group discussions, much of the interaction between your child and myself and Miss. Santiago will be in small groups or one on one. As a result, children will be able to receive as much individualized attention that is geared to their interests as well as their development and abilities.
Centres:
The Kindergarten classroom is set up as a number of centres. Independence is key to the program and, as such, the learning materials are housed in storage shelves and containers that allow children to find and reach them on their own. The children are expected to help keep our classroom clean and organized by cleaning up their activity when finished with it and returning it to the proper place.
While centres will change through the year (according to which theme we are working on), some remain, with the materials changing to meet our learning expectations. Some of the centres in our classroom are:
- Sand and/or Water
- Math (Numeracy)
- Writing
- Reading/Books/Mini Library
- Creative (Art)
- Sensory
- Building
- Science/Discovery
- Computers (2)
- Dramatic Play
They will also be encouraged to rotate through all the different centres. Each child has a designated seat at a table, and a designated spot during Circle Time and Smartboard Work Time. Otherwise, as a rule, children will play in small groups of 2-4 children.
Additional Activities:
Library and Computers – We are fortunate to have Teacher Librarian Ms. McGee, who maintains a wonderful primary resource centre. Each week we will have an opportunity to visit the library for a read aloud or learning activity, as well as a book exchange. The library is also next to our Computer Lab where the children will have an opportunity each week to explore a variety of programs and learn how to use the computers.
Physical Education – Our gymnasium and outdoor kindergarten playground are large open spaces where children will be able to participate in activities to promote healthy living. Co-operative games and moving safely are the major components of the kindergarten gym program.
Volunteers:
There are many opportunities for parents to volunteer in the classroom, such as Mystery Reader (every Day 1 at 9 a.m.) and Holiday Craft Parties. Any person wishing to volunteer at the school requires a recent, valid police check from the Toronto Police Department. Annual Declarations are required for any current volunteers. Please contact your Grade Parent if you wish to volunteer for classroom activities.
Safety:
Ensuring the safety of the students, staff and visitors at Lambton Kingsway is a priority. Students in Kindergarten enter and leave through their classroom doors to the kindergarten yard. Should you need to enter the school, please use the front doors and sign in at the office each time you visit us.
A note from home is required for changes to regular routines (i.e. a child who normally stays at school for lunch will be going home, or a child who normally takes the bus will be picked up by a caregiver, or a child is going on a play date after school and will be picked up by another caregiver). For the safety and security of your child, we cannot change your child’s routine if a note is note provided. Please do not assume that if a note is left in your child’s backpack your child will remember to give it to his/her teacher. Please hand the note personally to me first thing in the morning and/or call the office with the change to routine.
If your child is going to be absent from school for a planned activity (i.e. doctor, dentist, early or extended holiday) please send a note in advance so that it can be forwarded to the office. For unexpected absences, please call the safe arrival system (416-394-7890) and leave a message with your child’s full name, teacher, and reason for absence.
Classroom Rules and Routines:
One of the main goals in Kindergarten is to develop self-regulation. I work with the children to help them maintain control of their actions and behaviours. Our classroom expectations are to:
- Listen to others
- Use a quiet voice
- Keep hands to yourself
- Sit while in a group
- Walk while inside the school
Home Communication:
Communication between home and school is essential. Every Sunday evening, I update my blog (www.mrstyndallslksblog.blogspot.com). Please make a habit of checking it regularly for important dates, information about what we are doing in class, and other updates. Each day items such as notes, newsletters, permission forms, etc. may be sent home. Children in my Kindergarten class use a communication bag (a clear plastic TDSB bag with their name on it) to carry items between home and school. Please place notes from home, or any money for pizza, Scholastic Book Orders, field trips, etc. in the bag. Please do not lose this bag as I only have a few extras. Thank you.
To help keep orders safe and contained, please seal any required money inside an envelope or zip-lock baggie, and put your child’s name on it, along with the purpose for the money being sent.
Calendar:
A classroom calendar will be sent home during the last week of each month (or earlier) for the next month. Please post in a special place so that you and your child are prepared for all designated activities. Please make note of special dates such as your child’s Special Leader Day, due dates for pizza and Sholastic book orders, etc.
Reading Skills:
Reading is an essential skill that lasts a lifetime. It is your and my responsibility to ensure that your child develops early reading skills. An at home reading program will be provided, beginning in the first term. A folder with a reading log, as well as early reading “snuggle up” books will be provided. Your Snuggle Book needs to travel to and from school in your child’s TDSB bag. More information will be provided once we begin the program in October.
Spare Clothing:
Children occasionally don’t make it to the washroom on time. They also like to “find” puddles or go down slides that aren’t quite dry. To make such instances easier for everyone, please send a change of underwear, pants and socks to keep at school. Wet clothes will be placed in a plastic bag and sent home. Please be sure to replace used items the next school day.
Library:
We will have a scheduled library period for a visit and book exchange each week. Children are responsible for the books that they sign out. They will be provided with a library bag to bring their book to and from school. Please return you Library books each Monday.
Snacks and Lunches:
Your child should bring two healthy, nut-free snacks each day. Children will have an opportunity to eat in each of the morning and afternoon nutrition breaks. The purpose of these breaks is to provide energy and nourishment for your child. Please choose healthy items that your child enjoys. Due to food allergies, children must not share their food with others. We continue to strive towards being a nut-free school for the safety of the children with nut-based allergies. Children will NOT be allowed to open or consume any items known to contain nuts.
Please do not send cans of pop/juice for your child. Cans are difficult for students to handle and they rarely finish the entire drink. Keeping the can throughout the day is troublesome as cans spill and attract ants. Please use juice boxes or water bottles instead. There is also a water fountain in our classroom, so water bottles are not necessary.
Scholastic Book Orders:
This is a voluntary book club for children. Each month a book flyer will be sent home. Please choose the books you would like on the order form, and return the order form and a cheque (payable to Scholastic Books). Orders are placed the day after the due date (found on the order form or on the class calendar), and orders are usually received within a week. Your child will bring home their books in their backpacks, to be opened at home. If you wish to purchase an item as a gift, please send me a note with your order.
Personal Items:
PLEASE LABEL ALL CLOTHING, SHOES, AND OTHER ITEMS BROUGHT TO SCHOOL.
Toys should be left at home.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions that have not been covered! Please keep this newsletter for future reference.
I’m looking forward to a wonderful year!
Kind regards,
Mrs. Beverley Tyndall
betyndall@rogers.com
mrstyndallslksblog.blogspot.com
416-394-7890 (Office)
Welcome to Kindergarten at Lambton Kingsway Junior Middle School! I am delighted to have your child in my class! We are going to be learning a lot this year and it is my goal to do everything I can to make sure my classroom is a welcoming place full of learning, fun and friends. Please also join me in welcoming Early Childhood Educator Miss. Santiago to our classroom! Thank you to Caelan's mom Simone who has volunteered to be our Grade Parent this year! We need one more Grade Parent. Please email Madeleine Lowenbork-Frick (mfrick@sympatico.ca) if you would like to be a Grade Parent.
We enjoyed meeting everyone at the Kindergarten Open House today! I am looking forward to a wonderful year and I know you are, too.
Kindergarten is a two-year program and our classroom has both Juniors and Seniors. I encourage you to have conversations with your child about what we are doing in school. Parental involvement is very important. Your participation and support will help instill a positive attitude about learning. When we all work together, students are successful! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns during the school year. Please check my blog each weekend for updates and important classroom information.
Kindergarten Schedule
8:45-8:50 Entry
8:50-11:20 Morning Program
11:20-12:30 Lunch
12:30-12:35 Entry
12:35-3:05 Afternoon Program
Your child will need a regular-sized backpack for Kindergarten. This backpack should be large enough to carry snacks, lunch (if your child is not going home for lunch), a library book, small reading books, as well as a clear TDSB plastic "mailbag" (provided by me) that will go home at the end of each week. This bag will include notes from school, classwork, art projects, etc. Please return this bag to school each Monday, and remind your child to hand put it in the bin provided when s/he enters the classroom. Please give your child opportunities to practice opening, putting things in, taking objects out of the backpack and then zipping the backpack closed.
As your child enters school, independence (and attempting to be independent) is very important. Saying a cheerful goodbye at the outside door will ensure your child has a smooth transition to classroom routines and independence.
The beginning of the day, end of the day, and lunch time are busy times, with children coming and going to before and after school programs, taking the bus, daycare, etc. My first priority is ensuring that each of my children is dismissed safely to parents and caregivers, bus attendants. etc. If you wish to speak with me about your child's progress, please send a note and I’ll be happy to make an appointment to speak to you at a time convenient to all.
Please note that the Kindergarten Playground/Yard is CLOSED after school each day as it is reserved for the After School Program. Thank you.
Important Numbers:
School Office: 416-394-7890
Please leave a message with the office if your child will be absent from school. Messages can be left 24 hours/day. Please give your child’s name, teacher name, and reason for absence.
My Program:
In keeping with the Ministry of Education’s Full Day Kindergarten Curriculum, the Kindergarten Program is Inquiry-Based. I will also be doing several educational and interesting theme-based literacy and numeracy activities with the children adapted to their level and interests, which also helps prepare them for SK/Grade One Curriculum. The children will bring these themed units home in folders when they are completed, so that you can see all the hard work they have been doing in class!
Each child is unique. Young children grow and develop at their own rate. When provided with opportunities to play and interact with their peers and guided by adults, children have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and solve problems through everyday activities. While there will be large group discussions, much of the interaction between your child and myself and Miss. Santiago will be in small groups or one on one. As a result, children will be able to receive as much individualized attention that is geared to their interests as well as their development and abilities.
Centres:
The Kindergarten classroom is set up as a number of centres. Independence is key to the program and, as such, the learning materials are housed in storage shelves and containers that allow children to find and reach them on their own. The children are expected to help keep our classroom clean and organized by cleaning up their activity when finished with it and returning it to the proper place.
While centres will change through the year (according to which theme we are working on), some remain, with the materials changing to meet our learning expectations. Some of the centres in our classroom are:
- Sand and/or Water
- Math (Numeracy)
- Writing
- Reading/Books/Mini Library
- Creative (Art)
- Sensory
- Building
- Science/Discovery
- Computers (2)
- Dramatic Play
They will also be encouraged to rotate through all the different centres. Each child has a designated seat at a table, and a designated spot during Circle Time and Smartboard Work Time. Otherwise, as a rule, children will play in small groups of 2-4 children.
Additional Activities:
Library and Computers – We are fortunate to have Teacher Librarian Ms. McGee, who maintains a wonderful primary resource centre. Each week we will have an opportunity to visit the library for a read aloud or learning activity, as well as a book exchange. The library is also next to our Computer Lab where the children will have an opportunity each week to explore a variety of programs and learn how to use the computers.
Physical Education – Our gymnasium and outdoor kindergarten playground are large open spaces where children will be able to participate in activities to promote healthy living. Co-operative games and moving safely are the major components of the kindergarten gym program.
Volunteers:
There are many opportunities for parents to volunteer in the classroom, such as Mystery Reader (every Day 1 at 9 a.m.) and Holiday Craft Parties. Any person wishing to volunteer at the school requires a recent, valid police check from the Toronto Police Department. Annual Declarations are required for any current volunteers. Please contact your Grade Parent if you wish to volunteer for classroom activities.
Safety:
Ensuring the safety of the students, staff and visitors at Lambton Kingsway is a priority. Students in Kindergarten enter and leave through their classroom doors to the kindergarten yard. Should you need to enter the school, please use the front doors and sign in at the office each time you visit us.
A note from home is required for changes to regular routines (i.e. a child who normally stays at school for lunch will be going home, or a child who normally takes the bus will be picked up by a caregiver, or a child is going on a play date after school and will be picked up by another caregiver). For the safety and security of your child, we cannot change your child’s routine if a note is note provided. Please do not assume that if a note is left in your child’s backpack your child will remember to give it to his/her teacher. Please hand the note personally to me first thing in the morning and/or call the office with the change to routine.
If your child is going to be absent from school for a planned activity (i.e. doctor, dentist, early or extended holiday) please send a note in advance so that it can be forwarded to the office. For unexpected absences, please call the safe arrival system (416-394-7890) and leave a message with your child’s full name, teacher, and reason for absence.
Classroom Rules and Routines:
One of the main goals in Kindergarten is to develop self-regulation. I work with the children to help them maintain control of their actions and behaviours. Our classroom expectations are to:
- Listen to others
- Use a quiet voice
- Keep hands to yourself
- Sit while in a group
- Walk while inside the school
Home Communication:
Communication between home and school is essential. Every Sunday evening, I update my blog (www.mrstyndallslksblog.blogspot.com). Please make a habit of checking it regularly for important dates, information about what we are doing in class, and other updates. Each day items such as notes, newsletters, permission forms, etc. may be sent home. Children in my Kindergarten class use a communication bag (a clear plastic TDSB bag with their name on it) to carry items between home and school. Please place notes from home, or any money for pizza, Scholastic Book Orders, field trips, etc. in the bag. Please do not lose this bag as I only have a few extras. Thank you.
To help keep orders safe and contained, please seal any required money inside an envelope or zip-lock baggie, and put your child’s name on it, along with the purpose for the money being sent.
Calendar:
A classroom calendar will be sent home during the last week of each month (or earlier) for the next month. Please post in a special place so that you and your child are prepared for all designated activities. Please make note of special dates such as your child’s Special Leader Day, due dates for pizza and Sholastic book orders, etc.
Reading Skills:
Reading is an essential skill that lasts a lifetime. It is your and my responsibility to ensure that your child develops early reading skills. An at home reading program will be provided, beginning in the first term. A folder with a reading log, as well as early reading “snuggle up” books will be provided. Your Snuggle Book needs to travel to and from school in your child’s TDSB bag. More information will be provided once we begin the program in October.
Spare Clothing:
Children occasionally don’t make it to the washroom on time. They also like to “find” puddles or go down slides that aren’t quite dry. To make such instances easier for everyone, please send a change of underwear, pants and socks to keep at school. Wet clothes will be placed in a plastic bag and sent home. Please be sure to replace used items the next school day.
Library:
We will have a scheduled library period for a visit and book exchange each week. Children are responsible for the books that they sign out. They will be provided with a library bag to bring their book to and from school. Please return you Library books each Monday.
Snacks and Lunches:
Your child should bring two healthy, nut-free snacks each day. Children will have an opportunity to eat in each of the morning and afternoon nutrition breaks. The purpose of these breaks is to provide energy and nourishment for your child. Please choose healthy items that your child enjoys. Due to food allergies, children must not share their food with others. We continue to strive towards being a nut-free school for the safety of the children with nut-based allergies. Children will NOT be allowed to open or consume any items known to contain nuts.
Please do not send cans of pop/juice for your child. Cans are difficult for students to handle and they rarely finish the entire drink. Keeping the can throughout the day is troublesome as cans spill and attract ants. Please use juice boxes or water bottles instead. There is also a water fountain in our classroom, so water bottles are not necessary.
Scholastic Book Orders:
This is a voluntary book club for children. Each month a book flyer will be sent home. Please choose the books you would like on the order form, and return the order form and a cheque (payable to Scholastic Books). Orders are placed the day after the due date (found on the order form or on the class calendar), and orders are usually received within a week. Your child will bring home their books in their backpacks, to be opened at home. If you wish to purchase an item as a gift, please send me a note with your order.
Personal Items:
PLEASE LABEL ALL CLOTHING, SHOES, AND OTHER ITEMS BROUGHT TO SCHOOL.
Toys should be left at home.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions that have not been covered! Please keep this newsletter for future reference.
I’m looking forward to a wonderful year!
Kind regards,
Mrs. Beverley Tyndall
betyndall@rogers.com
mrstyndallslksblog.blogspot.com
416-394-7890 (Office)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)