James B. McPherson James B. McPherson SchoolSchool

James B. McPherson James B. McPherson SchoolSchool

Kindergarten Meet and GreetKindergarten Meet and GreetSept. 3Sept. 3rdrd, 2015 , 2015

9:30-10:309:30-10:30Meet Your child’s teacher & Meet Your child’s teacher &

visit their classroom!visit their classroom!

  

• Principal:  Carmen A. Mendoza

• Assistant Principal:  Edward Breen

School Hours 7:45-2:45

Breakfast 7:45-7:55Recess10:43Lunch 11:08-11:28(subject to change)

Address: 4728 N. Wolcott Chicago, IL 60630Phone Attendance 773.534.2625Email:www.mcpherson.cps.k12.il.us

Kindergarten Classroom Teachers

• Chad Kirkpatrick Room 103• Dawn McCarthy Room 115• Amy O’Connor Room 116• Barbara Czaja Room 117

McPherson School• McPherson School Full-Day

Kindergarten • McPherson School offers a full-day

kindergarten program that provides intensive instruction in reading, math, science and social studies.  The kindergarten curriculum exposes students to important concepts and skills that are fundamental to early learning.   

• Important Information!• *Entry and Dismissal – Students will

enter using north Lawrence Ave. doors. Dismissal will be from center Winchester doors.

*Absences – If your child is going to be absent call the school attendance office 773.534.2625. Students must return with a written note explaining absence from school.

*Update all phone #’s and address changes whenever necessary. Children will only be released to whoever is designated on Emergency form.

• To Provide a safe, nurturing and engaging environment

• To give your child the academic and social skills that they will need to progress to the 1st grade

• To enable your child to make build relationships, take risks and build resilience

• To inspire your child’s curiosity• To help foster critical thinking skills

UniformsUniforms• Girls; white collared blouse with dark skirt

or pants.• Boys; white collared shirt and dark blue

pants. *Gym uniform is required (purchase in

office)*Purple McPherson t shirt may also be worn

instead of white shirt (purchase in office)*Navy shorts are allowed at designated

times; until Oct. 1st and beginning June 1st.

Curriculum

Reading:Childrens Literacy InitiativeMath: University of Chicago, Everyday MathWriting: Lucy CalkinsScience: Inquiry based investigative units of studySocial Studies: Variety of content aligned with Illinois State Standards and Common Core CurriculumForeign Language: Children will attend Spanish class one period per weekCharacter Ed: Each month has a new theme; kindness, courtesy, respect etc.Career Ed: Focus on a career for each month; education, technology, transportation, etc.

Daily 5• This program enhances our

reading curriculum by fostering literacy independence.

• Students are given an opportunity to choose from the following activities on a daily basis at least twice per session.

• *Read to self• *Read to a partner• *Writing Center• *Word Work• *Listening Center

•

More Daily 5

Guided reading is a strategy that helps students become better readers. The teacher provides support for small groups of readers as they learn to use various reading strategies (context clues, letter and sound relationships, word structure, and so forth). Guided reading is modified and used successfully in all grade levels on a daily basis.

"In primary grades children are learning to read

and in upper grades they are reading to learn." Anonymous

The Nuts and Bolts of Teaching Writing

by Lucy Calkins

• Used throughout the year, this book is a comprehensive guide to the classroom systems and teaching structures that are the foundation of a primary writing workshop. Lucy also includes chapters about working within developmental stages of writing, supporting English language learners, and assessing writers.

•

Everyday Math in the Classroom

• Background

• Developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project

• Based on research about how children learn and develop mathematical power

• Provides the broad mathematical background needed in the 21st century

• You can expect to see…

• A problem solving approach based on everyday situations

• Key mathematical ideas repeated over time in a slightly different ways

• Learning through age-appropriate, playful activities

• A broad range of mathematics topics based on an optimistic view of children’s capabilities and motivation to learn

• Opportunities to “do math” at home

Everyday Math Content Emphasized in Kindergarten

• Numbers and Numeration

• Operations and Computation

• Data and Chance

• Measurement and Reference Frames

• Geometry

• Patterns, Functions, and Algebra

Kindergarten Grading Scale

W= Skills Well Developed P= Skills are Partially Developed B= Skills are Beginning to DevelopReport cards distributed every 10 weeks.Progress Reports distributed every 5th week.

Assessment• Formative

(diagnostic)• Portfolios• Checklists in all

areas of learning

• Summative (summarizes learning)

• Storytown theme tests

• Everyday Math • DIBELS/TRC• MAP TESTING

Kindergarten Expectations and Info

• completion of 25 Book Reports by June 1, 2015.

• reading Independently at a Level c or better as determined by DIBELS Assessment.

• Read with your child every day • Encourage your child to come to

school everyday with a smile!

Activities and Upcoming Events

• Bulls Room exercise programs• Anti-Bullying Program• Monthly Movie Nights• Spirit Week• Kindergarten parent Meetings• Girl Scouts• Talent Show/School Play• Literacy Night• Daycare • Field Trips

What can you do at home?

 

•1. Read EVERYDAY! You can read to your child•or have your child read to you either way…READ!•2. Create a consistent after-school routine. Help•your child study and complete their homework.•3. Be POSITIVE! Always speak positively about•school, learning, and your child’s teacher.•4. Encourage! Give your child the opportunity to•excel in all areas of their academics.•5. Be sure that your child is getting plenty of•rest each night and is ready for school each day.•6. Teach your child to be responsible for their•actions and to take pride in all they do!•7. Stay INVOLVED! Make it a point to ask your•child about their day.•8. Communicate...•Please know you can contact us•with any questions or concerns.

• Volunteers Needed!New and current parents and guardians

are you interested in volunteering at McPherson School? CPS Forms are available on the McPherson School home page and also here today. We need chaperones for field trips and also lunch/recess supervisors. If you have questions please contact our Parent Volunteer Coordinator Mrs. Janet Miranda at jmiranda45@cps.edu. THANK YOU for your interest in helping our school community.

Great websites to visit at home…

• www.starfall.com • www.pbskids.org• www.kidsknowit.com• www.funbrain.com• http://studyjams.scholastic.com/

studyjams/index.htm• www.kidsedwebsites.com

•  

Thank you all for coming!!

• If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact us at blczaja@cps.edu ,dmmccarthy@cps.edu, aoconnor5@cps.edu, cjwagner1@cps.edu or 773.534.2625.