Kindergarten
Faculty
Language Arts
The Kindergarten
language arts curriculum is a four-strand discipline including
listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The program is a
balanced-literacy approach that incorporates phonemic awareness
activities such as songs, rhythm, rhymes, and “word play” such
as alliteration, sound substitution, and determining the number
of sounds and syllables in a word and the number of words in a
sentence. In addition, we focus on reading aloud, shared
reading of big books and charts, guided reading of leveled
books, and self-selected reading.
The writing
strand is addressed through modeled, shared, interactive, and
independent writing. We use “Morning Message”, predictable
charts, and language experience stories to teach the conventions
of print. The kindergarten classes write their own books as
group projects and can have them published in the school
publishing lab. Journals are kept in which each child writes at
his/her developmental stage. The language arts program is also
enriched by creative dramatics, cooking experiences, and other
hands-on activities.
Phonics, the
association of letters and sounds, is taught using the Saxon
Phonics program. This multi-sensory, structured, systematic
approach lays the groundwork for more in-depth phonics
instruction in the primary grades, and gives kindergarteners the
tools they need to begin reading and writing on their own. The
Breakthrough to Literacy Program allows each student to
work on the computer daily at his/her ability level. Teachers
use the “Book of the Week” to teach and reinforce skills.
Mathematics
Math concepts
are taught through a multi-sensory, hands-on approach, using a
variety of math manipulatives. Some of the concepts taught are
geometric shapes, patterning, positional words, numbers,
counting, money, time, and units of measure. Addition and
subtraction are introduced using hands-on materials.
The Saxon Math
program is used in kindergarten, and in all grades at Starkey.
It is a spiraling curriculum in which math vocabulary, concepts
and skills are reviewed and reinforced over time. The lessons
are built on prior learning and are presented in increments
which help each child to understand and to succeed. At the
beginning of each day, the children participate in a math
activity called “The Meeting”. Here, the students practice
skills related to the calendar, counting, patterns, and
weather.
Social
Studies, Science & Health
Social studies,
science and health are introduced in thematic units and are
usually integrated with language arts and math. They are
reinforced through music, literature, rhymes, art, and hands-on
activities.
In social
studies, students are taught to value and respect similarities
and differences in cultural heritage. Culturally related
holidays are included in the curriculum.
Science themes
include topics such as plants, animals, weather, eco-systems,
and the environment.
Good health is
emphasized daily through the use of units dealing with proper
hygiene, dental health, nutrition, and the five senses. The
study of safety is important and is integrated into the
curriculum. Social skills are taught and reinforced. In
additional, kindergarten students are introduced to the six
pillars of “Character Counts” – trustworthiness, respect,
responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
Library,
Art, Music & P.E.
Students go to
the library twice each week for stories and literary
experiences. In art, the children are given opportunities to
experience a wide variety of media in formal art instruction
weekly. Art is also part of the daily classroom instruction.
Students receive
formal music instruction twice a week. Songs and musical
activities are also part of daily instruction in the classroom.
Kindergarten students attend P.E. classes 4 times each week to
aide in gross and fine motor development.
Special
Days
Martin Luther
King Day, Grandparents’ Day, Western Day, Kite Day, Cinco de
Mayo, and Field Day are all important celebrations in
Kindergarten.
Reports
to Parents
Parent
conferences are required at the end of the first six weeks of
school. Report cards are issued at the end of each six-week
grading period for the remainder of the year. Kindergarten
report cards include a skills checklist based on district
curriculum requirements and the Texas Essential Knowledge and
Skills.
The
kindergarten and transitional teachers’ conference time is
12:15-1:05. Please call the school office (257-2210) to
schedule a conference.
KINDERGARTEN FACULTY
Susan McKinley: Grade
Level Chair
University
of Texas at San Antonio
Degree: Bachelor
of Arts
E-mail: susan.mckinley@kerrvilleisd.net
Jill Embree Southwest
Texas State University
Degree: Bachelor
of Science
E-mail: jill.embree@kerrvilleisd.net
Terry Vasquez Bilingual
Teacher
Texas
Women’s University
Degree: Bachelor
of Science
E-mail: terry.vasquez@kerrvilleisd.net
Christie Yañez University
of Texas at San Antonio
Degree: Bachelor
of Arts
E-mail: christie.yanez@kerrvilleisd.net
Donna Hinton Transitional
Teacher
Baylor
University
Degree: Bachelor
of Science
E-Mail: donna.hinton@kerrvilleisd.net
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