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 teachers’ conference time
is 12:15-1:05. The transitional teacher’s conference
time is 8:05-8:55. 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
Ann Smith University
of Texas at Austin
Degree: Bachelor
of Science
E-mail: ann.smith@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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