Kindergarten Syllabus

Course Description: In Kindergarten students work on mastering the Standards of Learning as required by the state of Virginia. Students will work on the following skills -  communication, learning to read,  

Reading-Throughout the course of study, students will demonstrate skills for reading in the areas of communication, word analysis skills, vocabulary, comprehension of fiction texts, comprehension of nonfiction texts, writing, and research.Spiral review expectations include communication skills, multimodal literacy skills, word analysis skills, and vocabulary skills daily. Math-Throughout the course of study, students will demonstrate skills for mathematical process goals of problem solving, communication, reasoning, connections, and representations. Spiral review expectations include Number Sense Routines and Calendar Math daily. Science/ Social Studies- Throughout the science/social science course of study, students will develop skills in posing simple questions, conducting simple investigations, observing, classifying, and communicating information about the natural world while being introduced to the engineering design process. Spiral review expectations include citizenship skills daily and embedded scientific engineering practices with each science lesson.

Instructional Philosophy: Kindergarten provides your child with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and study skills that they will use throughout their schooling. The development of self-esteem is one of the important goals of kindergarten. The kindergarten classroom is a safe, supportive and welcoming environment. It provides children with a variety of opportunities to try out new ideas and be challenged with new experiences that engage budding readers, writers, scientists, mathematicians and artists. Teachers help children to be empowered, to feel valued, to be listened to, to be competent and successful in school.

Major Course Goals: The course goal is to master the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) for Kindergarten in Math, English/Language Arts, Reading, Writing, Science and Social Studies. Once mastered students will have the reasoning and thinking skills to help prepare them for their next level of learning.

Major Course Projects & Instructional Activities: TBD

Course Assessment Plan (DPS Grading Scale): SOL based assessments will be given periodically to check for mastery and will be graded using the following grading scale.

Grading Scale for Math, Reading, Science, and Social Studies

• A - 100 - 90           

• B - 89 - 80

• C - 79 - 70

• D - 69 - 60

• F - Below 60

Grading Scale for Conduct, Handwriting, P.E., Music, and Art

• E - Excellent

• S - Satisfactory

• N - Needs Improvement

• U - Unsatisfactory

State required assessments, PALs and VKRP, will be given according to the state schedule - usually at the end of September, Mid-year, and late April to May.

Classroom Expectations: We will follow the district-wide PBIS/VTSS expectations of…

• Be Respectful

• Be Responsible

• Be Ready to Learn

Behavior Policy  - students are expected to follow classroom expectations. Below is the process we use in our classroom to help students monitor their behavior, and keep parents informed.

For minor behavior mistakes…

• 1st offense - conference with child and teacher 

• 2nd offense  - student takes a break and reviews expectations, and parent is notified

• 3rd offense - time away from group / remove to another room

• 4th offense - office referral

Major behavior issues, such as a physical confrontation, will result in an automatic office referral.

Supplies and Materials Needed:

DPS Homework Policy: WILL CHANGE 

Homework provides an essential communication link between the school and the home. One measure of a program or course is the quality of the work done at home by the student. A strong home‑school partnership, with many lasting benefits for the individual student and the student’s family, can be greatly enhanced by a sound program of homework. In addition, homework should be an important tool in developing independent thought, self‑direction and self‑discipline. It assists the  student in developing good work habits and in the wise use of time.

Guidelines for homework include:

• Homework should be assigned after introduction and thorough explanation of the skills necessary to successfully complete the assignment.

• Homework should be assigned in such a manner that it will be clearly understood by all students.

• Homework should serve a valid purpose and be closely related to classroom activities.

• A student's access to resource materials should be considered when making assignments.

• Homework should be evaluated promptly and returned to the student. Appropriate rewards should be given to those students who successfully complete assigned work. Effort and competency should be recognized and rewarded.

• Teachers should seek to determine the cause if a student regularly fails to complete assigned work. Teachers should not avoid giving homework because they believe students will not do the work.

• Excessive homework, like the absence of homework, should be avoided.

• Homework should not be used for disciplinary purposes

• Teachers and administrators should take appropriate steps to communicate with parents regarding the division's homework policy and to solicit their support.

Extra Help: Students who are having difficulty will receive additional support through Title 1 services, small group instruction, individual instruction by the teacher/paraprofessional, and parent/teacher conferences to share ideas to use at home to help with learning.

Learning Games: 

ABCYa.com

PBS KIDS

Roomrecess

Coolmath4kids

email: pstewart@mail.dps.k12.va.us

School Phone #: 434-799-6455 

Planning Time: 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. (I'm usually not available at this time due to planning and professional development)

is the best way to reach me. Just send a text message and I will respond ASAP.