• Kindergarten Syllabus 

    Course Description: In Kindergarten students work on mastering the Standards of Learning as required by the state of Virginia in the following subjects: (Click on subjects to see SOLs) Math, English/Language Arts, Reading and Writing, Science (scroll to page 9), and Social Studies.

     

    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: To Be Determined

    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

            Academic Grade Reporting (Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies)

         

          Non-Academic Grade Reporting (Conduct, Handwriting, P.E., Music, and Art)

    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:

     

    KINDERGARTEN
    • Scissors (Round Tip)
    • Pencils/Erasers
    • Crayola Crayons (24 count)
    • Glue sticks
    • Pencil box or Pouch
    • Backpack (no wheels)
    • Change of clothing in a bag labeled with the child’s name (shirt, pants, socks, and underwear)
    • Earbuds or headphones

     

    Homework

    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.

    Homework is sent home each Friday in your child's orange folder.  Homework is a review of what has been taught so far.  The orange folder should be returned to school on the following Thursday.  This allows you and your child the opportunity to decide when homework best fits into the family schedule for the week.  Students who complete homework tend to have better results academically.

     

    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: rwhitta@mail.dps.k12.va.us

    School Phone: (434) 799-6426

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

    (434) 250-8653-cell phone is the best way to reach me. Send a text message and I will respond as soon as possible.  I am busy with children all day, so I will probably not be able to respond during the school day.