As children enter kindergarten, we are aware that they bring their whole selves with them. We know that they have been efficient learners for a number of years before we have seen them. Children are a product of their inheritance plus all their experiences and impressions.

Each child is a unique individual with special needs. In kindergarten, we will accept your children at their own levels of maturity and will offer understanding, guidance and learning.

This web page has been prepared for you and your child as you both begin the kindergarten experience at MacArthur Elementary. General information contained within this publication is intended to represent an overview of the kindergarten program.

Communication between you and the teacher is a vital part of the kindergarten program. It is through the teamwork of parents and teachers that children will receive maximum benefit from an excellent educational beginning.

Enjoy this wondrous year!

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This is a sample of a full day of kindergarten.

1. Welcome, Pledge, Moment of Silence
2. Calendar Math, Morning Message, Poetry
3. Phonics/Harcourt Reading, Literacy Centers
4. Recess
5. Writer's Workshop
6. Lunch and Recess
7. Rest and Read Aloud
8. Math/Workplaces
9. Specials (music, media center, PE, Computer lab)
10. Recess
11. Science, Social Studies, Themed guided activity
12. Clean up, Story, Go Home

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Before entering kindergarten, it is recommended...

Children have...
**A physical examination by your doctor
**A dental examination
**All immunizations up-to-date

Children should...
**Learn their first and last names, addresses and telephone numbers.
**Learn the safest route to school and use safety precautions such as crosswalks.
**Learn not to go with strangers. Impress the importance of coming home right after school. If they go home with a friend, insist on a call to you upon arrival there. If any friends come to your home, consider that the parents may be worried and give them a call.
**Know instructions and procedures if they go to a place other than home after school.

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Language Arts
Kindergarten children are provided with numerous opportunities to express themselves through oral and written communication. Activities may include creative dramatics, puppetry, chart stories, and journal writing as well as small and large group discussions. Kindergarten children learn the meanings and sounds of new words. Vocabulary is increased through new experiences, classroom activities and interaction with others. They learn that reading, listening, speaking and writing are pleasurable. They gain much information from the reading and discussion as well as from other children. Kindergartners become indivicual authors by writing class books and/or stories. Even from the beginning, kindergarteners have the desire and are excited to express themselves by writing words.

Mathematics
Kindergarten children are taught many basic skills in mathematics. These skills are the foundation upon which future mathematics instruction depends. They learn the meaning of numbers and how to use them in counting as well as comparative concepts such as less, larger, smaller, longer and shorter. They answer such question as How many? How long? How full? Which one? They learn the meaning of such fractional terms as half, quarter, all, part, whole, and to recognize and write numbers from zero to twenty at a minimum.

Reading
Foundational skills for reading begin with the focus of the eyes in infancy and continue as children learn oral language and have experiences of all kinds during their physical, social, and intellectual maturation. The continued development of these foundational skills is emphasized in kindergarten instruction. Kindergarten students will learn the names of letters, letter sounds, and how to associate letters and letter sounds to pictures and words. Children will recognize their names, names of other children, and other words. Some will read sentences and simple stories.

Science
The boundless curiosity about their natural and physical world causes kindergarten children to learn about their immediate environment to interpret what they see, hear, feel and smell; and to develop strategies for solving the numerous problems which they and others present. They are interested in plant growth, the human body, space, cooking and characteristics of weather. They are very purposeful in their research.

Social Studies
Social studies emphasizes opportunities for the children to develop a positive self-concept and learn cooperation through participating in projects and sharing time and materials. Kindergarten students learn to work and play with others; take suggestions from adults and other children; assume responsibility for actions and possessions; practice reasonable self-control; listen and observe; work with self-direction; make choices from a limited number of activities; understand the make-up, work, and recreation of the community; develop imaginative thought; make choices and express themselves creatively.

Music
Music time gives children the pleasure of expressing themselves in song, rhythm, and body movement. Enjoyment of creative expression in mucic helps children improve physical coordination and gain poise. In singing, children use oral language and continue language growth.

Art
Art provides foundational learning enjoyment and social opportunities. Children use a wide variety of materials and techniques which encourage imagination and develop fine muscle control. Concepts of color line and pattern are introduced. Art provides a multi-sensory experience. Music and art are used to supplement a subject area theme, to reinforce the learning, and to enhance the subject with enjoyment.

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Just for You!
Parents are encouraged to contribute time and support in both the classroom and at home.

Take Time to Talk
The kitchen is a fine laboratory for language training. Tasks such as hulling, dicing, chopping, slicing, stirring, and beating give possibilities for teaching these words, procedures, and meanings. You might also teach hard, soft, greasy, sticky, liquid, powder, luke-warm, hot, cold, sweet, sour, salty and bitter.

Take Time to Listen
Children have much to say. As you listen and react, you help to build language skills. By listening, you show respect for what your children have to say and show you're interested.

Read to Your Children
It is far more important to read regularly to your children than to help with specific skills. Reading an exciting story can be fun for both of you as well as create a desire to learn to read. Ask questions as you read and discuss pictures and make predictions.

Help Improve Visual Skills
Identify items seen and used when cleaning a room, working with hobbies, or shopping in a grocery store. Talk about the elevised programs.

Help Children with Eye, Hand, and Body Coordination Skills
Give practice by such tasks as folding napkins; icing cakes or cookies, or sorting screw, nails, and bolts into containers.

Visit School
Discuss school experiences at home. Become a part of school if at all possible. Get to know the principal, teacher, and school friends. Ask the teacher how you can become invoved.

Enjoy Your Children
Your children depend on you. What they become is more important than any other endevor you undertake in life.

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