The National Common Core Standards
The Common Core Standards are learning expectations in English Language Arts and Math that have been adopted by the majority of states in the US. Starting this year, the Common Core Standards will be officially adopted as our standards for learning in Brookline. The standards place a strong focus on critical thinking skills and well as developmentally appropriate and research-driven instruction. For more information or to download the standards please click here.
Literacy
In Brookline we use various curricula and teaching strategies to approach teaching reading and writing in kindergarten. We start with a basis in phonics and phonemic awareness. Some programs we draw from are Fundations, Heggerty and UFLI Foundations (please click on the links to learn more). We also focus on comprehension, and appreciation of different genres while exploring picture books, poems, songs and chants. We teach proper formation of letters using a multi-sensory approach. In writing we begin with oral storytelling, teaching drawing to tell stories, and then move on to labeling our pictures with words and eventually writing sentences.
Math
In Brookline we use a math curriculum called Investigations. This curriculum is hands on and very nicely scaffolds math learning throughout the year fostering more independence as your child gains skills. It also allows for natural differentiation, with open ended problem solving in which students can be challenged at the appropriate level for them. More information on each math unit will come home as we begin the unit, as well as things you can do at home to reinforce math learning. For an overview of the kindergarten units click here.
Science
We use three overarching units of study throughout the year: nature exploration, building structures, and water exploration. Through hands-on activities students will be encouraged to think like scientists; making observations, predictions and discoveries. Students have science folders in which they records the observations, questions, and discoveries they make during science lessons and throughout the day.
Social Studies
Our social studies activities focus on helping students develop an understanding and appreciation of each other and our diverse population. We will celebrate the ways in which we are alike and the many ways we are all different and unique, and we will learn about historical figures who also celebrated diversity and unity. We will also celebrate national and cultural holidays, focusing on the holidays celebrated by families in the class. Our Social Studies units include Civics, History, Geography and Economics.
Social Emotional Learning
Goals for your child are:
● To recognize that s/he is a unique and valuable member of our class.
● To let his/her love of learning grow and flourish
● To become a helper and problem solver to him/herself and others
You will know that your child is achieving these goals when:
● S/he has developed a trusting and mutually respectful relationship with teachers and peers
● S/he shows pride in his/her work
● S/he begins to exhibit increased independence with self help and problem solving skills
We use the Responsive Classroom approach to teaching. This approach emphasizes the importance of socialization as an integral part of learning. More information about Responsive classroom is available here: http://responsiveclassroom.org
We will also be using an SEL (social emotional learning) curriculum this year called Second Step. During the year we will use this curriculum to help identify feelings, both in ourselves and others, strategies we can use when we have a big feeling, and ways to solve conflicts. We will also teach about persistence, and that mistakes are ok and are in fact an important part of learning. We will send more information about this program as we get started with it.
Self Help Skills
This is the first time that many children are expected to be as independent as they need to be in kindergarten. Most children go from a preschool or home environment with more teachers/adults and fewer children. Here are some important ways you can help:
Specials and Enrichment
Physical Education 40 mins twice a week with Christopher Roche and/or Robert Hutchinson (may be a double class with another K class) in the Gym
Music 40 mins twice a week with Thomas Malone in the music room
Art 40 mins once a week with Basha Goldstein-Weiss (Ms. G-W) or Gabriel Lescatre in the art room
Library 30 mins once a week with Deborah Abner in the library
Fine Motor OT Program 40 mins once a week with MaryAnn Biele in the KC classroom
Spanish 30 mins 2 times a week with Tiffany McMahon in the KC classroom
Other specialists who will be working with students include Katie Stowell, literacy specialist, Malia Scott, math specialist, Audra Francisco, speech and language pathologist, MaryAnn Biele, Occupational Therapist, Leah McGowan, learning center teacher, Gretchen Thompson and Toshiko Fell, English Learners teachers. These specialists will work with small or large groups of students throughout the year.
Other Important Parts of the Day:
Meeting Times (we gather on the rug in the morning, at lesson times, and in the afternoon)
Reading workshop: This is part of our literacy block. Students will be working in groups with literacy games, handwriting practice and reinforcing many different literacy goals while teachers/literacy specialists work with small groups on individualized and differentiated goals. From September - February this small group work is focused on pre-reading skills and in March we begin guided reading with beginning reading books (you will learn more about this at our first parent-teacher conference).
Choice time: Students are focused on building social skills as they engage in different social activities such as puzzles, games, put-together toys like legos, dramatic play, arts and crafts, board games and sensory activities such as sand play.
Snack: This is also a time to practice social skills as well as healthy and polite eating habits.
Recess: Recess in another time to practice social skills, build gross motor skills and get out all that 5 and 6 year old energy that we adults all wish we could borrow sometimes!
Lunch: Students enjoy eating in the cafeteria and get further practice here in social skills and healthy, polite eating habits. The classroom paraprofessional is in charge at lunch time as well as the cafeteria staff.
In Brookline we use various curricula and teaching strategies to approach teaching reading and writing in kindergarten. We start with a basis in phonics and phonemic awareness. Some programs we draw from are Fundations, Heggerty and UFLI Foundations (please click on the links to learn more). We also focus on comprehension, and appreciation of different genres while exploring picture books, poems, songs and chants. We teach proper formation of letters using a multi-sensory approach. In writing we begin with oral storytelling, teaching drawing to tell stories, and then move on to labeling our pictures with words and eventually writing sentences.
Math
In Brookline we use a math curriculum called Investigations. This curriculum is hands on and very nicely scaffolds math learning throughout the year fostering more independence as your child gains skills. It also allows for natural differentiation, with open ended problem solving in which students can be challenged at the appropriate level for them. More information on each math unit will come home as we begin the unit, as well as things you can do at home to reinforce math learning. For an overview of the kindergarten units click here.
Science
We use three overarching units of study throughout the year: nature exploration, building structures, and water exploration. Through hands-on activities students will be encouraged to think like scientists; making observations, predictions and discoveries. Students have science folders in which they records the observations, questions, and discoveries they make during science lessons and throughout the day.
Social Studies
Our social studies activities focus on helping students develop an understanding and appreciation of each other and our diverse population. We will celebrate the ways in which we are alike and the many ways we are all different and unique, and we will learn about historical figures who also celebrated diversity and unity. We will also celebrate national and cultural holidays, focusing on the holidays celebrated by families in the class. Our Social Studies units include Civics, History, Geography and Economics.
Social Emotional Learning
Goals for your child are:
● To recognize that s/he is a unique and valuable member of our class.
● To let his/her love of learning grow and flourish
● To become a helper and problem solver to him/herself and others
You will know that your child is achieving these goals when:
● S/he has developed a trusting and mutually respectful relationship with teachers and peers
● S/he shows pride in his/her work
● S/he begins to exhibit increased independence with self help and problem solving skills
We use the Responsive Classroom approach to teaching. This approach emphasizes the importance of socialization as an integral part of learning. More information about Responsive classroom is available here: http://responsiveclassroom.org
We will also be using an SEL (social emotional learning) curriculum this year called Second Step. During the year we will use this curriculum to help identify feelings, both in ourselves and others, strategies we can use when we have a big feeling, and ways to solve conflicts. We will also teach about persistence, and that mistakes are ok and are in fact an important part of learning. We will send more information about this program as we get started with it.
Self Help Skills
This is the first time that many children are expected to be as independent as they need to be in kindergarten. Most children go from a preschool or home environment with more teachers/adults and fewer children. Here are some important ways you can help:
- BATHROOM: In kindergarten we are not able to provide help in the bathroom. Please have your child practice all parts of using the bathroom independently, and please send your child to school in clothing they can manage independently (for example elastic waist pants as opposed to buttons/zippers/belts unless they can take them on/off by themselves). Lastly, especially for boys please discuss with your child how to make sure to keep the toilet and bathroom clean, especially by making sure they are getting all of their urine in the toilet. Students should also be able to wipe bowel movements independently.
- SHOES: We are more that happy and willing to tie shoelaces, however often children are not aware of their shoes being untied, and with 20+ students and 1-2 adults we will not always see untied shoes, posing a safety risk. Therefore we recommend alternative types of sneakers, or if you would like your child to wear tie shoes please make sure the laces are secure and will not come untied frequently (some shoelace material tends to untie frequently). Please make sure to send your child in sneakers or other rubber-soled shoes on PE days.
- LUNCH: Lunch is in the cafeteria with all of Kindergarten and First Grade. Teachers are not present, and the classes are supervised by the classroom paraprofessionals. This means that one adult is helping the class at this time. It is helpful if students are able to manage all their lunch materials independently. The paraprofessional can help open packages, etc. however with 20 students and one adult, your child might have to wait for help and therefore may not have a lot of time to eat. Peeling and cutting fruit or other time consuming help will not be possible, so please make sure your child can manage lunch materials with minimal help. Students who get school lunch will get help from the cafeteria staff to choose what food they would like and get all the utensils/materials they will need.
Specials and Enrichment
Physical Education 40 mins twice a week with Christopher Roche and/or Robert Hutchinson (may be a double class with another K class) in the Gym
Music 40 mins twice a week with Thomas Malone in the music room
Art 40 mins once a week with Basha Goldstein-Weiss (Ms. G-W) or Gabriel Lescatre in the art room
Library 30 mins once a week with Deborah Abner in the library
Fine Motor OT Program 40 mins once a week with MaryAnn Biele in the KC classroom
Spanish 30 mins 2 times a week with Tiffany McMahon in the KC classroom
Other specialists who will be working with students include Katie Stowell, literacy specialist, Malia Scott, math specialist, Audra Francisco, speech and language pathologist, MaryAnn Biele, Occupational Therapist, Leah McGowan, learning center teacher, Gretchen Thompson and Toshiko Fell, English Learners teachers. These specialists will work with small or large groups of students throughout the year.
Other Important Parts of the Day:
Meeting Times (we gather on the rug in the morning, at lesson times, and in the afternoon)
Reading workshop: This is part of our literacy block. Students will be working in groups with literacy games, handwriting practice and reinforcing many different literacy goals while teachers/literacy specialists work with small groups on individualized and differentiated goals. From September - February this small group work is focused on pre-reading skills and in March we begin guided reading with beginning reading books (you will learn more about this at our first parent-teacher conference).
Choice time: Students are focused on building social skills as they engage in different social activities such as puzzles, games, put-together toys like legos, dramatic play, arts and crafts, board games and sensory activities such as sand play.
Snack: This is also a time to practice social skills as well as healthy and polite eating habits.
Recess: Recess in another time to practice social skills, build gross motor skills and get out all that 5 and 6 year old energy that we adults all wish we could borrow sometimes!
Lunch: Students enjoy eating in the cafeteria and get further practice here in social skills and healthy, polite eating habits. The classroom paraprofessional is in charge at lunch time as well as the cafeteria staff.