Mr. EubanksMs. Eiden

Ourwelcomemessage

I promise to work for your child and provide the best education that I can give. I will be an advocate, educator, a reader and a friend that will help your child grow both academically and socially. I care about the whole child, your child. I will use positive reinforcement to help their self-esteem grow. I will give a fantastic learning, kindergarten year! You and your child will love kindergarten!

Arrival at school should NOT be before 8:50 a.m.

If your child is tarty please let him/her walk

down independently

Dismissal begins at 4:02 p.m. If your child’s mode of home transportation changes, PLEASE email me and call the office.

!Please do not “meet” with me at arrival or dismissal times. My job is to ensure the safety of each and every child at arrival and ensure that each child takes the appropriate transportation at dismissal.

All visitors must enter the building through the front entrance and obtain a visitors pass. Please watch your speed on the back driveway when picking up or dropping off your child!

If your child is tardy (after 8:55 a.m.), please walk them into the building and sign them in at the office.

Allow your child to walk to class

independently

Balance Literacy

I implement a balanced literacy approach towards instruction. That approach includes the following:

· Modeled Reading (Teacher reading aloud)

· Shared Reading (Child joins in reading aloud - usually to a big book)

· Guided reading (Child is assisted in reading and develops independent reading strategies)

· Independent reading (Child reads materials from personal book box)

· Buddy Reading (Children read in pairs)

· Running Records (Formal inventory of each child's oral reading)

· Modeled writing (Teacher writing)

· Shared writing (Child joins in the writing)

· Independent writing (Child writes alone)

WhatWe Do

Phonics

Phonics is an important part of our program as it expands children’s reading and writing powers. We begin with early literature concepts such as distinguishing between print and pictures, letters and words. Later, we move onto letter knowledge, spelling patterns, word meaning, and structure.

Writing is an essential part of every classroom! Walled Lake has adopted the Common Core writing standards. We will write narrative, nonfiction, persuasive and informational text. As the year continues, your child will be encouraged to use approximate or inventive spelling. Children go through specific development stages while they are learning to write. I hope you will join me in celebrating your child's initial entry into the realm of writing. Encourage his/her best attempts of spelling, and foster an awareness of the importance of the meaning of the story.

Writing

Our Math program is called Everyday Math. This is a spiraled curriculum that is different than a “traditional program.” Students are taught through math games, teacher directed instruction and small groups. There are not many “worksheets” that will be sent home.

There is an online part. You will get a password and login at Parent Teacher Conferences.

Common Core

The Common Core Standards set goals for student mastery in English language arts and Mathematics. The study of English language arts includes reading, writing, speaking and listening. Expectations are established for each grade across all subjects including science, history, and technology. The math standards emphasize that every student can be good in math. They set good math habits and strategies for students in each grade which include problem solving, persistence, precision, use of solid procedures, and checking to see if the answer makes sense.

There are four science units: the 5 Senses, Push and Pull, Basic Needs and My Earth. Kindergarten students will design and

conduct their investigations and create models to explain the phenomenon as well as engage in collaborative

scientific discourse in life, physical, and earth and

space sciences.

The purpose of Social Studies instruction is to

develop social understanding and civic efficacy. The lessons are

designed to balance disciplinary content and processes and skills that contribute to responsible citizenship and form a foundation for high school social studies

coursework

Leader In MeThis is our character

education and leadership program at Pleasant Lake Elementary,

developed by Steven Covey.

A homework packet will go home once a month. From time to time, I will send home

a book bag with your child’s name on it. Your child should read the book to an adult, if your child needs help, please read the book to him or her. THE BOOK MUST BE READ AND

RETUNED THE NEXT DAY!

FoldersEveryday folders will go home with filled with students’ work, notes and information about the school. Please check the folder, keep the relevant papers and return the folder the next school day. Your child will be expected to turn in the folder each day.

• Once a month • I will send out a monthly calendar with

directions on the project. • Please do not send it in early

• Usually it is something to present to the class.

• Once a year • Your child will keep the backpack for one

week. • There are 4 quick activities to complete. • Please send the assignments on time.

2-3 Field

trips a

year,

some are

in school

Snack,Lunch,

Recess

Snack We have two snack times in our classroom. Snack is important to keep our bodies and brain fueled. Snacks should be healthy and filling. Please do not send a snack that requires a straw or spoon. Please, no meals. Snacks should be able to be eaten in 10 minutes or less. Please send your child to school with two snacks a day. We have a long day.

RecessWe go outside for recess every day and an extra hour during Block Recess unless it is raining or below zero degrees. Your child may not stay inside. During recess, I have meetings with the other kindergarten teachers. Please dress for the weather. It would be a good idea to look for hats, gloves, snow pants and boots right now before it gets too cold and they sell out. Please put your child’s name on everything: coats, lunchboxes, gloves, and hats.

Lunch 12:10-12:50-everyday.. Lunch cost $2.50 and milk cost $0.50. Students will have lunch for 25 minutes, then recess for 20 minutes.

I love to celebrate the milestones in your child’s life. We do have some school and classroom expectations on your child’s birthday:

• Please let me know in advance if you would like to send in a birthday snack with your child.

• Parents do not attend this quick birthday celebration. We celebrate it at a different times.

• This small snack should be store bought and prepackaged. Due to allergies I cannot serve homemade treats or store bought bakery goods, or cupcakes.

• Homemade goods, cupcakes or bakery goods will be sent back home. Thank you for creating a healthy environment in our class.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES INVITATIONS:

Children and families are allowed to pass out invitations to personal birthday parties only if they invite everyone in the class. If you would like only to invite a few people, you are welcome to mail the invitations by using addresses found the PTA Family directory. Due to privacy laws, if an address is not listed, I am not allowed to give it out.

Media Center & Block Once a week Art- Once a week- 1 hour

Music Twice a weekGym 3 times a week

FAPES-Special Classes

• If you have any questions, concerns or complements, please email me or send me a text through Remind.com. I usually am pretty quick to answer. Handwritten notes do not always make it to school. If you call the classroom phone, I will not answer. If I answer the phone it becomes a safety issue. If it is an emergency please call the office.

• Newsletter are weekly, then biweekly

• Find everything on the website

• Conference sign up is on Skyward

• Report cards 3 times a year- on Skyward

Now what?!