LIFE-SKILLS
It is important that children know the basics of good behavior and skills they will use their whole lives. I use the “life-skills”, a list of behaviors that enrich one’s life and introduce the vocabulary of positive social interaction. In kindergarten, I have chosen seven of these skills to focus on: caring, cooperation, effort, friendship, patience, responsibility, and sense of humor.
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
Discipline Plan
Simple Rules in Class
Be responsible Be safe Be respectful
In Kindergarten Terms:
We are helpful and kind
We keep our hands, feet, and other objects to ourselves
We use good words
We practice active listening
We love to work hard and get better every day
Every year, I have my morning and afternoon class give input as to what they want their class to be and that is part of our expectations.
Expectations for our class are posted, described, pointed out, reviewed and practiced every day. The students take that input and are self-disciplined. I help them get to acceptable, pro-social behavior if they need it by reviewing expectations, providing guidance, and acknowledging successes. Our school has posters everywhere about Hallway Expectations, Library Expectations, Gym Expectations, and so on. We even have Teacher Expectations!
Discipline Plan
Simple Rules in Class
Be responsible Be safe Be respectful
In Kindergarten Terms:
We are helpful and kind
We keep our hands, feet, and other objects to ourselves
We use good words
We practice active listening
We love to work hard and get better every day
Every year, I have my morning and afternoon class give input as to what they want their class to be and that is part of our expectations.
Expectations for our class are posted, described, pointed out, reviewed and practiced every day. The students take that input and are self-disciplined. I help them get to acceptable, pro-social behavior if they need it by reviewing expectations, providing guidance, and acknowledging successes. Our school has posters everywhere about Hallway Expectations, Library Expectations, Gym Expectations, and so on. We even have Teacher Expectations!
ORGANIZING
THINGS THAT COME HOME
Life is so much better with less clutter and more organization; I say this because I am definitely a work in progress on my own journey to excellent organization!
Monthly Calendar:
The beginning of the month, there will be a calendar, so find a place where you can refer to it (like a refrigerator door or a closet door.)
Your Child’s Work:
The only other organizational tool is to have just one cardboard box or plastic box for the "books" your child will make about our units of study. Put all those book in one box for review and sharing with relatives! The more your child shares work with you and others, the more the information will be anchored in their brains and the more they will process it and review it. The large box keeps all their work together in one place and is wonderful for them to have a growing sense of authorship; these books of each unit will show their progress in handwriting, drawing, and understanding and provide a quick review as well. At the end of the month, quarter or year you can go through and decide what to keep and what to gently let go.
Paperwork:
There will be papers which require your attention, input, signature, or permission; return those just as quickly as you can so you don’t have to hunt for them later. Schools and PTA's usually have fundraisers during the year to help our students (Utah consistently ranks at the bottom or second to the bottom in per pupil spending for the USA) Thank you for your participation as you are able to!
Monthly Calendar:
The beginning of the month, there will be a calendar, so find a place where you can refer to it (like a refrigerator door or a closet door.)
Your Child’s Work:
The only other organizational tool is to have just one cardboard box or plastic box for the "books" your child will make about our units of study. Put all those book in one box for review and sharing with relatives! The more your child shares work with you and others, the more the information will be anchored in their brains and the more they will process it and review it. The large box keeps all their work together in one place and is wonderful for them to have a growing sense of authorship; these books of each unit will show their progress in handwriting, drawing, and understanding and provide a quick review as well. At the end of the month, quarter or year you can go through and decide what to keep and what to gently let go.
Paperwork:
There will be papers which require your attention, input, signature, or permission; return those just as quickly as you can so you don’t have to hunt for them later. Schools and PTA's usually have fundraisers during the year to help our students (Utah consistently ranks at the bottom or second to the bottom in per pupil spending for the USA) Thank you for your participation as you are able to!
Positive feedback
using life skills terms
"You really showed caring when you...." "You showed cooperation when you...." " Wow, I just heard someone being a friend and helping someone at their table" (every kindergarten student knows you are talking about them!) The 7 life skills I emphasize in kindergarten are: caring, cooperation, responsibility, sense of humor, effort, friendship, and patience). Cougar Paws are earned by the whole class and then I do a drawing; kindergarten students need to earn 3 paws to go to the office to redeem the paws for a little prize. Kindergarten students usually do very well with the plan outlined above. I involve parents to help me understand their child's needs.
DRESSING FOR COMFORT
In kindergarten, we sit cross-legged on the floor when we are at ‘rugtime’. Just make sure that whatever you dress your child in, they feel comfortable while sitting with legs folded up pretzel-like. For girls, certain styles of dresses are more modest with shorts worn under them so they can move freely. As cold weather arrives, make sure your child practices zipping up his/her coat (I’m always happy to help, but if there are 22-24 children who need my assistance, we’ll never get out to recess before the coming-in bell rings!) If your child hasn’t quite mastered lacing shoes, but is almost there, have them practice at home every day and I’ll help them out at school. However, if your child expresses frustration and is far away from mastering that fine motor skill, help them avoid frustration and think about letting them have a lace-up pair to practice on leisurely at home and a quick Velcro pair for school. We go out every day unless there is thunder or the real-feel temperature is below 20, so dress your child for the weather! Mondays we have gym, (or Tuesday if Monday was a holiday ) so sneakers would be great.