Hello Kindergarten

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Welcome to Kindergarten! My name is Alissa Courtney and I am looking forward to a bright new year sharing one of the most exciting learning and growth periods in your child’s life.

This is my seventh year teaching at John L. Golden Elementary. Kindergarten will be such a fun year, and I can’t wait to spend it with you and your student. We have many fun learning activities planned for this year, and I am so excited to be able to share your Kindergarten journey with you.

If you are familiar with my teaching, then you know I focus on having a “Growth Mindset”. This is a belief that our most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work — brains and talent are just a starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. It is a belief that students can learn more or become smarter if they work hard and persevere. Students who believe this way may learn more, learn it more quickly, and view challenges and failures as opportunities to improve their learning and skills. 

A little bit about Mrs. Courtney: I cherish the time I spend with my family. My husband and I have a fun, loving, and wild six year old and three year old. I enjoy family time, the outdoors, camping, cooking, and TEACHING! I realize how important families are to everyone and I will be encouraging your participation in your child’s education. 

My goal for this year is that each student will leave my classroom with confidence, a zest for learning, and knowing that they are truly unique! 

Check the ROOMS app for upcoming events from Mrs. Courtney

November

11/1 AR Party #2 Nachos

11/4-11/8 APEX Fundraiser Week

11/7 APEX Run

11/8 Veteran's Day Assembly

11/11 Veteran's day - No School

11/13 PTA Reflections Night

11/15 Fire Drill 9AM

11/19 District Visitation

11/25-11/29 Fall Break No School

December

12/13 AR Cut off

12/18 Green Spot Farms Field Trip

12/19 Grade cut-off

12/20-1/3 Winter Break No School

January

1/1-1/3 Winter Break No School

1/10 Progress Reports Available

1/16 Coffee + Donuts with the Principal

1/17 100th day of School!

1/20 NO SCHOOL - MLK Day

1/23 Kinder Teachers Out for Training

1/24 Lock Down Drill

1/29 Fire Drill 2PM

1/31 NO SCHOOL - Staff Development Day

Kindergarten Units

Social Studies Alive!

TCI Teaching Strategies

  • Visual Discovery

  • Experimental Exercise

  • Writing for Understanding

  • Response Group

  • Problem Solving Groupwork

  • Social Studies Skill Builder

Science and Engineering Practices:

-Asking Questions and Defining Problems

-Developing and User Models

-Planning and Carrying Out Investigation

-Analyzing and Interpreting Data

-Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

-Engaging in Argument from Evidence

-Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Kindergarten homework assignments align with classroom instruction. They are meant to enrich learning and help your child master the standards which have been taught each week.

Homework will consist of:

  • One weekly journal writing (in blue homework folder)

  • Seesaw assignments (online)

  • Optional Math practice book pages (highly encouraged)

Journal Writing: Please check weekly Kindergarten Newsletter under the “Homework” section of the newsletter for the weekly journal prompt. In the beginning, you may write the words for your child with a highlighter and have them trace each letter. Please be sure to model correct spacing and kindergarten style letter formation for your child. Your child should draw a picture to go with the writing and color it with crayons. As the year progresses and we learn more writing skills, students will be responsible for more of their own writing.

Please be sure to monitor as your child works for accuracy, neatness, and correct number and letter formation.

Helpful Hints for Families

Homework is an on-time grade. All homework assignments should be completed by Friday. Here are some helpful hints for families:

• Provide a quiet place for your child to do his/her work;
• Review your child’s work with him/her before turning it in
• Make sure that your child’s completed work is clean and neat
• Have your child use a pencil to do their writing
• Assist your child as needed, but do not complete the assignments for him or her

 It generally takes about 10-20 minutes for children to complete their homework each day. If it takes your child longer than 20 minutes per day to complete homework assignments, please let me know.

If you would like to donate to our class, here is a link to our Kindergarten Wishlist, or below is a list of suggested supplies/donations for your Kindergarten year.

Your donation is voluntary, and no student will be denied participation if donation is  not made.


Please do NOT label individual boxes- we all share in Kindergarten.

  • Tissues

  • Googly Eyes (all sizes)

  • Pencils (Ticonderoga)

  • Dry Erase Markers - used daily (skinny and fat)

  • Crayons

  • Markers 

  • Coffee filters

  • Clothes pins

  • Stickers

  • Glue gun glue sticks

  • Glue sticks

  • Colored Pencils

  • Post-It Notes - 3x3 and 2x1.5 

  • Glue bottles

  • Sticky Notes

  • Baby Wipes (unscented)

  • Paper towels