Kindergarten Newsletter

• Determine how many are in a given set containing 10 or fewer concrete objects
• Recognize/Explain the number of objects remains the same regardless of arrangement or order
• Represent forward counting by ones to 10
• Construct a set of objects that corresponds to a given numeral 0 through 10
• Read, write and identify the numerals 0 through 10
  
• Determine and write the numeral that corresponds to the total number of objects in a set; 0 through 10
• Given a set or numeral, construct another set that has more, fewer, or the same number of objects; 0 through 10
• Compare two sets containing 0 to 10 objects using terms more, fewer, or the same as
• Compare numbers up to 10, to the benchmarks of 5 and 10 using greater than, less than, or the same as
• State the number BEFORE, without counting, when given any number between 1 and 5
• State the number AFTER, without counting, when given any number between 0 and 10
• State the number AFTER, without counting, when given any number between 0 and 20
• Count forward orally by ones from 0 to 30

• Demonstrate knowledge of a sentence, word, and letter
• Demonstrate knowledge that spoken words are represented in print and separated by spaces
• Identify the author and illustrator of a text and define the role of each.
• Identify the front cover, back cover, and title of a text.
• Demonstrate knowledge of story structure by orally identifying characters, setting, important events, and details
• Orally retell a familiar story in sequential order (beginning, middle, end)
• Generate predictions about story characters and events using the text
• Describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear

• Regularly engage in listening to a series of conceptually related texts organized around topics of study to build knowledge and vocabulary

• Use functional pencil grasp for letter formation.

• Accurately print first name.

• Write left to right and top to bottom.

• Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to write in response to texts heard

• With guidance and support, begin each sentence with a capital letter and capitalize the pronoun "I"

• Participate in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) on kindergarten topics and texts to include expressing ideas and needs in complete sentences

• Speak audibly with appropriate pacing, prosody, and voice level

• Ask questions and define problems
• Plan and carry out investigations
• Interpret, analyze and evaluate data
• Construct and critique conclusions and explanations
• Develop and use models
• Obtain, evaluate and communicate information
• Investigate and understand that an object's physical properties can be described
• Investigate and understand that senses allow humans to seek, find, take in, and react or respond to different information

• Practice citizenship in the classroom by:
• taking responsibility for one's actions
• practicing honesty
• showing kindness to oneself and others
• recognizing the purpose of rules
• practicing self-control
• taking turns, sharing and working well with others
• Demonstrate an understanding of maps and globes by identifying:
• their similarities and differences
• basic map symbols
• land and bodies of water in the local community
• the geographic location of the United States and Virginia on a map and globe
• Explain how communities honor state and national traditions and recognize designated VA holidays including:
• Labor Day in September
• Columbus Day (also known as Indigenous Peoples' Day) and Yorktown Victory Day in October

Welcome to a new school year! We are very excited to begin this journey with your children and support them as they take their first steps in learning the Spanish language.

During the first quarter of the school year, we will focus on building a strong foundation for learning Spanish by creating a safe, positive, and engaging environment in the classroom.

Here are the key areas we will be working on:

• Classroom rules, expectations, and routines: Students will learn to follow classroom rules, develop positive habits, and feel safe and confident in their learning space. This helps promote responsibility, respect, and a strong classroom community.

• Basic greetings and communication: We will begin practicing simple greetings, introductions, and everyday phrases to help children feel comfortable expressing themselves in Spanish.

• Oral language development: Through songs, stories, games, and interactive activities, students will strengthen their listening and speaking skills in Spanish.

• Introduction to vowels: We will work on recognizing the vowels (A, E, I, O, U), identifying their sounds, and finding words that begin with each vowel. This will help expand vocabulary and build phonemic awareness.

• First consonants – M and P: We will begin working with the consonants m and p. Using these letters, we will explore:

  • Syllable recognition (e.g., ma, me, mi, mo, mu)

  • Syllable decoding (connecting letter sounds with written letters)

  • Syllable segmentation (breaking words into syllables)

How you can help at home:

Your support at home is very important. Please encourage your child by talking with them about what they’re learning, reading together, and showing interest in the language. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, any effort to practice or engage with your child in the language will be incredibly beneficial. Your involvement builds their confidence and motivation to learn.

If you have any questions or would like to talk more about your child’s progress, feel free to reach out. We are looking forward to a wonderful year of learning and growing together!

• Doors open at 7:20 each day and begins promptly at 7:50. Dismissal is at 2:30.
• Please send your child's folder to school every day; check their folder every evening- this is a primary communication source.
• Please send your child to school with a spill-proof water bottle every day.
• Please read to your child for 20 minutes every day.

• No transportation changes after 1:30 p.m. (If you need to make a change to your child's afternoon dismissal plan, please call the main office at 540-662-3575 before 1:30 p.m. and talk to a front office staff member.)
• No students being signed out after 2 p.m. (If you need to sign your child out early, you need to do this before 2 p.m.)
• For safety and emergency purposes, our GQES parking lot will be close daily at 2 p.m. and will reopen at 2:25 p.m. to begin our car rider dismissal procedures.