WELCOME TO MRS. DAY'S KINDERGARTEN!
*Innovation doesn't happen because we are all the same.
It happens when we are allowed to be different."
A little bit about me...
I am married to Mr. Day who is a retired music teacher from Emma Havens Young Elementary School. We have two adult daughters (Alyssa & Michaela), an infant grandson, and a long-hair guinea pig named Chewbacca. I love Mickey Mouse and going to Walt Disney World.
This will be my 33rd year teaching and my 31st in kindergarten.
I love the curiosity and desire to learn that 5-and 6-year-olds have.
How to help your child get ready for kindergarten
1. Practice recognizing and writing their name. It should begin with an uppercase letter followed by lowercase letters; i.e. Susan.
2. Practice identifying letters of the alphabet. "Have Fun Teaching" is on YouTube and has songs for each letter that are very cute and reinforce letter sounds.
3. Practice identifying numbers and counting items up to 20. Your child should be able to point and count.
4. Read with your child every day. This will help letter and sight word recognition and develop the understanding that we read sentences from left to right.
5. Learn to follow 2-step directions.
6. Use good manners!
7. Learn social skills such as sharing, taking turns, asking for things they want, etc.
8. Help children take responsibility such as cleaning up their messes, getting dressed, etc.
9. Build self-esteem by allowing children to struggle and overcome obstacles!
10. Teach them to be problem solvers.
Work on fine motor skills with Play-Doh, Legos, sand, etc.
This will reinforce the self-help skills that children should have before coming to kindergarten.
Practice snapping, buttoning, and zippering pants and coats
Taking care of their bathroom needs independently.
Toilet seats and floors are expected to stay clean.
Practicing how to open and close Ziploc bags
Practice how to open juice boxes/bags and straws
Practice opening bags of chips, crackers, or cookies
If your child cannot tie their shoes, please have them wear shoes with velcro closures. I do not tie shoes due o the amount of bacteria on them.
Please practice how to tie shoes or click HERE to find "no tie" laces.
Click HERE to see how to tie shoes
What does your child need to bring to school
They will need a backpack (backpacks should NOT have wheels) that can fit a 2-pocket folder, a lunchbox, and a complete set of clean clothes (underwear, socks, pants, shirt) in a Ziploc bag, and headphones (not earbuds) that are wired (no Bluetooth). Dollar Tree has some that are inexpensive and work.
Shoes
They should wear sneakers every day since we go on the playground equipment.
Crocs and sandals are not safe for the playground.
Food
Your child will be able to buy lunch from school or they may bring their own from home.
Click HERE to apply for free or reduced meal benefits.
What doesn't your child need at school
I will be providing crayons, pencils, paper, scissors, glue sticks, a folder, and daily work supplies in class.
Please do not send in toys, stuffed animals, pencil boxes/pouches, erasers, binders, notebooks, or electronic devices.
Donations for the classroom are appreciated but not required. Please click HERE to see what is needed.