Welcome to Adkins Elementary

Direct InstructionFive Components of Literacy Success:

– Alphabetic Principle– Phonological Awareness– Vocabulary– Fluency– Comprehension

These components will be taught using:

– Shared Reading– Shared Writing– Reading and Writing Aloud– CAFE Strategies – Sight Word Wall

• Mini lesson Whole groups Shared Writing Introduces writing strategies

• Independent Writing “Inventive spelling” Working on individual goals Small groups and individual

conferences• Share Time

Writing Example

• Drawing– Illegible – Random or multiple topics

addressed• Writing

– Does not engage in any type of writing

Rubric Score Not evident

Writing Example

• Drawing– Focuses on one topic– Discernible setting and/or character– No or limited detail

• Writing– Attempts to form letters– Separates writing from drawing– Initial sounds may be represented in

letter strings

Rubric Score Emerging

Writing Example

• Drawing– Focuses on one topic– Discernible setting and character with some detail– OR strong detail is used in either character or setting

• Writing– Attempts to form words through some letter sound

relationships– Some words may be decipherable– Separates writing from drawing– May copy words or use pattern sentences (I like…)

Rubric Score Developing

Writing Example

• Drawing– Focuses on one topic– Clear discernible setting and character – Multiple detail is used in both character and setting

• Writing– Uses initial and final sounds in all words to create a

complete thought– Connection between drawing and writing on topic– Spaces are used between words– Two or more complete thoughts are written

Rubric Score Strong

The Daily FiveThe Daily 5 is a structured language arts framework

that helps students develop the daily habits of reading, writing, and working with peers that will lead to a lifetime of independent literacy.  The 5 elements that students participate in are:  Read to Self, Read with Someone, Listen to Reading, Word Work and

Work on Writing. In our kindergarten classroom, the children will choose one of the five during three

different rounds.

Read to SelfStudents each have a book box full of “just right" books

that they read from during read to self.

Read to SomeoneStudents can practice developing their fluency by reading

to someone.   

Work on WritingStudents work on original stories, lists, poems, letters,

etc... during work on writing.   

Word Work Students use various manipulatives and materials to practice their

sight words and word patterns.

Listen to ReadingStudents use CD players, computers, and tape players to

listen to fluent reading.

CAFÉ Strategies • CAFE is an acronym for Comprehension,

Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanding Vocabulary, and the system includes goal-setting with students in individual conferences.

• Developing small group instruction based on clusters of students with similar goals and targeting whole-class instruction based on emerging student needs and fine tuning one on one conferring.

ComprehensionI understand what I read

AccuracyI can read the words

FluencyI can read accurately, with

expression, and understand what I read

Expand VocabularyI know, find, and use

interesting words

Strategies~Parts of a book~Check for understanding~Make predictions~Identify character emotions ~Connect to a story~Back-up and rereadRetell a story

Strategies~Use the pictures~Get your mouth ready~Think about what make sense~Cross Check (Does it look right, sound right and make sense?)~Slow check to the end ~Identify fiction and non-fiction~Flip the sound~Stretch and blend~If I know ____then I know ______

Strategies~Voracious reader~Recognize sight words ~Read punctuation ~Read like a storyteller~Read "Just Right Books"

Strategies~Listen for interesting words 

Behaviors That Support Reading*Get started right away   *Stay in one spot   *Work quietly   *Read the whole time  

 *Increase stamina   *Select and read good-fit books

Guided Reading• Will begin when your child has an appropriate

foundation of pre-reading skills.• Leveled fiction and nonfiction texts• Books will come home in book bags to be read at home

to family• The books are property of Adkins and cost $10 each if

lost or damaged

Sight Words

• Your child will learn new sight words each week.

• Please practice reading and writing these words with your child frequently.

• They will be assessed on these words throughout the year.

• Sight Words are listed on the newsletter weekly.

Math• Problem Solving

– justifying solution, determining a solution, reasonableness, selecting correct tools

• Number and Operations– counting, composing & decomposing numbers,

simple addition & subtraction, subitizing• Geometry

– 2D & 3D shapes • Measurement

– weight, capacity, length, height, more & less• Data Analysis

– Collect, sort, & organize data into two or three categories

• Personal Financial Literacy– Identifying names of coins & how to earn income

• Introduction• Pose the problem

• Investigate possible solutions • Hands-on activities and games• Manipulatives• Small Groups• Practice previous concepts

• Discussion• Correcting misconceptions• Discuss different solutions,

strategies and methods• Justify thinking

Math Workshop

• Government (Rules and Laws)• Celebrate Freedom Week (US

Constitution, the Texas pledge, & US pledge)

• Geography (Maps, Globes & Landforms)

• Holidays• Customs and Traditions of

people in the community• Jobs• Good Citizens (Stephen F.

Austin & George Washington)

• Research• Properties of Objects• Weather and Seasons• Animal Parts• Force and Motion• Basic Needs of Animals and

Plants• Parts of Plants• Healthy Behaviors & Dental

Health• Rocks and Soil• Objects in the Sky

Science Research• What I Think I

know• What I Learned

& New Learning (Research)

• What I Wonder

Recess & Lunch• Lunch is from 11:00-11:30

– Must check at the office to eat with your child at the reserved parent table

– You may eat with your child only– Please continue to work with your

child on independent eating skills. • Recess is from 10:40-11:00

– Tennis shoes are the best footwear

Communication• All important information, such as

school wide notices, PTA event flyers, etc. will come home on Friday.

• Weekly newsletters will be emailed every Friday for the upcoming week.

• Email is the best way to contact us. We will not answer the phone during instruction.

• Check and empty the folder every day.

Birthdays• You may send a birthday snack (cookies,

brownies, cupcakes, donuts) to school with your child on their birthday.

• We will eat the snack during our normal snack time.

• No drinks, plates, napkins, or goodie bags should be sent.

• Please do not send birthday party invitations to be distributed at school UNLESS ALL children (boys and girls) in the class receive an invitation

Field Trips• Pumpkin Patch on Tuesday, October 27th • Frank Buck Zoo on Friday, April 22nd • Background Check MUST be completed

and approved to chaperone• Chaperone Responsibilities

– No siblings if attending as a chaperone– Will be responsible for a small group of

children• More information to come!

Procedures• Your child will need his/her backpack

and folder every day.• If there is a change in

TRANSPORTATION, a parent must send a note, email or call the office.

• Students may come to class at 7:35 and instruction begins at 7:50.

• Please send a healthy quick to eat snack (nothing that requires utensils) everyday.

• Water, no juice, for snack. • Your child may bring a water bottle to

keep in the classroom.

Questions About Procedures and

Routines…?• Check ABCs of Kindergarten

– Sent home in GO folder on Monday• Teacher’s website• Email teacher

Kindergarten is so much fun!

Check out our websites!Don’t forget to sign up tonight for your

parent/teacher conference.www.dentonisd.org