Transitional Kindergarten versus

Kindergarten

Academics

Social Maturity

Physical Maturity

Emotional Maturity

If your child is... Turning 5 between Sept. 2nd – Dec. 2nd they will be enrolled in TK. Turning 5 between June 1st – Sept. 1st enrollment in TK is optional (see Kindergarten Readiness) and you must sign-up for the waitlist on the district web page (now open). Turning 5 before June 1st they will be enrolled in Kindergarten. * TK may register for ESS for afternoon day care due to 12:00 dismissal.

Where Will My Child Be Placed?

TK is... •  Gift of time •  Developing socially (sharing,

problem-solving) •  Developing emotionally

(separation anxiety, tantrums)

•  Developing maturity (stamina, focus, body control)

•  Developing fine motor skills (holding pencil, cutting, drawing)

•  Developing reading readiness (sounds, letters, tracking, concepts of print)

•  Developing independence (bathroom, situational awareness, communicating needs to adults)

Kindergarten is... •  Socially (can share, problem-

solve)

•  Emotionally (can separate and accept consequences)

•  Maturity (have stamina, focus, and body control)

•  Fine motor skills (holds pencil appropriately, uses scissors, can draw representations)

•  Readers! (knows all sounds and letters, sight words, and comprehension)

•  Independence (bathroom, situational awareness, communicating needs to adults)

•  Responsibility (unpacking/packing backpacks, ownership of materials and homework)

Whole Child Readiness

Examples of Drawings

TK Self Portrait Kindergarten Portrait

Curriculum and Academics TK is...

•  Expected to know 75% of the kindergarten curriculum.

•  Reading –

•  Pre-reading skills (letter names, sounds, sight words)

•  Writing –

•  Correct letter formation and some labeling.

•  Writing with guidance.

•  Math –

•  Counting to 30 •  Writing numbers 1-10

Kindergarten is... •  Expected to master 100% of the

kindergarten curriculum. •  Reading –

•  Decoding and comprehending at a level 6-8 by the end of the year.

•  Writing –

•  Multiple sentences in three writing genres.

•  Writing independently.

•  Math –

•  Counting to 100 •  Writing and manipulating

numbers 1-10

•  Using addition and subtraction to problem-solve

TK - Level 3 Reading Level

Examples of Reading Levels

K – Level 6 Reading Level

TK is... •  Focus for 30 minutes with

movement breaks.

•  Adult guided 20 minute academic stations (4 rotations).

Kindergarten is... •  Focus for 30 minutes with

movement breaks.

•  Independent 20 minute academic stations (5 rotations).

Focus and Stamina

Determining which is right for your child If you’re on the fence…

1.  Use Kindergarten readiness checklist as a tool to help you determine where your child is at (see handout).

2.  Teacher assessment recommendation (automatically signed-up for during enrollment).

Things to consider... Your child’s first year of school sets the tone for the years

ahead. It is important they have experiences that are positive, build confidence, and prepare them for future learning. This is hard to achieve if they struggle from the beginning. Children from the TK program have the gift of an additional year and often emerge as leaders, both academically and socially.

June 1st – Sept. 1st Kids

Now TK Optional Students – Waiting list (on PUSD website)

Enroll in your program (early May 2018)

Summer Practice important readiness skills (see link on Midland website)

Organize childcare options TK dismissal is 12:00pm all year

K dismissal is 12pm (first 6 weeks) and 2:20pm there after ESS is available for TK and K students

Fall Attend teacher Meet & Greet (day before school starts)

Attend Midland’s new family orientation Attend Back-to-School Night

Next Best Steps