Mrs. Jenny O’Connor
Mrs. Bonnie Stephen
Literacy:
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FUNdations:
-This is our phonics and word work program.
Students develop phonemic awareness which helps
them to identify sounds and words that rhyme.
FUNdations will also help the students with letter
formation.
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Reader’s Workshop:
-Shared Reading, Literacy Centers, Mini-lessons,
Guided Reading, Independent Reading, Read Aloud
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Writer’s Workshop:
-Progression from oral storytelling (personal
narrative) to drawing and labeling, and then to
writing sequenced narratives and non-fiction
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Identify 26/26 upper and lowercase letters
Letter sounds – 20 initial consonants sounds, 5 short vowels
Sight words – 30
Concepts of Print – knowledge about books – front/back,
left-to-right reading, spaces between words, periods, title
& author, words tell the story
Story Retell – character, setting, sequence, and problem
Comprehension – connection to self, making predictions
Development Reading Assessment (DRA) level 4
Writing – all upper and lower case letters, first and last
name, invented spelling, consonant vowel consonant
words, spacing, periods, writing a sentence
Mathematics
 Our
program is based on Math Investigations
by TERC which allows students to develop
their own mathematical reasoning and use
communication in small groups and
individually to build skills.
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ID 4 basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle)
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Rote count to 100
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Count with 1-1 correspondence to 15
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Make sets of objects 0-10
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Patterns – ID, copy, extend & create ABAB
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ID and write numerals 0-10
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Understand and use positional words (on, in, in front of, behind, under/below, above, next
to)
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Understand and use ordinal numbers 1st-5th and last
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Count by tens to 100
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Estimate number of objects (no more than 5 off)
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Describe temperature (hot, cold, comfortable)
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Describe size (bigger, smaller, same)
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Describe weight (heavier, lighter)
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Describe length (longer, shorter, equal)
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Compare sets of objects (more, less, same)
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Make and explain a simple graph
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Add (up to 6) using concrete objects
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Subtract (up to 6) using concrete objects
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Data: collect, record, report info pertaining to real life
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Fraction – whole/half
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Science
The five senses and their use in observation
Observable properties of matter
Living and non-living things
Classification and comparison
Measurement and use of simple tools
Magnets
Weather and seasons
Animal homes
The use of human made materials to improve life (particularly our houses)
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There will be 2 Field trips (to Eli Whitney Museum & to the Maritime Aquarium) and 1
in house visit from the Maritime Aquarium.
Social Studies:
Our social studies program focuses on the role of family, neighborhood, and
community. Students also learn about the diverse cultures that make up our school.
A school-wide C.A.R.E.S. policy (cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and
self-control) is taught and enforced throughout each grade. CARES begins at the
beginning of the school year with forming the rules in order to become a responsible
member of the classroom and school community.
Beginning next week (week of September 26)
 Daily homework: READ, READ, READ. Your child
will be required to read for 15 minutes each
night. A reading log will be sent home Monday
and should be filled out together and returned
on Friday.
 All homework should be returned in their folder.
 In addition to reading, your child will have
homework 3-4 times per week in other academic
areas
 No homework on Fridays 
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K focus:
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To learn to express feelings and resolve social conflicts in peaceful ways.
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To develop the daily habit of reading and an enjoyment of this routine.
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To develop early literacy skills
At home:
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Read to and with children 15-30 minutes daily
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Spend time daily talking about books you’ve read together and completing reading log.
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Discuss and support classroom rules. Support children in practicing constructive conflict
resolution
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Visit the public library on a regular basis.
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Attend school wide and classroom literacy events
Students:
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Help create and follow classroom rules
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Read at school and at home.
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Talk to friends and teachers to solve problems
Room 4 Classroom Rules:
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Share and care for our materials (books, toys, writing instruments, work being completed)
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Use kind words (such as please, thank you, asking are you ok? May I have that? You’re welcome)
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Use an inside voice in the classroom (especially while working)
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Use walking feet (control of your body/be safe)
I promise to try my best!
 Briggite
Moore (Brielle’s mom) will be our
class parent this year.
 We have a peanut allergy in Room 4. Please
no peanut snacks or peanut butter in home
lunches!
 Birthday policy: your child can bring in a
favorite book from home to read to the
class! Due to allergies and our school wide
wellness policy, no baked goods please!
In your packet:
 Daily schedule (mixed up Monday & Tues-Fri)
 Specials Schedule
 School family compact – grade K
 Curriculum overview
 Copy of the Literacy/Math Walkout Skills
 Newsletter
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Feel free to contact me anytime:
oconnorj@ces.k12.ct.us
or
203-330-6775 X7404