The Basics
Kindergarten at Birch is a Full-Day Kindergarten program. Students attend school Monday-Friday from 7:50-2:50.
|
There are three Kindergarten classrooms. Each classroom has a Kindergarten teacher (Mrs. Drase and Mrs. Hill) and a paraprofessional (Ms. Julie and Ms. Kelly). The paraprofessionals are with us every morning to support learning.
|
The Learning
Our days are filled with the integration of reading, writing, and literacy across the entire curriculum.
|
Please note: BVSD has adopted a new literacy curriculum that will begin in the 2024-2025 school year. Schedules may look slightly different based on the new curriculum. Teachers will update families in the fall with more information!
Here is a sample schedule from previous years: 7:45-7:55 Morning Bell/Morning Routines 7:55-8:45 Exploring Books (Integration of Science, Social Studies, and Health curriculum) 8:45-9:15 Phonics Instruction (Fundations Curriculum) 9:15-9:40 Recess 9:40-10:30 Writing Block 10:30-11:20 Reading Block 11:20-12:00 Lunch/Recess 12:00-1:00 Math Block 1:00-1:50 Specials (PE, Music, Art- alternating) 1:50-2:10 Read Aloud 2:10-2:50 Snack/ Purposeful Play (The work of a child!) *On Wednesdays our schedule looks different due to late start. We have a longer block of time for SS, Science, Health lessons (alternating) and/or a social/emotional lesson with our school counselor. We also have a block once a week to visit Library for 30 minutes. |
Exploring Books: This block of our day sets the tone for learning. There are three components to our Exploring Books block: Choice Reading, Sharing on the Oval, and Daily Discovery Shared Writing. During this time students engage in inquiry, build vocabulary and content concepts, and sharing their learning and wonderings. The focus is on oracy, building language, content knowledge, and a genuine love for learning. We integrate much of our science. social studies, and health curriculum into this block of learning time. This is one of our favorite parts of our day!
Writing Block: Our writing block includes a writing demonstration (mini-lesson) by the teacher followed by independent writing time for the students. During independent writing time teachers are conferencing with students and supporting their writing development. Our writing block concludes with the sharing of a student's piece of writing. This model allows for students to celebrate their own and each other's work. It also allows for students to see good examples of writing and to learn from their peers.
Reading Block: Our reading block is structured similarly to our writing block. We begin with a reading demonstration (mini-lesson) by the teacher, have a large amount of time for independent reading/reading groups, and close by making connections to the focus for the day/unit. As student needs and abilities change and progress throughout the year, pieces of our reading block also shift to meet the needs of students. The amount of time spent independently reading gradually increases throughout the year and the small reading groups change with student needs.
During our reading block students will also sometimes engage in "learning choices" that help them further practice their reading, writing, listening, math, and other content-area skills.
During our reading block students will also sometimes engage in "learning choices" that help them further practice their reading, writing, listening, math, and other content-area skills.
Specials: Each class will attend PE, Music, and Art. These days will rotate based on the "ABC" specials schedule. In addition to these three classes students will also attend Library and get to check out library books from school once a week. More details about this schedule and when your child will attend each special will be given to you when school starts in August!
Math Block: Boulder Valley School District Elementary schools currently use the Math Expressions math curriculum and program. Our math block includes both whole and small group learning times as well as a time for independent practice and support.
Purposeful Play: Play is the work of a child and provides opportunities for children to extend their learning through self-directed activities. We strongly believe in the importance of play at Birch and are continually observing our students to see where we can help extend their learning and understanding with play. To see more about how this is achieved in our classrooms and to read some research about the importance of play please visit Mrs. Drase's website: http://kindergartendrase.weebly.com/play-based-learning.html