Grading policy

HOMEWORK & GRADING POLICY

KINDERGARTEN

2014-2015

Dear Parents/Guardians,

WELCOME

Welcome to kindergarten!  We would like to explain our homework and grading policy so that you are able to help your child at home.

PHILOSOPHY OF GRADING

Full day kindergarten is a balance between social skills and academic skills.  Some concepts will be graded at a mastery level, while other concepts will only be introduced.  Both social and academic skills will be evaluated for students’ report cards.  The concepts that students are expected to master will be practiced, remediated, and reassessed until they are mastered.  Whole group, small group, and one-on-one instruction will be used in the classroom.

HOMEWORK

Homework will consist of reviewing the papers your child completes in school.  Your child’s performance on papers will be checked.  When a student has difficulty, individual help is given so that the paper can be completed successfully.  The papers will be sent home so that you will be aware of the skills being learned.  In addition, there may be an occasional math or reading paper sent home for homework. 

As the school year progresses, the students will be asked to practice sight words, read decodable words, and read short stories.  An adult should sit with the child and follow along as the child is reading the words and stories.  Parents should initial to indicate that students have completed all assignments. 

Research has shown the value of reading aloud to children.  Please make time to read aloud to your child everyday.  Read with your child, talk about the story, and ask questions before, during, and after reading.

COMMUNICATION

Parent conferences will be scheduled throughout the year, and we will be able to discuss your child’s progress at that time.  Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher at school any time you have questions or concerns through phone, email, or by sending a note in your child’s folder.  You may also refer to the teacher’s webpage on the school district’s website for additional information.  Please do not wait until conferences to discuss any issues or concerns.  Communication is very important throughout the entire school year.

GRADING

Your child’s evaluation in each subject will be based upon his/her progress in each of the following areas:

READING READINESS

• Recognition of letters and sounds

• Demonstration of phonemic awareness

• Application of word analysis/phonetic skills

  MATH READINESS

• Recognition of numerals

• Ability to write numerals

• Ability to count and match numbers

• Identification of shapes

  HANDWRITING

• Formation of letters

• Printing of name

• Tracing of simple lines

• Coloring and writing neatly

• Writing as directed

  SOCIAL STUDIES/ SCIENCE/ HEALTH

  ART/ MUSIC/ LIBRARY/ GYM

• Taught but not evaluated

• Meant to provide experiences to aid students in building and expanding thinking and language skills

  SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

• Following rules, procedures, and directions

• Getting along with others

• Having a good attention span

• Working independently

• Knowing personal information (first, middle, and last name; birthday, phone number, and address) by the end of the second quarter

   

  REPORT CARDS

  Progress reports will be issued in November, January, April, and June.

  This is our basic plan for evaluating students in kindergarten.  We will keep you informed about special events and your child’s experiences at school.  By working together we can provide the best experience for your child.

   

  Sincerely,

   

  Kindergarten Teachers

   

  KH Mrs. Noecker ext. 4113 (rebnoe@hasdhawks.org)

  KA Mrs. Albrecht ext. 4115 (chaalb@hasdhawks.org)

  KW Miss Laub ext. 4112 (jillau@hasdhawks.org)

  KK Mrs. Hartman ext. 4116 (rebhar@hasdhawks.org)

  LS Mrs. Beretsky ext. 4122 (regber@hasdhawks.org)