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Thursday July 29, 2010
Kindergarten
Young students enter kindergarten with a wide span of skills, experiences and needs making it a combination of preschool and elementary education at the beginning of the year. Some children come ready to read while others are just learning the marvels of books. Some come able to write while others are developing the coordination to maneuver a pencil. It is important to remember that all children develop in their own time and expectations must be individualized to meet the child at their level and build a solid base for future learning experiences. Given the right opportunities all children have the ability to succeed. However, kindergarten must allow young children time to be young children and through play and appropriate activities expand their abilities - physical, academic and social. Not all learning takes place with a paper and pencil. Sometimes learning takes place in play - games can teach academic skills, interacting with other children at a play area is an important part of learning to collaborate and respect others. While kindergarten curriculum is tied to the Illinois Early Learning Standards it is important to ensure activities and expectations are appropriate for the capabilities of young students. A good kindergarten classroom is developed to meet the needs of a diverse student population and develop the basis for future learning experiences. In U-46 that future includes programs such as, Making Meaning, Everyday Math, Moving into English, Balanced Literacy and FOSS Science. While some children are able to develop in a half-day kindergarten environment other children need more time with specialized activities and support to be ready for the first grade experience. These children are enrolled in all-day kindergarten only after an in-depth screening indicates they need more time in school engaged in the learning process to be successful. The full day program is housed at Illinois Park Center for Early Learning. Busing is available to eligible children following the state guidelines. Contact Information Director: Julie Kallenbach 847-888-5000, ext. 6980
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More
than any other grade kindergarten is all about the children. It
is the first experience for children in the organized world of elementary
education. While some children may have gone to preschool this is the
first time they are part of a school with hundreds of children at different
grade levels.