With kindergarten registration underway today at Dearing Elementary and tomorrow at Maxwell and Thomson Elementary, schools are already making preparations to welcome the new students in the fall.
Assistant principals are making sure records are complete for children who attended Pre-K in a McDuffie County public school, and have been finishing up assessment records for those who attended Pre-K through a private vendor.
School officials already have records on students enrolled in the Pre-K classes in the public schools, but have been visiting children enrolled in programs offered by private vendors in order to have complete information on all incoming students. This should make the transition to kindergarten next year go more smoothly, said Kathryn Collins, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
"We're working together to make sure our kids are successful," said Dr. Collins, adding that the evaluations will enable teachers to prepare lesson plans to meet the needs of the students.
While school officials complete evaluations and students participate in kindergarten readiness activities, parents can do their part, too, in making sure children are ready.
Jennie Gheesling, kindergarten grade chair for Thomson Elementary School, gave some useful tips at a recent kindergarten readiness workshop.
Skills in Language Arts/Reading
Recognize letters of the alphabet
Identify letter sounds
Identify rhyming words
Read to your child on a daily basis (help them know how to hold a book, know how words move from left to right and top to bottom, where we go when we finish a page)
Math skills
Counting to 20 or more
Identify numbers 0 -- 10
Identify shapes
Counting objects or sets accurately
Patterns
Compare objects by color, shape and size
Life Skills
Stating first and last name (separately -- Tell me your first name, now tell me your last name)
Tying shoes, buckling pants, snapping snaps
Sitting attentively for short periods of time
Getting along with other children and adults
Bathroom skills
Following simple, multi-task directions
Writing/Handwriting
Write first name
Copy words and very simple sentences
Write and copy numbers
Hold a pencil and crayon correctly
