Who says you have to wait until September to start Kindergarten?
Enrolled students for the 2010-11 kindergartener class at the Open Classroom Leadership Magnet (OCLM) at Conejo Elementary in Thousand Oaks experienced their first day of Kindergarten…in May.
On Friday, May 21, new students visited their future classroom(s) to meet their teachers and participate in classroom activities during the school’s “Kindergartner for a Day” event where children experienced a “mini” version of a kindergarten day.
“Moving from Pre-school to Kindergarten is a big step for a little one and their parents,” said OCLM parent, Robyn Schwartz, whose daughter, Jordyn, will be entering the Fall 2010 kindergarten class. “OCLM’s K for a Day gave our daughter a true sense of comfort and awareness. She’s actually looking forward to the end of the summer already.”
A day filled with activities for the preschoolers
Children entered the classroom with their parents and were introduced to K/1 teachers Ms. Jennifer Jackson and Ms. Jill Raaf who reviewed the morning’s activities with them after a brief welcome and introduction. The children proceeded to tables and participated in a variety of center work such as printing letters and words, playing math games, crafting paper dolls, and picking radishes from the school’s vegetable garden. “My son is still talking about the worms,” said parent, Laurie Kearney, whose son will start kindergarten this Fall.
The morning made parents like Kearney feel more at ease with the upcoming transition from preschool to full-time school. “It’s always helpful to go and see the class before (the Fall),” she said. “I found the parent (volunteers) to be helpful in answering questions and everyone really friendly.”
“Big Buddy” mentoring highlighted students growth
Current kindergartners sported “big buddy” crafted necklaces they had made and chose an incoming student to work with and assist. “Playing the role of big buddy was really fun for them,” said K/1st grade Teacher, Jil Raaf, explaining how the morning served two purposes. “By seeing our kindergartners step up into a mentor role, showed us how much they’ve grown up this year. I’m so proud of them.”
As will next year’s parents be when they see their children pass on that same torch.
