Mrs. Witham's Kindergarten Classroom

 

 

 

MRS. WITHAM

 Mrs. Kara Witham is married to Rick Witham and has three children, two boys and a girl.  She has been teaching for Muskegon Public Schools since 1989.  She likes to work alongside families to help their children achieve the best schooling experience possible.  If you would like to contact her, please e-mail kwitham@mpsk12.net or call her at work (231-720-2248) or home before 9:00 (231-766-3696).

 

 

MORNING MEETING

We begin every morning with a morning meeting.  The idea of Morning Meetings comes from the program The Responsive Classroom.  The meeting is a way to welcome each child to the new day, and prepare him/her for the learning ahead.

 

The four components of each Morning Meeting are:

1.  Greeting (each child gets a chance to feel welcomed)

2.  Sharing (we learn more about each other)

3.  Activity (we practice something that we have learned and/or begin the day on a positive note)

4.  News and Announcements (we learn something in store for the day and we get to respond to a question)

 

This time every morning is a very special time together, so PLEASE make sure that your child is at school ON TIME (8:30) EVERY DAY to start the day out right.

 

Thanks so much! Mrs. Witham

 

SPECIALS

Monday-Computers 11-11:30

Tuesday-Gym 1:05-1:45

Wednesday-Music 2:05-2:35

Thursday-Library 1:40-2:00

Friday-Art 2:30-3:30  Wear clothes that may get messy. 

 

 

PROJECTS

 We do art projects in the classroom on Fridays.

 

 

READING

 We use Harcourt reading program.  This program encourges children to learn letter names and sounds and begin using them in reading and writing.

 

Every week a photocopied book is sent home with the children.  These books use the letters and words that have been taught.  Children are encouraged to read these books daily for about ten minutes, pointing to the words as they read.  The more children read, the better reader they will be!  READ, READ, READ!

 

 

WRITING

 We use the program Writing Units of Study.  The children learn to 1) think of their story, 2)draw/illustrate their story, 3)and then try their best to write their story.  As the year progresses, their ability to actually "write" their stories increases immensely!

 

 

MATH

 For math, we use the Investigations programs as well as Math Their Way.

Some of the objectives for the end of the year are:

*Count up to 100

*Count backwards from 10-0

*Count objects from 0-30

*Recognize numbers from 0-30

*Write numbers fro 0-30

*Sort by color, shape, and size

*Recognize four basic shapes: circle, square, rectangle, and traingle

*Count by 10s to 100

*Count by 5s to 30

*Make patterns (AB, ABC, and ABB)

*Measure

*Use graphs

*Problem solve

 

 

SCIENCE

For science, we use the Houghton Mifflin Science program:  Discovery Works.

The five major themes are:

1.  The body

2.  The Five Senses

3.  Pushes and Pulls

4.  The Earth

5.  Living Things 

 

 

SOCIAL STUDIES

 Social Studies focuses mainly on helping children to get along with others.  Children are also expected to learn personal information (name, phone number, address, city, state, country).

 

HANDWRITING

We use the program called Handwriting Without Tears.  To find out more about this program developed ty Jan Z. Olsen, visit their website JanOlsen@hwtears.com.

 

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are always welcome in our classroom!  The more adults to give attention to our children, the better!

If you would like to volunteer, please contact Mrs. Witham (kwitham@mpsk12.net; W 231-720-2248; H: 231-766-3696) or the school office (231-720-2200).

 

 

View our classroom pictures.