Any Kindergarten teachers out there?????

[Disney Pal]

My girls are going in next week for Kindergarten screeening any advice ????
Anything I should know?? I know they should know the basics but....
Thanks advice would help!

 

[HerdOHuds]

I am not a Kindergarten Teacher but I play one on TV.

Not really!

I taught first grade for 6 years before having kids and Title 1 Reading for 6 years before that, when I worked with K-6.

My best friend is a K teacher.

So the best thing you can do for your child before school is more about following directions and being independent and responsible.

Of course letter and number recognition and holding a pencil and scissors help too, but 'readiness' is usually more about how a child will work with other children, listening, following directions. . .you get the drift.

This probably isn't something that you can practice much beforehand. Mostly just relax. Have fun as you start the whole school journey!

 

[carj]

The PP is right, it is nothing to stress over. At our school, we assess these skills in addition to the ones already mentioned.
Hearing and vision screening
We also have them draw a picture of themselves. They look to see how many details that the child puts in the picture. (Did they draw ears, fingers, a bow in their hair, etc...)

In our school, the reason that we do the screening is to make sure that the classes have a good mixture. It isn't a good thing for one teacher to have all the kids that come to school knowing all their letters and another to have all the kids who are still iffy on their colors.

We also look at how the child separates from their parent so we know who might have some difficulty with this on the first day.

My daughter LOVED going to her screening. At our school, a big kid takes the parent and child on a tour of the school. It is really neat to see the school through the big kids eyes and see your little one so impressed with it all!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I am a first grade teacher but I have done the screening for the incoming KDG many times. The most important thing it to just let the children be themselves. Tell you child not to worry about it. I would refrain from calling it testing. Even young children know the word TEST. Let your child have fun. Do not let them stress over the meeting. I would also not coach your child as to what to answer and would not ask them questions over and over. Let then go in and have fun.
The test we adminster gives points for how well the children leave their parents, if they answer when you say, "Hello". If they can respond in complete sentences. If they follow directions etc.The test has an academic portion but quite a bit of it is to see if they are "ready" for school. I had a little boy who would not leave Mom, he sat under the desk and bit my leg.....he knew all his letters, could count to 100 , could write his name but would not answer unless Mom was in the room and HE BIT ME. He did end up coming but only after he had another visit. lol
I am not sure how I feel about Kdg testing. We test the children in May and they have 4 months until school starts. 4 months is such a big time span in the development of young children. My school uses the screening to accept children. We do tell parents they cannot bring their child to our school since it is a private school. I think screening can be a valuable tool for early intervention services etc. But I also think that some children who do not do well on the testing are the ones who would greatly benefit from coming to school...shy children, children who have not been to pre-school. The children who come to Kdg now are coming in with the skills that they used to aquire in Kdg a few years ago. My DD can already read simple 3 letter words. My 1st graders 10 years ago only came in knowing letter and letter sounds.
I know in some school districts it is used as a screen to see if children will need speech services etc. My little DD went for her KDG screening (public school) a few weeks ago. She didn't have a "test". The children were taken to a kdg room and they sang a song, played a game, made a craft and drew a picture,then talked about their picture. When the teachers came back they did talk to one Mom about her son. They were questioning his birthday and how they thought maybe he needed another year. Since I know the teachers and we have talked in the past I know that they do make up the classrooms so that the children who are advanced (for lack of a better word) are in one classroom and the children with speech are in another so that the speech teacher can do push in more frequently. I am not sure if this is right or wrong I only know that is how my school district does it.
Hug your little ones, read to them and love them...they grow up so fast!!!!!It seems like yesterday I was taking older DD to Kdg screening and last week we went looking for colleges!!!

 

[adell557]

My girls are going in next week for Kindergarten screeening any advice ????
Anything I should know?? I know they should know the basics but....
Thanks advice would help!

Don't fret, it is pretty standard stuff. My biggest reccomendation is not to "quiz" your child. If you are singing the ABC song everyday, and asking them tons of questions, I have seen kids freeze up b/c they have been "quizzed" to death by worried parents and they essentially are sick of adults asking them questions. So don't ask them tons of questions. Explain what is going to happen in a calm way so they think it is just another errand and they will do fine.

 

[lntsmom]

They usually ask children to write their first and last names. She should know that only the first letters are capitalized and should write on the lines. She may be asked to complete or duplicate shapes. The tests often include simple mazes. Many ask the children to name letters and read numbers. Most ask them to recite their names, addresses, phone numbers, and their parents names. Some do a reading readiness test...your daughter should know how to find the front of a book, that the words (not pictures) tell the story, and be able to point out individual words. Some ask the kids to sequence 3 pictures or to tell a story. In the story telling a high score is earned by using 4 or 5 complete sentences, including details, to tell a story about a picture. The story should have a beginning a middle, and an end.

You can find online readiness tests. I think there is still one at readingrockets.org.

What is asked will depend largely on where you live and whether your district has full or half day K programs...and whether your state mandates K attendance.

Whatever you do, don't stress. Don't try to cram for the test. This isn't about judging parents...it's about trying to balance classes so that one teacher doesn't get all the kids who come in reading and the other get all the kids who have never seen a book before in their lives!

 

[Minniemouse07]

Dd is just finishing first grade but here goes from memory!

We didn't want her to freeze up during the screening. We knew that she had all the basics plus some for K...but she's shy and we didn't want her to shut down and say nothing (you can't shut her up once she knows you!).

SO... we did lots of role play stuff w/ her. Told her that they would ask her "easy" questions about stuff she knew. We didn't "quiz" her at all...just wanted to make sure she was confident in herself enough TO answer!

It also helped a lot that we have been going to the elementary school playground since she was very young... so she felt ownership that it was "her" school and someplace familiar.

 

[christianne]

I'm also a former teacher and my daughter just had her screening last week- In addition to everything mentioned before(letter recognition, counting to 10, drawing a person w/ emphasis on detail,etc) our district had them hop on one foot, differentiate left from right, rhyme words. However, two of the most ridiculous questions asked were:
1. What material are shoes made out of (answer they were looking for: Leather (!!)
2. What vegetable are French Fries from? (!!)

They kicker is that they ask these each year & it's become kind of a joke- all the parents tell their kids the answers.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I suppose it depends on the individual school, but at our school (public) the screening is done so that they can (hopefully) create balanced classes. They are basically trying to check a child's academic, social and physical abilities and flag anybody that might be in need of further screening in the fall. I just told DD5 that some people would be asking her questions and it was O.K. to answer them. She is quite comfortable with the school though as I work there. I never really thought of the screening as a big deal for parents, but I guess if it is something that is to get your child into a private school it takes on a whole different meaning.

 

[Disney Pal]

Thanks for all the advice. You are all right I shouldn't stress!
I think they are pretty average and eager to learn and are interested in
school so I guess Mommy just has to relax!!!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Thanks for all the advice. You are all right I shouldn't stress!
I think they are pretty average and eager to learn and are interested in
school so I guess Mommy just has to relax!!!

I'm sure they'll be great! The relaxing part is easier said than done though.

 

[J'aime Paris]

I'm a special ed. aide that works 3+ days a week in K.
This is more about when your kids go to K, rather than the screening.
I would focus on self-help skills, making them independant (for their age).
Practice tying shoes.
Zippering coats.
Unbuttoning pants for potty.
Using a kleenex.
Putting on winter gear-- if you live in that type of climate.
"Body basics"..... sitting criss-cross, walking in a line, keeping hands to oneself, etc.

In the beginning of the year, we spend tons of time working on these skills!
Kids who already have these mastered display much more self-assurance. Plus, the more kids that know these skills, the more we can focus on actual academic learning!

 

[annhjk]

I'm a special ed. aide that works 3+ days a week in K.
This is more about when your kids go to K, rather than the screening.
I would focus on self-help skills, making them independant (for their age).
Practice tying shoes.
Zippering coats.
Unbuttoning pants for potty.
Using a kleenex.
Putting on winter gear-- if you live in that type of climate.
"Body basics"..... sitting criss-cross, walking in a line, keeping hands to oneself, etc.

In the beginning of the year, we spend tons of time working on these skills!
Kids who already have these mastered display much more self-assurance. Plus, the more kids that know these skills, the more we can focus on actual academic learning!

I've taught 1st grade for 6 years and 2 years in K

I agree with the basic self help. That is the biggest part of the year. It's easy to teach them their colors, shapes, letters, numbers, writing, etc. Work on basic self help skills - depending on the size of her room, the teacher might not have time for that and teaching.

We also do the screening so we have balanced classes. Enjoy her first year of school. It's as big of an adjustment for mom as it is for the parents. 1 more tip - make screening and her first day a happy time. If you need to cry, do it after you leave her. Tell her how much she will learn in the year (sometimes saying it's fun is interpreted as play time and unfortunately it's getting away from that).

 

[disykat]

I teach Kindergarten.

I agree, self help skills, listening, cooperation, fostering excitement about school, reading at home, etc. are the best ways to help your child be ready. If you are asking the question, I'm guessing you've already given your child many academic readiness opportunities and you probably have no worries in that area!

I wouldn't worry about screening at all. In our district, it is simply a beginning of the year marker so we can measure progress at the end of the year. It is also used to evaluate who might need special services.

 

[Piper]

This is a screening we do with our Pre-K students. At the end of the year, they usually can do most (if not all) these tasks. Since this is posted on my district's web site, I'm sure it is okay to share with you.​

SECTION A: CONCEPTS ABOUT PRINT / English Version
​

Say: I’m going to read you this story but I want you to help me.
Cover
Test: Front of book. Pass the book to the student, holding the book
vertically by the outside edge, spine towards the student.
Say: Show me the front of this book
Score ……………………………..………..1 point for correct response
Pages 1/2 Print not picture carries the message

Test Print not picture carries the message
Say: I’ll read this story. You help me. Show me where to start
reading. Where do I begin to read?
Teacher reads: It’s time for bed, little mouse, little mouse,
Darkness is falling all over the house.
Score: ……………………………1 point for print, no credit for pictures
Pages 3/4 Directional rules & one-to-one correspondence
Test: Directional rules
Say: Show me where to start.
Score: …………………………….……………….……1 point for top left
Say: Which way do I go?
Score: …………………………….…..……………1 point for left to right
Test: Word to word pointing
Say: Point to it while I read it.
Read slowly, but fluently
Teacher reads: It’s time for bed, little goose, little goose,
The stars are out on the loose.
Score: …………………………………….….1 point for exact matching
Pages 5-10
Read text to student.
Pages 11-14 Capital & lower-case correspondence
Teacher reads: It’s time for bed, little fish, little fish,
So hold your breath and make a wish.
Test: Capital and lower-case correspondence
Say: Find a little letter like this.​

Point to capital

I and demonstrate by pointing to an upper​

case I and a lower case i if the student does not succeed.
Say: Find a little letter like this. Point to S.
Turn to pages 13/14 Read text to student.
Find a little letter like this. Point to capital T.
Score: ……………………………1 point if BOTH S and t are located​

​

Read text. Cover top line.
Have two index cards that the student can hold and slide
easily over the line of text to block out words or letters. To
start, lay the cards on the page but leave all print exposed.
Between each question the teacher will pull the two cards
apart.
Test: Letter concept
Say: This story says “The very last kiss is almost here.” I want you
to push the cards across the story like this until all you can
see is JUST ONE LETTER.

Say deliberately with stress. You may also demonstrate the
movement of the cards but do NOT do the exercise.
Say: Now show me two letters
Score: ……………………………………….1 point if BOTH are correct
Test: Word concept
Say: Show me just one word.
Now show me two words.
Score: ……………………………………….1 point if BOTH are correct
Test: First and last letter concept
Say: Show me the first letter of a word.
Show me the last letter of a word.
Score: …………………………………...…..1 point if BOTH are correct
Test: Capital letter concept
Say: Show me a capital letter.
Score: ……………………………………..……..………1 point if correct
Read remainder of book to student.​

TOTAL SCORE

Then children are checked to see if they can identify all upper and lower case letters (including typscript "g" and "a".) Students are checked to see if they know letter sounds.


Next they are checked on phonemic awareness:

SECTION C: PHONEMIC AWARENESS / ​

​

English Version

Part I, Words in a Sentence​

Test Sentences ​

​

√ if correct

1. We ride bikes.
2. My friend has a dog.
3. I go to sleep.​

Add 1 point when
student has mastery
of at least two
items.​

Part II, Segmenting Words into Syllables
Test Words √ if correct
1. sister (2 syllables) sis – ter
2. flower (2 syllables) flow – er
3. computer (3 syllables) com – pu – ter
4. window (2 syllables) win – dow
5. run (1 syllable) run​

Add 1 point when
student has mastery
of at least four
items.​

Part III, Producing Rhyming Words
Score /5
Test Key Words √ if correct
1. bat
2. head
3. pan
4. tall
5. fly​

Add 1 point when
student has mastery
of at least four
items.​

Part IV, Rhyming & Non-Rhyming Words
Test Items √ if correct
1. hop, be, me (hop)
2. blue, rug, bug ​

​

(blue)

3. like, car, bike ​

​

(car)

4. sing, ring, bead ​

​

(bead)

5. cake, plane, bake ​

​

(plane)

Add 1 point when
student has mastery
of at least four
items.​

SECTION C: PHONEMIC AWARENESS / ​

​

English Version

Part V, Identifying the Initial Sound​

Test Items √ if correct
1. top /t/
2. rope /r/
3. pat /p/
4. lion /l/
5. soap /s/​

Add 1 point when
student has mastery
of at least four
items.​

Part VI, Identifying the Final Sound
Test Items √ if correct
1. road (d)
2. kiss (s)
3. goat (t)
4. doll (l)
5. room (m)​

Add 1 point when
student has mastery
of at least four
items.​

Part VII, Blending Sounds into Words
Test Items √ if correct
1. /s/ - /e/ (see)
2. /m/ - /a/ - /k/ (make)
3. /t/ - /o/ - /p/ (top)
4. /j/ - /u/ - /m/ - /p/ (jump)
5. /m/ - /a/ - /d/ (mad)​

Add 1 point when
student has mastery
of at least four
items.​

Part VIII, Segmenting Words into Sounds
Test Items √ if correct
1. no /n/ - /o/
2. dog /d/ - /o/ - /g/
3. race /r/ - /a/ - /c/
4. keep /k/ - /e/ - /p/​

5. at /a/ - /t/

Add 1 point when
student has mastery
of at least four
items.​

Last: students are asked to write all the words they know. By the end of Pre-K, students are expected to write 8 to 12 words in the 10 minutes allowed.
​

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