Madison Public Schools

Full Day Kindergarten Discussion

Teaching for understanding requires time

September 27, 2012 1

Today’s Forum

Review the benefits of full day Kindergarten Solicit comments and feedback with the intent of incorporating the input in the further development of a possible full day K proposal 2

It’s not just kindergarten

Kindergarten is a critical year for all children – a year of transition from preschool programs or home to their first formal schooling.

It marks the start of a child’s long-term K-12 experience in our schools.

It is our first opportunity to get to know your child and begin to lay important foundations to facilitate learning skills that will last them a life time.

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Kindergarten Learning Experiences The process of learning for children at this age is as important as performance and products.

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Core Beliefs About Kindergarten

Young children learn best through discovery, exploration and active learning, including structured and unstructured play.

The kindergarten environment must support a natural approach to learning where children are encouraged to ask questions, think, choose, analyze, interact, problem solve and take risks.

Curriculum must be balanced to include direct instruction and projects, learning centers, active participation and student centered activity.

Art, music, physical education, and library media must be integrated as vital components of our kindergarten program.

Outdoor activity and physical movement must be implemented to support development of the whole child.

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Proposal under consideration

To shift the current kindergarten schedule from “half-day” to “full day”.

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Steps taken so far

Discussion with principals Discussion with teachers Review of Research by Kindergarten Committee Tonight’s Forum Presentation to Planning Committee of BOE (October 3, 2012) 7

Why look at full day schedule?

Enhances opportunity to provide a better balance of active and quiet periods to support a developmentally appropriate environment for early childhood learning.

Allows for longer blocks of uninterrupted instructional time.

Research supports academic and social benefits of full day Kindergarten. Increased opportunities for socialization and building self confidence related to school.

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Why look at full day schedule?

More time to experience curriculum through developmentally appropriate pacing.

Proposal does not assume more curriculum.

More time for differentiation and opportunities to extend and deepen the curriculum.

More time under the guidance of the classroom teacher for all students.

Continuity with grades 1 through 4.

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In short:

Any one of these factors is a compelling reason to consider a proposal to shift to full day K. Any one of these factors can be more or less important depending on the child. Taken together it supports a model that would benefit any of our students.

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825 minutes per week will increase to 1,950 minutes per week in a full day program More time spent on:

• • • • • • Literacy Art, Music, PE, Library, Computers Math Intervention/Enrichment Motor Skills Opportunities for language and vocabulary development

Time also available for:

• • • • Science Social Studies Health and Safety World Language 11

Surrounding Towns

In 2011, 73 school districts, 7 Charter Schools and 11 Magnet Schools provided full-day kindergarten.

Approximately 63% of Connecticut kindergarteners are enrolled in full-day programs. Full day: Branford Clinton Region 13 (Durham & Middlefield) Westbrook Old Saybrook Lyme/Old Lyme Region 17 (Haddam & Killingworth) Half day: Guilford Madison 12

Sample K Schedules

(Examples ONLY) Half-Day Schedule (8:15 – 11:00 a.m.) Full Day Schedule (8:50 – 3:20 p.m.)

8:15 30 min 8:50 10 min Morning Routines Morning Meeting (Phonics) Morning Routines 8:45 Literacy 9:15 Snack 9:30 Literacy Centers 10:15 10:45 Special (Art, Music, PE) Pack up and Read Aloud 11:00 Dismissal 30 min 15 min 30 min 30 min 15 min 9:00 Morning Meeting /Reader’s Workshop 45 min 9:45 Snack /Developmental Play Centers 30 min 10:15 Literacy /Writer’s Workshop 11:00 11:45 Math Lunch/Recess 12:45 1:15 1:45 2:25 3:05 3:20 Read-Aloud/Rest Science/Social Studies Special (Art, Music, Library, PE, World Language) Multi-disciplinary explorations Closing/Pack Up Dismissal 45 min 45 min 60 min 30 min 30 min 40 min 40 min 15 min 13

Comments

Please share some of your comments regarding the proposal to move to a full day kindergarten schedule.

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