Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. How can I help my child learn to read?
2. How can I help with classroom activities?
3. How do I stay informed about my child's education?

How can I help my child learn to read?

First, and most importantly, READ daily with your child.  Cuddle up with a 
book and experience a magical journey through the words and pictures.  Ask 
questions to keep your child's interest and foster comprehension skills.  
Enjoy this special time together!

Second, set a time each day for your child to read the books that he brings 
home to you.  Some of the books will be extra special because your child has 
created or adapted them himself.  Others will focus on phonetic skills or be 
highly repetitive and predictable.  These books strengthen emergent reading 
skills and build the foundation for future reading.

Third, use the activities that are suggested on "The Reading Link" page that 
comes home in the Friday Folder each week.  Have your child find specific 
letters and words as you read.  Make it a fun "detective" game to review 
letters and sounds.  

Fourth, set a time for your child to write messages and stories.  Provide 
him with pencils, crayons, and markers.  Encourage your child to sound out 
letters as he composes words for his message.  Praise him for his 
accomplishments and display the message.  Some activities which encourage 
your child to write are:
1) making a grocery list
2) making birthday, holiday, get well, or thank you cards
3) making a "To Do" list
4) making a "Wish List"
5) making a list of friends to invite for a party
6) making a scrapbook of photos with descriptions under each photo
7) keeping a journal on a vacation trip

The possibilities are endless!

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How can I help with classroom activities?

Parents are welcomed and encouraged to assist in the classroom.  During our 
theme center time parent help enhances the learning potential of each child 
by allowing more one-on-one time for students.  Parents are invited to work 
with small groups of children and become involved with Reading, Math, Social 
Studies, Science, Art, or theme-related activities during center time.  
Please plan for your involvement in the classroom with Mrs. Cronauer before 
your visit.  Thanks!

Your help in making classroom games or activities is always appreciated!  If 
you would like to become involved in this way please let Mrs. Cronauer know.

Each family will also be involved in one class party during the year.  A 
preference sheet will be sent home and groups for each party will be 
assigned.  Each group will be responsible for planning the following 
activities:  table game, gross motor game, snack, and craft.  The students 
will be divided into four groups and will be rotated among the four 
activities during the party.

Each family will also be assigned to bring snacks 2-3 times during the 
school year.  You will be responsible for bringing nutritious snacks for the 
class for the entire week.  It adds to the students' learning if you bring 
nutritious snacks that also start with a letter suggested in the 
newsletter.  You will be notified when it is your week in the weekly 
newsletter.  Normally snack families are assigned a week by following 
the alphabetical sequence of the student's last name on my class list.
  
If you would like to bring snacks during the week of your child's birthday, 
please speak with Mrs. Cronauer no later than the Monday before your desired 
week so that it can be published in the newsletter.  I do try to look ahead 
to plan snack weeks around a child's birthday.  If you do not prefer to have 
snacks during that week and would rather do it at a different time, please 
let me know well in advance.  Thanks so much.

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How do I stay informed about my child's education?

Students bring home papers and work daily.  Please check your child's 
backpack and folder each day to see what your child has done during 
kindergarten.  Talk about the activities with your child to reinforce their 
learning and look for any special notes from Mrs. Cronauer about special 
skills to work on.

Students bring home a "Friday Folder" each week.  This folder contains the 
kindergarten newsletter, which is a weekly newsletter that highlights topics 
we are studying.  It also contains activities for families to do with their 
children that reinforce the skills being studied.  In addition the 
newsletter contains Memory Work assignments, snack assignments, upcoming 
events, and notes of importance for families.  Included in the folder will 
be the Ram News, forms to be returned, student projects, books, etc.  The 
Friday Folders should be returned each Monday morning.  (Tuesday morning if 
there is no school on Monday.)



Also make an attempt to weekly visit the kindergarten website at:  
http://www.teacherweb.com/IN/OurShepherdLutheranSchool/ShirleyCronauer
On this website you will find updated information and activities.

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