Reader's Response Journals

Students in Mrs. Doiron's kindergarten class each have a Reader's Response Journal, which they work in once or twice a week.  During the first week, students listened to the story of "The Three Little Pigs", and they drew a picture of this story in their Reader's Response Journals.  As the school year progresses, students will move from drawing pictures about the book to writing about the book.

Computer Learning

This year our students will be using several computer programs on a regular basis.  We will use "Success Maker" for Reading and "i-Ready" for Math.  These programs will provide diagnostics and instruction for our students, and I will be happy to talk with you about them in more detail, and show you your child's reports as the school year progresses.  Your child will most likely be on the computer for an hour or two per week, minimum.  Please think about the following questions and help your child at home, if possible.

• Has your child used a desk top computer?
• Has your child used a laptop computer?
• Can your child manipulate a mouse?
• Can your child use a mouse to put the cursor on something and drag it, or click on an item?
• Is your child able to type letters and numerals on the computer?  (Some students hold the key down too long and type "hhhhhhhhhh" instead of "h", for example.)
• Can your child make capital letters using the shift key?

It's okay if your child has never used a computer, and it's okay if he or she needs help.  Soon all the children will be able to use the computer independently.  We look forward to using these new programs in Duval County Public Schools.

Introducing ... Interactive Journals

This school year all K-12 students in Duval County Public Schools will be using Interactive Journals.  Kindergartners in Mrs. Doiron's class will have Interactive Math and Science Journals.  These journals will be used several times a week, and Mrs. Doiron will send them home once a week for homework.  Parents are asked to be responsible for returning these books to school each day, since we use them at school so often.  There will be very specific instructions on how these journals will be used county-wide.  Students will only draw and write on the left-side page, whereas the teacher will put the standards and instructions on the right-side page.  If children move to another school in Duval County, their journals will be sent to their new school to insure continuation of their work.  Mrs. Doiron will give more information on these Interactive Journals at both Orientation and Open House.  Thank you to Mrs. Gray, our principal, for providing the two journals for each student.  Parents will not be asked to buy these journals, unless their child loses their journal.