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Mrs. Courtney

Welcome to Kindergarten! My name is Alissa Courtney and I am looking forward to a bright new year sharing one of the most exciting learning and growth periods in your child’s life.

This is my sixth year teaching at John L. Golden Elementary, but I have been with the Etiwanda School District for the last several years. Kindergarten will be such a fun year, and I can’t wait to spend it with you and your student. We have many fun learning activities planned for this year, and I am so excited to be able to share your Kindergarten journey with you.

If you are familiar with my teaching, then you know I focus on having a “Growth Mindset”. This is a belief that our most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work — brains and talent are just a starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. It is a belief that students can learn more or become smarter if they work hard and persevere. Students who believe this way may learn more, learn it more quickly, and view challenges and failures as opportunities to improve their learning and skills. 

A little bit about Mrs. Courtney: I cherish the time I spend with my family. My husband and I have a fun, loving, and wild 5 year old and 2 year old. I enjoy family time, the outdoors, camping, cooking, and TEACHING! I realize how important families are to everyone and I will be encouraging your participation in your child’s education. 

My goal for this year is that each student will leave my classroom with confidence, a zest for learning, and knowing that they are truly unique! 

LET'S REACH NEW HEIGHTS!
Cheers to a wonderful year stars!
Mrs. Courtney 

Upcoming Events

Check the ROOMS app for upcoming events from Mrs. Courtney

April

4/4 Duck + Cover Drill

4/5 Progress cut-off

4/5 AR PARTY

4/12 Farmer Day! Dress like a farmer

4/12 Progress reports online + NUPS sent home

4/22 Earth Day!

4/26 Superhero Day! Dress like a superhero to take care of the Earth

4/26 PTA Quakes Night

May

5/3 Circus Day! Dress

5/3 AR Cut Off

5/9 FIELD TRIP!!!

5/10 AR Party!

5/17 Pirate Day

5/20 Fun in the Sun Day!

5/21 Celebration of Growth 9:30AM

5/23 LAST DAY 1:15 Dismissal

Kindergarten Units

Social Studies Alive!

TCI Teaching Strategies

  • Visual Discovery

  • Experimental Exercise

  • Writing for Understanding

  • Response Group

  • Problem Solving Groupwork

  • Social Studies Skill Builder

Science and Engineering Practices:

-Asking Questions and Defining Problems

-Developing and User Models

-Planning and Carrying Out Investigation

-Analyzing and Interpreting Data

-Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

-Engaging in Argument from Evidence

-Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Homework Assignments

Kindergarten homework assignments align with classroom instruction. They are meant to enrich learning and help your child master the standards which have been taught each week.

Weekly homework will come home in a packet form and include one journal writing.

Homework Packet

Your child should spend a few minutes each night working on the homework packet. Please be sure to monitor as your child works for accuracy, neatness, and correct number and letter formation.

Journal Writing

Please check weekly Kindergarten Newsletter under the “Homework” section of the newsletter for the weekly journal prompt. In the beginning, you may write the words for your child. Please be sure to model correct spacing and kindergarten style letter formation for your child. Your child should draw a picture to go with the writing and color it with crayons. As the year progresses and we learn more writing skills, students will be responsible for more of their own writing.

Helpful Hints for Families

Homework is an on-time grade. All homework assignments should be completed and returned to your child’s teacher by Friday. Here are some helpful hints for families:

• Provide a quiet place for your child to do his/her work;
• Review your child’s work with him/her before returning it to school;
• Make sure that your child’s completed work is clean and neat;
• Have your child use a pencil to do homework;
• Assist your child as needed, but do not complete the assignments for him or her.

 It generally takes about 10-20 minutes for children to complete their homework each day. If it takes your child longer than 20 minutes per day to complete homework assignments, please let me know.

Suggested Supply Donations List

Below is a list of suggested supplies/donations for your Kindergarten year.

“This is a suggested supply list and purchase of these items is voluntary.” 

“Organization is key.  Our students are provided with the materials they need for instruction, but many parents and students find it helpful to purchase folders and binders to organize those materials for class.  It is not necessary to purchase the additional items, but in the past, the following items have been helpful for students in Kindergarten.”

“Our school provides all of the items we need for instruction, but we tend to use a lot of Kleenex and white board markers at this grade level.  If you would like to donate Kleenex or white board markers, we would appreciate the extra support.”  

Please do NOT label individual boxes- we all share in Kindergarten

  • Tissues

  • Googly Eyes (all sizes)

  • Pencils (Ticonderoga)

  • Dry Erase Markers - used daily (skinny and fat)

  • Crayons

  • Markers 

  • Coffee filters

  • Clothes pins

  • Stickers

  • Glue gun glue sticks

  • Glue sticks

  • Colored Pencils

  • Post-It Notes - 3x3 and 2x1.5 

  • Glue bottles

  • Sticky Notes

  • Baby Wipes (unscented)

  • Paper towels

Flashcards

Letter Names and Sounds

Kindergarten Sight Words

Fry Sight Words

CVC Family Words