What happens in Pre-K?
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Prekindergarten can be one of a child’s most exciting years in school. Four-year-olds are naturally curious and eager to learn. Prekindergarteners leave the LISD program with a love of learning and the skills they need to be successful students and citizens.
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Who qualifies for free, state funded Prekindergarten?
To be prek eligible, a child must qualify by one of the state eligibility criteria listed below and be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the current school year.
- child is an English learner (EL)
- income
- homeless
- dependent of a member of the military on active duty, injured or killed while on active duty
- currently or has ever been in foster care
- dependent of an individual who received the Star of Texas Award
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What do students learn in PreK?
The prekindergarten curriculum is based on the Texas Education Agency's Prekindergarten Guidelines.
Areas included are:- Social & Emotional Development
- Language & Communication
- Early Literacy Reading
- Early Literacy Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Fine Arts
- Physical Development
- Technology
LISD's primary adopted PreK instructional resource is Scholastic's PreK On My Way. We also use several supplemental curriculum resources, such as Frog Street Threes, Conscious Discipline, and Second Steps Social Emotional Curriculum. Learn about our LISD Pre-K curriculum on our PreK Curriculum Overviews.
Oral language, alphabet recognition, and phonological awareness (awareness of language sounds) are emphasized in prekindergarten. Children learn to interact with others and monitor their own behavior. Expressing themselves through words, art, and music is also part of the curriculum. Children develop observation and thinking skills through math, science, and social studies. Technology is introduced as a tool for learning and creating.
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What happens in Prekindergarten?
Every LISD prekindergarten class in LISD has a certified teacher and a trained paraprofessional who work together to provide enriching experiences for the children.
Young children learn through play and hands-on activities. High priorities are learning about the alphabet, expanding vocabulary, developing awareness of language sounds (phonological awareness) and the building of social/emotional skills.
Students who speak languages other than English are served through bilingual (Spanish/English) classes or by a teacher of English as a Second Language.
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Do prekindergarten students in a full-day class have rest time?
Yes, full-day prekindergarten classes have a designated rest time every day. Nap mats for use during rest time are provided for full day students.
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How do Prekindergarteners learn?
Prekindergartners are active learners. They learn through music, movement, and hands-on activities. A typical day in a prekindergarten classroom includes time in a large group setting, participating in stories, songs, and rhymes with classmates. During the day, there is also time for small group instruction where the teacher teaches and reinforces important skills. Children also have time to choose their activities at learning centers. These may include dramatic play, ABC, Math/Puzzles, blocks, dramatic play, computers, classroom library, and writing centers. In full day prekindergarten, children also have rest time, participate in enrichment classes, eat meals and play outdoors.
Prekindergarten students do not have homework. The most important experience for young children is to be read with every day. Children should be read with for at least 10 minutes per day outside of school. We also encourage families to do the ReadyRosie activities shared by your child's teacher.
Worksheets and workbooks are not used in prekindergarten classes.
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What does Prekindergarten look like?
The typical prekindergarten day includes:
- Large group instruction
- Small group instruction
- Learning centers
- Active learning time (playground/ gym)
- Meal/snack
- Rest time in all full day prek classes
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How will I know how my child is making progress?
All prekindergarten students receive a report card each nine weeks. Students are also assessed, one-on-one, with a series of Pre-K Guideline aligned Profile Card tasks three times throughout the school year, beginning, middle, and end of year. Profile card results are shared with parents. Additionally, all PK3 and PK4 students are assessed using CLI Engage assessment measures at the beginnig and end of the school year.
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What can I do if I am concerned that my child may have a disability?
Child Find
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The Lewisville Independent School District is responsible for identifying, locating, and evaluating children from birth through age 21 with known or suspected disabilities who reside in and/or attend school within the school district’s boundaries to determine whether a need for special education services exists. Child Find includes children who reside at home, in group homes and/or who attend private or home schools within the district’s boundaries regardless of place of residence.
Everyone in the community who is concerned with the welfare of children may participate in the Child Find process. The Child Find office accepts referrals of children who may have a disability. If assessment is recommended, the assessment is provided at no cost to the parent. A referral to Child Find may be made by a parent or by any person concerned about a child. Parent involvement and agreement is obtained prior to any further action. Information is confidential and the privacy of the children and parents is protected.
If you concerned that a child you know may have a disability and need specialized instruction, please contact Lewisville ISD’s Child Find Secretary, Terri Van Strien, at vanstrient@lisd.net or 469-713-5203.
Who do I contact to refer my child who is younger than 2 years 9 months?
Contact your local ECI provider. See below for contact information:
MHMR of Tarrant County
ECI of North Central Texas
3880 Hulen Street, Suite 400
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Referral Number - (888) 754-0524
Fax Number - (817) 569-4492
Email: Laura.Kender@mhmrtc.org
Web: www.mhmrtc.org
Download the Child Find poster here.
Resources:
- CDC's Developmental Milestones
- Milestones in Action Photo and Video Library
- Developmental Disabilities
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What is Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)?
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) is special education programing for students with identified disabilities ages three, four and some five-year-olds. ECSE designed to provide instruction for students with delays in cognition, communication, psychomotor, self-care, and social-emotional areas. Options for ECSE include self-contained, inclusive/blended classrooms and kindergarten with special education support through specially designed instruction.
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Is there a suggested Prekindergarten supply list?
Yes, linked here is the suggested Pre-K Supply list, but each campus may have specific supply requests that they will communicate to families of enrolled students.
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Is bus transportation provided for prekindergarten students?
No, the district does not offer transportation for Pre-K programs.
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Reading to Your Child
Research shows that reading aloud is the best way to prepare children for learning to read. Reading helps your children develop language skills that they will use in school and throughout their lives. Through books, your children can learn about a world they have not yet experienced and dream about worlds that do not exist.
Reading together is also a time to develop a close relationship with your child. You can laugh together at the silly sounds or antics in a story. You can share the anticipation for what will happen on the next page. Having fond memories of reading together will be special to both you and your child as the years go by.
- Picture books are favorites of young children as the illustrations help them make sense of what they are hearing.
- They also enjoy rhyming poetry and stories with repetitive lines.
- Children enjoy predicting what will happen next.
- They will let you know which ones they like as they ask to hear the same story over and over again. Hearing a story repeatedly helps children understand and appreciate the basic structure of stories so they can apply it to future tales encountered.
- Ask your child questions and comment on his/her responses. In that way, you'll learn more about what your child is thinking and extend the joy of reading time together!
Resources:
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High Quality Prekindergarten Components
The Lewisville Independent School District received funding during the 2016-2017 school year from the State of Texas through the High Quality Prekindergarten Grant program. These funds were used to increase and enrich the prekindergarten experience for four-year-olds who meet eligibility criteria. Areas of emphasis include:
- Curriculum and instruction
- Assessment
- Teacher professional development
- Family engagement
- Class size ratio
Activities funded during the 2016-2017 school year included full-day prekindergarten for students meeting grant program criteria, professional development opportunities for staff working in the program, and three PreK Parent Partners who collaborate with campus staff to increase family engagement.
As an extension of the High Quality Prekindergarten Grant during the 2016-17 school year, districts continue to be required by the state of Texas to adhere to the High Quality PreK components. LISD is committed to providing the highest quality prekindergarten program possible for our students.
- Access our LISD PreK Family Engagement Plan here.
- See our most recent Early Childhood Program Self-Assessment for Prekindergarten HERE.
- Learn about LISD PreK curriculm, including instruction and the PreK learning environment via the link above.
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Resources for Families
Parent Resources
- Ready Rosie (Register)
- VROOM
- Communities in Schools
- North Texas Foodbank
- National Association for the Education of Young Children(NAEYC) For Families website
LISD Family Resources
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LISD Child Nutritian HERE
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LISD Community Support for Families HERE
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LISD Outdoor Learning (LISDOLA) Community Discovery Days info HERE
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LISD Community Night at the Ag Barn; Nov. 3, 5:30-7:00 PM; flier HERE
PreK Instructional Materials Resources for Families
PreK On My Way Family Exchange
Visit the Family Exchange website for family activities, weekly family bulletins, access to the Song Collection, and Little eReaders. Use the URL and password below for general access to the Family Exchange site and the Little eReaders for linked access to theme-aligned digital books.
https://prekonmywayfamily.scholastic.com
Password: Scout
Little eReaders
Extend learning with theme-aligned narrative and informational digital books in English and Spanish. From the Family Exchange web site below teachers and parents can access Little eReaders using the LISD username and password.
Go to: https://littleereaders.prekonmyway.digital.scholastic.com
Enter the login credentials below to access LISD’s Little eReaders subscription
Username--lewisville
Password--prek
My Big World Magazine
Enjoy My Big World, Scholastic’s monthly online magazine for PreK and early learning.
Go to: https://mybigworld.scholastic.com
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Click “Login”on the Log-In button
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Click “I am a Student”
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Enter the classroom password: TXScout
Parenting
- https://www.naeyc.org/resources/blog?f%5B0%5D=field_topics%3A179
- http://www.rulesofparenting.com/
- www.readingrockets.org
- Language Development Chart
- Parent Companion: A guide for Texas parents and caregivers of children with diagnosed or suspected disabilities from birth through 5 years of age.
- Conscious Discipline
- How to Read to a Young Child
- Choosing Good Books for Children
- Getting Young Children Interested in Reading
- Suggested Books to Read to Your Child before Kindergarten
Early Childhood Educational Content
- PBS Kids
- Daniel Tiger on PBS
- Pete the Cat Story Songs
- Starfall Learning to Read with Phonics
- Reading Rockets: For English language learners
Local Public Libraries
Prekindergarten
Prekindergarten Research
- Business Case for Early Childhood Investments: Partnership for America's Economic Success-The Pew Center on the States
- Why Early Investment Matters: Nobel Prize-winning economist Dr. James Heckman
- Why Business Should Support Early Childhood Education: U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Fight Crime: Invest in Kids: #1 recommendation for fighting crime is high quality early childhood experiences
- Preschool for All?: Each dollar invested in PreK yields at least $3.50 in benefits to Texas
- College Board College Completion Agenda: PreK as #1 recommendation for increasing college graduation rates
LISD Family Engagement Plan
- Access our LISD PreK Family Engagement Plan here.
- Learn about PreK curriculum in our PreK Curriculum Overviews.
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Visitation Policy
Visitation of prekindergarten classrooms during instructional hours is subject to LISD security policies and procedures.