Preparing for kindergarten

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"The kindergarten classroom was huge," Keskonis recalled. Herteacher was waiting inside to calm her first-day jitters. But hadKeskonis been to a program like the kindergarten camp offeredrecently at Harmony Elementary, her suburban Detroit school wouldnot have seemed so strange.
"I think I would have been a little bit more confident," Keskonissaid. "That's our goal."
Harmony and other public elementary schools across Gwinnett areopening early to kindergartners this month to introduce them to theroutine of being a student — from sitting in work stations toplaying with new kids at recess.
Several elementary schools are hosting kindergarten camp sessionsduring an abbreviated school day with crafts and fun learningactivities. Administrators and teachers say the experience helps toreduce the separation anxiety of parents and kids on the first dayof school.
"Kindergarten is a big, scary world for parents," said SheliaBatchelor, a longtime kindergarten teacher at Harmony. "When theirkids walk in the big doors and they walk back out at lunch safely,[parents] see that we are going to love their kids and take care oftheir kids just like they were at home.''
Kindergarten camps at Mulberry Elementary in Auburn and Level CreekElementary in Suwanee start today. Several other schools, such asBenefield Elementary and Suwanee Elementary, will offer camp laterthis month. Some schools have already hosted camp.
Students who attend kindergarten camp tend to become class leadersduring the first weeks of school because they are used to theirsurroundings.
"We do a tour of the school so they know where everything is,"Batchelor said. "They get a head start on following school rules,and they also get to meet some friends."
On a recent day during Wildcat Week (Harmony Elementary'skindergarten camp), 20 kindergartners got an introduction toscientific research methods. The students gathered for a storyabout animal tracks and then scattered some flour on grass near theplayground to see if they could attract animals visiting the campusovernight. The students threw fruit slices and bird seed on top ofthe flour to lure the animals to the site.
A day later, the kids returned to observe the tracks and drawpictures of them in their journals.
"Could a deer have come out last night?" kindergarten teacher DonnaChilders asked students, engaging them in conversation. I believeso. I have seen some of them near my house. What about a dog? Coulda dog have come out last night?"
Five-year-old Hunter Rewis pointed to a long narrow path in theflour. "I believe it was a snake," he said of the track.
"Very good, Hunter," Childers responded.
Students aren't the only ones who learn during kindergarten camp.Some schools offer parents instruction, too.
On July 22 , Susan Stripling Elementary School moms, dads andguardians can attend parenting classes while their kids are atkindergarten camp. The classes will help them prepare theirkindergartners to excel at the Norcross school.
"We are trying to really improve parental instruction in reading,"principal Clay Hunter said. "Techniques the teachers are using inschool we will be teaching the parents so they can use them athome. It's the same thing with math instruction."
About 75 students are expected to attend kindergarten camp atStripling. The principal said he recommends the program for allkindergartners because it gets them used to following directionsand solving problems on their own. "The quicker we can get themindependent, the sooner we can start focusing in on instruction,"he said.
Going to kindergarten camp has already helped Hunter Rewis feelmore relaxed about his new school, said Harmony parent Paula Rewis."When he goes on the first day and the school is packed, it will beless intimidating for him."