Lesson Plan
Kindergarten Kickoff Lesson Plan
Introduce incoming kindergarten students and their parents to the structure of kindergarten, explaining what to expect and how to prepare for a smooth transition into school life.
This lesson eases the transition for children and parents by clarifying what kindergarten involves, reducing anxiety, and encouraging active preparation in a bilingual (English/Spanish) format.
Audience
Incoming Kindergarten Students and Parents
Time
2 sessions of 30 minutes each
Approach
Interactive, dual-language session combining visuals and hands-on activities.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
30 minutes
- Review the Kindergarten Kickoff Lesson Plan for session structure and key points.
- Familiarize yourself with the Bilingual Slide Deck to understand presentation flow in both English and Spanish.
- Read through the Session Script to ensure smooth delivery.
- Prepare the Interactive Activity Sheet set-up and understand its bilingual instructions.
- Check all materials for cultural and language appropriateness for your student audience.
Step 1
Session 1: Welcome and Introduction
30 minutes
- Greet families and introduce the session objectives in both English and Spanish.
- Use the Bilingual Slide Deck to highlight what kindergarten looks like (classroom setup, teachers, daily schedule).
- Read aloud excerpts from the Session Script emphasizing key details and expected behaviors.
- Engage children with a simple, bilingual icebreaker activity (refer to Interactive Activity Sheet).
Step 2
Session 2: Preparation and Q&A
30 minutes
- Review key points from Session 1 and ask for parent and student reflections in both languages.
- Provide concrete tips for preparation, including routines, school supplies, and communication structures, displayed via the Bilingual Slide Deck.
- Conduct a Q&A session using the Session Script prompts to address common concerns.
- Conclude with a brief interactive wrap-up activity (see Interactive Activity Sheet) that reinforces the session's key messages.
Slide Deck
Welcome to Kindergarten!
Bienvenidos al Jardín de Niños!
We're excited to start our journey together. / ¡Estamos emocionados de comenzar este viaje juntos!
This slide welcomes the families in both English and Spanish. It sets the tone for the session by highlighting the purpose of the kindergarten transition.
What to Expect in Kindergarten
• Classroom setup and routines
• Meeting your teacher
• Fun learning activities
• Organización del aula y rutinas
• Conociendo a su maestro
• Actividades de aprendizaje divertidas
Introduce the key aspects of a kindergarten classroom including daily schedule, types of activities, and teacher introductions. Remind the teacher to speak in both languages.
Preparation Tips
Planning ahead helps you succeed!
- Set a routine
- Prepare school supplies
¡Planificar con anticipación te ayudará a tener éxito!
- Establece una rutina
- Prepara los útiles escolares
Highlight the preparation tips for parents and students. The bilingual text should emphasize that preparation helps in a smooth transition.
Q&A and Reflections
Let's share what we're excited about and any questions you have.
¡Compartamos lo que nos emociona y las preguntas que tengan!
This slide advocates for an interactive Q&A session. Encourage sharing of observations and any concerns from both parents and students.
Thank You & Next Steps
Thank you for joining us today!
Stay tuned for more tips and activities in our next session.
¡Gracias por acompañarnos!
Próximos pasos y actividades en la siguiente sesión.
A closing slide that thanks participants and provides a brief overview of the next steps (for session 2).
Script
Session Script: Kindergarten Kickoff
This script provides a word-for-word guide for each session. Please read each part aloud as written, pausing for interactions and ensuring both English and Spanish speakers are engaged.
Session 1: Welcome and Introduction (30 minutes)
Teacher:
"Good morning, everyone! Welcome to our Kindergarten Kickoff session. Good morning, everyone! / ¡Buenos días a todos! ¡Bienvenidos a nuestra sesión de Inicio al Jardín de Niños!"
(Pause to smile and wave at families. Allow a moment for them to settle.)
"Today, we are here to learn all about what kindergarten is like and how we can prepare for an exciting school year. Today, we are here to learn all about what kindergarten is like and how we can prepare for an exciting school year. / Hoy, estamos aquí para conocer cómo es el jardín de niños y cómo nos podemos preparar para un emocionante año escolar."
(Point to the Bilingual Slide Deck on the screen.)
"Let's look at our first slide, which welcomes us to kindergarten! Please look at the screen as I read the message."
(Display Slide 1: 'Welcome to Kindergarten!')
"The slide says, 'Welcome to Kindergarten! / Bienvenidos al Jardín de Niños!' and tells us how excited we are to start our journey together. How does that make you feel? Can you show me your happy faces? / ¿Cómo se sienten? ¿Pueden mostrarme sus caritas de felicidad?"
(Give a brief pause and encourage smiles and responses.)
"Now, let’s talk about what you can expect in kindergarten! / ¡Ahora, hablemos sobre lo que pueden esperar en el jardín de niños!"
(Advance to Slide 2: 'What to Expect in Kindergarten'.)
"Here we see some important points: our classroom looks a little like home – filled with fun routines, friendly teachers, and exciting learning activities. / Aquí vemos algunos puntos importantes: nuestro salón de clases se siente un poco como en casa, lleno de rutinas divertidas, maestros amigables y actividades de aprendizaje emocionantes."
"I’m now going to read a few details from our prepared script to help you know what to expect. Please listen carefully and feel free to ask questions. / Ahora voy a leer algunos detalles de nuestro guión para ayudarles a saber qué esperar. Por favor, escuchen con atención y si tienen preguntas, ¡no duden en hacerlas!"
(Read the prepared excerpt from the session script, emphasizing key points such as routines, meeting the teacher, and classroom activities in both languages.)
"Great! Now, let’s get to know each other a little bit. I’d like to start an icebreaker. In English, please tell us your name and one thing you’re excited about for kindergarten. Then, if you can, share that in Spanish too. / ¡Genial! Ahora vamos a conocernos un poco. Quiero que cada uno me diga su nombre y una cosa que le emociona del jardín de niños. Luego, si pueden, compártanlo en español."
(Allow students to volunteer their responses; offer gentle support and encouragement.)
"Wonderful job, everyone! We all have something special to be excited about. Let’s move on to the next session soon. / ¡Excelente trabajo, todos! Cada uno tiene algo especial por lo que estar emocionado. Pronto pasaremos a la siguiente parte de nuestra sesión."
(Conclude Session 1 by thanking everyone and explaining that Session 2 will review these points further and answer questions.)
"Thank you for joining this introduction. Remember, we are here to help you feel comfortable and excited about kindergarten. See you in our next session! / ¡Gracias por acompañarnos en esta introducción! Recuerden, estamos aquí para ayudarles a sentirse cómodos y emocionados sobre el jardín de niños. ¡Nos vemos en la siguiente sesión!"
Session 2: Preparation and Q&A (30 minutes)
Teacher:
"Hello again, everyone! Welcome back to our second session. Hello again, everyone! / ¡Hola de nuevo a todos! ¡Bienvenidos de vuelta a nuestra segunda sesión!"
"In our last session, we learned about what kindergarten looks like, and today we’re going to talk about how to prepare for a successful school year. / En la última sesión, aprendimos cómo es el jardín de niños, y hoy vamos a hablar sobre cómo prepararnos para un año escolar exitoso."
(Display Slide 3: 'Preparation Tips'.)
"Please look at the screen as we go over some helpful tips. The slide tells us to set routines and prepare our school supplies. Creating a routine at home can make school mornings much easier. / Por favor, miren la pantalla mientras repasamos algunos consejos útiles. La diapositiva nos dice que establezcamos rutinas y preparemos nuestros útiles escolares. Crear una rutina en casa puede hacer las mañanas escolares mucho más fáciles."
"Now, I would like to hear from you. What are some routines you already have at home? You can share in English or Spanish, whichever you prefer. / Ahora, me gustaría escucharles. ¿Cuáles son algunas rutinas que ya tienen en casa? Pueden compartir en inglés o en español, lo que prefieran."
(Pause to allow families to share ideas. Facilitate dialogue and acknowledge contributions.)
"Thank you for sharing! Let’s now move to our Q&A. / ¡Gracias por compartir! Ahora, pasemos a nuestras preguntas y respuestas."
(Advance to Slide 4: 'Q&A and Reflections'.)
"This slide invites you to share any questions or reflections you might have about kindergarten. Please feel free to ask any questions in either language. / Esta diapositiva les invita a compartir cualquier pregunta o reflexión sobre el jardín de niños. Por favor, siéntanse libres de hacer preguntas en cualquier idioma."
(Engage with the audience, addressing questions with patient, bilingual responses. Use the prompts from the script as needed to guide the discussion.)
"Great questions! Remember, asking questions is how we all learn. / ¡Qué buenas preguntas! Recuerden, hacer preguntas es una manera de aprender.
Before we wrap up, let's participate in one more brief interactive activity. Please take a moment to write or draw one thing you are looking forward to in kindergarten on the Interactive Activity Sheet. / Antes de terminar, vamos a hacer una actividad interactiva. Por favor, tomen un momento para escribir o dibujar una cosa que esperan con ansias del jardín de niños usando la hoja de actividad interactiva."
(Allow time for students to complete the activity. Walk around and gently encourage participation.)
"Thank you all for sharing and for a wonderful discussion. Let’s review one last slide before we finish. / Gracias a todos por compartir y por una maravillosa discusión. Revisemos una última diapositiva antes de concluir."
(Display Slide 5: 'Thank You & Next Steps'.)
"This slide reminds us that our time together today is part of a larger journey. Thank you for joining us, and keep checking for more fun tips and activities as you prepare for kindergarten. / Esta diapositiva nos recuerda que nuestro tiempo juntos es parte de un viaje más grande. Gracias por acompañarnos, y sigan atentos para más consejos y actividades divertidas mientras se preparan para el jardín de niños."
"We hope you feel excited and ready to start school! Thank you once again, and have a wonderful day! / ¡Esperamos que se sientan emocionados y listos para comenzar la escuela! ¡Gracias una vez más, y que tengan un maravilloso día!"
End of Session Script
Remember to use a warm tone, make eye contact, and check in frequently to confirm understanding in both languages. Enjoy your sessions and the start of an exciting new school year!
Activity
Interactive Activity: Kindergarten Kickoff
This activity is designed to help both students and parents engage in a fun, bilingual exploration of what kindergarten means and what they are looking forward to. The activity includes two simple tasks:
Task 1: All About Me
Instructions:
- In both English and Spanish, write or draw your name in the space provided below.
- Next, share one thing that makes you excited about kindergarten. You can write a word or draw a picture.
Prompt Examples:
- "My name is..." / "Me llamo..."
- "I am excited about..." / "Estoy emocionado por..."
Task 2: My Daily Routine
Instructions:
- Think about a routine that you already have at home (like brushing your teeth or having breakfast).
- Write or draw your routine in both languages. Use one side of the paper for English and the other side for Spanish.
Prompt Examples:
- "Every morning, I..." / "Cada mañana, yo..."
Take your time and have fun. Once you're done, share your work with a parent or teacher. We will also have a group discussion to celebrate everyone's unique routines and the things that make you excited for kindergarten!
¡Diviértanse y disfruten compartiendo sus ideas! / Have fun and enjoy sharing your ideas!