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Welcome to Ms. Jen's Kindergarten Webpage!
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My name is Jennifer Milano ("Ms. Jen"). This is an exciting year for me since I am going back to the classroom after two years of being Dowling's Literacy Specialist. I'm super excited to meet all of our new kindergarteners. I'm looking forward to working with your children each day as they build their understanding about letters, books, numbers, the environment, and social connections. This will be an amazing year in kindergarten!

About me:  Outside of the world of education, I love spending time with my children and friends. I have two daughters; one is in high school and the other is in middle school! It's unbelievable how fast children grow up. We love going to our home state of California or to Florida's beaches whenever possible.  I LOVE latin dance and music. I have a strong passion for the environment and believe all people are responsible for caring for it and understanding how much we need nature. I am

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definitely a major tree and bee advocate and hope to strengthen my students' understanding of the importance of both.

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California where I taught preschool, kindergarten and third grade for several years prior to coming to Minnesota in 2008. I currently hold a K-12 CLAD (ESL / Cross Cultural, Langauge and Academic Development) Multiple Subjects with an authorization in Art (K-9) License from California. In Minnesota, I am licensed to teach both K-6 Elementary Education as well as K-6 English as a Second Language. When I first arrived in Minnesota, I became the Literacy Specialist at Northrop Urban Enviornmental School where I spent 8 wonderful years both as a specialist and as a third grade teacher. I consider myself extremely lucky to have landed at Dowling, and especially to have the opportunity to teach kindergarten again. I can't wait to see all of the new faces at Dowling this fall!

 
PDF Reading Level Expectations   --  These are the current MPS Reading Level Expectations
PDF Handy comprehension questions to ask your child   --  These questions are tailored to your child's reading level!
PDF Reading behaviors and strategies to try   --  copyright CAFE, do not reproduce
PDF CAFE Menu   --  These are the four key components of being an excellent reader. This material is under copyright, do not reproduce.
PDF Welcome letter from Benchmark Advance   --  Benchmark Advance reading curriculum was adopted across MPS last year. Take a look at their family welcome letter.
Daily Schedule

8:00-8:30 Teacher prep

8:30-8:50 Greeting and Morning Independent Activities

8:50-9:15 Morning Meeting / Social Emotional Learning
 
9:15-10:35 Literacy Workshop
 
10:35-11:05 Recess
 
11:05-11:35 Lunch
 
11:35-12:00 Literacy Workshop continued
 
12:00-1:10 Math Workshop
 
1:10-2:05 Specialist
 
2:05-2:50 Science/ESTEAM/Social Studies
 
2:50-3:05 Closing & Dismissal 
 
3:10 Parent Pick up / MPS Kids / Buses
 
3:15-4 Teacher prep/meetings
Homework

Formal homework in kindergarten is optional, but I encourage you to read with your child every day!