New kindergartners set to take on math, reading

By Venice Buhain | The Olympian • Published September 08, 2008

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OLYMPIA – Gabby Mae Larsen, 5, a kindergartener at Boston Harbor Elementary School, proved she was no stranger to dominoes.

"That isn't 10," she told a new classmate and their teacher, Susan Ott.

"That's eight. This is 10," Gabby Mae said, counting out the dots to prove her point.

Last week and this week, hundreds of South Sound children are entering kindergarten for the first time.

Boston Harbor Elementary kindergarteners had their first official day of school after an orientation day with their parents earlier last week.

But Friday, students had to practice what will become routine.

"Think about all those safety rules," Ott said as the students lined up for their first recess. "Leave a little space so you don't bump into the person in front of you."

Ott said that kindergarteners come to the first day of school with different skill levels but that the activities in class emphasize math and reading skills, even if the students don't realize it.

For example, the monthly calendar marks alternating days with different colors, which gets students used to patterns. During story time, she asks students to use the pictures to guess what's going to happen next or what word might be used.

Ready to learn

She said that some in her class this year seem to be eager learners.

"I've had several children ask when they are going to learn to read," Ott said.

Gabby Mae's mother, Anne Larsen, the co-president of the Boston Harbor PTA, said her daughter was ready for kindergarten almost three hours before the first bell.

"She was up at six o'clock this morning ready to go," Larsen said. "She had her backpack and everything."

Larsen, who has an older daughter in fourth grade, said Gabby Mae is used to coming to Boston Harbor Elementary because their family volunteers at the school. But something has changed now that Gabby Mae has started kindergarten.

"She has her own classroom, her own teacher, her own backpack, her own lunch box," she said. "She belonged here before, but now she really belongs here."

Venice Buhain covers education for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5445 or vbuhain@theolympian.com.