Title: Top 10 Things Kids Need to Start Kindergarten

Source: Newsday / Chicago Tribune

Author: Jody Temkin

Date: Sunday, April 24, 2005

Level: Intermediate

Click for article.

Vocabulary

Try to guess what these words mean from reading the article.

If you need help, check out OneLook Dictionary Search.

New words you will see in this article:

academic(s)

bookshelf(-ves)

cooperative(ly)

couch

crayon(s)

create

emphasis

gross

hop

imaginative

implement(s)

kindergarten

passive

self-sufficient

share

skip

solid

standard

veterinary

yard

Interesting phrases:

get dressed

motor skills

push for

take turns

tie (tying) shoelaces

Talking Points

With your tutor, conversation partners, or classmates, you may wish to discuss the following:

Do you agree with the Top Ten list of things kids need to prepare for kindergarten?

What other things do you think could be added to the list?

Which items could be deleted?

In your opinion, do parents spend too much or too little time preparing

their kids for pre-school or kindergarten?

How young is "too young" to begin preparing children for school?

For More Practice

Pretend you are a parent whose four-year old can already read, write
and do simple arithmetic. Tell you neighbor about your "genius" child.

Pretend you are a kindergarten teacher. Kindly tell a child's parents
that their kid is failing your class.

Pretend you are a kindergarten student. What do you say when your
mother/father tries to force you to study?