Kindergarten
Diane Tovar, Kindergarten Teacher, with Da Vinci since
2000
Dawn Cassello, Kindergarten Assistant, with Da Vinci since
2002
Contact
Phone: 847-841-7532 ext 229
Email: dtovar@dvacademy.org
The best times to reach me are before school (8:00 AM -8:25 AM)
and after school (2:30 PM -3:30 PM). Please communicate with me via
email for routine information or questions. Class time with my
students is valuable, so if you need to speak with me in person
please call or email me to schedule an appointment.
Mrs. Tovar's Degrees Held
B.A. in Early Childhood and Family Relationships, Illinois
State University
M.A. in Elementary Education, National-Louis University
Professional Associations
• IAGC-Illinois Association for Gifted Children
• IDA-International Dyslexia Association-Illinois Branch
• IRC-Illinois Reading Council
About Mrs. Tovar
I have been teaching in independent schools for nineteen
years. I am married and have one child in high school.
I began working at Da Vinci Academy because I wanted to work with
a population of children who are really excited to learn. I
was interested in creating a curriculum that was challenging and
flexible so children with different learning styles have an
opportunity to grow. I love teaching kindergarten at Da Vinci
because it is so much fun to watch the children explore and
question. I believe that our students' social and
emotional development is equally as important as their intellectual
development. I continue to learn as well by attending
professional workshops in many areas.
What to Expect in Kindergarten
My kindergarten classroom is a balance of student and teacher
directed activities. The children have a lot of input into the
topics we study during the school year.
I encourage my students to be independent, to explore, to
question, and to share ideas. We will learn effective problem
solving skills and conflict resolution skills. The kindergarten
classroom is a place to feel safe while children explore and take
risks. I will encourage and support your child to accept new
challenges.
Many times our students are reluctant to try new things,
especially the child who is a perfectionist. Most children
experience frustration or disappointment at some point, but I think
it is important for gifted children to work through these feelings
and learn from these experiences. Resilience is a valuable part of
education and it encourages students to embrace the learning
process.
I also think humor is an essential component in an early childhood
classroom. Kindergarten should be filled with laughter and
fun!
What We Will Study
Much of the curriculum uses a unit format that connects multiple
subject areas to one theme or topic. For example, a unit on bees
acts as the umbrella under which we will "hang" our language arts,
math, science, social studies, art, and social skills curriculum.
In the bees unit we study hexagons in math, social dances and
communication in social studies, how bees make honey in science,
read fiction and non-fiction stories about bees in language arts,
and create bee pictures for art. This approach allows students to
study topics deeply, to ask lots of questions, and to complete a
variety of projects that support their learning.
Units we typically cover:
Fall - Bees, Backyard Animals, Pilgrims and Native Americans,
Patterns, Geometry
Winter - Antarctica, Penguins, Space, Graphing, Number Sense,
Estimation
Spring - Human Body, Oceans, Measurement, Time, Money
Assessment
I use several assessments throughout the year. The formal
assessments are made during the fall, winter and spring. I use a
spelling inventory, reading assessments, anecdotal records,
checklists, observation, and performance tasks to assess the
children.
How to Help Your Child Be Successful
- Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest and starts each
day with a healthy breakfast. It makes a big difference when young
students are well rested and have the energy to participate in all
of our fun activities.
- Please arrive on time. Many children have a difficult time the
entire day when they arrive late.
- For optimal growth in reading, I recommend that you read with
your child at least 5 times a week.
- Encourage and support your child's efforts!