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!