The purpose of this guide is to help teachers and elementary principals create kindergarten environments designed to meet children's developmental needs. Section 1 describes the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual characteristics of kindergartners. Section 2 discusses the recruiting and enrolling of students; the parent handbook; home visits; volunteers, parents, and aides in the classroom; the process of choosing between paraprofessionals and aides; the first few weeks; daily schedule; room arrangement; guidelines for selecting equipment; equipment; and unstructured materials. Section 3 explores the kindergarten curriculum in the areas of English language arts, science, art, music, mathematics, social studies, computers, combination K-1 and K-1-2 classes, and transitions. Section 4 discusses assessment and reporting. Topics include observation and recording of student progress for the purposes of planning and reporting to parents, information gathering, the process of setting up a system for the classroom, and the process of gathering information through observation and standardized testing. A glossary of testing terms and guidelines for reporting to parents are offered. The fifth section provides bibliographies of general books and publications related to areas of the curriculum. Appendices A and B provide several lists of books for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. (RH)