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Curriculum Curriculum What will my child learn in Kindergarten? Observe a group of kindergartners for a while and you'll notice there is some seriously fun playing and learning going on all the time. It's fun because they're kindergartners. It's serious because everything a kindergartner does - whether it's to sit down with a picture book, play imaginative games with friends, build and knock down block buildings, or recite the "A,B,C' song - lays the groundwork for more formal learning. Keep in mind that for kids that age' "play is work" - there's no need (or any way) to separate the two. MathKindergarten mathematicians are immersed in things they can see and feel. To a kindergartner, a number isn't just ink-spots on a piece of paper, it's a pile of dried beans that needs to be counted. Problem solving is figuring out how many cookies each friend gets to eat so that everyone has an equal amount. Here are some common kindergarten math skills: Counting and Computation§ Counts, recognizes, represents, names, and orders objects (i.e. shows beginning number skills from 1 to 10) § Writes numbers 1 to 10 § Understands the meaning and use of numbers and the relationship between numbers and quantity § Understands simple addition and subtraction by using objects to determine answers § Uses words to explain mathematical ideas § Problem solving - uses different strategies to solve math problems § Collect and record data - graphing § Identify numerals 0 - 20
Shapes, Colors, and Patterns§ Identifies common geometric shapes (i.e. circle, square, triangle) § Classifies and sorts items according to size, shape, and color § Identifies items that do not belong to a group § Builds or completes sequences and patterns
Time, Money, and Measurement§ Names the days of the week § Yesterday, today, tomorrow § Measures, estimates, and compares by size and number § Demonstrates an understanding of the concept of time (e.g. morning, afternoon, evening, day) and recognizes tools that measure time (e.g. clock and calendar) § Identifies common coins by name
Reading and WritingKindergartners do a lot of experimenting with words. They blend conventional letters and words with ones they create in their imaginations. Pictures convey messages and elaborate stories. All of this adds up to the fact that kindergartners are making connections among words, meaning, and expression. Look for some of these signs of early reading and writing skills: Reading Readiness§ Listens to and enjoys picture books, nursery rhymes, legends, and poems § Talks about setting, characters, and events within stories § Talks to others about stories and participates in shared reading activities § Makes predictions about story content based on illustrations § Understands how print is organized and read (i.e. from left to right and top to bottom) § Sees self as a reader
Letters and Words§ Recognizes his or her own printed name § Knows the concept of a letter and a word § Recognizes upper- and lower-case letters § Identifies the beginning letter in single syllable words § Reads some common words
Writing Readiness§ Writes some familiar words § Writes letters correctly § Begins to organize thoughts and information for putting stories together § Explains his or her own writing and drawing § Draws pictures and uses letters to create stories about experiences, people, or events § Writes left to right and top to bottom § Prints her or her own name § Contributes to group stories and dictates individual stories § Sees self as a writer
Phonics and Sounds§ Demonstrates an awareness of phonics (i.e. the sounds that letters make independently and together) § Recognizes spoken rhyming words and substitutes words in rhyming patterns § Separates a word into its sounds (e.g. /c-a-t/)
Speaking and Listening§ Begins to ask questions about stories and to respond to the questions of others § Respectfully takes turns when speaking and listening § Participates in role-playing and creative play § Uses descriptive vocabulary Social StudiesA kindergartner's life experience provides plenty of inspiration for social studies. Throughout this year, kindergartners gain an awareness of themselves, their family members, important people in their lives, and their classroom environment. This year, look for kindergartners to develop the following skills: Social Studies§ Show characteristics of good citizenship and character § Work with others in a school setting § Demonstrate an understanding of the school's geography (e.g. location of classroom, office, cafeteria, playground) § Describe streets, types of transportation, buildings, and activities in his or her local community § Understand basic concepts of geography (e.g. place and simple directions) § Describe events that occurred in the past § Self - how we are unique and part of a group ScienceKindergarten scientists explore their surroundings using all five senses to make observations and to answer questions like: Why do unwanted plants die? What color do you get when you mix blue and yellow paints? What happens to an ice cube that's left on a sunny windowsill? This year, look for kindergartners to develop the following skills: Science§ Exhibit curiosity and a general interest in science § Ask "How do you know?" in appropriate situations § Observe, compare, and classify objects according to characteristics (e.g. size, shape, color, texture) § Identify parts of the body and their basic functions § Name familiar animals § Name various weather conditions and the four seasons § Name and have a basic understanding of the five senses § Name and have a basic understanding of the food groups § Develop skills of scientific thinking, observation, questioning, predicting, investigation, and concluding Religion This year's religion curriculum invites children to realize and experience God's wonderful gifts- their families, their friends, themselves, and the world. All these gifts are reflections of God's love and this love is best expressed in Jesus. Throughout the year the children will participate in different themes that build prayer, morality, and love of the Lord. We will also be focusing on character education traits throughout the year. These traits are responsibility, service, respect, forgiveness, excellence, perseverance, honesty, and justice. We will focus on a different trait each month.
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