Washington School Kindergarten

The Kindergarten Year A year of tremendous growth Focus on the whole child in kindergarten Foster academic, social, emotional and behavioral growth Early in the year - focus on getting used to school and routines Social skills still developing – teachable moments It is exciting and overwhelming at times!

Kindergarten Curriculum

Language Arts Learning to Read (phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, high- frequency words) Print Concepts Appreciation of Literature Writing Handwriting Listening Speaking

Five Essential Elements of Reading 1. Phonemic Awareness 2. Phonics 3. Fluency 4. Vocabulary 5. Comprehension

1. Phonemic Awareness Discriminate and manipulate sounds Examples of PA activities What is the beginning sound in tan? What is the ending sound in big? Which two words begin with the same sound? Which words rhyme? What are all of the sounds in hit?

2. Phonics Connecting sounds to letters in print Recognizing letters and sounds Blending sounds Alphabet taught in a unique order that is research based First, a few consonants are taught, then a vowel, and then blend these sounds to build words. Focus on short vowel words

3. Fluency Ability to quickly decode words or recognize sight words to make text flow smoothly (comes after lots of practice!) Teacher read-aloud, small group, whole class, and individual or partner. Stories read more than once to help children become more fluent readers.

Sight Words 40 kindergarten sight words Students are to know them without sounding them out “Just Know it Words”

4. Vocabulary The more words students acquire, the better chance they will have for success in reading and writing.

5. Comprehension Retelling Comprehension questions and discussion Elements of literature (characters, setting, …) Variety of literature types Include all curricular areas (math, social studies, science, …)

Assessment Benchmark tests Observation Check ups on taught skills every 2 weeks End of semester cumulative summaries MAP testing (Measures of Academic Progress) DIBELS testing (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)

Writers’ Workshop Reciprocal to reading Sessions begin with group mini-lesson and then students write independently 3 Genres taught –Narrative –Report –Functional (“How To …”) Examples of mini-lessons: –Orienting print from left to right –Using end punctuation –Leaving spaces between words –Adding details

Handwriting Peterson Handwriting Program Exposure to correct letter and number formation Correct posture left-to-right orientation Pencil grip Fine motor activities to enhance

Math Calendar/Counting Math Scott Foresman Investigation Series Explore with manipulatives –Pattern blocks –Geoblocks –Connecting cubes –Play money –Buttons –Attribute blocks

Math Skills Explored –Identifying and extending patterns –Identifying numbers up to 20 –Writing numerals correctly up to 10 –Counting to 30 with one to one correspondence –Ordering numbers –Grouping by 1s, 10s, and 100s –Comparing sets and lengths –Adding and subtracting –Graphing –Measuring –Problem solving –Time –Money

Social Studies Explores self and others Introduces ideas of history, economics, geography, civics and govt. through developmentally appropriate activities A focus on events in our nation’s history and cultures in other parts of the world Taught through literature, artifacts, field trips, speakers,…

Character Education: Heartwood Program Monthly attributes are featured through stories, discussion and activities Sept./Oct. – Respect November – Honesty December – Love January – Justice February – Courage March – Loyalty April - Hope

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program School-wide program Kindergarten focus on being a good friend – Bullying-related books –Class discussions

Science ASSET unit focusing on trees Seasonal changes, wetlands, seeds and plants Hands-on activities, field trips, models, artifacts, speakers, investigations, … Science skills include: –Observing- Reflecting –Predicting- Collecting data - Drawing conclusions

Technology LEXIA and Starfall programs to support early reading Various math sites to practice math skills of patterning, matching, adding, … Sites to provide information and games on social science concepts (recycling, animals, insects, birds, artists, …)

Taught by classroom teacher Music and art are a part of every kindergarten day Gym time once a week Library class once a week with Mrs. Egg Special Subjects

Class Schedule * This typical schedule may vary due to special programs. Computer, art, and social studies and science are integrated throughout the day. Opening –Welcome song- Kindergarten News – Pledge of Allegiance- Review of daily schedule Calendar/Counting Math –Days and months- Date –Days of school- Number of students in attendance –Writing numbers- Patterns on the calendar Phonemic Awareness Music Literature Lesson/Library Class

Class Schedule cont. Learning Center Activities –Class moves into small-group or independent learning activities –Teacher facilitated small group phonics lesson –Theme related activities utilizing art, math or science, fine motor, computer, and writing skills Recess/Gym Writers’ Workshop/Math Workshop Pack up/Dismissal

Miscellaneous Information Backpacks Paper books Recess Field Trips Student Absences Communication School Drop-off Birthdays News/Show & Tell Rules/Behavior Parties Dismissal Toys Conferences Guest Readers Open House