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Kindergarten

The kindergarten curriculum is balanced between child centered ‘play based’ purposeful activities in language, math, science and geography and structured teacher directed activities in all of those areas, including reading, writing and mathematics. Reading is formally taught in first grade with all of our students being proficient readers by the time they move up to 1st grade.

Language and Literacy:

The language and literacy program begins in the fall with a ‘letter of the week’, including ‘Handwriting Without Tears’ and moves in the winter to a full spelling and vocabulary list of words for study chosen by the students. Using a combination of phonics, word study (Wilson’s Fundations) and sight words, the students become basic readers.

The book read aloud listing will be a representative selection of books including different genres and are chosen to infuse more culturally responsive, multicultural and inclusive stories into the classroom. Read aloud listing also includes selected nonfiction topics and biographical selections to supplement curricular areas of study.

Mathematics:

Using a variety of materials, including Bridges in Mathematics and manipulatives the students will master Kindergarten math standards.

Social Studies:

  • School and School Community: Citizens Understanding Civic Ideals and Practices
  • Self and Others: Individual Development and Cultural Identity
  • Geography, People and the Environment
  • Families, Change and Time

Racial Literacy: Racial Literacy Kindergarten lessons focus on the physical world; including an introduction to colors, celebrating our physical selves and identities, especially our skin colors.

Science:

Following the Next Generation Science Standards, science is fully integrated into the classroom, through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics)

Units of Study:

Weather:

  • How and why do we collect weather data?

Solids and Liquids:

  • How does temperature affect solids and liquids?

Pushes and Pulls:

  • How do pushes and pulls influence the way an object moves?

Plant and Animal relationships in the Environment

  • What do living things need to live and grow and how might they change their environment in order to survive.

Engineering design:

  • How can a problem be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool?

Technology:

  • Keyboarding without Tears- The program for teaching keyboarding is developmentally appropriate by grade.
  • Digital Citizenship: Common Sense Media
  • Google Classroom - SeeSaw

Field Trips:

All field trips in Kindergarten support the curriculum in the classroom, are local and involve no transportation other than walking.