Kindergarten

Integrated Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Health

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Integrated Language Arts

The kindergarten language arts program immerses the child in a language rich environment. Thekindergarten thematic units provide meaningful language experiences through the use of songs, poems, books, fingerplays and other child-centered materials. A variety of media is used to encourage early writing activities. The development of each child's naturally emerging listening, speaking, writing and reading skills is promoted by exposing the child to quality language models. Each child's rate of learning is recognized and a continuum of learning tasks is provided to move each child closer to mature skills. Rather than focus on the acquisition of isolated skills, the kindergarten child learns to value language and to develop confidence in his/her abilities to utilize its different forms.

Essential Unit Outcomes

The kindergarten child will work on initial experience level outcomes:

1. Select reading materials on a variety of topics of interest, (i.e. big books, trade books, poetry and printed charts).

2. Illustrate ideas or text.

3. Complete open-ended ideas and activities (i.e. language experience and theme-related centers).

4. Participate cooperatively using developed materials (plays, poems, stories) for listening audiences.

5. Role play characters through dramatization.

6. Participate in group discussions relative to something heard or read.

7. Participate in choral reading (i.e. repetitive language, poetry, and songs).

8. Discuss real and pretend.

9. Increase vocabulary by using classifications such as opposite and similar.

10. Sequence pictures and ideas: retell stories.

11. Follow simple directions.

12. Begin to understand how writing is similar to and different from the spoken word.

13. Associate ideas with objects.

14. Attend during oral presentations.

15. Ask questions and answer peer-generated questions to clarify ideas.

16. Begin to establish directionality for reading and writing.

17. Identify story elements: characters, setting, problem, events, solutions, and endings.

18. Identify parts of books: title, author, illustrator, back, front, illustrations, written message.

19. Develop a sense of story: beginning, middle, and end.

20. Associate text with pictures.

21. Participate in rhythm and rhyme activities.

22. Predict outcomes.

23. Interpret pictures.

24. Express thoughts and ideas through a variety of writing experiences at developmentally appropriate levels (i.e. scribbling, pictures, letter formation).

25. Begin to identify gross/fine differences in sounds.

26. Begin to have an awareness of associating letters and sounds.

27. Begin to recognize some familiar words in print.

Helpful Parent Tips:

Show your child that reading and writing are important in real life and are lots of fun.
Read 15 minutes each day and discuss what is read. Compare the story to things you have experienced and other books you've read.
Visit the public library to let your child choose books.
Find letters and words in the environment (K-Mart, stop signs).
Encourage your child to think, discuss ideas, and plan activities out loud.
Draw and tell stories about family experiences. Provide many types of paper and writing tools to encourage writing for fun.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mathematics

Mathematics Website

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Science

The kindergarten science program develops an understanding of science from a direct, hands-on approach. "Change" is the fundamental theme for the curriculum. Through observation, children begin constructing knowledge by engaging in exploring science. The kindergarten program emphasizes the development of the processes of science: observing, classifying, measuring, recording, inferring, and predicting, which are cornerstones of the approach.

Units covered include:

Animals and Plants That Live in Water
Animals and Plants That Live on Land
Liquids
Monarch Caterpillar

Essential Unit Outcomes

The kindergarten child will:

1. Observe, discuss, describe, and record the properties of a land animal (monarch caterpillar).

2. Observe, discuss, describe, infer, and record the changes that occur in the monarch caterpillar habitat.

3. Observe, discuss, describe, and record different kinds of seeds.

4. Observe, discuss, describe, infer, measure, and record the changes that occur after the seeds are planted in the terrarium.

5. Observe, discuss, describe, compare/contrast, measure, and record the properties of land animals for a terrarium (land snail, earthworm, sowbug).

6. Prepare a habitat for living things that live in the land (terrarium).

7. Observe, discuss, describe, infer, and record the changes in the completed land habitat.

8. Observe, discuss, describe, compare/contrast, and record water plants (elodea, duckweed) and water animals (guppies, water snails).

9. Prepare a habitat for living things that live in the water (aquarium).

10. Observe, discuss, describe, compare/contrast, infer, and record changes in the completed water habitat.

11. Manipulate, measure, and freely explore water and containers.

12. Explore, observe, discuss, and describe the properties of drops of water on waxed paper.

13. Observe, describe, compare/contrast, and discuss the properties of various drops on various surfaces.

14. Explore, observe, discuss, describe, compare, and contrast the properties of various liquids.

15. Construct a liquid mixture to simulate ocean wave action and observe, discuss, and describe this action.

16. Explore, discuss, observe, and record the mixing of colored liquids.

17. Use content material to acquire information.

Helpful Parent Tips:

Encourage your child to explore their world through the senses and ask questions about the world (nature, liquids).
Listen to your child's explanations and allow him/her to construct his/her knowledge.
Encourage your child to carefully observe and talk about what he/she sees (changes in seasons, animals).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Social Studies

The kindergarten social studies program focuses on examining characteristics of self and others recognizing similarities and differences. Individually and/or as part of a group, the child examines and suggests rules and manners that are appropriate in a variety of situations.

Essential Unit Outcomes

The kindergarten child will:

1. Examine characteristics of self and others and recognize similarities and differences.

2. Define and explain the economic concepts of wants, needs, scarcity, money and services and apply them in role-playing situations.

3. Apply geographic concepts and processes including transportation, communication, location, and characteristics of place and region to explore and investigate self in a variety of spaces (e.g. home, school, neighborhoods).

4. Individually, or as part of a group, demonstrate a positive self-concept and respect for others by behaving appropriately in different situations.

5. Examine and suggest rules and manners that are appropriate in a variety of situations.

6. Using stories and songs, demonstrate an understanding of familiar symbols and political figures in American history.

7. Examine current events in home, school and neighborhoods.

8. Examine personal environmental choices and their effects on the quality of life in the home, school and neighborhoods.

9. Individually, or as part of a group, identify occasions and processes for making decisions to achieve common goals.

10. Examine the characteristics of the farm or the city, and describe services each provides to home, school, and neighborhoods.

11. Examine how Native Americans and Pilgrims shared common wants and needs.

Helpful Parent Tips:

Provide many varied experiences and discuss them (trips to the grocery store, post office, zoo, library).
Discuss and establish appropriate rules and manners in your home and other familiar situations (restaurants, movies, shopping).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Health

The health and safety program is designed to help the child achieve and maintain a healthy body, a healthy mind, and to help the child recognize and react in a positive manner to situations regarding safety. The following concepts are emphasized in kindergarten: healthy habits, safety, nutrition, avoidance of dangerous substances and objects, friendship, self-concept and feelings.

Essential Unit Outcomes

The kindergarten child will:

1. Identify and describe emotions.

2. Discuss ways emotions are expressed verbally and non-verbally.

3. Explain the concept of self as it relates to individuality and uniqueness.

4. Define and describe types of interpersonal relationships.

5. Describe how feelings and behaviors affect and are affected by interpersonal relationships.

6. Examine how friendships and relationships develop.

7. Recognize appropriate uses of prescribed and over-the-counter medicines.

8. Identify reasons for non-use, use, and abuse.

9. Describe the importance of good, personal hygiene.

10. Describe how personal health habits affect one's self and others.

11. Identify and practice personal health habits that promote optimal well-being.

12. Examine personal behaviors and motives for achieving positive and life-long physical and emotional health practices.

13. Identify personal health promotion as an individual's responsibility.

14. Identify food and their sources.

15. Distinguish between hazardous and non-hazardous situations in a variety of environments.

16. Explore and make suggestions for eliminating or modifying specific hazardous situations.

17. Assess and respond to situations that threaten personal safety.

18. Demonstrate safety and injury prevention practices.

19. Match safety needs to the appropriate services and resources.

20. Explain the difference between emergency and non-emergency situations.

21. Describe how to gain access to emergency services.

Helpful Parent Tips:

Encourage your child to be responsible for personal hygiene (wash hands, brush teeth, flush, dress self, eat healthy foods).
Discuss safety with your child (not talking to strangers, not hurting others, looking before crossing the street).
Provide an exercise time for your child each day (walking, biking, skating).