Kindergarten Curriculum

Reading:   Kindergarten students are involved in reading related activities and reading instruction for approximately 90 minutes of their day.  Our program is a phonics-based curriculum with a center approach.  We utilize our centers to reinforce the concepts being taught.  We teach phonemic awareness using a variety of methods.  We recognize that one of the best predictors of reading success is the skill of identifying letters and sounds.  We focus on this alphabetic principle through out the year.  In addition to this we introduce writing skills, literature enhancement, word recognition, listening and reading strategies.  Reading skills are integrated through out our curriculum.

Fun websites to visit to practice reading and letter recognition:
    www.starfall.com
    www.funbrain.com
      www.harcourtschool.com/menus/harcourt_brace_spelling.html

Language Arts:  Language Arts and Communication skills are integrated and required of all students throughout the day.  Students spend 20-30 minutes daily on focused practice of writing skills.  These include penmanship practice, journaling and responding to literature.  The signs for the letters and numbers are also taught as another form of communication.

Fun website to review signs for each letter and number.
     http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm

Math:  Mathematics is taught 45 minutes a day everyday we have kindergarten. Calendar activities are also a part of the math program, which is an additional 15 minutes a day.  The program concentrates mainly on the following math concepts: patterns, sorting and classifying, one to one correspondence using objects, number sense, number recognition and writing to 10, introduction to addition and subtraction facts to 10 using manipulative.   In addition the concepts of time, money, and measurement is incorporated.

Fun websites to visit to practice math skills:
     www.funbrain.com
      www.aaastudy.com/kinder.htm
 

Science:  Science concepts are taught through a variety of themed units.  The students rotate to different rooms to learn a specific lesson.  Activities and games reinforce these key points in the lesson which create a wonderful learning experience.  These rotations are called "Science Switch Days." 

Mrs. Gushard comes into the classroom once a month to teach us about character words.  The words she teaches us about are: Cooperation, Responsibility, Respect, Citizenship, Caring, Fairness, Trustworthiness, Perseverance, Self-Discipline and Sportsmanship.

We also use a weekly magazine that reinforces current events.

Fun website to visit to learn more about science:
     www.earthsky.org/kids//Links