Academic Curriculum

Bridges Mathematics: Bridges in Mathematics engages students in exploring, discussing, and applying mathematical concepts. Hands-on activities, visual models, and engaging routines support all students in making sense of mathematics. The Bridges math curriculum focuses on developing:

This year in Kindergarten, we will learn to count and compare numbers to 100 (with a special focus on numbers within 20), think about joining and separating situations as addition and subtraction, ort, compare, and draw shapes, combine shapes to make other shapes and complete puzzles. 

Fundations: Fundations is a phonics and handwriting program. We will first focus on learning all the lowercase letters, sounds, and formation, before doing a short unit on writing uppercase letters. We will then move on to tapping (or sounding out) consonant-vowel-consonant words, and learning trick words (or high-frequency words). We will also work on elements of a sentence and story elements.

Literacy: Our district is currently using the Lucy Calkins Reading and Writing Workshop programs, though we are actively researching and choosing a new science of reading based curriculum this school year. During the first few months of school, we work on pre-reading and writing skills during mini-lessons and work with small groups of  children while others work independently and/or with partners during workshop time. We move on late fall/early winter to working on emergent reading and writing skills. Throughout the year, we work with children and provide challenges based on their ability. Children may be working on the same type of writing or using the same reading strategies, but they are working at their own levels. We also have literacy centers in which children work on their reading and writing skills.

Science and Social Studies: Though our focus is on math and literacy throughout the year, our classroom themes usually focus on science and social studies concepts (such as seasonal changes, holidays, etc.).

Choice Time: Children have choice time every day, during which they engage in building, drawing, writing, painting, dramatic play, and social interactions. We also include some choices that reflect our current theme during this time.