Kindergarten Curriculum
Kindergarten is the gateway for students to develop a love of learning. They are beginning to learn empathy as well as building the foundation of reading, math and science. Play and written work are integrated to make sure students are being prepared for 1st grade as well as learning social skills. The motto in Kinderland is "Best Day Ever" and we strive to live up to it all year long.
STREAM in Kindergarten
In Kindergarten, STREAM skills focus on basic problem-solving, curiosity-driven exploration, and foundational concepts in math and science. Encouraging children to ask questions, observe, and describe their surroundings helps build scientific thinking, while activities like sorting objects, counting, and identifying patterns lay the groundwork for math. Simple experiments, such as observing with our five senses or planting seeds to observe growth, foster a love of inquiry and the scientific process. Introducing basic technology skills, like using simple tools or coding toys, enhances early computational thinking. Hands-on, playful activities are key to engaging young learners in STREAM concepts at this stage.
The following skills are developed in Kindergarten:
Creativity Curiosity
Expresses and shares ideas Willing to practice a new skills
Experiments in various mediums Asks "why" questions
Creates on own with personal style Learns from trial and error
Uses materials in multiple ways Explores the natural world
Scientific Method Engineering Design Process
Records an observation Understands problem to be solved
Counts data points Expresses an original plan or idea
Follows an experiment with teacher
Examples of STREAM Activities and Projects
Eat a Rainbow: Students observe that there are the colors of the rainbow in the fruits and vegetables that we eat. Students taste at least 5 different colors in an assortment of fruits and vegetables. Students also learn about all the variety of plants that they can eat!
Focus: Curiosity and science
Popcorn Party: Students observe and document various properties of popcorn, before and after it is popped using all of their five senses.
Focus: Scientific Method
Fall Leaves: Using fallen leaves, students create pieces of art by creating a new image with a leaf, like an animal or object.
Focus: Creativity
Beebot Buses: Students design Beebot transportation for toy bears. Students then code the Beebots in between bus stops to pick up and drop off passengers.
Focus: Engineering Design Process and technology
Gummy Bear Experiment: Students learned about different types of liquids and made predictions about which liquid would dissolve the gummy bear the fastest. They then recorded their predictions on a template by drawing a picture.
Focus: Scientific Method
The Cat's New Hat: After reading "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss, students design the cat a new hat either based on shape or patterns.
Focus: Creativity and math
Blueberry Shoe Planters: After reading "Blueberry Shoe" by Ann Dixon, students convert old shoes into planters. Can plants really grow in a shoe? Students learn how to plant a seed and what a plant needs to live.
Focus: Curiosity and science
