Kindergarten

ELA

Course Description

English Language Arts instruction in Kindergarten is divided into two strands: a Skills Strand and a Knowledge Strand.

The Skills Strand is based on the guiding principle of sounds, or phonemes, being taught first. This is supported with explicit, systematic phonics instruction where the sounds are then linked to spellings (i.e. written letters). Students are then taught to read through blending these letter sounds to form words. Fine motor and writing tasks reinforce these skills.

The Knowledge Strand is designed to help students build the background knowledge and vocabulary critical to listening and reading comprehension. A variety of topics are covered moving up through the grades to build upon previously taught domains.

Quarter 1

RF.2

Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes)

SL1

Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse peers and adults

Print upper and lowercase letters

Quarter 2

RF.2

Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes)

RF.3

Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words

RF.4

Engage with emergent level texts and read-alouds to demonstrate comprehension

SL1

Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse peers and adults

Print upper and lowercase letters

Spell simple words phonetically

Quarter 3

RF.3

Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words

RF.4

Engage with emergent level texts and read-alouds to demonstrate comprehension

Communicate ideas of opinion, familiar writing or sequence of events

SL1

Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse peers and adults

Print upper and lowercase letters

Spell simple words phonetically

Quarter 4

RF.2

Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes)

RF.3

Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words

RF.4

Engage with emergent level texts and read-alouds to demonstrate comprehension

Communicates ideas of opinion, familiar writing or sequence of events

SL1

Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse peers and adults

Print upper and lowercase letters

Spell simple words phonetically

Skills Strand

Unit 1

September-October

Students will...

count sounds and words they hear
determine positions such as left and right
hold a pencil with tripod grip
practice writing strokes including lines and circles

Unit 2

October-November

Students will...

blend syllables and sounds of a word
practice writing strokes including cup, hump, zigzag, cane, loop, plus, and x

Unit 3

November-December

Students will...

identify the sounds and write the following letters: m, a, t, d, o, c, g, and i
read and spell words with the given letters
blend sounds of 3 sound words

Unit 4

December-January

Students will...

identify the sounds and write the following letters: n, h, s, f, v, z, p, and e
read and spell words with the given letters
blend and segment 3 sound words
read and write words 'the' and 'a'
read decodable book Pet Fun

Unit 5

January-February

Students will...

identify the sounds and write the following letters: b, l, r, u, w, j, y, x, and k
read and spell words with the given letters
blend and segment 3 sound words
read and write words 'blue,' 'yellow,' and 'look'
read decodable book Ox and Man