Benchmark Advance is a comprehensive, standards-based curriculum focused on developing literacy skills through explicit, systematic instruction. It integrates foundational skills (phonological awareness, phonics, fluency) with knowledge-building components (vocabulary, comprehension) within a cohesive framework, reflecting research on how children learn to read. The program aims to build strong literacy foundations, enabling students to understand and engage with increasingly complex texts.
Letter Academy is the first phase of teaching students letter formation. This is an important time where we explicitly teach the correct strokes, shapes and spacing for each letter, helping students develop strong handwriting habits.
Sound Lab is the next phase of instruction where students begin to learn that letters represent phonemes.
Instruction is explicit and intentional focusing on articulation features. Letter-sound correspondence will be connected to letter formation.
We teach Whoa Words (Sight Words) with a multisensory approach. We teach students to connect the letters and sounds in each word, even for tricky words that don't follow regular patterns. This way, students build a deep understanding of how the word works, so it becomes stored in their long-term memory for fluent reading.
The California Math Expressions curriculum for kindergarten focuses on building a strong foundation in number sense and geometry, aligning with the California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Key areas include representing and comparing whole numbers (initially with sets of objects), describing shapes and space, and developing fluency with addition and subtraction within 5.
Amplify Science for Kindergarten introduces young learners to science through hands-on investigations and real-world phenomena, aligning with the Next Generation Science Standards. Students take on the role of scientists and engineers, exploring concepts in life, earth, and physical science through activities like observing plant and animal needs, understanding pushes and pulls, and learning about sunlight and weather patterns. The curriculum emphasizes vocabulary development, oral language skills, and collaborative discussions.
TCI's kindergarten social studies curriculum, Social Studies Alive!, focuses on foundational concepts of social studies through hands-on activities and explorations of self, family, and community. The curriculum aims to develop social-emotional skills, build vocabulary for describing emotions, and foster positive interactions. It also introduces basic civics, economics, geography, and history concepts in an age-appropriate manner.