Kindergarten is a year where your child will learn many new skills and topics! Here are just a few of the things we will cover this year:
Reading: Our literacy program in kindergarten follows Literacy Collaborative and Next Generation Learning Standards. It includes a variety of reading and writing activities. At the kindergarten level, we introduce good literature and informational texts, encourage language development, teach concepts about printed words, increase vocabulary, reinforce letter recognition and letter sounds, build a sight word vocabulary and encourage children to write words, sentences and stories. Our children will view themselves as readers and authors.
Writing: In writing, we will be learning to write personal narratives, opinion pieces, and informational text collaboratively. We will be authors daily. We will also explore author's craft and things we can try out in writing and be introduced to proper mechanics (capitalization, periods, and spacing, left to right and return sweep) in our writing as appropriate for kindergartners.
Our school district uses Ball and Stick handwriting formation. We encourage and practice correct formation and pencil grip, remembering to start each letter from the top.
Our math curriculum in kindergarten follows the New York State Modules for Next Generation Math Standards. The children are exposed to beginning math concepts through hands on experiences with math manipulatives, exploration, discussion and practice. Concepts such as Counting and Cardinality, Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Numbers and Operations in Base 10, Measurement and Data and Geometry are introduced.
In social studies, we learn about our Self and Others, Holidays, Rules, Maps and Globes and Wants and Needs . Social studies instruction is incorporated into literacy instruction.
In science, we study States of Matter, Pushes and Pulls, Animals and Plants and Their Environment, and Weather and Climate, . Science instruction is incorporated into literacy instruction.